The Father planned it,
The prophets foretold it,
The disciples doubted it,
The soldiers denied it,
The empty tomb proved it,
The angels proclaimed it,
JESUS IS RISEN!
The prophets foretold it,
The disciples doubted it,
The soldiers denied it,
The empty tomb proved it,
The angels proclaimed it,
JESUS IS RISEN!
🙏1
“I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you. . . . It was not by your sword or by your bow.” Joshua 24:12
Oh, how many ways has the Lord made plain . . .
Salvation at every level is decisively the act of God.
Not the bow of human will. Or the sword of human acts.
Oh, how many ways has the Lord made plain . . .
Salvation at every level is decisively the act of God.
Not the bow of human will. Or the sword of human acts.
❤1
Believers, we must fear God, not man. The fear of man is a spiritual snare (Prov. 29:25).
❤1
“When Gideon’s few blew the 300 trumpets, the Lord set the sword of every Midianite against his comrade and against all the army.” Judges 7:22
You do the right thing.
God will do the impossible.
You do the right thing.
God will do the impossible.
April 16: Bold Requests
#Devotional
Deuteronomy 30:1–31:29; 2 Corinthians 8:1–7; Psalm 44
Psalm 44 is bold. Who asks the Lord to “wake up”? Who asks Him why He is sleeping?
The psalmist doesn’t stop with these questions. He makes claims regarding God that seem like accusations:
“you have rejected and disgraced us,” “you have given us as sheep for food,” and “you have sold your people cheaply”
(Psa 44:9, 11, 12). How do we deal with these types of psalms? Should we be as bold in our relationship with God?
But these claims aren’t made without reason. The psalmist opens his lament with,
“O God, we have heard with our ears; our ancestors have told us of work you worked in their days, in days of old” (Psa 44:1). He had heard stories of God’s past faithfulness—how he delivered His people in battles. He also knew that God had claimed His people, that His favor to them was a testimony to the surrounding nations. But the psalmist experiences something different. Why is Israel “a taunt to our neighbors, a derision and a scorn to those around us”
(Psa 44:13)?
The psalmist wrestles with his experience because he knows God’s will. He appeals to God’s faithfulness, love, and reputation among the nations. It’s not much different from our own experience, as we wrestle with evil, sorrow, and pain, and as we wonder about God’s work in the world.
But in the midst of the confusion, we still need to place trust in God. Although the psalmist questions boldly, he acknowledges,
“In God, we boast all the day, and we will give thanks to your name forever”
(Psa 44:8). At the end of the psalm, he still petitions God for help, on the basis of His love:
“Rise up! Be a help for us, and redeem us for the sake of your loyal love”
(Psa 44:26).
God has redeemed us for the sake of His loyal love, and He is present and active—even when it seems otherwise. Colossians 1 tells us to give thanks to the Father,
“who has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves … because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by him … and in him all things are held together … because he was well pleased for all the fullness to dwell in him, and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by making peace through the blood of his cross”
(Col 1:12–20).
Do you trust in God’s love and deliverance, even when circumstances seem grim? Do you boldly petition Him for help, acknowledging His good character in the process?
#Devotional
Deuteronomy 30:1–31:29; 2 Corinthians 8:1–7; Psalm 44
Psalm 44 is bold. Who asks the Lord to “wake up”? Who asks Him why He is sleeping?
The psalmist doesn’t stop with these questions. He makes claims regarding God that seem like accusations:
“you have rejected and disgraced us,” “you have given us as sheep for food,” and “you have sold your people cheaply”
(Psa 44:9, 11, 12). How do we deal with these types of psalms? Should we be as bold in our relationship with God?
But these claims aren’t made without reason. The psalmist opens his lament with,
“O God, we have heard with our ears; our ancestors have told us of work you worked in their days, in days of old” (Psa 44:1). He had heard stories of God’s past faithfulness—how he delivered His people in battles. He also knew that God had claimed His people, that His favor to them was a testimony to the surrounding nations. But the psalmist experiences something different. Why is Israel “a taunt to our neighbors, a derision and a scorn to those around us”
(Psa 44:13)?
