Daily Devotionals

Devotional - Christ's Compassion

2019-05-16T04:53:00Z

“Jesus wept.” – John 11:35

Chaim Potok’s book “Chosen” tells the story of Danny Saunders, the son of a strict Hasidic Jew. For many years Danny’s father, though very human, never speaks to Danny, except when teaching him out of the Talmud. One day the mystery is revealed. Rabbi Saunders explains that God has blessed him with a brilliant son, a boy with a mind like a jewel. When Danny was 4 years old his father saw him reading a book and was frightened. The book described the suffering of a poor Jew, yet Danny enjoyed it!

“There was no soul in my 4-year-old Daniel, there was only a mind”

The rabbi cried to God “What have you done to me? A mind like this I need for a son? A heart I need for a son, a soul I need for a son, compassion…righteousness, strength to suffer and carry pain…”

So Rabbi Saunders followed an ancient Hasidic tradition and brought the boy up in silence, for then “in the silence between us he began to hear the world crying.”

Jesus has compassion for the world. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He is our model of compassion and seek to have a tender heart toward others.

“You may call God love, you may call God goodness. But the best name for God is compassion.” – Meister Eckhart

God’s Word: “Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people.” – Jeremiah 9:1

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Devotional - Losing Faith

2019-05-15T17:12:00Z

“Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me” – John 10:25

In 2012, Teresa MacBain had a secret, one she was terrified to reveal.

“I'm currently an active pastor and I'm also an atheist,” she said. “I live a double life. I feel pretty good on Monday, but by Thursday — when Sunday's right around the corner — I start having stomachaches, headaches, just knowing that I got to stand up and say things that I no longer believe in and portray myself in a way that's totally false.”

Her secret was taking a toll, eating at her conscience as she went about her pastoral duties week after week — two sermons every Sunday, singing hymns, praying for the sick when she didn't believe in the God she was praying to.

“On my way to church again. Another Sunday. Man, this is getting worse,” she told her phone in one recording. “How did I get myself in this mess?”

MacBain, 44, was raised a conservative Southern Baptist, but she had questions about the Bible which nagged her. She finally came out as an atheist and left the pastorate.

When asked whether she missed God, she answered: “No, no. I can't say that I do.”

Do not let any question interfere with your faith in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is worthy of our faith in Him.

“None but the Lord himself can afford us any help from the awful workings of unbelief, doubtings, carnal fears, murmurings. Thank God one day we will be done forever with ‘unbelief’” – Arthur W. Pink

God’s Word: “‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’ Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” – Mark 9:23-24

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Devotional - The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life

2019-05-14T04:43:00Z

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.” – John 10:14-15

On April 30, 2019, a gunman entered a classroom at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Riley Howell, age 21, hurled himself at the gunman and was fatally shot. Authorities said he knocked the gunman off his feet and helped end what could have been a deadlier massacre, where two students were killed and four others were wounded.

"He took the fight to the assailant. Unfortunately, he had to give his life to do so, but he saved lives doing so," Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Chief Kerr Putney said.

Riley was a Christian and he laid down his life for others. His aunt, Morgan Howell Moylan, said: “He did such a heroic thing. He was everybody's protector. You felt safe when you were with Riley."

"His faith was strong and he knew what he had to do when people needed him most," the family said in a statement. "He was always the guy you could count on and he delivered."

Riley’s sister said: "He put others before himself. He always has."

There is no greater love than dying for someone, and that is precisely what Jesus Christ did for you. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that He voluntarily laid down His life for you.

“God proved His love on the cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’” – Billy Graham

God’s Word: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Devotional - Following Him

2019-05-13T15:15:00Z

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.’” – John 8:31

In May 2011, Police in New Jersey investigated an accident in which the driver claimed his GPS told him to ignore the end of a road and to drive straight into a house, seriously injuring two people in the car.

It happened early Saturday morning where New Road meets Ridge Road in South Brunswick, N.J., a central Jersey community a few miles north of Princeton.

Traffic engineers designed it so that you can either turn left or right onto Ridge Road.

But faced with that choice in the dark and foggy early morning hours, the motorist told police he followed his GPS.

