The Kingdom of Our Lord

SCRIPTURE

Revelation 11:15 (NRSV)

God's reign at the end of time

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord
and of his Messiah,
and he will reign forever and ever."


DEVOTION

Hallelujah!

I can't wait for that glad and glorious day when all of my "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done..." prayers will be answered!

Won't that be phenomenal?

It's going to be such a great day when the kingdom of our world merges with the Kingdom of our Lord in the last day.

Instead of hatred, there will be love. Instead of war, there will be peace. Instead of sorrow, there will be joy. Instead of sickness, pain, and decay, all things will be made new!

What wonderful good news!

I am so glad that Love allowed Jesus to go to the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. I am so glad that Jesus practiced a ministry of reconciliation on the Earth, that was a harbinger of all of the eternally good things that are to come.

One glad morning, we will hear the trumpet sound and we will be ushered into the Kingdom of our Lord where God will reign forever and ever. Amen!


Let us pray:

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven...

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

WHY??!!

SCRIPTURE

Revelation 10:1-11 (NRSV)

Eating the scroll

And I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. He held a little scroll open in his hand. Setting his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, he gave a great shout, like a lion roaring. And when he shouted, the seven thunders sounded. And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down." Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and the land
raised his right hand to heaven
and swore by him who lives forever and ever,
who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it: "There will be no more delay, but in the days when the seventh angel is to blow his trumpet, the mystery of God will be fulfilled, as he announced to his servants the prophets."

Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, "Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll; and he said to me, "Take it, and eat; it will be bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth." So I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it; it was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.

Then they said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and languages and kings."


DEVOTION

Today I am captivated by the words, "There will be no more delay, but in the days when the seventh angel is to blow his trumpet, the mystery of God will be fulfilled, as he announced to his servants the prophets."

Lately, I've come to realize how hard it is for human beings to live with sacred mystery.

I've been doing a lot of pastoral care and counseling with the sick and dying and without fail one of the things that bothers folks the most is the inability to understand God's thoughts and ways, to discern WHY things happen, and to know exactly what to expect in the world to come.

It is the nagging questions that keep people from being at peace and keep them up late into the night full of worry and fear.

I love that today's scripture reminds us that a day is coming when "the mystery of God will be fulfilled." Put another way, "We'll understand it better, by and by."

I am so grateful that we have God's promise that one day all of our questions will be answered, all of our fears dispelled, and all of our sadness diminished.

Until that day, we must learn to live into sacred mystery. We must remember that God's ways are not our ways and God's thoughts are not our thoughts, but that God's good plan is always to bless and prosper us, giving us a future and a hope.

Although we cannot see the future, we know The One who can and God is faithful, trustworthy, and true!

Be at peace, my friends!


Let us pray:

God, there are so many things that I do not understand. Sometimes I let all of my "whys" keep me from you. Please forgive me for doubting your good plan for my life. I love you and I pledge to share our love with others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

Bless God's Name

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 100 (NRSV)

We are God's sheep

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.


DEVOTION

This is one of the most beloved, memorized, and quoted chapters in the Bible!

I really love the injunction to "make a joyful noise to the Lord."

Yesterday I woke up in a crabby mood. I was complaining before my feet even hit the floor and I was talking to myself about how unhappy I was about a host of things. But, then, all of a sudden I had an epiphany. I realized that I was lying to myself. I realized how blessed and happy I am about my life and I came to the conclusion that I needed to bless the Lord for all of God's many benefits toward me.

My baby sister gave me some good advice in response to my funky mood. She said that it is best to seek God's face, before you see the face of any other.

Hallelujah!

On this day, I want to invite us to "Give thanks to God and bless God's Name!"

It's the best way to start any day!


Let us pray:

Great God, how wonderful Thou art! I love you so very much and I am so grateful for Jesus. Thank you for his life, death, and glorious resurrection that made atonement for my sin and opened up the door to my eternal life. Forgive me for complaining. I realize that I have NO-THING to complain about! Please help me to be grateful and to share your good news today and every day. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

Give God Sanctuary

SCRIPTURE

Ezekiel 45:1-9 (NRSV)

God promises a sanctuary

When you allot the land as an inheritance, you shall set aside for the Lord a portion of the land as a holy district, twenty-five thousand cubits long and twenty thousand cubits wide; it shall be holy throughout its entire extent. Of this, a square plot of five hundred by five hundred cubits shall be for the sanctuary, with fifty cubits for an open space around it. In the holy district you shall measure off a section twenty-five thousand cubits long and ten thousand wide, in which shall be the sanctuary, the most holy place. It shall be a holy portion of the land; it shall be for the priests, who minister in the sanctuary and approach the Lord to minister to him; and it shall be both a place for their houses and a holy place for the sanctuary. Another section, twenty-five thousand cubits long and ten thousand cubits wide, shall be for the Levites who minister at the temple, as their holding for cities to live in.

