Devotion Archive
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Devotion for April 9, 2020
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 Second, Calvary was vicarious, which means “an act undertaken by someone in another’s place.” Seen through the lens of sentiment or superstition, the…
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Devotion for April 8, 2020
“When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left.” Luke 23:33 Holy Week is the final lap to the finish line for Jesus. A holy destination and a Holy destiny. The word “Calvary” appears only once in the…
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Devotion for April 7, 2020
Psalm 42 (a prayer for one in distress) 1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your…
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Devotion for April 6, 2020
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Mark 11:9-10 At a U2 rock concert the lead singer, Bono, redirected some of the crowd’s praise. “This one’s for God,” I heard him yell. But I’m not sure…
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Devotion for April 5, 2020
“Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” … Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” Mark 8:27-29 Does it seem strange that the blind man in this story can’t see clearly after Jesus first touches him? If that seems strange,…
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Devotion for April 4, 2020
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 Cold and flu viruses aren’t the only things that are contagious; attitudes are also: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Researchers call it “emotional contagion,” and it affects every aspect of life in the same way a rotten apple corrupts the whole barrel. A relationship expert…
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Devotion for April 3, 2020
“Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” Psalms 33:3 To “play skillfully” means to do it well and strive for excellence when it comes to your God-given talents. One author puts it this way: “There’s a remarkable difference between 99 percent and 100 percent commitment. At 100 percent you see…
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Devotion for April 2, 2020
“A man with leprosy … begged him … , ‘If you are willing, you can make me clean.’ … ‘I am willing,’ [Jesus] said.” Mark 1:40-41 In this episode of Jesus’ ministry, Mark is showing that Jesus’ priorities are not the same as ours. People are looking all over for him, hoping to be healed.…
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Devotion for April 1, 2020
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest … For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 You can meet Jesus. We read, in the Gospel stories about many people who met Jesus face-to-face during his teaching and healing ministry, before his death and…