At a T intersection, where the only options were left and right, the driver opted instead to follow his GPS guidance and go straight. He missed the initial stop sign, ran over the lip of the curb, and continued for another 100 feet before hitting a house. Unfortunately, two passengers who were not wearing seat belts were hurt and taken to the hospital. "This stuff really happens," a police spokesman remarked.

It is curious that some people are overly obedient to machines, but will not follow the Lord. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you a heart that is ready and willing to follow after Him.

“Nothing is really lost by a life of sacrifice; everything is lost by failure to obey God’s call.” – Henry P. Liddon

God’s Word: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Devotional - The Fear Of Others

2019-05-10T04:43:00Z

“But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.” – John 7:13

Georg Gärtner was born in Poland. He enlisted in the German Army in 1940 at age 19, and fought in the North African Campaign with the Afrika Korps. He was captured by Allied troops in Tunis in 1943 and was taken to the United States as a prisoner of war.

At the end of the war, Gärtner was terrified at the thought of being repatriated to his hometown, which was now occupied by the Soviet Union, and decided to escape. Several weeks after the war's end, he escaped from his prison camp in Deming, New Mexico, on September 22, 1945.

He moved between various towns on the US West Coast, working as a lumberjack, dishwasher, or laborer. Having studied English as an officer candidate, he perfected his command of the language, created a new identity as Dennis F. Whiles, obtained a Social Security card in that name, and invented a biography in which he had been raised in an orphanage after his parents had been killed in a traffic accident. He eventually settled in Norden, California. He got married and seemingly had dropped off the map. The FBI ceased searching for him in 1963.

In 1984, after his wife threatened to leave him because he would not share his past, Georg fearfully confessed all to her. Then after years of delay, Georg became a U.S. citizen in 2009.

As Christians, we should never be fearful of men and we are to always stand-up for the truth. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that we need not be fearful of anyone.

“Whenever I hear about Christ as Savior it appears that he saves us from sin – and I don’t wish to deny that – but in my experience he does more than that: he releases us from fear, and I think fear is the great killer.” – Ivor Smith-Cameron

God’s Word: “The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Devotional - The Sin Of Complaining

2019-05-09T04:20:00Z

“‘Stop grumbling among yourselves,’ Jesus answered.” – John 6:43

In a civilized game, John McEnroe was pretty much as uncivil as you could be.

Throwing rackets, insulting umpires—McEnroe's reputation is built around his whining and complaining about calls that did not go his way.

If there were a stat for most cursing and making a crowd gasp, John McEnroe would be tennis' all-time leader.

John McEnroe had more than one temper tantrum on court. He’s been filmed shouting at umpires on countless occasions; calling one a “jerk” and another “pathetic”, he’s thrown his racket or used it to knock dramatically knock things over. But he is perhaps best known for shouting this line at an umpire during a match in 1981: “You can’t be serious, man. You cannot be serious! That ball was on the line!"

Chronic complaining is a sin. Today in prayer, confess any sin of grumbling and complaining to the Lord.

“Anyone who complains or grumbles is not perfect, nor even a good Christian.” – John of the Cross

God’s Word: “Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” – James 5:9

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Devotional - The Testimony Of Jesus Christ

2019-05-08T04:50:00Z

"You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me” – John 5:39

Charles Feinberg was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised in an Orthodox Jewish community, graduating from the Hebrew Institute of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh in preparation to be a rabbi. In 1930, after studying the New Testament, he gave his life to Jesus Christ through the ministry of Chosen People Ministries.

After his conversion, he studied theology at Dallas Theological Seminary, and in 1935 he started broadcasting radio messages. He began teaching at Biola in 1948 when he became a member of the Jewish Department and professor of Old Testament and Bible Exposition.

In 1952 Charles Feinberg became the dean and professor of Semitics and Old Testament at Talbot Theological Seminary. He was known for his vast knowledge of Jewish history and Hebrew attracted many eager students. In his lifetime he read through the Scriptures 154 times!

The Bible is the testimony of Jesus Christ. Throughout its books, it declares that Jesus is Lord of all. Today in prayer, worship the Lord and give Him all of your life for His glory.

“The Bible is the portrait of Jesus Christ.” – John Stott

God’s Word: “He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’” – Luke 24:44

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Devotional - Desire To Do God's Will

2019-05-07T04:45:00Z

“‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’” – John 4:34

In her book “Second Calling”, Dale Bourke writes that years ago, she attended a conference. When it was over, her friend Bruce offered her a ride to the airport. As they were about to leave, another man asked if he could join them. As they drove away from the hotel, she and Bruce asked the man where he worked, and he mentioned a Christian organization. Bruce said, “I have fond memories of that group, because I attended a retreat of theirs one time, and that’s where I became a Christian. It was in 1972 in New Hampshire.” Bruce went on to explain that eventually his whole family became Christians and went into Christian work. His sister was a Wycliffe missionary and Bruce himself became publisher of a major Christian publishing house, which brought many significant Christian books to the public. Bruce finished the story with a flourish saying that the retreat had had worldwide impact when you think about it. The man was silent. Dale and Bruce though that maybe they were boring him. Then the stranger quietly said, “I led that retreat. It was my first time as a conference leader, and I felt like a total failure. Until this moment, I have always believed it was one of the biggest failures of my life.” Dale Bourke wrote, “What had seemed like the simple act of offering a ride to a stranger had turned into a powerful reminder that God uses our efforts whether we realize it or not. I may spend the rest of my life doing things that don’t seem at all successful. Yet only God knows the purpose. I am called simply to be faithful.”

Do you desire to do God’s will in your life? Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He desires you to live for Him and seek to do His will every day.

“Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” – Augustine

God’s Word: “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” – Acts 20:24

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Devotional - He Must Become Greater

2019-05-06T04:36:00Z

“He must become greater; I must become less.” – John 3:30

Vincent de Paul was born in 1581 in the village of Pouy, France. His parents were peasant farmers and from childhood he had a desire to become a priest. At 15, his father sent him to seminary, managing to pay for it by selling the family's oxen.

On 12 October 1604, he received his Bachelor of Theology from the University of Toulouse.

In 1617, Vincent contacted the Daughters of Charity and they then introduced him to poor families. Vincent then brought them food and comfort. He organized the wealthy women of Paris to collect funds for missionary projects, founded hospitals, and gather relief funds for the victims of war and to ransom 1,200 galley slaves from North Africa.

He is best remembered as someone who was humble, who looked after the poor and who loved Jesus.

As we grow in Christ, we need to become more humble and to give more glory to the Lord. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is worthy of our praise and give Him glory throughout the day.

“We must view humility as one of the most essential things that characterizes Christianity.” – Jonathan Edwards

God’s Word: “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:4

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Devotional - Finding God's Kingdom

2019-05-03T04:24:00Z

“In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’” – John 3:3

Joanna Reed Shelton was born in the flat lowlands of Texas, in the far southeastern corner near the Gulf Coast and Louisiana. Her parents occasionally took her brother and Joanna to church. Both had been raised in the church and felt they should expose their children to the Bible and religion.

But as an adult, Joanna shunned religion. Then she received an email invitation to the 120th-anniversary celebration of a church in Osaka—a church founded by her great-grandfather, a 19th-century Presbyterian missionary. Feeling a pull to go to Osaka for the celebration, she went and was fascinated by the church and that her great-grandfather had begun.

She returned home and, after a few years, embarked on a book about my great-grandfather.

“I knew that if I hoped to understand what drew him into ministry in Japan, I needed to learn more about Christianity. So, for the first time, I began to read the Bible in a meaningful way, under the guidance of two devout relatives. A long-suppressed inner flame burned brighter as I read and contemplated the Scriptures” said Joanna.

She gave her life to Jesus and continues to follow Him.

“For the first time, I felt I understood the true meaning of faith, as hope in things unseen. I understood, too, how Jesus taught us what it means to be God’s people, loving one another as we love ourselves. Only through love can we help bring God’s kingdom to life on earth as it is in heaven” she said.

Happiness, peace, and contentment can only be found in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that in Him you have a rich, eternal life.