Alongside the portion set apart as the holy district you shall assign as a holding for the city an area five thousand cubits wide, and twenty-five thousand cubits long; it shall belong to the whole house of Israel.

And to the prince shall belong the land on both sides of the holy district and the holding of the city, alongside the holy district and the holding of the city, on the west and on the east, corresponding in length to one of the tribal portions, and extending from the western to the eastern boundary of the land. It is to be his property in Israel. And my princes shall no longer oppress my people; but they shall let the house of Israel have the land according to their tribes.

Thus says the Lord God: Enough, O princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression, and do what is just and right. Cease your evictions of my people, says the Lord God.


DEVOTION

Today's scripture reminds me of the importance of setting aside "space" in our lives for God.

In the case of the Israelites, God was commanding actual space for holy land and sanctuary. But, this side of the cross, God asks for "space" in our hearts where the Holy Spirit can dwell in sanctuary.

All too often we crowd God out with all of our worries, cares, fears and sin. We are so busy pursuing wealth and fame, or running away from other things, that we forget to give all glory, laud, and honor to God.

God reminds us to "do what is just and right." This means that we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves.

As we allow Love to fill up our hearts, the good news regarding Jesus' life, death, and resurrection will overflow out of us and into the lives of others.

As we make "space" for the good news, we will be partners with God in bringing love, joy, and peace to those around us.

And as we make "space" for God, seeking The Kingdom first, we will find that all other things are added unto us as well!

It just makes good sense to give God priority in our lives! God is the only one who loves us so much, He was willing to die for us!

This Sunday we sang a song in church whose chorus was, "Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary. Pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I'll be living, sanctuary for you!"

Let's give God the space and sanctuary in our hearts that God deserves!


Let us pray:

Holy One, thank you that you want to reside in my heart. Please forgive me for cluttering up your space with all sorts of junk. Please clean up my heart today so that you will have space to make me more like Jesus. I love you so much and I promise to share your love with others. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

In the Fullness of Time...

SCRIPTURE

Ezekiel 37:15-28 (NRSV)

God will unite the flock

The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, take a stick and write on it, "For Judah, and the Israelites associated with it"; then take another stick and write on it, "For Joseph (the stick of Ephraim) and all the house of Israel associated with it"; and join them together into one stick, so that they may become one in your hand. And when your people say to you, "Will you not show us what you mean by these?" say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am about to take the stick of Joseph (which is in the hand of Ephraim) and the tribes of Israel associated with it; and I will put the stick of Judah upon it, and make them one stick, in order that they may be one in my hand. When the sticks on which you write are in your hand before their eyes, then say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from every quarter, and bring them to their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all. Never again shall they be two nations, and never again shall they be divided into two kingdoms. They shall never again defile themselves with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. I will save them from all the apostasies into which they have fallen, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

My servant David shall be king over them; and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall follow my ordinances and be careful to observe my statutes. They shall live in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, in which your ancestors lived; they and their children and their children's children shall live there forever; and my servant David shall be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will bless them and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary among them forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations shall know that I the Lord sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary is among them forevermore.


DEVOTION

Today's blog reminds me that some of the promises in the Bible are for the "now and the not yet now."

I am so glad that God has united God's people, that we have one Shepherd, and that God has "saved us from all of the apostasies into which we have fallen, cleansing us, and making us, God's people."

All of these wondrous deeds were accomplished in the life, death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, who set us free from the power of sin, death, and the grave and opened up the door to our eternal life with God.

Hallelujah!

I am also glad that we have the promise of eternal peace with God and with one another, as well as the blessed assurance that it is God's intention to "make God's dwelling place amongst us."

Although we have not yet reached a state of perfected peace on the Earth, we know that it is coming. And although the new heaven and the new earth has not yet emerged, with God living amongst us; we know that in due season it will appear.