The psalmist wrestles with his experience because he knows God’s will. He appeals to God’s faithfulness, love, and reputation among the nations. It’s not much different from our own experience, as we wrestle with evil, sorrow, and pain, and as we wonder about God’s work in the world.
But in the midst of the confusion, we still need to place trust in God. Although the psalmist questions boldly, he acknowledges,
“In God, we boast all the day, and we will give thanks to your name forever”
(Psa 44:8). At the end of the psalm, he still petitions God for help, on the basis of His love:
“Rise up! Be a help for us, and redeem us for the sake of your loyal love”
(Psa 44:26).
God has redeemed us for the sake of His loyal love, and He is present and active—even when it seems otherwise. Colossians 1 tells us to give thanks to the Father,
“who has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves … because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by him … and in him all things are held together … because he was well pleased for all the fullness to dwell in him, and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by making peace through the blood of his cross”
(Col 1:12–20).
Do you trust in God’s love and deliverance, even when circumstances seem grim? Do you boldly petition Him for help, acknowledging His good character in the process?
April 17 - Hatred Blocks Real Worship
#LifeOfChrist
“‘Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you . . .’
” (Matthew 5:23).
Outward acts of worship are unacceptable to God as long as we harbor internal sin. They are particularly offensive if we retain a hateful attitude toward a brother and yet attempt to come before God.
Worship is important for most religious people today. They can spend much time in places of worship, offering prayers, giving tithes, and doing all sorts of religious activities. But, as with the scribes and Pharisees, none of it is meaningful if carried out with the wrong attitude.
Presenting an offering at the altar was a familiar scene for Jesus’ listeners. On the Day of Atonement, for example, worshipers would bring animal sacrifices and give them to the priest as sin offerings. But that process must halt if the worshiper were to remember some hatred between himself and a brother. Unresolved conflict has priority over external ceremony and must be settled.
Sin between us and other brethren must be resolved before we can bridge the gap of sin between us and God. The Lord told Israel,
“What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me? . . . I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; and I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. . . . Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good”
(Isa. 1:11, 16–17a).
Not to be at peace with someone else and yet to attempt worship of God is a hindrance to genuine fellowship.
Ask Yourself
This is a call for worship to matter, and for relationship with God to be taken seriously. More than a Sunday morning verse, it’s a principle demanding conciliatory action in the days prior to the Lord’s day. Is there such a matter occurring in your life situation right now?
#LifeOfChrist
“‘Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you . . .’
” (Matthew 5:23).
Outward acts of worship are unacceptable to God as long as we harbor internal sin. They are particularly offensive if we retain a hateful attitude toward a brother and yet attempt to come before God.
Worship is important for most religious people today. They can spend much time in places of worship, offering prayers, giving tithes, and doing all sorts of religious activities. But, as with the scribes and Pharisees, none of it is meaningful if carried out with the wrong attitude.
Presenting an offering at the altar was a familiar scene for Jesus’ listeners. On the Day of Atonement, for example, worshipers would bring animal sacrifices and give them to the priest as sin offerings. But that process must halt if the worshiper were to remember some hatred between himself and a brother. Unresolved conflict has priority over external ceremony and must be settled.
Sin between us and other brethren must be resolved before we can bridge the gap of sin between us and God. The Lord told Israel,
“What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me? . . . I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; and I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. . . . Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good”
(Isa. 1:11, 16–17a).
Not to be at peace with someone else and yet to attempt worship of God is a hindrance to genuine fellowship.
Ask Yourself
This is a call for worship to matter, and for relationship with God to be taken seriously. More than a Sunday morning verse, it’s a principle demanding conciliatory action in the days prior to the Lord’s day. Is there such a matter occurring in your life situation right now?
God is real.
Jesus is real.
The Holy Spirit is real.
The Bible is real.
The gospel is real.
The resurrection is real.
Salvation is real.
Heaven is real.
Hell is real.
Repent and trust in Jesus Christ.
Christ is King!
Jesus is real.
The Holy Spirit is real.
The Bible is real.
The gospel is real.
The resurrection is real.
Salvation is real.
Heaven is real.
