The Lamb of God!

Tuesday, First Week of Advent

SCRIPTURE

Andrew, Apostle
John 1:35-42 (NRSV)

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).


DEVOTION

This passage of scripture has always been one of my favorite as someone who is deeply committed to evangelism!

I love the declarations, "Look! Here is the Lamb of God!" and "We have found the Messiah."

During this season of Advent, as we watch and pray, calming heart and spirit, as we await the "coming" of our Lord's birthday, it is incumbent upon us, as Christians to boldly declare CHRIST within our spheres of influence.

It is clear beyond a shadow of a doubt how much we all need Jesus. In a world torn asunder by hate, violence, poverty, financial downturn, and environmental disaster, we all desperately need the salvation offered by Jesus Christ our Lord.

In a world filled with darkness, we can reflect the light of Christ to our neighbors, friends, co-workers, family members, and even our enemies. We can be role models regarding how to live in love, joy, peace, and hope. We can make a difference by walking in Love...

Today, won't you declare with boldness, "Look! Here is the Lamb of God!"?

Let's pray: Ah! Holy God! How awesome it is to behold you in the beauty of holiness. Thank you that Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Thank you for his life, death on the cross, and glorious resurrection on the third day. Please help me to boldly declare Messiah, today and always. 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/JVhaLta

God remembers...

Monday, First Week of Advent

SCRIPTURE

Genesis 8:1 19 (NRSV)

The flood waters subside

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and all the domestic animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided; the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and the waters gradually receded from the earth. At the end of one hundred fifty days the waters had abated; and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains appeared.

At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent out the raven; and it went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground; but the dove found no place to set its foot, and it returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took it and brought it into the ark with him. He waited another seven days, and again he sent out the dove from the ark; and the dove came back to him in the evening, and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf; so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. Then he waited another seven days, and sent out the dove; and it did not return to him any more.

In the six hundred first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and saw that the face of the ground was drying. In the second month, on the twenty seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. Then God said to Noah, "Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." So Noah went out with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives. And every animal, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out of the ark by families.


DEVOTION

I don't know about you, but today I've got a storm blowing in my life. It feels like the "boat" of my life may capsize and I feel very small and afraid.

But, today's scripture reading gives me reason to hope because it is a reminder that although the storms may rage, God remembers us...

God remembers that we are in the boat. God remembers that the storms are fierce. God remembers that we need deliverance.

God's deliverance comes to us with the blowing of the wind--or Spirit--that stops the rain and dries the land so that we can emerge from the trials and tribulations of our lives with dignity and grace.

I am so glad that God remembers us! No matter what you may be going through, please do not lose hope. God remembers you and will come through for you, on time.

Let us pray: Holy God, thank you for remembering me. Thank you for never abandoning me to the storms of life. Please calm the storm by your Spirit and grant me your peace. 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/JVhaLta

Coming of Salvation-First Sunday in Advent

First Sunday of Advent
Matthew 24:36 44 (NRSV)

The sudden coming of salvation

"But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

DEVOTION

Today is the first Sunday in Advent. Advent means "to come" or "to arrive."

During this CHRISTmas season, we prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world!

We thank God for the prophets of old, who foresaw his birth. We thank God for his incarnation on the earth as our Lord and Savior and for his continued presence in Word and Sacrament. Finally, we thank God for the certain good news that Jesus will come back again in glory to establish a new heaven and a new earth!

While the rest of the world is shopping their brains out, rushing around, and spending money they do not have--we, as Christians, are called to be counter cultural as we slow down, get still, pray, fast, meditate, read the word, and prepare our bodies, minds, and spirits for Christ's birthday party on Dec. 25th.

Today's scripture reading says, "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father...Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."

The hallmark of our faith is the declaration, "Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ shall come again!"

Let us use the next four weeks to ready our hearts to receive him!

Let's pray: Eternal God, thank you for this Advent Season. Please help me to prepare my body, mind, and spirit to receive Jesus! I don't want this season to be stressful, rushed, or crazy. Please help me to slow down and to keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas! You are the best gift anyone could receive this year; please help me to gift our love to 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/JVhaLta

I hope this video blesses your socks off and reminds you of the true reason for this season--CHRIST!