“For a soul to come to Jesus, is the grandest event in its history.” – Joseph Alleine

God’s Word: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:16-17

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Devotional - The Purpose Of Miracles

2019-05-02T04:55:00Z

“This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.” – John 2:11

In June 2014, Grayson Kirby was thrown from a demolition derby car at the Mid-Atlantic Power Festival in Ruckersville, Virginia.

The accident left him in a coma. His lungs were crushed and nearly every other bone in his body was broken. His brain also suffered multiple strokes and hemorrhages and his kidneys were failing. If he did wake up, he would likely—to put it bluntly—be a vegetable.

But his family refused to give up and turned to prayer. Thousands of people in the community and beyond kept Kirby in their thoughts and prayers and wore red shirts designed to show support for the injured man.

In a final attempt to revive Kirby, doctors hooked him up to a machine typically used for transplant patients, not trauma patients. Whether it was due to a divine intervention or medical intervention (or both), it worked.

Ten days after the accident, Kirby opened his eyes and mouthed the words, “I love you,” to his father.

The doctors couldn’t believe it, and neither could Kirby.

“I’m humble, I’m grateful, just amazed.” Kirby said. “I know that God saved me. I know that prayer and believing saved me.”

The same God who performed miracles in the Bible continues to do so to bring glory to Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He continually shows us His glory and place your faith in Him.

“A miracle is an event beyond the power of any known physical law to produce; it is a spiritual occurrence produced by the power of God, a marvel, a wonder.” – Billy Graham

God’s Word: “And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” – Exodus 14:31

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Devotional - His Children

2019-05-01T04:56:00Z

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” – John 1:12

In March 1945, John Charles Flaugher was born in Los Angeles to Irene Flaugher, an unmarried woman from Kentucky who became pregnant through a relationship with John Bourgholtzer, a U.S. Army corporal of German background. Actors Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman adopted him shortly after his birth. They named him Michael Reagan. When Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman divorced in 1949, little Michael was sent to boarding school.

When he was eight years old, a photographer sexually molested Michael at school for a year.

The trauma stayed with Michael for decades.

In 1973, he met Colleen, a Christian girl he met on a blind date. They married two years later. He was offered a book deal to “tell all” in 1987. As he was writing his book, he wrote about the photographer. Michael realized he had to tell his dad about the incident before the book was published. Ronald was understanding and embraced his son. Soon after Michael gave his life to Christ.

“That’s why [the book is called] “Twice Adopted” -- first by my parents then by God. If that didn’t happen, we’re not having this conversation,” Michael said. “I am a free man.”

Michael continued: “There will always be pain, but I think also God has allowed me to show the pain so that, when I give my testimony, it brings other people forward.”

No matter what our situation in life, the Lord of the Universe wants to adopt us as His children and give us a wonderful eternity. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is a loving God and He has given us the right to become His children through Jesus Christ.

“Unless we have seen in Jesus what God is like we would never even have dared to think of ourselves as being able to become the children of God. It is what Jesus is that opens to us the possibility of becoming the children of God.” – William Barclay

God’s Word: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” – 2 Corinthians 6:18

DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Devotional - Our Merciful Lord

2019-04-30T06:06:00Z

“Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name." – Daniel 9:18-19

Elisabeth Elliot was a Christian author and speaker. Her first husband, Jim Elliot, was killed in 1956 while attempting to make missionary contact with the Auca of eastern Ecuador. She later spent two years as a missionary to the tribe members who killed her husband. Returning to the United States after many years in South America, she became widely known as the author of over twenty books and as a speaker.

On the subject of God’s mercy, Elisabeth wrote, “God never withholds from His child that which His love and wisdom call good. God’s refusals are always merciful — ‘severe mercies’ at times but mercies all the same. God never denies us our hearts desire except to give us something better.” God’s refusals always lead to a better plan, His better plan.

Of all of the qualities of God, mercy is the one we need most. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is merciful.