Hell is real.
Repent and trust in Jesus Christ.
Christ is King!
❤3
I have seen incredible movements of God this past week, vindication at work against all the odds, protection, and a powerful time at church this morning, God is faithful, and God is mightily real.
❤5
“If your gospel isn't touching others, it hasn't touched you!” —Curry R. Blake
❤4
❤3
April warfare wisdom:
Protect your marriage like a precious garden! 🛡️🌷 Pull out weeds of bitterness quickly! Water with grace daily! Let the Son shine on it constantly! Your marriage can bloom beautifully all year! 🌸 Song 2:15 ❤️
What “little fox” (weed) are you pulling out this April? #StrongMarriage #April
Protect your marriage like a precious garden! 🛡️🌷 Pull out weeds of bitterness quickly! Water with grace daily! Let the Son shine on it constantly! Your marriage can bloom beautifully all year! 🌸 Song 2:15 ❤️
What “little fox” (weed) are you pulling out this April? #StrongMarriage #April
❤3
“If food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:13
This is what freedom looks like.
This is what freedom looks like.
💘3
Betrayal of Jesus,
Arrest of Jesus,
Flogging of Jesus,
Judgment of Jesus,
Suffering of Jesus,
Crucifixion of Jesus.
Resurrection of Jesus.
All God’s plan.
All God’s pleasure.
All God’s love.
All God’s glory!
Arrest of Jesus,
Flogging of Jesus,
Judgment of Jesus,
Suffering of Jesus,
Crucifixion of Jesus.
Resurrection of Jesus.
All God’s plan.
All God’s pleasure.
All God’s love.
All God’s glory!
❤7
Following Jesus will cost you your popularity.
But it's far better to be rejected by men than to be rejected by God.
But it's far better to be rejected by men than to be rejected by God.
April 19: He’s Dead, But You Can Be Alive
#Devotional
Joshua 1:1–3:17; 2 Corinthians 9:1–5; Psalm 47:1–9
“My servant Moses is dead” (Josh 1:2).
Imagine the shock of this moment for Joshua, Moses’ right-hand man. He probably already knew about Moses’ death before God told him (Deut 34:1–8), but it’s in this moment that he really feels the tragedy.
If you’ve experienced death, you know this feeling—the moment when someone looks you in the eyes and says, “They’re gone.” You can’t prepare for it. It’s death; there’s nothing you can do to change it or handle it.
This was also the moment when Joshua was confronted with the great leadership burden that he would now carry as a result of Moses’ passing—equivalent to the emotional burden a vice president carries as he’s being sworn into office after the president has died.
Yahweh tells Joshua,
“Get up and cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the children of Israel. Every place that the soles of your feet will tread, I have given it to you, as I promised to Moses” (Josh 1:2–3).
There isn’t a moment to spare; it’s time to move. So Joshua leads. Of all the incredible moments in his life—the battles he won and bravery he showed in the face of danger—this moment is probably the most impressive because he simply does it (Josh 2:1).
And Joshua does so in the face of the great fear of foreign warriors:
“From the wilderness and the Lebanon, up to the great river, the river Euphrates, all of the land of the Hittites, and up to the great sea in the west, will be your territory” (Josh 1:4).
He will face these warriors while still overcoming grief.
We all experience moments like these that will shape who we become. We’ll experience grief, pain, and difficult decisions. We may be called to lead people. What we do in these moments is what defines us; it determines what kind of Christ followers we will be.
Joshua experienced the great comfort of God’s Spirit and guidance, and Christians have the opportunity to do the same (Deut 34:9–12; John 17). That’s something that no one can take away from us and no circumstance can overcome.
How are you handling grief or pain in your life? What important moments and decisions are in front of you? How can you incorporate the Spirit into everything you do at this moment?
#Devotional
Joshua 1:1–3:17; 2 Corinthians 9:1–5; Psalm 47:1–9
“My servant Moses is dead” (Josh 1:2).
Imagine the shock of this moment for Joshua, Moses’ right-hand man. He probably already knew about Moses’ death before God told him (Deut 34:1–8), but it’s in this moment that he really feels the tragedy.
