40 Day Devotionals 2014 Day 46 - Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

You made it through all the devotionals! Special props to those of you who read one for every single day of Lent even the Sundays!

I have no devotional for today. However, I will link you to the story of Jesus' return in John 20!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020&version=NIV

40 Day Devotionals 2014 Day 45 - Saturday of Waiting

I turned to my wife and I asked, "Is there a name for the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday?" She turned to me and said "Sadderday." (here is the video clip) She was referencing an Easter video we shared with the students a while ago. I couldn't help but giggle but at the same time I had to stop and think about how that is so true. This is by far, one of the saddest days in all of existence! The curtain was torn so God was no longer in the temple with us and Jesus had also passed. I'll let that sink in for a moment...

We know that Jesus conquers death but for those who has lost their Rabbi, their friend, their Lord, their son, this weekend was truly painful. Fortunately for us, we know that Christ returns. We know He abolishes sin and builds the best relationship we will ever have, the relationship with God our creator, our provider, our Father.

This is a wonderful chance for us to focus on the sacrifice, the salvation in our lives, our families, our friends, and our relationship with the Creator.

Day 40

Scripture

Psalm 27: 13-14

-    Before Reading the scripture today; Pray and ask the spirit to guide you in the reading:
13 I remain confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of the LORD
   in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the LORD.
Wisdom

-    Pondering really hard on what to write about and think about on this special Saturday I was encouraged by David’s word in the Psalms. We need to learn to wait on the Lord. We have a huge benefit over the disciples. We actually know that Christ returned after His death. There wasn’t a period of mourning for us; we weren’t there on Saturday, sitting and waiting to see what was going to happen. In their minds Jesus was gone forever after he died. I can only imagine how they felt. For those of you who have lost a close friend or relative you know how it feels. But for us, we know that he returned. I‘m sure seeing Jesus for the first time after he died was the most amazing thing the disciples have ever witnessed.
-    I encourage you to think about what Christ has done for you while you wait for Easter Sunday to come. Instead of mourning His death, rejoice in knowing that He is coming back after defeating all the sin in your life. Sin that separates you from God. But thanks to Jesus, we are no longer separated.

Apply

-    Today, reflect on the times in your life where you felt the Lord may not have been there for you. Find traces of Him in all aspects of your life.
-    Take the time to think about people you will tell your story of faith to.
-    Can you think of at least 2 friends or family who don’t know about Jesus? Use your story of faith to start a conversation with them about Christ.

Prayer

-    Praise Jesus for His sacrifice. Thank him for taking all of your sin with Him and defeating it. Ask Him for the strength to wait on Him in your life. Now pray for the people in your life that you know don’t have a relationship with God. Ask Jesus to soften their hearts so that you can share the gospel with them.

40 Day Devotionals 2014 Day 44 - Good Friday

Good Friday.

I am saddened and happy. It is by far, the most conflicted day for me spiritually. I don't want my Lord to die, but I know that He must in order for me to be with the Father. I know it is my fault He is there. He didn't just die for all of us, He died for one of us. He died for you. He died for me. Thank God He Loves us so much!

Day 44

Scripture

Mark 15:33-41

-    Before Reading the scripture today; Pray and ask the spirit to guide you in the reading:
-     33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
-     35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
-     36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
-     37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
-     38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
-     40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

Wisdom

-    It is time to reflect on the sacrifice of Christ for us. The passion that God has for us is so amazing that He sent His Son to die for us.
-    I didn’t use the entire scripture of Jesus’ passing but just the very last section of Jesus’ last breath. As He died it is believed that as He cried out to God and as He finished breathing that all sin; past, present, and future came upon him. And then He died.
-    Then the curtain in the temple; the one that separated God from the people, was torn apart. To symbolize that now Jesus is our direct connection with God and that God Himself is no longer in the temples; the Holy Spirit is.
-    I love what happened to the roman centurion here. As he watched as Jesus took His last breath the centurion realized that Jesus was the Son of God. Because who can possibly ignore the skies darkening (remember it is 3 in the afternoon) and the earth shaking the moment Jesus died. I can only imagine what those who were present were feeling when they witnessed everything that happened. The guilt of those that nailed and crucified Him, the regret of those who condemned Him, the sorrow of those who loved Him, the fear of those who didn’t believe Him.
-    Focus on why this is called Good Friday. It may have been an amazingly sad day in human history; we killed the King of Kings. It is also the day we were given entrance back into the Kingdom of God.