“The only haven of safety is in the mercy of God, a manifested in Christ, in whom every part of our salvation is complete.” – John Calvin

God’s Word: “For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.” – Deuteronomy 4:31

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

Devotional - Coming To An End

2019-04-29T04:37:00Z

“He said: "I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end.” – Daniel 8:19

The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard told a parable of a theater where a variety show is proceeding. Each show is more fantastic than the last, and is applauded by the audience. Suddenly the manager comes forward. He apologizes for the interruption, but the theater is on fire, and he begs his patrons to leave in an orderly fashion. The audience thinks this is the most amusing turn of the evening, and cheer thunderously. The manager again implores them to leave the burning building, and he is again applauded vigorously. At last he can do no more. The fire raced through the whole building and the fun-loving audience with it. "And so," concluded Kierkegaard, "will our age, I sometimes think, go down in fiery destruction to the applause of a crowded house of cheering spectators."

Time will eventually end and an eternity with the Lord will arrive. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is coming and we will spend eternity with Him.

“The message of the entire Bible is that God has been working throughout history to redeem creation….That plan is spelled out throughout the Old and New Testaments until the Bible finally ends in the book of Revelation with a redeemed society dwelling on a new earth that has been purged of all evil, with God dwelling in the midst of his people. This is the goal of history; this is God’s great plan.” – Keith Manry

God’s Word: “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:3

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

Devotional - Forever

2019-04-26T04:42:00Z

“‘I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.’ For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.” – Daniel 6:26

Chris Tomlin has written music for most of his life, but his style changed radically when he started leading worship. “I write a lot of songs,” he said of his songwriting style, “but not many ever make it to the recording stage. That’s because I’m always asking the question ‘Would people want to sing this?’” As it happens, “Forever,” a song of praise for the enduring nature of God’s love that took Chris four years to complete, has become one of those songs that people just can’t seem to stop singing. The idea for the sweeping refrain of the verses came easily enough, but the wide, thrumming chorus was harder to work out. It never left his mind, though. “Every time we went into the studio to record something,” Chris remembers, “I would bring that song in hopes that someone else would be able to come up with a chorus. I write a lot of patches of songs and then collaborate with someone else to finish them out. With this song it never happened, and it just didn’t feel complete. Then one day, four years later, it just came. I was sitting there and singing, ‘Forever God is faithful, forever God is…’ and I couldn’t come up with the next word. Then our bass player’s wife, Janet, stuck her head in the door and said ‘strong.’ And just like that, it clicked.”

Chris admits that it’s exciting to hear others perform “Forever.” He said, “It’s sort of a validation of the song to hear someone else do it, and to know that they’re moved by it as well.”

Unlike earthly kingdoms and earthly kings, Jesus Christ reigns forever. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that His reign and Kingdom lasts forever.

“Forever, God is faithful Forever, God is strong Forever, God is with us Forever, forever.” – Chris Tomlin

God’s Word: “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” – Daniel 7:14

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

Devotional - Seek To Be Humble

2019-04-25T04:47:00Z

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” – Daniel 4:37

William Carey is considered the father of modern missions. He helped found the Baptist Missionary Society and was a missionary to India. He spent his early years as a cobbler before he became one of the greatest linguists the church has ever known. It’s reported that Carey translated parts of the Bible into as many as 24 Indian languages. When he first went to India, some regarded him with dislike and contempt. At a dinner party a distinguished guest, hoping to humiliate Carey, said in a loud voice, “I suppose, Mr. Carey, you once worked as a shoemaker.”

Carey responded humbly, “No, your lordship, not as a shoemaker, only a cobbler.” William Carey didn’t claim to make shoes, only to mend them.

The Lord desires for us to be humble in all of our ways. Today in prayer, confess any sin of pride and seek to be humble in all that you do.

