Repent, Praise and Pray!

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Thursday, April 16, 2009
Devotions: Ps 146-149; Ezek 37:1-14; Acts 3:11-26; Jn 15:12-27

Praise God! Don’t trust in human authorities; those who accept God’s authority and help are happy and blessed. YHWH frees prisoners, opens the eyes of the blind, lifts up those who are depressed, cares for wanderers, widows and orphans! He is gracious, abundant in power and love. Let us sing thanks to God, who waters the earth and cares for all living things. Let His people praise YHWH. Let all creation praise Him! By His word, all things exist; by His sovereignty, all things continue. Let all that lives praise the Lord. Let us sing and dance in praise and thanks before Him; let us exult in His glory, our Judge and Master.

Ezekiel describes his vision of the valley of dry bones. God’s Spirit asked: ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ Ezekiel answered, ‘Only You know, Lord!’ So God directed Ezekiel: ‘Prophesy to these bones! Hear the word of God: I will cause My Spirit, living breath, to enter you, and you will live. I will draw you together with sinews and cover you with flesh and skin. And you shall know I Am, the Lord!’ The bones became a great host of living people. God went on: ‘These are the house of Israel. Tell them: “I will open your graves and raise you to new life, My people! And I will bring you home. And you shall know that I Am the Lord, and that I do what I promise!”’

Many bystanders noticed the healed beggar leaping and praising beside Peter and John. Peter seized the occasion and addressed the crowd: ‘Men of Israel, why wonder at what you see? This is not the result of our piety. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob glorified His servant Jesus, whom you denied and delivered up to Pilate, demanding that he release a murderer and crucify the Holy and Righteous One; you killed the Author of life. But God has raised Him to life, as we testify! Faith in Him and in His name has raised this man and made him strong; the faith which is through Jesus has given this man perfect health—and you are witnesses of this! I know you and your rulers acted in ignorance. But you see evidence of the truth: so repent, and turn again, so that your sins may be forgiven and refreshment can come among us! Let God send the Messiah appointed for you, Jesus, Who is now in heaven awaiting the time announced by God’s holy prophets long ago. Moses foretold this, saying “YHWH Sabaoth will raise up for you a prophet from among your people, just as He raised me. Listen to Him and do everything He tells you! Those who disregard Him will be destroyed.” All the prophets from Samuel on have affirmed these things. All of you are descendants of the prophets, and heirs of God’s covenant with your ancestors; God told Abraham that He would bless all families of the earth through Abraham’s seed. And God favored you by sending His Servant to you first, to bless you in leading you to turn from your sins and accept God’s gracious salvation.’

Before His passion and death, Jesus taught His closest disciples: ‘I command that you love one another as I have loved you. The greatest sign of love is to lay down one’s life for friends. If you obey My commands, you are My friends—no longer servants; I call you My friends, and I have shared with you everything I have heard from My Father. You didn’t choose me, I chose you to do My will: go and bear fruit that abides. Again: love one another, and whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you!’