As Christians we live in the "now and the not yet now." Now, we experience unity. Now, we experience peace. Now, we experience the presence of God.

But, when the fullness of time is come and we enter our eternal home, we will experience the fullness and perfection of unbroken unity, peace, and presence with God.

What a glad and glorious day that will be!


Let us pray:

Hallelujah Lord! For your promises are "Yay and Amen." I am filled with such excitement as I live into your promises day by day. Please help me to live in such a way that I bear witness to the good news that Jesus saves and He saves to the utmost! Help me to proclaim that you are the giver of love, joy, and peace and help me to share your love with others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

SPECIAL NOTE

Happy Birthday to my sister, Adrienne! May God continue to richly bless you now and always!

I GIVE THEM ETERNAL LIFE

SCRIPTURE

Fourth Sunday of Easter
John 10:22-30 (NRSV)

Jesus promises life to his sheep

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."


DEVOTION

Never have I felt more grateful about the fact that it is Jesus that accomplishes the work of salvation! For if it was up to me, I would fail miserably.

As human beings we often fail to recognize Messiah. We fail to believe in The One whom God has sent. We fail to be thankful for God's good works and we fail to follow Jesus when He calls.

Yet, despite all of our sin and failure, God still calls us. God still keeps us from perishing. God still gives us eternal life. God still holds us in the hollow of God's hand.

It gives me great peace to know--and believe--that "no one can snatch me from God's hand." No matter how strong the storms of life, or how powerful my adversaries, God will hold me safe and secure.

Today, I thank God for Jesus and for His life, death, and resurrection. I thank God that Love made atonement for my sin and my eternal life. I thank God that although I sin and fall short of the glory of God, God is still faithful and just to forgive all of my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness!

This is wonderful good news, my friends, and certainly worth celebrating!


Let's pray:

Good and gracious God thank you for holding me safe in the hollow of your hand. Thank you for keeping me in the midst of every trial and tribulation. Thank you for eternal life. God, I love and I trust you. Please forgive me for those times that I have failed to hear and heed your voice. Won't you please fill me with your Holy Spirit so that so that I can bear witness to the fact that Jesus is one with you? I pray this in His Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

STRIVING...

SCRIPTURE

Luke 12:29-32 (NRSV)

Do not fear, little flock

And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.



DEVOTION--Today is Saturday Psalmody; the mediation is offered as a psalm from my heart! If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)



STRIVING

Striving for God's Kingdom
but its awfully hard
the trials and tribulations
of day to day life
burden me down
steal my smile
wear me out
and make me want to
CUSS.

I want some things
I cannot have
and it makes
me mad
makes me want to
scream

strive for the kingdom
and do not fear?
Easy to talk that talk
Much harder to walk to that walk

Help Lord
most days I fail
to even turn in the right
direction...

I'm tired...
I'm lost.
I'm glad you're GOD.
Give me your good pleasure
Give me YOU.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

WHO IS ABLE TO STAND?

SCRIPTURE

Revelation 6:1-7:4 (NRSV)

The servants of God are sealed

Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures call out, as with a voice of thunder, "Come!" I looked, and there was a white horse! Its rider had a bow; a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering and to conquer.

When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature call out, "Come!" And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another; and he was given a great sword.

When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature call out, "Come!" I looked, and there was a black horse! Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand, and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's pay, and three quarts of barley for a day's pay, but do not damage the olive oil and the wine!"

When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature call out, "Come!" I looked and there was a pale green horse! Its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed with him; they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and pestilence, and by the wild animals of the earth.

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; they cried out with a loud voice, "Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?" They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed.

When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and there came a great earthquake; the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree drops its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll rolling itself up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the magnates and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on earth or sea or against any tree. I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to damage earth and sea, saying, "Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have marked the servants of our God with a seal on their foreheads."

And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the people of Israel:



DEVOTION

WOW! Today's scripture reading reminds me why so many people are afraid to read the book of Revelation. There are many mysteries contained in this book regarding the end of days. I do not believe that there is a Bible scholar anywhere who has unlocked all of the secrets of the days to come.

But, although many will ask, "Who is able to stand?," as Christians, we can have a blessed assurance, that come what may, we are safe in the arms of Jesus.

Recently I had the privilege of visiting with a woman during her last days upon the Earth. As we would sit together in her hospice room, she would say to me, "I know that we serve a loving and a forgiving God. That is why I am not afraid."