“He that is down needs fear no fall,

He that is low, no pride;

He that is humble ever shall

Have God to be his guide.” - John Bunyan

God’s Word: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

Devotional - God Is In Control

2019-04-24T04:50:00Z

“All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’” – Daniel 4:35

Pastor Ray Pritchard said the following about God’s plan: “A friend once told me that we are like ants crawling across a painting by Rembrandt. We crawl across the dark brown and think all of life is dark brown. Then we hit green and think, ‘”Oh, this is better. Now all is green.” But soon comes the dark blue and then a splash of yellow, a streak of red, and then another patch of brown. On we journey, from one color to another, never realizing that God is actually painting a masterpiece in our lives using all the colors of the palette. One day we will learn that every color had its place, had a reason, nothing was wasted or out of place. Just as there is a time and a season for everything, there is also a color for every stage of life’s journey. When the painting is finished, we will discover that we were part of his masterpiece from the very beginning. Time is the canvas on which God does his painting, and eternity is the perspective from which we will see the beauty of his handiwork.”

We are not masters of our own fate. The Lord is the King of heaven and earth and He is in control. Today in prayer, praise Christ that He is Lord of all and He alone holds the future.

“No one can contemplate the great facts of astronomy without feeling his own littleness and the wonderful sweep of the power and providence of God.” – John Bradley

God’s Word: “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” – Psalm 115:3

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

Devotional - Going Through The Fire

2019-04-23T04:55:00Z

“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we

serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” – Daniel 3:16-18

In March 2019, reports out of Nigeria stated that Christian children were lined up against a wall facing a firing squad when a miracle took place sparing their lives.

Initially, the group consisted of 76 men, women, and children. The four men who led the group became the group’s first and only martyrs when militants demanded they renounce their faith and convert to Islam on pain of death.

According to a report by Barnabas fund, while waiting with fear and trembling to meet the same fate as their husbands, several mothers in the group were told by their children that Jesus had appeared to them in the night and had reassured them that "all will be well.”

The promised deliverance arrived the next day when gunmen lined several of the captives up against the wall and submitted the same terms to them.

Mysteriously, before a single shot went off, the captors began screaming about snakes and dropped their weapons. Some fled the scene, while others died instantaneously as if overcome by an unseen force.

“You don’t need to do that,” one of the children told an adult from the group who attempted to pick up a weapon abandoned by a fleeing Boko Haram militant, according to a witness.

“Can you not see the men in white fighting for us?”

We will all be tested in our faith, but Christ is faithful and He will be with us during our trials. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He is a loving God and pray for those who are currently facing extreme trials.

“Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God did not protect His own Son. He will not necessarily protect us – not from anything that makes us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.” – Elisabeth Elliot

God’s Word: “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings” – Psalm 17:8

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

Devotional - When It Was Light

2019-04-22T04:49:00Z

“‘He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’’ Then they remembered his words.” – Luke 24:6

In 1903, English author Guy Thorne wrote the a best selling Christian novel “When It Was Dark: The Story of a Great Conspiracy.”

The story centers about the efforts of a wealthy unbeliever to discredit Christianity. He endeavors to do this by attempting to discredit the Resurrection. In that respect his logic is sound, for if the Resurrection can be discredited Christianity is overthrown. This man hired corrupt archaeologists to fake a discovery of the body of Jesus in the neighborhood of Jerusalem. On the tomb was an inscription testifying that the owner of this sepulcher stole the body of Jesus and hid it there. The novel then goes on to describe the ultimate effect of such a discovery, if accepted as truth, upon the Christian world, upon the Christian Church, and upon civilization in general. In powerful passages he shows how, gradually, the Christian Church crumbles and collapses; how men and women go back to lust, cruelty, and animalism; and how the flame of hope dies out in every human heart.

Had the body of Christ ever been found, or a grave in which it could be proved that his body had been placed, other than that of Joseph of Arimathea, the Church would indeed disappear and the sun of human hope would set in the darkness of an ever-ending life. But thanks be to God, now is Christ risen from the dead! On that empty tomb is the epitaph written by the angels, the epitaph that ends all other epitaphs—"He is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him!" (Luke 24:6).

Jesus did rise from the dead and more than 500 people saw His resurrected body. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is the light of the world, He conquered death, and He is alive.

“Easter is the one morning in all of history where the dawn came twice; once on the eastern horizon and again in eternity.” ― Craig D. Lounsbrough

God’s Word: “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” – John 20:19-20

DEVOTION FOR EASTER

Devotional - The God On The Cross

2019-04-19T04:51:00Z

“ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.” – Luke 23:33

In her book, “The God Who Hung on the Cross,” journalist Ellen Vaughn retells a gripping story of how the gospel came to a small village in Cambodia. In September 1999, Pastor Tuy Seng (not his real name) traveled to Kampong Thom Province in northern Cambodia. Throughout that isolated area, most villagers believed in Buddhism or spiritism. Christianity was virtually unheard of.

But much to the Pastor’s surprise, when he arrived in one small, rural village the people warmly embraced him and his message about Jesus. When he asked the villagers about their openness to the gospel, an old woman shuffled forward, bowed and grasped the Pastor’s hands as she said, “We have been waiting for you for 20 years.” And then she told him the story of the mysterious God who had hung on the cross.

In the 1970s, Khmer Rouge, the brutal, Communist-led regime, took over Cambodia, destroying everything in its path. When the soldiers finally descended on this rural, northern village in 1979, they immediately rounded up the villagers and forced them to start digging their own graves. After the villagers had finished digging, they prepared themselves to die. Some screamed to Buddha, others screamed to demon spirits or to their ancestors.

One of the women started to cry for help based on a childhood memory – a story her mother told her about a God who had hung on a cross. The woman prayed to that unknown God on a cross. Surely, if this God had known suffering, he would have compassion on their plight.

Suddenly, her solitary cry became one great wail as the entire village started praying to the God who had suffered and hung on a cross. As they continued facing their own graves, the wailing slowly turned to a quiet crying. There was an eerie silence in the muggy jungle air. Slowly, as they dared to turn around and face their captors, they discovered that the soldiers were gone.

As the old woman finished telling this story, she told the pastor that ever since that humid day 20 years ago the villagers had been waiting, waiting for someone to come and share the rest of the story about the God who had hung on a cross.

Jesus is God who did suffer and die for us. He has compassion for us. Today in prayer, remember the Cross- where our old life came to an end.

“God Hold us to that which drew us first, when the Cross was the attraction, and we wanted nothing else.” ― Amy Carmichael

God's Word: “There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” – Matthew 27:34-35

DEVOTION FOR GOOD FRIDAY

Devotional - The Power Of God

2019-04-18T04:53:00Z

“and said: "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.” – Daniel 2:20

The United States Navy's electromagnetic railgun, which can accelerate a projectile to 5,000 mph in 0.01 seconds using a simple and enormous charge, requires no explosives and only one man to load and fire. It's been in production since 2005 and should be on many warships in the next five years. A few more facts:

• Each projectile is 18 inches long and weighs 23 pounds.

• The cost to fire a projectile is approximately $25,000—as much as 60 times less than traditional artillery.

• After storing up a charge, the gun releases 1,200 volts in 10 milliseconds.

• Firing distance exceeds 100 miles.

• In tests the projectiles were able to pierce three walls of reinforced concrete or six steel plates.

As fast and as powerful as this weapon is, it still pales in comparison to the speed of light and is far less powerful than any force of nature controlled by God.

Our Lord God, the Creator of the Universe; His power is overwhelming. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is all-powerful and ask Him to work powerfully through you this day.

“The greatest single distinguishing feature of the omnipotence of God is that our imagination gets lost thinking about it.” – Blaise Pascal

God’s Word: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

Devotional - True To Your Faith In Christ

2019-04-17T04:51:00Z

“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” – Daniel 1:8

In February 2019, Anant Ram Gond, a 40-year-old Christian, was found beheaded in February in Nabarangpur, Odisha in India. His killers have yet to be apprehended by the authorities. According to reports, Anant Ram, a husband and father of four girls and a boy, was dragged out of his home. He was taken from his bed where he was sleeping next to his 6-year-old son. Despite pleas from the child, the killers dragged the father away into the darkness and threatened the boy not to follow them.

The next morning, Anant Ram’s mutilated body was found. He had been harassed for years for his beliefs and family members believe the attack on Anant Ram was an anti-Christian attack.

Dasrup Das, whom discipled Anant Ram in the local church said, “Anant Ram and his family began attending church more than one year ago, unable to bear all the pressure. But villagers thought that he was getting attached to a new culture and threatened him on a regular basis.”