If you’ve experienced death, you know this feeling—the moment when someone looks you in the eyes and says, “They’re gone.” You can’t prepare for it. It’s death; there’s nothing you can do to change it or handle it.
This was also the moment when Joshua was confronted with the great leadership burden that he would now carry as a result of Moses’ passing—equivalent to the emotional burden a vice president carries as he’s being sworn into office after the president has died.
Yahweh tells Joshua,
“Get up and cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the children of Israel. Every place that the soles of your feet will tread, I have given it to you, as I promised to Moses” (Josh 1:2–3).
There isn’t a moment to spare; it’s time to move. So Joshua leads. Of all the incredible moments in his life—the battles he won and bravery he showed in the face of danger—this moment is probably the most impressive because he simply does it (Josh 2:1).
And Joshua does so in the face of the great fear of foreign warriors:
“From the wilderness and the Lebanon, up to the great river, the river Euphrates, all of the land of the Hittites, and up to the great sea in the west, will be your territory” (Josh 1:4).
He will face these warriors while still overcoming grief.
We all experience moments like these that will shape who we become. We’ll experience grief, pain, and difficult decisions. We may be called to lead people. What we do in these moments is what defines us; it determines what kind of Christ followers we will be.
Joshua experienced the great comfort of God’s Spirit and guidance, and Christians have the opportunity to do the same (Deut 34:9–12; John 17). That’s something that no one can take away from us and no circumstance can overcome.
How are you handling grief or pain in your life? What important moments and decisions are in front of you? How can you incorporate the Spirit into everything you do at this moment?
April 18 - Bridging the Gap to True Worship
#LifeOfChrist
“‘Leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering’” (Matthew 5:24).
No matter who is responsible for a severed relationship—and often both sides bear some guilt—it’s essential to reconcile before going to God in worship. Even if you have nothing against the other person and the fault lies entirely with them, you should do everything possible to settle things. You can’t change another’s heart attitude, but you should desire to close the gap between yourself and the other person and hold no grudge against him or her—then you can enter freely and fully into divine worship.
Better music, more eloquent prayers, or more classic architecture—none of these will enhance true worship. Even better or more biblical preaching will not of itself improve our worship experience. However, a contrite and righteous attitude toward God and our brothers and sisters will enhance genuine worship. Sometimes the drastic measure of staying away from church for a time until a broken or strained relationship is right is the only action that will make our worship God-honoring.
Long before Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, Samuel said,
“Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22).
After that the psalmist said,
“If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (Ps. 66:18).
If sin remains unconfessed and relationships broken, there will be no integrity in our worship.
Ask Yourself
Again, you are responsible only for the condition of your own heart, not another’s. But can you honestly say today that you have made peace in your heart with those who have been at odds with you? Have you forgiven? Have you sought renewed relationship?
#LifeOfChrist
“‘Leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering’” (Matthew 5:24).
No matter who is responsible for a severed relationship—and often both sides bear some guilt—it’s essential to reconcile before going to God in worship. Even if you have nothing against the other person and the fault lies entirely with them, you should do everything possible to settle things. You can’t change another’s heart attitude, but you should desire to close the gap between yourself and the other person and hold no grudge against him or her—then you can enter freely and fully into divine worship.
Better music, more eloquent prayers, or more classic architecture—none of these will enhance true worship. Even better or more biblical preaching will not of itself improve our worship experience. However, a contrite and righteous attitude toward God and our brothers and sisters will enhance genuine worship. Sometimes the drastic measure of staying away from church for a time until a broken or strained relationship is right is the only action that will make our worship God-honoring.
Long before Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, Samuel said,
“Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22).
After that the psalmist said,
“If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (Ps. 66:18).
If sin remains unconfessed and relationships broken, there will be no integrity in our worship.
Ask Yourself
Again, you are responsible only for the condition of your own heart, not another’s. But can you honestly say today that you have made peace in your heart with those who have been at odds with you? Have you forgiven? Have you sought renewed relationship?
❤1
Did you know there were 500 eyewitnesses of Jesus living after his death and the Bible is the most authenticated document in history by far?