Her courage in the face of death inspired me! She knew that "everyone who calls upon the Name of Lord shall be saved!"

In these Easter Days, let us never forget to proclaim, "Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!"

Because Jesus lives, we do not need to live in fear. Although we do not know what the future will bring, we do know the one who holds the future and He loves us very much!

Be at peace, my friends! We are overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb!


Won't you pray with me:

God, thank you for keeping me safe in your arms. Only you know the time and the season that this world will end. Please help me to trust that because I believe that Jesus died, rose, and is coming again, my sins are forgiven and I will inherit eternal life! I am excited about the future, because I know that I will surely spend it with you! I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

RANSOMED...

SCRIPTURE

Revelation 5:1-10 (NRSV)

The throne and the elders

Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."

Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God
saints from every tribe and language and people and nation;
you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God,
and they will reign on earth."


DEVOTION

HALLELUJAH!

Today my heart is full of "Hallelujah Praise" because I am so grateful that JESUS is worthy to "take the scroll and to open its seals, ransoming for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation, making us a kingdom of priests serving our God and reigning on Earth!"

Praise Him!

If you never had another reason to praise God for Jesus, this would be enough! God's love would be enough. Jesus' death upon the cross would be enough. His resurrection from the dead would be enough! The forgiveness of our sin would be enough! And surely, our eternal life would be enough!

Today, I want to encourage all of us to walk in joy and thanksgiving! No matter what we are going through, God has been good to us and we have reason to smile!

Instead of focusing on what is wrong, let us focus on what is right. Let us walk in love for God and for our neighbors of every tribe, people, language, and nation.

God showed forth God's love for all of us, by allowing Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. My friends, it just doesn't get better than that!

Let us count our blessings on this day. As we do, our hearts will be filled up with the Joy of Jesus and it will overflow out of our lives and into the lives of others!

HALLELUJAH!


Let us pray:

Holy One, thank you for loving us so much! Thank you that Jesus is worthy to redeem and save us! Thank you that I am invited to live forever with you! Today I confess that "Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ shall come again!" Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can joyfully and gratefully declare your praise and good news everywhere that I go. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would let me know about your decision today by clicking "YES" in the poll located in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!

The Lord, Our Keeper

Psalm 121 (NRSV)

God will preserve your life

Psalm 121:1-8 (NRSV)
A Song of Ascents.

I lift up my eyes to the hills--
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.

DEVOTION

Today I have been struck by how much pain people carry around in their gut. I am absolutely surprised by the grief, sorrow, trial, tribulation, and hardship people endure without saying a word.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, for I have had my own share of pain in this life. It is an unfortunate by-product of being human in a fallen world.

But, today, Psalm 121 reminds us that when we are in trouble we can call upon the Lord who is our keeper!

If we are in need of help, God is the one who can aid us by keeping us from all evil and preserving our very lives!

I am so grateful that God is a Keeper! God kept us best when Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life!

Rest into the blessed assurance that no matter what you are going through, God is a very present help in the time of trouble!

Wont' you pray with me:

Holy One, thank you that you are my help in the time of trouble. I cast all of my cares upon you, for I know that you care for me. Please forgive me for failing to believe that you can keep me from evil. I know that you have and I know that you will. I want to especially thank you for Jesus on this day! I am so glad that "Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ shall come again!" Please help me to share this good news with others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

I WILL SPEAK WITH YOU

SCRIPTURE

Ezekiel 1:26 2:1 (NRSV)
Ezekiel's vision of God's glory

And above the dome over their heads there was something like a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was something that seemed like a human form. Upward from what appeared like the loins I saw something like gleaming amber, something that looked like fire enclosed all around; and downward from what looked like the loins I saw something that looked like fire, and there was a splendor all around. Like the bow in a cloud on a rainy day, such was the appearance of the splendor all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.

When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of someone speaking.

He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you.


DEVOTION

I am captivated by the words, "O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you."

Isn't it amazing that The All-Glorious One is willing to speak to us at all?

Prayer is such a precious gift! It is a two-way communication with The One who made us, loves us, sustains us, and blesses us, every single day.

Very often, as humans we talk and talk and talk AT GOD; but, we forget to listen!

Today, we are reminded that God also wants to talk with us and that God speaks to us in many ways.