I Was Glad...

Psalm 122 (NRSV)

Gladness in God's house

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,

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/JVhaLta

In Faith!

SCRIPTURE

Hebrews 11:1 7 (NRSV)

Noah acts in faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain's. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and "he was not found, because God had taken him." For it was attested before he was taken away that "he had pleased God." And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.


DEVOTION

Today, I am struck by the words, "without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

It occurs to me that to do anything pleasing in God's sight, we are invited to exercise our faith!

We are called to pray in faith, believing that God's will can--and does--catch up to us every time!

We are called to live in faith, choosing to love God and neighbor as ourselves!

We are called to serve in faith, believing that faith, without works is dead!

We don't answer the call to do any of these things in order to purchase our salvation; rather, we do these things because our hearts are so full of gratitude because our salvation has already been "purchased" by Jesus' shed blood upon the cross!

We can't make God loves us; but, God already does. We can't make God save us; but, God already has. We can't make God gift us with eternity; but, it has already been done because God's love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life!

Now, ain'ta that good news?!

Walk in faith, beloved of God...


Let us pray: Wow, God! You are awesome. I truly believe with all of my heart that you love me and gave Jesus to die on the cross to make atonement for my sin and gift me with eternal life. Because I believe this, I desire to love you and my neighbors, as myself. Please help me to walk in love and to share this good news. 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/JVhaLta

Friends of God

James 4:1 10 (NRSV)

A plea for God's grace and human humility

Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, "God yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says,
"God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble."


Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

DEVOTION

Our love relationship with God is so precious, is it not?

It is an amazing thing that the King of Glory allows us to be in relationship with him through Jesus Christ, and to boldly approach his throne when we have need.

It thrills me that we are invited into the presence of God through prayer and Bible Study. It amazes me that as we read the word we are given the simple instruction to "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

See, I may want to draw near to a friend, but she may be unavailable. I may need to draw near to my Senator, but she may be too busy. I may desire to draw near to a president, king, or queen, but they may not wish to receive me.

But, scripture says, that when we wish to draw near to God, God will always draw near to us! We are actually FRIENDS OF GOD.

God wants us to come into his presence. God wants us to cuddle up close. God wants to listen to what we have to say. God loves us more than anything!

WOW! Isn't that amazing grace?!

Our God loves us--more than we could hope, dream, or imagine! Our God cares!

If we have need, all we have to do is ask God's will to manifest in our lives. If we have concerns, all we need to do is cast our cares on God, for God cares for us!

Today, I want to invite you to draw near to God, it's the best place you could ever be!

Let's pray: God, right now in the Name of Jesus, draw near to you. I ask you to please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the precious Holy Spirit. Please help me to resist satan, and submit my whole self to 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/JVhaLta

SPECIAL NOTE: Happy Thanksgiving to our American readers and those celebrating abroad!

Who is this King of Glory?!

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 24 (NRSV)

The King of glory comes

The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
for he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
and do not swear deceitfully.
They will receive blessing from the Lord,
and vindication from the God of their salvation.
Such is the company of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Selah

Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory.
Selah

DEVOTION

Turn on your television or computer and undoubtedly you can find somebody bragging about something.

Some people brag about how much money they have or how famous they are. Others brag about the status of their 501ks or their houses, cars, and boats. Still others brag on their favorite football, hockey, or baseball team.

I could go on and on, but you know what I am talking about. We live in a culture that lifts up those who will brag about themselves...

But, as Christians, we are called to be counter-cultural. We are called to brag, not on ourselves, but on our God!

Recently, I was praying fervently and urgently for a miracle. I begged and pleaded with God to come through for me. I told God, when you rescue me and work this miracle, I am going to brag on you! I am going to tell everybody how good, marvelous, strong, powerful, awesome, mighty, magnificent, and awesome you are! I'm not going to worry about what people think about me. I'm not going to be concerned about if I look ridiculous as I praise you. I am going to shout from the rooftops--JESUS SAVES!

Well, sure enough God came through! And today I declare with the Psalmist, "Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory."

Ah! Hallelujah! GOD is the King of Glory!