Apply

-    Who do you connect with; the centurion who just realized that Jesus was the Son of God or His close friends that were watching?
-    Take some time and do this; close your eyes and imagine you are there. Watching as Jesus cries out to His father and He takes His last breath. Watch as the sky darkens in the middle of the afternoon and hear a loud boom in the sky, feel the rocks below your feet tremble and watch the ground split in places, listen to the people run out of the temple screaming as their most holy cloth was torn in two pieces before their very eyes. As you open your eyes, take some time and pray for what Jesus just experienced. If there is pain, sorrow, guilt, shame, anything that needs to rest on Him, give it up.
-    Give it up. Feel the freedom that can only come from knowing Christ Jesus.


Prayer

-    Pray and thank Jesus for what He has done for you and for everyone. Praise Him for His mercy and salvation He has given us. Ask Jesus now to come into your life and guide your steps and watch over you so that His sacrifice would not be wasted. Spend time thinking about what He has done for you. 

40 Day Devotionals 2014 Day 43 - Holy Thursday

No blog today. Time to focus on the message and contemplate over the next few days.

Day 43

Scripture

John 13:1-17

-    Before Reading the scripture today; Pray and ask the spirit to guide you in the reading:
-    It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
-    2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
-    6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
-    7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
-    8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
-    Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
-    9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
-    10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
-    12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Wisdom

-    Time to really dive deep into the last few devotionals. These will be challenging moments. As they should be since they were Jesus’ last moments. Reflect on what these passages mean to you and how they test your commitment and the Grace given to you.
-    This is by far one of the most difficult passages for some folks. Sure we are with the Holy Jesus who casts demons out and heals the blind. We are with the buddy Jesus who is our friend and turns water into wine. We are with the Rabbi Jesus who teaches us and is our mentor. We are with the loving Jesus who keeps His calm when Pharisees test Him and He still loves Peter after His denial. But servant Jesus? The one who gets down on His hands and knees and washes the feet of His disciples, even the one who betrays Him. He does so with a humble and open heart.
-    This is a difficult Jesus to mirror. Humbleness is tough in our culture. We find it difficult to forgive and love those who betray us. We find it difficult to clean and wash dirty things when we don’t have to. This is a selfless act. A compassionate act. This is how we must be.
-    If we are to be Christ for others, we have to be willing to not see them as sinners, but as Children of God who need love. If we are to be leaders for Jesus, we need to be able to wash the feet of our friends and family who need God’s love. Figuratively speaking, what does that mean to you? How can you portray Jesus?

Apply

-    Can we love and serve others the way Jesus loves and serves?
-    Can you put aside your pride and serve those who are not close to you or respect you?
-    Can you be faithful to Christ even when life is tough or the temptation is deep?

Prayer

-    It is time to really prepare our hearts for Jesus’ sacrifice. Pray to the God who laid down His life willingly for you. Ask Him for a heart that bleeds and serves like His. Ask God to show you the opportunities in your life to serve those who need it in your friends and family. Ask Him to remove pride and selfishness in your life and put love and acceptance first.

40 Day Devotionals 2014 Day 43

As the Rolling Stones taught us, "You can't always get what you want." But with our God, you can get what you need.
I have been praying and thinking a lot about direction lately. Obviously with the new addition to the family I am seeking God's guidance in so many things. That has been a tough task. I have been running on auto-pilot for quite some time. I am enjoying that having a baby is challenging my faith in a good way!
I want a lot of things; A happy life, a happy wife, a healthy baby girl, financial security, a house that doesn't need repairs, a ministry that runs smoothly, cars that don't need fixing, a body that can maintain itself, peace of mind for my friends and family.
I know that God will give me what I need. I just have to go out there and get it.