Sometimes God speaks in a still small voice to the quiet of our hearts. Other times God speaks to us through the words found in The Holy Bible. Still other times God speaks to us through the wise counsel of others.

There are many other ways that God speaks. Sometimes we encounter God's voice in nature. At other times we encounter God through dreams or visions. Still other times through signs, wonders, or miracles.

God is ALWAYS speaking; we just need to learn to attune our hearts to hear what is being said.

On this day, let me invite you to take a Bible, go to a quiet spot, and read a while. Then shut the book and think about what you have read. Ask God to speak to you and then listen with all your heart. Perhaps you will want to journal what you think or hear in those quiet moments so that you can reflect upon them in the weeks to come.

God has a word for you today. I pray that you will hear it.

Let us pray:

Holy God, thank you that you are still speaking in 2010. Thank you that one of your loudest proclamations is that "Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ shall come again!" Your great love and amazing grace blow me away! Please forgive me for failing to cultivate the quiet needed to hear your voice. I'm listening now. Please speak Lord...


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

Better is One Day...

SCRIPTURE

Ezekiel 1:1-25 (NRSV)

Ezekiel's vision of four living creatures

In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin), the word of the Lord came to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was on him there.


As I looked, a stormy wind came out of the north: a great cloud with brightness around it and fire flashing forth continually, and in the middle of the fire, something like gleaming amber. In the middle of it was something like four living creatures. This was their appearance: they were of human form. Each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf's foot; and they sparkled like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: their wings touched one another; each of them moved straight ahead, without turning as they moved. As for the appearance of their faces: the four had the face of a human being, the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and the face of an eagle; such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies. Each moved straight ahead; wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went. In the middle of the living creatures there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches moving to and fro among the living creatures; the fire was bright, and lightning issued from the fire. The living creatures darted to and fro, like a flash of lightning.

As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them. As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl; and the four had the same form, their construction being something like a wheel within a wheel. When they moved, they moved in any of the four directions without veering as they moved. Their rims were tall and awesome, for the rims of all four were full of eyes all around. When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When they moved, the others moved; when they stopped, the others stopped; and when they rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

Over the heads of the living creatures there was something like a dome, shining like crystal, spread out above their heads. Under the dome their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another; and each of the creatures had two wings covering its body. When they moved, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of mighty waters, like the thunder of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army; when they stopped, they let down their wings. And there came a voice from above the dome over their heads; when they stopped, they let down their wings.


DEVOTION

I don't know about you, but I am truly excited to get to heaven!

I think it is going to be absolutely amazing to see all of the amazing heavenly creatures and beasts worshiping with elders and saints before the throne of God!

The chorus to one of my favorite songs says, "Better is one day in your courts, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts, than a thousand elsewhere." (Chris Tomlin)

I am so filled up with praise when I remember that Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from my sin and gift us with eternal life.

Even one day in the heavens would be more than I deserve! But, God made the ultimate sacrifice in order to ensure that I am welcome to spend eternity in my heavenly home!

Today, and every day, I praise God for Jesus' life, death, and resurrection! To GOD be the glory, great things GOD has done!


Won't you pray with me?

Ah Holy God! Thank you! I can't thank you enough! You have been so good to me! I promise to do my best to praise you all of my days, declaring your glory, and proclaiming the good news always. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.



INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

Can't Turn Back!

SCRIPTURE

Third Sunday of Easter
John 21:1-19 (NRSV)

Jesus appears to the disciples

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, "Follow me."



DEVOTION

Today, I am reminded of the importance of living into the resurrection of Jesus.

John 21 says that when Jesus showed himself to the disciples it was the third time he had done so!

It amazes me that even after being eye-witnesses to the resurrection, the disciples still attempted to go back to their old lives. Simon Peter returned to catching fish, after Jesus had told him he would be a "fisher of men."

Once we have a life changing encounter with Jesus, we must never turn back! Once we give our lives to Jesus, we belong to the Kingdom of Love and we pledge our lives in love and service to our King.

Although we sin and fall short of the glory of God, we must always affirm (and reaffirm) the fact that "God knows all things...God knows we love Him."

It is this very love that causes us to follow Jesus wherever He goes.

Let us make up our minds to faithfully follow Jesus on this day.


Please pray with me:

Holy One, thank you for revealing yourself to me as the Risen Lord. I am compelled to follow you wherever you may lead. Please forgive me for those times I have attempted to turn back. I truly do want to follow you. Please help me to be faithful. In Jesus' Name, Amen.




INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

Strange Friends...

SCRIPTURE

Luke 14:12-14 (NRSV)

Welcome those in need to your table

He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."



DEVOTION--Today is Saturday Psalmody; the mediation is offered as a psalm from my heart! If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)


What strange "friends"
he has
what kind of rabbi
would hang out with
the poor
the crippled
the lame
the blind
doesn't he know
that God has forsaken them
that they are sinners
beyond the pale
We don't have time
to mess with those
folks
He's no real
prophet of God
for if he were
He's spend more
time
with us...



INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

An Open Door!

SCRIPTURE

Revelation 4:1-11 (NRSV)

Heaven's holy, holy, holy

After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal.

Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing,
"Holy, holy, holy,
the Lord God the Almighty,
who was and is and is to come."

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,
"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created."


DEVOTION

Ah! Today I am profoundly moved by the statement, "After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open!"

It is almost inconceivable that a door to heaven and to the throne room of God, would be open to a mere mortal.

Yet, we know that heavens doors were thrown upon wide by God when Love gave Jesus to die on the cross and rise on the third day all in order to save us from our sin, reconcile us with God, and gift us with eternal life!

Truly this is a Wondrous Love and when I think about it, I feel like the heavenly beasts and elders who praise God all day long declaring, ""Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come... "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

I don't know about you, but when I think of the goodness of Jesus and all that He has done for me, my soul cries out, "HALLELUJAH!!," thank God for saving me!

Won't you praise God today for the open door into heaven?


Let us pray:

Loving God, thank you that you have opened heavens doors to humanity. Thank you for loving and forgiving us at great cost. You are good and worthy to be praised from the rising of the sun to the setting of the same! I love you and I will share our love with others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.



INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

Lukewarm...

4/15/2010

Revelation 3:14-22 (NRSV)

Words to the church at Laodicea

"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's creation:

"I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.' You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."


DEVOTION

Today's devotional reminds us of the importance of not becoming complacent when the Lord blesses us!

It is a sad fact that many people who have prospered forget to give all the glory of God.

I once read a shocking statistic that said that poor people give a greater percentage of their income to tithes and offerings than the rich.

This surprised me because "to whom much is given, much is required."

In Revelation 3 The Word states, "I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.' You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked."

There are many ways be to poor and one of them is to be poor in spirit. We are poor in spirit when we fail to utilize our God-given talents to love God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

On this day, let us remember that God showed us great generosity when Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sins and gift us with eternal life. Let us strive to emulate God's generosity in our relationships with others.


Let us pray:

Holy God, thank you that you have abundantly blessed me! Just the very fact that I have access to a computer and the internet proves that I am among the wealthiest people on the earth. Please forgive me for being "lukewarm" toward you and your children. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I will be compelled to share the good news in words and in deeds. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

Children of God

Psalm 122 (NRSV)

Peace in Jerusalem

I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the Lord!"
Our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem--built as a city
that is bound firmly together.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
For there the thrones for judgment were set up,
the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers."
For the sake of my relatives and friends
I will say, "Peace be within you."
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.

DEVOTION

I don't know about you, but I love to go to church on Sunday! I look forward to it all week long and I enter into the sanctuary with great anticipation for the good things that will happen there!

It is in the house of the Lord, that we pray for the peace of the whole world!

At Jesus' birth, the angels heralded, "PEACE on Earth and goodwill toward all people."

It is a sad fact that as human beings we have yet to live into the awesome promise of the coming of Messiah.

Our failure--is not God's failure. Our failure, is as a result of sin. We have simply failed to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Every single week we gather to affirm the promise that God has done everything necessary to ensure our peace by giving Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life!

As we gather to worship, hear the Word, fellowship with one another, and celebrate the sacraments, we declare God's intention for a peaceful earth and our commitment to be used to usher in the Kingdom of Love.

One day, we will all know perfect peace. Either we will pass from earth to glory, or glory will come to earth in the second coming of Christ!

Either way, eternal peace will be ours...

Until that great day, let us do all that we know to do to be peacemakers within our spheres of influence.

Peace be with you, friends.

Let us pray:

God, you have said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." Please forgive me for the many times I have sown seed of discord and please fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can do those things that make for peace in my world. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

Victory is Mine!