Let's pray: All Glorious God, you are the King of Glory! I worship and praise you today, because you are good and there is none like you. You are awesome in all your ways! I lift up my face, heart, and voice to you for you alone are praiseworthy! Please help me to offer you a praise worthy of who you are, and please help me to declare you glory to the ends of the earth! 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/JVhaLta

Our God Rules

SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 33:17-22 (NRSV)

Our God rules

Your eyes will see the king in his beauty;
they will behold a land that stretches far away.
Your mind will muse on the terror:
"Where is the one who counted?
Where is the one who weighed the tribute?
Where is the one who counted the towers?"
No longer will you see the insolent people,
the people of an obscure speech that you cannot comprehend,
stammering in a language that you cannot understand.
Look on Zion, the city of our appointed festivals!
Your eyes will see Jerusalem,
a quiet habitation, an immovable tent,
whose stakes will never be pulled up,
and none of whose ropes will be broken.
But there the Lord in majesty will be for us
a place of broad rivers and streams,
where no galley with oars can go,
nor stately ship can pass.
For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our ruler,
the Lord is our king; he will save us.


DEVOTION

Yesterday, I declared with boldness, "Our God will save!"

Today, I affirm that it is our God who rules over all things and is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ask, think, or imagine.

I don't know about you, but I know what it is to be in desperate straights. I know what it feels like to need a miracle. I know what its about to know that if God doesn't come through in an urgent way, all might be lost!

But, when we are in Christ and walking in relationship with God, we do not need to dismay! Instead, we know what to do, right?

We hit our knees!

We call out to God with an urgent voice! We praise God before the battle is over, knowing that God will cause us to emerge victoriously!

I testify today that there is NO GOD LIKE OUR GOD! He comes through every single time for our good. You can trust Him!

If you've got a problem, God's got an answer!


Let's pray: Holy One, Great is your Name and greatly to be praised! There is no God like you. I lift all of my concerns to you, knowing that you will take care of me. Please help me to trust you for my miracle and to wait with patience. 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/JVhaLta

God Will Save!

SCRIPTURE

Jeremiah 46:18-28 (NRSV)

God will save Israel

As I live, says the King,
whose name is the Lord of hosts,
one is coming
like Tabor among the mountains,
and like Carmel by the sea.
Pack your bags for exile,
sheltered daughter Egypt!
For Memphis shall become a waste,
a ruin, without inhabitant.

A beautiful heifer is Egypt -
a gadfly from the north lights upon her.
Even her mercenaries in her midst
are like fatted calves;
they too have turned and fled together,
they did not stand;
for the day of their calamity has come upon them,
the time of their punishment.

She makes a sound like a snake gliding away;
for her enemies march in force,
and come against her with axes,
like those who fell trees.
They shall cut down her forest,

says the Lord,
though it is impenetrable,
because they are more numerous
than locusts;
they are without number.
Daughter Egypt shall be put to shame;
she shall be handed over to a people from the north.

The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, said: See, I am bringing punishment upon Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh, and Egypt and her gods and her kings, upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him. I will hand them over to those who seek their life, to King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon and his officers. Afterward Egypt shall be inhabited as in the days of old, says the Lord.

But as for you, have no fear, my servant Jacob,
and do not be dismayed, O Israel;
for I am going to save you from far away,
and your offspring from the land of their captivity.
Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease,
and no one shall make him afraid.
As for you, have no fear, my servant Jacob,

says the Lord,
for I am with you.
I will make an end of all the nations
among which I have banished you,
but I will not make an end of you!
I will chastise you in just measure,
and I will by no means leave you unpunished.

DEVOTION

Today's scripture certainly offers us law and gospel, doesn't it?

On the one hand, we see the justice and punishment of God and on the other we see the grace and mercy of God...

Since we know that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, we know that it is only the loving and gracious hand of God that saves us!

This side of the cross we know that Love ultimately gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life! We could not save ourselves, so God did it for us!

Sin is our biggest, baddest enemy, but we have others. We also have obstacles, trials, tribulations, sickness, dis-ease, and more--but please know this---GOD WILL SAVE!

No matter what your trouble, GOD WILL SAVE! God will deliver! God will help!

