May 2012

30 May

Posted at 13:46h in Devotionals
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"Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." John 11:16 One of the greatest statements of love in the Bible comes from the one dubbed the "doubter." True to his nature, Thomas has reached the point of utter despair in the power and purpose of Jesus. He looks forward and sees nothing but the cross and a closed tomb. The only thing to crown the head of Jesus in Thomas' mind are thorns. The vital vision of Christ's kingdom has long since faded from his view, and is now replaced by the solemn shroud. To Thomas there is nothing left in the ministry of Jesus but to go forth and die.

25 May

Posted at 12:53h in Fridays Are For Family
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These words were sung by the original "Material Girl" - Madonna. Among other sordid and tawdry things, she taught an entire generation of children that living for and getting "stuff" was the sure way to find purpose, meaning and happiness in life. Forget love and honesty and integrity, to her (and multitudes of her followers) it was the one with the "cold hard cash" that was always "Mister Right."

23 May

Posted at 11:59h in Devotionals
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"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6 What an amazing expression of God's grace. The One who is completely holy and totally pure will accept those who even thirst after His righteousness. He doesn't wait until I am made pure to receive me, but actually blesses my effort of holiness. He will accept my simple desire of Him, my heart's wish to be like Him,  and the longing of my being to be near Him. Though I have yet to reach Him, if I will just look to Him and long to be like Him He says that He will count it as righteousness for me. Even though I do not claim to be like Him, and hesitate to even reach out to touch the hem of His garment, if I will admire His beauty and holiness from afar He will bless my holy hunger and divine thirst.

21 May

Posted at 12:55h in Devotionals
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“People shall worship Him, Each one from his place. . .” Zephaniah 2:11 The prophet says that there is coming a time when there will no longer be a distinction drawn between the secular and the sacred.  This was a startling statement for this certainly was not the case in His day.  During the Jewish dispensation it was forbidden for men to worship God “each one from his place” – from the spot on which he was standing.  In fact, there was only one place where everyone was commanded to worship – Jerusalem. This was the place where the tribes were told to go up.  It was from within her gates that the smoke of the incense was to rise.  But Zephaniah says that there is a new day dawning, one in which every man will have within his own gates a temple to worship God.  There is coming a day, Zephaniah explains, when there will be no need of things or beasts that will carry us from things that are temporal to things that are eternal.  It will be done simply by the breath of the Spirit - by a simple movement of the heart.