SCRIPTURE

Esther 8:1-17 (NRSV)

Destruction of the Jews is averted

On that day King Ahasuerus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews; and Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her. Then the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. So Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

Then Esther spoke again to the king; she fell at his feet, weeping and pleading with him to avert the evil design of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews. The king held out the golden scepter to Esther, and Esther rose and stood before the king. She said, "If it pleases the king, and if I have won his favor, and if the thing seems right before the king, and I have his approval, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote giving orders to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king. For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming on my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?" Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to the Jew Mordecai, "See, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he plotted to lay hands on the Jews. You may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king's ring; for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king's ring cannot be revoked."

The king's secretaries were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day; and an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the Jews and to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, one hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language. He wrote letters in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed them with the king's ring, and sent them by mounted couriers riding on fast steeds bred from the royal herd. By these letters the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to assemble and defend their lives, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, with their children and women, and to plunder their goods on a single day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. A copy of the writ was to be issued as a decree in every province and published to all peoples, and the Jews were to be ready on that day to take revenge on their enemies. So the couriers, mounted on their swift royal steeds, hurried out, urged by the king's command. The decree was issued in the citadel of Susa.

Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king, wearing royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a mantle of fine linen and purple, while the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. For the Jews there was light and gladness, joy and honor. In every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and his edict came, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a festival and a holiday. Furthermore, many of the peoples of the country professed to be Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.


DEVOTION

Today I am reminded of the scripture, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Although Esther and Mordecai faced very grave and life threatening danger, they did not despair. They trusted in their God to make a way out of no way and to turn the situation around for their good!

I don't know about you, but I have some difficult circumstances in my life from time to time. Sometimes I worry that I will not be able to overcome them, or that I will fail miserably and bring shame to myself, my family, and my God.

It is at times like these that I like to remind myself that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength that I need." (Phil 4:13)

This side of the cross, we know that it is GOD--and God alone--who is charged with fighting our battles. Since God will never leave us, nor forsake us, we know that all things will always ultimately work out for our good.

Since God did not spare his own son, but allowed him to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life, we know that God will not withhold from us any good gift that we truly need!

Let us trust God on this day to fight all of our battles, overcome all of our enemies, and lead us into victory--by the Blood of the Lamb!


Won't you pray with me?

Holy and Strong God, you are Awesome. There is none like you! Thank you for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, my Lord! You have more than proven that you are powerful enough to save me from any trial or tribulation that may come my way. I entrust my whole life to you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.



INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL


DEDICATION

Today's blog is dedicated to my beloved sisters Kimberly & Adrienne Denson. I am proud of you!

You (don't) Always Get What You Deserve

Esther 7:1-10 (NRSV)

Esther prevails over Haman

So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. On the second day, as they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled." Then Queen Esther answered, "If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me -- that is my petition -- and the lives of my people -- that is my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have held my peace; but no enemy can compensate for this damage to the king." Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, "Who is he, and where is he, who has presumed to do this?" Esther said, "A foe and enemy, this wicked Haman!" Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen. The king rose from the feast in wrath and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that the king had determined to destroy him. When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman had thrown himself on the couch where Esther was reclining; and the king said, "Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?" As the words left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman's face. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, "Look, the very gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, stands at Haman's house, fifty cubits high." And the king said, "Hang him on that." So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the anger of the king abated.

DEVOTION

In today's scripture reading the "evil" Haman got just what he deserved. For plotting to kill Mordecai, Queen Esther, and their entire family, he was hanged on the gallows he had prepared for them.

One could read this story and say, "You always get what you deserve," but this side of the cross we know that this isn't always true.

Humanity deserved to be "hung" on the cross for our crimes against God and God's only begotten son. We had earned the ultimate penalty--DEATH--for failing to love God and neighbor as ourselves. Time and time again we had been granted clemency, only to sin again.

But, instead of getting what we deserved, we got exactly what we did not deserve, when Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.

The just punishment that was coming to us, instead fell on God's Son, and we were spared the consequences of sin, death, and the grave.

I am so glad that God met our sin with love, grace, and forgiveness. We didn't earn grace, but we got it and that's mighty good news!

Today, I want to challenge each of us to think of one way that we have been wronged and then I want us to make up our minds to forgive, as we have been forgiven.

Such radical love and amazing grace will change our world, one relationship at a time!

Go in peace, serve the Lord!

Let us pray:

Lord, you have taught us to pray, "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us." God, please help me to forgive as I have been forgiven and help me to love as you have taught me. Today, I commit to sharing the good news that "Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ shall come again!" I know that this gospel changes the world! I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

Punk or Peace?

SCRIPTURE

Second Sunday of Easter
John 20:19-31 (NRSV)

Beholding the wounds of the risen Christ

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.


DEVOTION

Oh, how I love Jesus, because He first loved me!

Doesn't today's scripture reading remind you of how much Jesus truly loves us?

We're not always at our best as human beings. Sometimes we allow fear to rule us. Sometimes we cower from the cruel words of others. Sometimes we are just weak and ineffectual.

At times we may wonder why God even bothers with us. I don't know about you, but there have been some days that I have been so ashamed of my unwillingness to boldly proclaim the resurrection of Jesus that I have wanted to crawl into a hole and "hide" from God!

But, rather than rebuking or shaming the disciples for acting like punks, Jesus walks into their locked room, offering the peace, purpose, and presence of the Holy Spirit!

Hey Glory!

Even when Thomas refused to initially believe, Jesus did what he had to do, to convince Thomas that he was the same Jesus who had died on the cross, but then resurrected on the third day!

Upon sticking his fingers into Jesus' wounds, Thomas said, "My Lord and My God!," to which Jesus responded, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

We are those blessed people! Although we have not met Jesus in flesh and blood, we know and believe that Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life!

As Christians, we are offered the peace of God in the midst of difficult circumstances, the purpose of God that sends us to to proclaim the gospel always, and the presence of the Holy Spirit to make our work effective!

There is no reason for us to be afraid my friends! We have good news to share that is for all people! Let us boldly declare it, now and for eternity.

ALLELUIA! HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED! ALLELUIA!

Let us pray:

Dear God, I know that I have often acted like "Doubting Thomas." I have put you to the test, time and time again. I am so sorry. Today, I know and believe with my whole heart that you died and rose again for me--and for all people. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can share this good news with others! I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.



SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would let me know about your decision today by clicking "YES" in the poll located in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!

Believe Again...

SCRIPTURE

Luke 24:36-40 (NRSV)

Beholding the wounds of the risen Christ

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.


BELIEVE AGAIN

Peace my friends
I'm not a ghost
Risen in victory
Defeated the hosts
of hell who tried
to abort the plan
to kill my body
and bring down man
to the depths of hell
for all off time
but risen in victory
eternity's mine
I give it all
to you my friends
walked through the wall
to bring an end
to division, doubt
fear and pain
see the holes
believe again...



INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL

BE SET FREE!

SCRIPTURE

Acts 5:17-26 (NRSV)

The apostles freed from prison

Then the high priest took action; he and all who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), being filled with jealousy, arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out, and said, "Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life." When they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching.

When the high priest and those with him arrived, they called together the council and the whole body of the elders of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the temple police went there, they did not find them in the prison; so they returned and reported, "We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside." Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering what might be going on. Then someone arrived and announced, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!" Then the captain went with the temple police and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.


DEVOTION

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

I love today's good news story because it is a reminder that we do not have to stay in the "prisons" that other people's petty jealousies may build for us!

Although most of us will never be literally jailed because of the hatred of others, we are often imprisoned in our hearts and minds by the unkind and hurtful things that people do--or say--about us.

As a result, we allow ourselves to be "imprisoned," unable to fully live into our God given gifts, talents, and ministries for fear of what others will think about us!

Some who have a gift of song have stopped singing because of a hurtful word spoken by another. Others who have a gift for dance have stopped dancing because of an unkind comment. Still others who have a gift for hospitality have stopped working in the kitchen because someone hurt their feelings.

I could go on and on, but you know much better than I do, what spiritual gifts and talents you have shut away because you were hurt by another.

Today, it is time for those prison walls to burst open! Despite what anyone has said--or done--to you, God is saying, "Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life."

Our good news is too wonderful to keep to ourselves! Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life and then resurrected him on the third day in power and victory!

This is good news my friends! I beg you, please come out of your prison and share the good news.

IN JESUS NAME, BE SET FREE!


Let's pray:

God, thank you that you are opening the door to my personal prison on this day. Please set me free to be all that you created me to become. Please forgive me for allowing fear and hurt to keep me from sharing Jesus. I love you and I want to fully utilize all of my God given gifts and talents for your glory and the edification of your church. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.