Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Devotions: Ps 55, 74; Jer 17:5-17; Phil 4:1-13; Jn 12:27-36
Lord, hear my prayer and supplication; the enemy's noise fatigues and distracts me; my heart anguishes within me. I'd like to run away, but instead I pray to God: Lord, confound their plans and block their mischief. Help me recover from the pain of being tricked and betrayed by friends. I cast my burden on YHWH, Who sustains me. And I leave my adversaries to His judgment and consequences. Lord, how long will You let the foes scoff? Have regard for Your covenant; send forth Your light and bring peace and order where now tumult and chaos swirl!
Jeremiah spoke the words of YHWH: Cursed are they who trust in human power and turn away from the Lord. They will see no good coming from this; they will end up in arid wilderness. Blessed, rather, is the one who places trust in YHWH; he is like a tree planted by streams of water, with deep roots, unharmed by drought, fruitful regardless of the weather. Human hearts are desperately wicked and deceitful, entirely corrupt. YHWH requites the self-righteous with whatever they merit; and ill-gotten gains disappear suddenly, and they die in poverty and futility. So, Lord, heal me and save me; You alone Are my praise. Spare me Your awesome rage; shelter me in the day of disaster. Be my Refuge, dear Lord Most High!
Paul exhorted his fellow believers: Stand firm in the Lord, beloved! Work together, you who are named in the Lamb's book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say: rejoice! Let everyone witness your forbearance, for our Lord is at hand. Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in the Messiah Jesus. Focus on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious and excellent. Focus on what merits true praise. Act on all you have learned by word, precept and example from godly teachers like Paul; and the God of peace will be with you! I thank God for your concern, which is to your eternal credit. Not that I complain, for I have learned to be content in any and every circumstance--low and high, in plenty or want, sated or starving. I can do all things in Him Who strengthens me.
Jesus was speaking to Philip and Andrew, when they brought Him news that Greek believers and inquirers were seeking to see Him: 'Now My soul is troubled; and what shall I say? "Father, save Me from this hour!"? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour. So: Father, glorify Your Name.' Then a Voice spoke from heaven: 'I have glorified My Name, and will glorify it again.' The bystanders heard this, and said it had thundered; others said, 'An angel has spoken to him.' But Jesus answered, 'This voice has come for your sake, not Mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out. And I, when I have been lifted up, will draw all mortals to Myself.' Jesus said this to show by what form of death He was to die. Even at that point, the crowd continued in misunderstanding and argued with Him, saying, 'The law says the Messiah remains for ever. So how can you say the Son of man must be lifted up?' Jesus replied, 'The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you. Those who walk in darkness don't know where they are, or where they're going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons and daughters of light.'
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment