7 APR 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 7 APR 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed.  But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief.  Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants.” Isaiah 53:5, 10

Today is Good Friday which is an understatement.  It was a fantastic day for those that are being saved.  People outside of the faith look at this and scratch their heads, why is it good? Didn’t your god die? Yep! He sure did, but that is only part of the story.  Good Friday is not something to Passover, no pun intended.  

Since the Passion of the Christ came out some years ago, we have watched it on this day.  It is extremely raw and graphic, but it also reminds us that Jesus’ death is the most important one in all of history past, present, and future.  Isaiah writes hundreds of years prior to Jesus’ death and the significance of it.  Jesus did not die for his sins because he did not commit any.

He died for sinners, the ungodly, and enemies of God.  God’s plan was created before the earth was created or even Adam existed.  The Trinity met and laid this out from start to finish.  It pleased God to crush him because it fulfilled the plan to make himself known and bring him glory.  God planned to save some people from all the history of the world through the work of his Son on the cross.  It would demonstrate his love, mercy, grace, and justice.

God is still seeking people to give to Jesus as his family.  You might be one of them.

Have you responded to the call of the gospel on your life?

Reading Plan: Psalm 22, 10-17; Isa. 52:13-53:12; Heb. 10:16-25; John 18:1-19:1-42

3 Circles (Gospel Presentation, Ray Vaughn)

6 APR 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 6 APR 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.” 1 Cor. 11:26

The early disciples set forth marks of a healthy church that should be practiced regularly.  If we see these marks happening, we can tell whether it is healthy or not.  The metrics they measured were not the number of people on a Sunday, the amount of money in the offering plate, or if they had a building.  One of these marks was the practice of the Lord’s Supper, Communion, Eucharist, or Mass.  All of these terms describe the same idea.

Jesus implemented this sacrament the night before he was crucified and commanded that it continue to be practiced until he returns at the second coming.  The Lord’s supper causes us to remember what it took to give us forgiveness of sins, our adoption, eternal life, and peace with God.  Remembrance leads us to worship God with praise and thanksgiving for what he did for his people.  Understanding the high cost brings humility.

The Lord’s Supper is an expression and visible sign of God’s love for us and the love we are to have for God and others.  Paul shows the church that he started in Corinth the pattern of doing this.  Every church practices the Lord’s Supper to some extent, but not all in the exact same manner or frequency.  They do bring the focus of Jesus’ death into focus so the church can remember this great sacrifice made on our behalf.  

Are you taking the time to remember Jesus’ death with other believers?

Reading Plan: Psalm 116:1, 10-17; Ex. 12:1-4,11-14; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; John 13:1-7, 31-35

5 APR 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 5 APR 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.  Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.  Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people, then you won’t become weary and give up.” Hebrews 12:2b-3

As we move through each day of Holy Week, we are exposed to the plan and the pain of Christ that brings us salvation.  We often complain about the common pains and suffering that come to mankind and kick against God.  We wonder why God would allow my loved one to suffer or die before we are ready for them to go.  

People get upset with those that share the gospel and say, ‘God has a wonderful plan for your life’.  Rightly so, since God never promises health, wealth, and prosperity in this life.  Pain and suffering have their purpose in this life and Jesus promises you will have it if you follow him. It was in God’s plan from the world’s foundation to send Jesus to suffer and die so that some of the people would receive salvation.

Jesus told the disciples over and over again throughout his ministry that soon he would head to the cross and be executed.  His death would satisfy the penalty of our sins and give us “the” way to life.  Whoever God sends to the Son will have life and be raised on the last day.  Our suffering and death will be used to bring God glory, to develop us, and to change others around us.  When we do suffer, look at what Jesus went through for us.  The writer of Hebrews says that this will help us to endure.

Do you know there is a purpose in suffering and death?

Reading Plan: Psalm 70; Isa. 50:4-9a; Heb. 12:1-3; John 13:21-32

22 MAR 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 22 MAR 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“However, those the Father has given me will come to me and I will never reject them.  For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.  And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.” John 6:37-40

Whenever you are in doubt of your salvation, you can look to a variety of verses that tell you that you are secure in Christ.  I point to the word because knowing your status with God is not based on a feeling or an experience.  It is the truth of what God himself says since salvation totally belongs to him.  We can go through life and feel like we are far from God, but in reality we are close.

We could also feel like we are right with God because we have had some experience, said a prayer, and then not be a child of God at all.  God has given Jesus people, marked to be his own forever.  Those that come, come because they are drawn to Jesus.  This hunger and thirst, as it is described, are spiritual pangs birthed by the Holy Spirit. (Born Again) Those that have these pangs will be satisfied and will find Jesus.  Hearing the gospel is the means, like being plugged into the power grid for this person.

Jesus says that he will not unplug you or reject you.  No one will take you from the palm of his hand or the Father’s hand.  You are eternally secure when God seeks you, regenerates you, gives you faith, sends gospel sharers, and connects you to himself by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Who can break that bond? No one.  You can’t unhook yourself either! 

Are you being drawn to Jesus or found satisfaction in knowing him?

Reading Plan: Psalm 101, 109:1-4, 20-30; Jer. 18:1-11; Rom. 8:1-11; John 6:27-40