DAILY DEVOTION, Nov. 12,  2021

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).

This amazing and accurate prophecy of Isaiah was made hundreds of years before Jesus was born. Why did Jesus end up on a cross? It was our transgressions that led Him to Calvary. He endured the punishment we deserved and brought us into a peaceful relationship with God. Our sin disease has been healed. How did Isaiah know this would happen? The Holy Spirit revealed this important piece of future history to him.

We repeatedly learn in the New Testament that we receive the benefits of Christ’s death by faith. When we repent and confess our sins to God and accept Jesus as our Savior, the slate is wiped clean. This is the heart of the Christian faith. While Jesus is a teacher and a prophet, He is much more. He is the Son of God who alone can free us from sin. He is our blessed Savior. Is there another way to achieve peace with God apart from Jesus? Some say “Yes,” but the New Testament says “No.” Are you willing to trust your eternal future to Jesus?

Father, how can we ever thank you for sending Jesus to redeem us. May our faith in Jesus be strong. May our daily lives reflect that we are His disciples. In His name, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, Nov. 11, 2021

 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 15:15).

Years ago, I was confronted by a man on an elevator. He asked me, “Are you who I think you are?” I wasn’t sure how to answer since I didn’t know who he thought I was.  Further exchanges led to the conclusion that I was not who he thought I was. Jesus was questioning His disciples about local scuttlebutt concerning His identity. Different suggestions were made concerning His identity. Then Jesus spoke directly to the disciples. “Who do you say that I am?” That question is also directed to us. It is the most important question we will ever confront. Many assumed Jesus was a prophet, a man of God but a human being.  What do you think?

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter’s answer was loaded with theological implications. First, Jesus is the Christ meaning He is the promised Jewish Messiah. “Christ” is the Greek word for the Jewish Messiah, the anointed One; the One God promised to send to redeem Israel. Second, Son of God refers to His divine nature.  Jesus is more than a prophet. He is God the Son from all eternity. Therefore He is worthy of our wholehearted trust and obedience.

Jesus made no effort to correct Peter. He did not say, “Oh no, Peter, you have given me status way beyond what I deserve.” In fact, Jesus blessed Peter for his answer. But, of course, many rejected Peter’s answer. As a result, Jesus was finally led to a cross and crucified. Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say that I am?”:

Father, I agree with Peter. Jesus is the Messiah, Your beloved Son. He is my Savior and Lord. I want to trust and follow Him all my days, awaiting that time when I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, Nov. 10, 2021

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”  (Revelation 5:13).

In the above words, the entire universe is praising God. The God they are praising is God the Father and God the Son (the Lamb). Jesus is called “the Lamb” because his primary ministry was to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus receives the same praise and honor as the Father. That means He is equal to the Father. In the mystery of the Trinity, God exists eternally in three persons, yet there is but one God. Many have written books seeking to explain the Trinity, but it remains a mystery. I believe in One God in three persons because Scripture compels me to that conclusion. Some say that Jesus was simply a human being, a great prophet. But great prophets do not receive the same praise and honor as God the Father. Isaiah or Jeremiah would be horrified if we gave to them the same honor we give to God.

Jesus was a unique person. There is no one like Him in all of human history. He is God and man united in one person. He is both human and divine. How can that be? I have no idea, but that is how He is revealed in Scripture. We are to honor Him as we honor the Father. We honor Him in two ways. We trust in Him as our Savior, and we follow Him as our Lord. As Savior, He atoned for our sins and purchased a place in heaven for us;  as our Lord, He is worthy to be both trusted and obeyed. In Revelation 5:13, the entire universe is praising God. How are you doing?

Father, I do want to honor and praise You and Your Son. Help me to realize that you have infinite value, and You are worthy of my highest praise and service. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for forgiving my sins. You have revealed to the world how much God loves us. May Your name be praised forever and forever, Amen. 

DAILY DEVOTION, Nov. 9, 2021

 
But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why are you bothering her and causing trouble? She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me (Mark 14:6, AMP, see Mark 14:1-9 for the full story).

You know the story. A woman pours out a jar of expensive perfume onto the head of Jesus. Some consider her wasteful. Why not sell the perfume and use the proceeds to help the poor? No doubt the critics are correct. That could have been done. However, it was her perfume to do with as she wished, and Jesus praises her. She has done a good and beautiful thing. Jesus declares that she has anointed His head for burial. How important is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus? It is the very foundation of our faith.

We all possess time, talents, and treasures. When we use them extravagantly for Jesus, we might be criticized. However, when we pour out our love for Jesus in excessive fashion, we are doing a good and beautiful thing. I don’t think we can honor Jesus too much. I think we can honor Him too little!  When we pour out our lives to serve Jesus in an extreme manner, we demonstrate how much we love Him. Yes, we could use our resources on other matters. However, what we do for Jesus is never wasted. What beautiful thing have I done for Jesus lately?

Gracious Father in heaven, help me to see the absolute worthiness of Jesus and the lesser worthiness of everything else. Forgive me when I waste my resources on lesser things.  I want to serve Him extravagantly. I want to be like the woman in Mark 14, pouring out my love for Him in ways that some consider foolish but He considers beautiful. In His name, I pray, Amen.

Marie’s daily verse: 2 Timothy 4:22:  The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.

DAILY DEVOTION, Nov. 8, 2021

God has transmitted his very substance into every Scripture, for it is God-breathed. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. ¹⁷ Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you (2 Timothy 3:16-17, The Passion Translation).

This modern translation gives us more of the depth of meaning of the above passage. The idea is that the Bible is a unique book. The Greek text says that Scripture is God-breathed. It is a miraculous book. However, God did not overrule the human authors. He worked in and through them to create the inspired book we call the Bible. As we follow its teaching, we move ever deeper into godly living. Applying the Bible to our lives will correct our errors and lead us to repentance. The Bible will never lead us astray.

The Bible, when diligently studied and applied to life, will lead us into maturity. We will understand more clearly God’s will for us. Yes, some question the authority of the Bible. Some say there are contradictions and errors in the Bible. If that is so, the Bible is not God-breathed or inspired. Our choice is simple. If we conclude that the Bible is not inspired, where do we go to find certainty about God? I prefer to believe the above passage and accept the Bible as 100% inspired by God, infallible in everything it declares. Open your mind and heart to its message, and it will transform you.

Thank You, Father, for giving us Your Word in sacred Scripture. The Bible leads clearly to Jesus, our Savior, and promises eternal life to all who believe in Him. In this world of change and decay, I thank You for giving Your book to the world that we may have a solid rock upon which to stand. I pray in the blessed name of Jesus, Amen