His wife Sukhbati concluded, “My master is dead. He has been killed for his faith. But I will not forsake Jesus Christ my Saviour. We request you to uphold my children and me in your prayers for our faith to remain strong and for our daily needs.”

No matter where life may lead, the Lord asks us to remain resolved in our faith in Him. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He died for your sins and seek to remain true to your faith in Christ.

“Resolved: that every man should live to the glory of God. Resolved second: that whether others do this or not I will.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

Devotional - In The Sight Of Many Nations

2019-04-16T16:10:00Z

“And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.'” – Ezekiel 38:23

In 1869, missionary Edwin W. Clark from New York traveled to India. He developed a burden for the Nagas tribes who lived in a mountainous state in northeast India, bordering Myanmar.

He wrote to the Home Mission Board in 1871: “Tribe upon tribe of Nagas are accessible to the Gospel. It is certainly painful for us at Sibsagar to be unable to lift our eyes without seeing these hills and thinking of them who have no knowledge of Christ.”

Now the Nagas tribes were headhunters and they did not welcome foreigners. Clark sent an evangelist name Gudhola Brown to penetrate the Naga Hills. The evangelist came down with nine others and Clark baptized them on November 11, 1872. Clark began a church and the church became a center for missionaries to the Nagas.

By 1940, half of three million Nagas peoples had given their lives to Jesus Christ.

The Lord continually shows His greatness and Holiness. Around the world, people are turning to Jesus Christ knowing that in His righteousness we can have salvation. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He is righteous and praise Him for His holiness.

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” – Edward Mote

God’s Word: “For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.” – Psalm 11:7

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

Devotional - His Promises Are True

2019-04-15T04:39:00Z

“Then he said to me: "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.'" - Ezekiel 37:11-14

In 1882, the first mass immigration of Jews to Palestine began. It has been called the First Aliyah, the Hebrew word for “Ascent.” This immigration lasted until 1903. Jews who migrated to Ottoman Palestine in this wave came mostly from Eastern Europe and from Yemen. An estimated 25,000–35,000 Jews immigrated to Ottoman Palestine during the First Aliyah.

Vladimir Dubnow, one of those first Jewish settlers in Palestine, wrote in October 1882: "The ultimate goal ... is, in time, to take over the Land of Israel and to restore to the Jews the political independence they have been deprived of for these two thousand years .... The Jews will yet arise and, arms in hand (if need be), declare that they are the masters of their ancient homeland."

God’s Word through Ezekiel came true with the rebirth of the Jewish nation in 1948. The Lord keeps His promises and gives us a hope. That hope is in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that His prophesies and promises are true and you can trust in Him.

“Jesus is the yes to every promise of God.” – William Barclay

God’s Word: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:20

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

Devotional - The Good Shepherd

2019-04-12T04:58:00Z

“As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” – Ezekiel 34:12

In April 2019, on the coastal cliffs of the village of Mathry, in the in Pembrokeshire, Wales, an unusual rescue took place. The owner said he lost a flock of 85 sheep, which were found scattered and stuck over a wide area on the cliffs. It is thought they were scared by a dog and became stuck at Mathry, Pembrokeshire.

For 10 days, specialist rope rescue teams and boat teams were deployed to Mathry. They were joined by the Mid West Wales Fire Service fire, police and a mountaineering rope rescue team.

The rescued animals were lowered down to boats using ropes or hauled up the cliff-face to safety.

Spokesman Romain de Kerckhove, said: "Due to difficult weather conditions, the exposed steep cliff-face, along with the numbers of animals, the officers have had a challenging task."

A total of 65 sheep were rescued from the sea cliffs, while 20 more of the flock fell to their deaths.

The Lord knows each of us and we never escape His eye. Today in prayer, give praise to the Lord that even when we were not walking with Him, He knew where we were and came to our rescue.

“Too many leaders act as if the sheep... their people... are there for the benefit of the shepherd, not that the shepherd has responsibility for the sheep.” – Ken Blanchard

God’s Word: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” – John 10:27-28

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL