Prepare The Way

Scripture:
John 1:6-14 (NIV)

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

 

Devotional:

Everyone is born of the flesh.  Our mothers went through labor so that we could have life.  We live upon this earth for awhile then we move on.  As my boss likes to say our bodies are just a temporary address.  After we leave this address we get a new one.  Where that address will be depends on the choices we make now.  Verse 13 “children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”  We must be “born” of God if we are to spend eternity in heaven.  

Born of God, what does that mean?  Even Nicodemus asked Jesus about this.  John 3:3-5 (NIV):

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

We must receive Christ as our savior.  We must accept that He is the Son of God.  That He not only died for our salvation but conquered the grave and rose to life.  All that Jesus did was for us and that we might have a restored relationship with God. John 3:16 (NIV) “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.”

John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Christ.  He shared with others that the “Light of the world” was coming.  Other people came to know Jesus because he shared that Christ was coming.  Who are you sharing with about Christ?  Are you a “John the Baptist” for someone who needs to hear?  We cannot make others believe.  But we must share Christ.  It is through us that other people can learn about Jesus.  Then a way will have been prepared and they too can know who Jesus is.

It Is Not Hopeless

Scripture:

Luke 24:1-8 (NASB)

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” And they remembered His words,

Devotional:

The followers of Jesus must have felt confused and definitely in shock.  Here they thought Jesus was the one to lead them to victory.  He was the one who would save them all.  Then all of a sudden they watched Him die on the cross.  They watched His body be taken down and placed in a tomb.  Even the tomb wasn’t His.  All their hopes dashed, fears rising to new peaks inside them.  Then when they finally get to the tomb Jesus was gone.  I wonder how close to giving up they were.  Which of them became filled with doubt and continued fear?

For years I have prayed that one of my brothers would change his life and come to know Christ. It always seems that my prayers fell on deaf ears. But the truth is God hears our prayers and answers them. I had given up but I know that isn't the right answer. The truth is my brother has the freedom to choose. I will continue to pray for him. I know God hears my prayers and answers. But the final choice is my brother's.

Just remember despite the circumstances Christ has risen and death lost its sting.  Victory is complete.  When you feel ready to give up and all seems hopeless Remember that Christ is there and with you.  He is alive and the tomb is empty.  We are not alone and it isn’t hopeless…

Happy Easter

He Suffered Just For Me?

Scripture:
Mark 15:16-37 (NIV)

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.

It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.

They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 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?”).

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
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.

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

Devotional:

Even as a young adult I never fully realized the torment and torture that Christ willingly endured just for me, & just for you... One of the closest visualizations I have ever seen was watching The Passion that Mel Gibson produced.  It pains me just to think about what He had to suffer.  What He willingly suffered through just so that I, even just one person, could be redeemed.  He went through it all for just you.

How much are we willing to endure for someone else?  How much are you willing to endure for Christ?  He suffered a brutal death.  He was mocked and ridiculed, even as he hung on the cross.  At any point he could have stopped the whole thing and come off the cross.  But then where would we be?

I ask again, how much are you willing to endure?  What are you willing to do for Christ?  I wonder that myself.  How much am I willing to give?  Christ died for you.  Christ LIVES for you.  Shouldn’t we be willing to do the same?

As horrible as it was I am so glad He died for me...

Happy Easter

The Do and Do Nots...

Scripture:
Galatians 5:13-14 (NASB)

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Devotional:

I remember listening to a comedian one time talking about doing the dos and not doing the don’ts of the Bible.  Churches have a way of focusing on all the don’ts in the Bible.  You cannot do this or you cannot do that.  The list goes on and on.  His point in his routine was that we need to focus on doing the do this and do that.  If we do then we will not have time to even think about all to don’ts in life.

In Galatians 5:13-14 Paul states that the entire law is fulfilled in one statement. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was.  His reply is in Matthew 22:36-40 (NASB) he states:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

Everything else hinges upon these two commandments, love God and then love everyone else.  If we can focus on them then everything else will fall into place.  So the next time you ponder the law, or God’s commandments, remember where to start and let the rest take care of themselves.  What is love, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NASB):

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

When I Doubt

Scripture:
Mark 9:14-24 (NASB)

When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

Devotional:

What a statement, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”  At times I find myself struggling with doubt.  I wonder and question and doubt sinks in.  “Can God really do…?”  “Does God really listen to me?”  “Who am I that…?”  Do any of these questions sound familiar?  What questions are you asking?  There are times in our faith that we do doubt.  We question and wonder why, how, or even if.  When we doubt we need to turn to Jesus and say “I do believe; help my unbelief.”  In other words Jesus please help me overcome my doubting.  Everyone doubts from time to time.  When you do have doubt creeping in just turn to God and focus on Him.  Ask for help to overcome the doubts in your heart.