Day 43

Scripture

Matthew 7:7-8

-    Before Reading the scripture today; Pray and ask the spirit to guide you in the reading:
-    7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Wisdom

-    This is a classic scripture. There are songs written about it, there are countless poems, positive paintings, quotes, and many, many lessons based on it. Jesus talks about something very simple here. But isn’t Faith within itself, a simple concept. Such a simple concept that even a child can understand it.
-    Doesn’t a child have faith that its parents will take care of it? In the same way shouldn’t we as adults have the same Faith with our Father?
-    Then why is it that we don’t have that kind of faith with God? Did you always get what you wanted as a child? Do you give everything to children? No, sometimes you don’t, to help them learn that not all can be gotten just by asking. Sometimes you have to work for it, earn it, or find it. Sometimes you don’t deserve it. Does the child get upset because of your answer? Of course, the same way we get angry when our heavenly Father gives us the same answer.
-    However, Jesus teaches us that we shouldn’t stop trying. We should keep going. Have the Faith that God will give you not what you want, but what you need in this life. And so very much more!

Apply

-    Go back and read the scripture again 3 times. Almost like a mantra. Meditate on the scripture.
-    What do these promises tell you about our Father?
-    What specific things in your life do you need to ask the father about?
-    What are seeking God’s will for?

Prayer

-    Pray to the Father that His will may be done in your life. Ask Him for guidance, direction and discipline. Pray just as Jesus prayed in the Garden, knowing that the will of God is better than your own will. Ask God for what is good in your life now, in the future, and eternally.

40 Day Devotionals 2014 Day 42

Love all you readers out there! Got any particular subject or topic you want to hear or study about? Hit me up!

Day 42

Scripture

2 Peter 2:1-3

-    Before Reading the scripture today; Pray and ask the spirit to guide you in the reading:
-    1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

Wisdom

-    I cannot stand when people use the scriptures for their own good. It literally boils my blood when folks read the words of the Lord incorrectly for personal gain. In scripture it tells us to understand the scripture and hold it close to our heart so that is can be a shield from this world and from people that attempt to lead us in the wrong direction.
-    In our time there are plenty of people who twist the scriptures in order to serve their own purposes or to prove their own points. This has been happening since we have had God’s word. Now it’s not that God doesn’t have control of His word, it is just that we have the freedom to interpret how we will. It is designed to help us get closer to our creator, but it can do the exact opposite if we want it to.
-    Have you ever witnessed when people are mean to each other in the church? Or other Christians acting inappropriately? People taking sides and destroying relationships, people not appreciating help, looking out for only themselves, exploiting other people. Don’t these things happening in the House of God make a horrible witness to the outside world?
-    Like the unity of God in the Trinity, we are supposed to be many people as one unit; functioning for His glory. It is time to be ready to call these things out before they become destructive. If you see your brothers and sisters in Christ causing problems, be ready to hold them accountable; using scripture and spiritual elders as your guide and help.

Apply

-    Have you ever watched as something bad happened around you? What did you do?
-    How do you think people lie about who God is in their witness?
-    Are you comfortable enough in your faith to challenge others?

Prayer

-    Pray to the Lord that he protects you and your church body from destruction; whether it be from within or outside. Ask God to give you the strength and wisdom to follow through on His commands.

40 Day Devotionals 2014 Day 41

No, it is not a mistake! Remember, I include all days of Lent, not just the 40 weekdays of Lent but also the Sunday Sabbath days.

Day 41

Scripture

Mark 12:28-34

-    Before Reading the scripture today; Pray and ask the spirit to guide you in the reading:
-     28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”    29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[b] 31 the second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[c] There is no commandment greater than these.”  32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”  34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

Wisdom

-    I love Mark’s version of the Great Commandment passage. Same setup and all but Jesus’ response to the teacher was pretty interesting. He says that he isn’t far from the kingdom of God. He didn’t say, you are close to getting it right, or you have found the answer, he actually put the man in closeness to God’s Kingdom. Think about that for a minute!
-    If we understand that Loving God with all our heart and strength and loving neighbors as ourselves is more important than offerings or sacrifices we will be close to the Kingdom of God. So many people have asked, and here is the answer. What do Christians do? Well here is what we are supposed to do. Jesus just gave us the “Big Picture.”

Apply

-    Imagine you were the person talking to Jesus. You ask Him this question with a thought in your mind that you need a big question answered. What is the big question in your mind? Right now what is the largest issue in your head? Does Jesus’ answer help you?
-    Don’t take this passage as a cut-down or a scolding. Take it as the wisest thing you have ever heard and apply it.


Prayer

-    Ask the Lord to help you love Him with “with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Take this to the next step. Find someone in your heart that is difficult to love. Ask the Lord to do the same with that person for you. That you may love others like you love yourself. Now praise Him for these gifts and abilities and for His Grace.