BIG BROTHER

LENT---DAY 33

SCRIPTURE

Hebrews 2:10-18 (NRSV)

Jesus' suffering binds him to humankind

It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying,
"I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you."
And again,
"I will put my trust in him."
And again,
"Here am I and the children whom God has given me."

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.



DEVOTION

I wonder how many of us had a big brother that we have relied on to get us out of trouble?

I can remember kids on the playground boldly puffing out their chests and shouting, "I'm going to tell my BIG BROTHER on you!"

When I was a little girl, I often wished that I had a big brother to come beat up all of my adversaries.

It is only now that I am an adult, that I realize that I do have a BIG BROTHER who has already conquered my biggest foes--sin, death, the grave, and the power of darkness.

Jesus, the god-man, calls me his sister, and came to earth to vanquish all of my fears!!

I am so glad that God loves all of us so! This Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life!

One getting up morning, our family reunion is going to be off the chain!!!! Don't you want to be there?

I can't wait to see Jesus face to face and thank him for being the best BIG BROTHER in the world!

Let's pray:

Jesus, I love you so much! You are the best big brother in the world. I believe with all of my heart that you died and rose again in order to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can share our love 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!



ANNOUNCEMENT

During the Lenten Season, all Good News readers are challenged to forward this blog to one person each and every day! Read, share, and BE good news! Go in peace, serve the Lord! (Thanks be to God!)

GOD CARES!

SCRIPTURE

Hebrews 2:5-9 (NRSV)

Christ tastes death for everyone

Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere,
"What are human beings that you are mindful of them,
or mortals, that you care for them?
You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned them with glory and honor,
subjecting all things under their feet."

Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

DEVOTION

Today’s scripture really sets my heart to singing! Did you read the part that says, “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them?”

Wow! Isn’t it amazing that God Almighty, All-Powerful, All-Knowing, All-Seeing, Alpha, Omega, Creator, Sustainer, and Friend cares about little ole me? (and you too!)

Isn’t it astounding that the King of Glory, who rules over Heaven and Earth and has angelic hosts to attend God’s every need, cares so passionately about us?

Doesn’t it blow your mind that God, who has everything, and owns everything, was willing to give up that which was most precious, just to be in relationship with us?

Oh Hallelujah!

It touches me to the depths of my heart that God loves us so very much! God proves God’s love over and over and over again throughout time and eternity.

For example, God created the world and everything in it in order to provide a beautiful home for us. God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. God allows the Holy Spirit to be in residence in our hearts in order to equip, empower, and enable us to share love and GOOD NEWS with everyone we meet!

Day by day, in ways that we know, and others that we don’t know, God loves us passionately, takes care of us faithfully, and provides for us diligently!

I don’t know about you, but I am so glad that God loves us so very much! God is mindful of us and God cares for us.

No matter what you are going through, God cares! God has already proven God’s love for you by sending Jesus to die on the cross as atonement for sin.

Today’s scripture reminds us that because God loves us so much, we will not experience spiritual death! When we put all of our hope in Jesus, trusting that Jesus’ suffering, blood, and death was enough to make reparation for our sin; we are assured that we will experience eternal life!

Eternal life is a gift more precious than any other for it means that we will spend forever and ever and ever in the presence of The One who loves us more than any other.

Indeed, who are we that God is mindful of us; who are we that God cares?

We are the brothers and sisters of Jesus, the children of God, and joint heirs to eternity!

Now, ain’ta that GOOD NEWS?!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their hope in Jesus! We celebrate your re-birth-day and promise to hold you in our prayers!

If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html

If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/

You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda

Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews

You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.

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Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.

From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com