Hebrews 12:2, “For the joy set before him Jesus endured the cross.” The idea of crucifixion as the means to a joyful life is counterintuitive. Ask yourself: • How can a life shaped by the cross, an instrument of suffering and shame, be the way to joy?• Is the purpose of the cross not one … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: About the Cross, pt6
Category: Devotions
1 Peter 5:10, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." No one goes through life without suffering. To be human in a fallen world is to suffer. Suffering, however, … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: About the Cross, pt5
Galatians 5:1, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Jesus’ death on the cross is the path for true freedom. In order for a person to live a truly free life, they must do so in communion with God. This is a … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: About the Cross, pt5
1 Peter 5:6-7, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." Jesus reveals to us that humility is the heart of taking up the cross. If our lives are to be modeled after … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: About the Cross, pt4
Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Ambition is a part of life. Everyone has it. The question is not whether you are ambitious but the content of your ambitions. For our … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: About the Cross, pt3
Matthew 16:24-26, "Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: About the Cross, pt2
Matthew 16:24-26, "Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: About The Cross, pt1
2 Timothy 3:14-17, "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: Christ Commissioned, pt6
1 Corinthians 9:20-22, "20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: Christ Commissioned, pt5
Philippians 1:12-16 "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: Christ Commissioned, pt4
Acts 2:37-42, "Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: Christ Commissioned, pt3
Acts 13:46-49, "And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "'I have made you a … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: Christ Commissioned, pt2
Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: Christ Commissioned, pt1
Matthew 6:9-13, "Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: Enjoying God, pt4
Hebrews 8:1-8, verse 8 "For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah..." It is all well to enjoy God through good times, but what about when things are … Continue reading A Brief Devotion: Enjoying God, pt3