All we need to do is turn our faces to the one who is our All Sufficiency in love, hope, and faith...God will do the rest!

Let's pray: Oh God, how I need you! Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit. Please beat back my enemies, and calm my storms. I can do no-thing without 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/JVhaLta

CHRIST THE KING!

Luke 23:33-43

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing.

And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!"

The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"

There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"

But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."


DEVOTION

I am so glad that this world is not all that there is!

Many of us feel dismay when we turn on the television, computer, or radio or read the newspaper.

It is shocking how much we need the Reign of God to break into our every day lives! And it does time and time again. Sometimes, it is the people of God, being the hands, feet, and smile of God that ushers the Kingdom of Love into circumstances and situations. Other times, God just reaches in and offers love when we need it most.

This happened for the dying thief on the cross when Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in Paradise." It happened for others when they were hungry and someone fed them, thirsty and someone offered water, sick and someone prayed...

It's an awesome thing when those of us who serve the Kingdom of Love are about God's work with our hands!

On this Christ the King Sunday aren't you glad that Jesus is the King of Kings? Aren't you happy that we can bow in reverence now, and that all will bow in reverence later?

I love our King! He's just so good!


Let's pray: Oh God, thank you for Christ my King! Thank you for his life, death, and resurrection. Thank you for making provision for my sin to be forgiven and for me to inherit eternal life. It is my pleasure to serve the Kingdom of Love and it is my joy to bow before the King of Kings, Jesus who is the Christ! 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/JVhaLta

GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

Psalm 145 (NRSV)

Praise God's faithfulness

I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you,
and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall laud your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
and I will declare your greatness.
They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.
The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
he also hears their cry, and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.


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/JVhaLta

UNTIL THE SHADOWS FLEE

Song of Solomon 4:1-8 (NRSV)

The bride's beauty extolled

How beautiful you are, my love,
how very beautiful!
Your eyes are doves
behind your veil.
Your hair is like a flock of goats,
moving down the slopes of Gilead.
Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes
that have come up from the washing,
all of which bear twins,
and not one among them is bereaved.
Your lips are like a crimson thread,
and your mouth is lovely.
Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate
behind your veil.
Your neck is like the tower of David,
built in courses;
on it hang a thousand bucklers,
all of them shields of warriors.
Your two breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle,
that feed among the lilies.
Until the day breathes
and the shadows flee,
I will hasten to the mountain of myrrh
and the hill of frankincense.
You are altogether beautiful, my love;
there is no flaw in you.
Come with me from Lebanon, my bride;
come with me from Lebanon.
Depart from the peak of Amana,
from the peak of Senir and Hermon,
from the dens of lions,
from the mountains of leopards.

DEVOTION

Ah! Who doesn't love the lyrical beauty of the Song of Solomon! More than that, who isn't captivated by the love story and song contained therein?

There are some of us who are blessed to be a part of marital unions as strong and wondrous as this one. There are others of us who are working toward a marriage so healthy and beautiful!

In all cases, we recognize human marriage as a harbinger of even greater things to come!

In scripture The Church is the bride of Christ! Isn't it amazing to contemplate the fact that God loves The Church as much as a lover cares for his beloved?

My favorite lines in today's scripture passage are, "Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, I will hasten to the mountain of myrrh and the hill of frankincense. You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you."

Wow! I can just hear Jesus speaking these words over me..."You are altogether beautiful my love; there is no flaw in you."

These words are only possible because of Jesus' atoning sacrifice made on the cross for me. It is Jesus' love--life, death, and resurrection that makes me beautiful, for my sins are forgiven!

And it is Jesus' victory over sin, death, and the grave, which causes God to declare with Amazing Grace that there is no flaw in me--for I have been forgiven because of the Blood of the Lamb!

God does this for me; God does this for you! For we are God's beloved...

Now, ain'ta that good news?!

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/JVhaLta

THE CORNERSTONE

Confession of Peter
Acts 4:8-13 (NRSV)

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is
'the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.'
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.


DEVOTION

Ah!

This is one of my absolute favorite passages of scripture.

I pray that God will fill all of us with the holy boldness of Spirit that inhabited Peter as he declared under persecution, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."

Every day I pray that God will give me the courage to give Him all of the glory whether people praise or persecute me.

If I have done any good at all, it is because of Christ. And if I am hated and reviled because of my love for Jesus, so much the better!

Sometimes when we do good, we are tempted to allow others to praise us. We are tempted to take the accolades, because they feel good. But, when we can remember to point people to Jesus, who is the cornerstone of all that is good in our lives, it can radically alter the trajectory of another person's life for the good!

Today, won't you point someone to Jesus?

Be bold and very courageous, God will give you just the right words to say!


Let's pray: Oh God, fill me with your Spirit, so that I can boldly declare that Christ has died, risen, and is coming again! Thank you for allowing Him to die on the cross to atone for my sin and gift me with eternal life. Please help me to passionately 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/JVhaLta

GOD IS MY REFUGE

Psalm 141 (NRSV)

God is my refuge

I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me;
give ear to my voice when I call to you.
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not turn my heart to any evil,
to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with those who work iniquity;
do not let me eat of their delicacies.

Let the righteous strike me;
let the faithful correct me.
Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head,
for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.
When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,
then they shall learn that my words were pleasant.
Like a rock that one breaks apart and shatters on the land,
so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.

But my eyes are turned toward you, O God, my Lord;
in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenseless.
Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me,
and from the snares of evildoers.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I alone escape.

DEVOTION

If you're anything like me you've often prayed the prayer, "I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me; give ear to my voice when I call to you."

I consider this an SOS or 911 call directed to heaven!

Sometimes, in this life, we have situations that require a "come quickly to me prayer!"

I am so glad that God is so gracious and merciful to appreciate our sense of urgency. Looking at it from God's throne room, our "urgent" situations probably look very manageable. Since God can see from the beginning to the end at the same time, God knows exactly how things work out for the good.

But, because God loves us so much, God responds to our sense of urgency! God rushes to our aid! God helps us in our trouble! God stands by us when we are attacked. God comforts us when we are bereaved! God counsels us when we are distressed! God catches us when we are falling!

I could go on and on, but what I am trying to say is that God is our refuge in the time of trouble.

It doesn't matter what you are going through. Please know that our good and gracious God stands ready and willing to assist us. All we need to do is call upon him!

Let's pray: Dear Lord, this is an SOS. I'm in real trouble right now. My body, mind, and spirit are in distress. I'm worried, confused, anxious, and angry. Please help me! 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/JVhaLta

GLORY AMONG THE NATIONS

Ezekiel 39:21-40:4 (NRSV)

Mercy on the house of Israel

I will display my glory among the nations; and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them. The house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God, from that day forward. And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they dealt treacherously with me. So I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword. I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their transgressions, and hid my face from them.

Therefore thus says the Lord God: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for my holy name. They shall forget their shame, and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they live securely in their land with no one to make them afraid, when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies' lands, and through them have displayed my holiness in the sight of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God because I sent them into exile among the nations, and then gathered them into their own land. I will leave none of them behind; and I will never again hide my face from them, when I pour out my spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord God.

In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me there. He brought me, in visions of God, to the land of Israel, and set me down upon a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city to the south. When he brought me there, a man was there, whose appearance shone like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring reed in his hand; and he was standing in the gateway. The man said to me, "Mortal, look closely and listen attentively, and set your mind upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you; declare all that you see to the house of Israel."

DEVOTION

How I love the mercy of God! It is from everlasting to everlasting and it is that which I depend on from day to day.

As a fallen human being, prone to sin and fall short of the glory of God, I know that the wages of sin are death. I know that when I do wrong, I deserve to be punished.

But, I am so glad that God always extends a hand of mercy to me when I ask for forgiveness. I am grateful that God is always faithful and just to forgive my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.

Now, don't get me wrong! Sometimes I pay the natural consequences of my poor choices. God loves me enough to help me learn to do better. But, even as I experience those natural consequences, God holds me tight, and helps me to overcome the adversity that I've created for myself!

Indeed, God is the most outstanding parent of all and I am so glad that God loves us so much!

