Get ready to start a journey…a journey through the pages of the Bible and the pages of your life.
Today we start a new series of devotionals called Living Hope. Our hope is secured in the living God, who always keeps his promises. While we will use many passages in Scripture, 1 Peter will be our base. So, let’s start with the first two verses of this letter.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Friday was the day of the cross. We call it Good Friday. But from Mary’s viewpoint, “good” was not the word she would use.
Lazarus was four days dead. When Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out,” the dead man responded. Lazarus stood up and shuffled out of the tomb. His resurrected body still showed signs of death—strips of linen wrapped around his body and a burial cloth around his face.
Come out! Those are the words Jesus spoke to a man who was dead. Here’s the account in John 11:43.
Hurt. Disappointment. Anger. Confusion. Fear. Mary was probably feeling all those emotions following the death of her brother Lazarus. She made her way to Jesus, fell at his feet, and let him know exactly what was on her mind. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32). Those words were spoken with tears running down her cheeks and between the loud sobs of grief.
Jesus has made a way to escape death, to never die. He first gave that promise to a woman grieving the loss of her brother. Today we begin following Jesus to the cross. As Jesus entered the Jerusalem area for the last time, he performed a significant miracle just outside of town. This miracle centered around a man named Lazarus—who was dead and buried. Let’s consider Jesus’ words to Martha, one of the dead man’s sisters.
Sometimes we have problems with the plan—God’s plan. We misunderstand what he is up to. That’s what happened to the disciples.
Have you ever felt like Jesus was holding out on you? Check out today’s passage.
The early followers of Jesus misunderstood. They wanted a better temporal life. Jesus came to deliver eternal life. Subsequently, many of the disciples stopped following Jesus.
Strong and courageous. That is the call on every Christian parent. We need to stand firm and resolute in forming the hearts and minds of our children. If we don’t, there are plenty of people standing in a long line who want to control the next generation. Check out today’s passage.
Many Christian homes are filled with books on parenting. The books address everything from discipline to college decisions. Most of the books are good as far as they go, but there is one Book that must be on the top of the pile. Honestly, we would be better served if we would put down all the other books and pick up “The Book”.
“It’s time to grow up and get serious about your walk with Christ.” Those are the words that parenting shouts at us. It’s no longer just about you (it never was!). Every parent takes on a heavy responsibility, and with that should come humility. Our gut churns with a farrago of emotions that range from excitement to downright fear. Every parent can relate to Joshua’s feelings in the opening chapter of this book.
God makes his light to shine on us. I love the concept, but what does that mean? We have been using Psalm 118 this week as a guide for praying for our children. So, let’s wrap up our time by asking God to shine his light on them. Our prayer will explain what this powerful truth means.
What does success look like? What does God’s success look like? There are often two different answers to those questions. Our success doesn’t always look like God’s success. But his “win” is the only success that matters.
Do you ever feel like you are being pushed hard? Feel like you are falling? Happens to us all and to our children. This week we are using Psalm 118 as a guide to praying for our children (and grandchildren). Today’s verses speak to the real-life experience of being pushed hard.
So…where do you place your trust? In man? In government? In a human system? At the end of the day, all human efforts will fail, and all systems will falter. This week, using Psalm 118 as our guide, we are praying for our children (and grandchildren). Today let’s pray that they always place their trust in the living God.
When I understand that God is on my side, fear and dread are driven away. We all want to live with a “God on my side” confidence. And we want our children to do the same. This week we are using Psalm 118 as our guide to praying for our children. Let’s pray they will know and experience this promise that God is always on their side.
This week we are focusing on prayers for parents using Psalm 118 as our guide. Today’s prayer is about freedom. Don’t you want your children to live in the freedom Jesus provides?