Let's pray: God, thank you for making provision for the forgiveness of our sin and eternal life in the death and resurrection of your son, Jesus the Christ! Thank you for your willingness to forgive my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit. Thank you that Spirit leads me to share your good news with others. Please help me to be faithful to this ministry and calling. 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/JVhaLta

I HAVE BEEN A SANCTUARY

SCRIPTURE

Ezekiel 11:14-25 (NRSV)

Judgment and promised restoration

Then the word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, your kinsfolk, your own kin, your fellow exiles, the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, "They have gone far from the Lord; to us this land is given for a possession." Therefore say: Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far away among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a little while in the countries where they have gone. Therefore say: Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. When they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow my statutes and keep my ordinances and obey them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, says the Lord God.

Then the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. And the glory of the Lord ascended from the middle of the city, and stopped on the mountain east of the city. The spirit lifted me up and brought me in a vision by the spirit of God into Chaldea, to the exiles. Then the vision that I had seen left me. And I told the exiles all the things that the Lord had shown me.


DEVOTION

I am so grateful that "God has been a sanctuary" for me, even when I have chosen to be most disobedient and ungrateful.

Scripture teaches us that God will never leave us, nor abandon us, and God is a promise keeper!

Even in the midst of the biggest messes that I have ever created, I have always been aware of God inviting me home with the promise to give me one heart and spirit that I might be obedient to him.

It is a wonderful thing that God does not leave us to ourselves and our own devices to "get right with him." We simply cannot do it!

It takes the love of God, the work of Christ and the move of Spirit to save our souls.

Dear one, if you've been trying to do it yourself, won't you trust God to melt your heart of stone? Turn to God with all your heart and let Him be your sanctuary.


Let us pray: Lord God, how excellent is your name in all the earth! Thank you that you melt my heart of stone when it turns cold toward you. Please forgive my sin and fill me with your Holy Spirit that I might declare your praise. 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/JVhaLta

THE TIME IS NEAR!

SCRIPTURE

Luke 21:5-19 (NRSV)

Suffering for Jesus' sake

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."

They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them.

"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.

DEVOTION

Today I am reminded of the saying, "Only what you do for Christ will last!"

The scripture reminds us that we can worry about all sorts of things such as beautifully adorned houses, special gifts, wars, weather, hunger, disease, false prophesies, betrayals and/or humiliations of every sort!

We can fret and fear with great anxiety about all of the bad things that may or may not happen and we can try to plan, guess, and prepare for trials to come.

But, ultimately, God is the only knower of all things. And as human beings, the only thing that we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt is that it is JESUS who holds all of our tomorrows and keeps us safe in his love.

The words, "not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls...," ought to be a word of great encouragement for each of us!

No matter what tomorrow may bring, God promises to love us and keep us safe. God promises that nothing can separate us from his love. God promises that His children will ultimately emerge from the trials and tribulations of life, unscathed!

We know that this is true, because our sin is already forgiven and our eternal life secure. JESUS already defeated our greatest enemies--sin, death, and the grave. Jesus already assured all of our tomorrows, when he opened heavens doors to all believers!

We can rest in the blessed assurance that the time is always near for our God to hold us safe in His hand. Be at peace, Jesus has overcome the world!


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/JVhaLta

THE KINGDOM IS AMONG YOU

SCRIPTURE

Luke 17:20-37 (NRSV)

The judgment coming

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you."

Then he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, 'Look there!' or 'Look here!' Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation. Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them - it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left."

Then they asked him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."

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)

THE KINGDOM IS AMONG YOU

Hidden in plain sight

I walk amongst you

You're looking

but you do not see

You're questing

but do not find.

Where is the kingdom

you ask

running to and fro

Chasing dreams

and figments

and imaginations

and falsehoods

never realizing

that kingdom seed

is already in the ground

and it is growing up

around your feet

The vultures know...

they hover in the sky above

waiting for you to

bruise the kingdom

with your dancing, drinking, and carousing

as you chase vain glory.

But, seed

goes to ground

to die and rise again

season after season.

The kingdom of God

is amongst you

come first in silence, night

womb, and death.

Come a second time

splitting the sky

in resurrection victory

with loud trumpet blast...

Where is the kingdom?z

The KINGdom

is ME.

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/JVhaLta