Category Archives: Devotion

Light of the World

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This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)

Do you ever feel, as I do, that the world in which we live is growing darker by the day, in the sense of its wickedness? That it has become increasingly difficult to find a “bright spot”?

We are told that “in the beginning” God’s first act was to speak light into existence and then to separate that light from the darkness (Genesis 1:4). What God began in Genesis, He made manifest in Jesus Christ.

If you sometimes feel overwhelmed by what seems like impenetrable darkness, you only need to turn your eyes toward Jesus and be reminded of these words from 1John 1:5 concerning Him. Should you need further reminding, just go to Jesus’ own words about Himself: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

For followers of Christ, one day we will leave all this darkness behind and bask forever in the glorious light of our risen Savior. While we eagerly wait for that day, I am so glad that even though we live in a world darkened by sin, we need not walk in darkness. Aren’t you?

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
(John 1:4-5)

Grace and Peace,

Bible Challenge: Holy Week

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Want to add a little extra fun? You can find all the answers in the word cloud!

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the Sunday before Easter, marking the beginning of Holy Week. The Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem marks the high point of His earthly ministry. The Lord enters the city, knowing full well that this trip will end in his sacrificial death for the sin of humanity.

Palm Sunday is a biblical event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels. The day is a moment of reflection on the themes of victory, peace, and salvation, setting the tone for the solemn observances of Holy Week, commemorating the events leading up to Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. Palm Sunday thus serves as a poignant reminder of Jesus’s path to the cross, juxtaposing His initial welcome as a King with the suffering and sacrifice that would follow.

The Palm Sunday story comes to life in the Bible in Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; and John 12:12-19.

  1. When is Palm Sunday celebrated in the Christian calendar?
  2. What is the significance of Palm Sunday in the Christian faith?
  3. What is the traditional symbol of Palm Sunday?
  4. What is the significance of the palm branches used on Palm Sunday?
  5. What does the word “Hosanna” mean in Hebrew?
  6. What event does Palm Sunday mark the beginning of in the Christian faith?
  7. What is the name of the mount where Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday?
  8. What did the people believe about Jesus when he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday?
  9. In Jesus reply to the Pharisees, what did he say will happen to the stones if his disciples keep quiet?
  10. What happened to Jesus as he saw the city while approaching Jerusalem?

BONUS QUESTION: Who was riding on the donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday?

Go here for challenge answers.

Grace and Peace,

Daily Inspiration From The Psalms

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You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” (Psalms 27:8)

Daily Inspiration From The Psalms

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Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! (Psalms 27:7)

Thank you!

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Thank you for your response to the launch of “Choose Joy”. Your encouragement and support has been overwhelming and humbling. I’m delighted to tell you that most of you should be receiving your copies in the next few days.

Again, thank you for your support. I appreciate you more than I can say.

Sandra

The introductory offer for “Choose Joy” has expired but you can still save on “Choose Joy” (and other studies) with code SAVE10 at check out.

Go to the Book Corner to order your copy today.

Why?

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For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

LogoIts hard for us to understand many of the things that happen in this life.

Man’s great question continues to haunt us – Why?

  • Why is one healthy but another suffers?
  • Why do some have plenty while others go without?
  • Why does one heart accept Christ but another rejects?

The more we try to understand it seems the more our understanding fails – yet another “why”?  For this “why”, God has given us the answer.  Are you ready?  We don’t really want to understand.  We just want things to be different.  We want things to conform to our own mind set. We want God to think like us.  To put it in our modern terms, we try to “dummy down” God’s word to fit our thoughts and our ways rather than raising our thoughts and ways to His.

Take heart.  Jesus did not leave us without a Helper.  For those of us who are in Christ, and who are willing to accept, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us all truth and give us all understanding.  Look what Paul writes:

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? “But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

Does that mean we will never again ask why?  No, of course not.  We are still trapped in our human bodies and limited by our human minds.  Does the knowledge make it easier to accept?  No.  Suffering continues, our hearts still break, our strength still fails. But even so, we do not become discouraged because we have our hope in the promise of that better day to come.

Final thought.  Let us thank God that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours.  Imagine if you will what this world would be like if our thoughts and ways were higher than God’s!

Sandra

 

Confident

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And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

Words of grace.  Words of anti-discouragement.  Words that defeat Satan’s lies.

Two cups of coffee on the table in the gardenThoughts of defeat, fear of failure, a sense of unworthiness. These are the the lies that the enemy whispers into your ear. Don’t listen.  When the devil comes at you with his lies, remember-

God is not slack – He fulfills all His promises.

God is persistent – He is not willing that any should perish.

God is good – All His works are good.

God is not a quitter – He is long-suffering in His love for His children.

From the moment you committed your life to Jesus, the Lord began His good work in you.  You can be sure that until the end of your days on this earth, He will continue to do and to perfect all that is in you, for it is all to His glory.

Sandra 

GoodNews

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How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” (Isaiah 52:7)

The world sure could sure use some good news about now, wouldn’t you agree?

If you’re a child of God, you’ve got the best news of all, the Good News that is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In this world of confusion, violence and turmoil – you have the message of peace.

In this world of anger – you have the good news of happiness.

In this world of fear and hopelessness – you have the word of salvation.

As followers of Christ we have been entrusted with a great message. It is a message that people desperately need, and I believe one that they are longing for.  So why do we hesitate?  Let us confidently and with joy shout from the mountain top – “Our God reigns”!

Sandra

Covered

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With his feathers he will cover you, under his wings you will find safety. His truth is your shield and armor. (Psalms 91:4 ISV)

LogoSome of you out there are hurting.  You’ve got that deep, inconsolable, gut tearing pain.  You’re wondering if the pain will ever go away.  You are desperate for answers.

See what the Lord says.

He says:  “My word is truth”.  From Genesis to Revelation, every book of the Bible holds a promise.  It is the promise of Messiah, the One Who delivered mankind from the penalty of sin and will one day deliver those of us who follow Him from all our sorrows.  This is the Good News and it is the Truth that sets us free!  We don’t think about it much but there are some things God can’t do, one being God cannot lie.   Paul writes “For all the promises of God in Him (Christ) are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us: (2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV).  If He says it, you can believe it, it is truth.

He says  “I’ve got you covered”.  He spreads His wings and makes a place for you to hide. In the night, in the storm, in the deepest darkest place, He is there with you.  I’m reminded here of Jesus’ words, “…How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing”! (Luke 13:34).  What a beautiful picture of Jesus’ protective love.  He is waiting.  You’ve been given the ultimate invitation, please don’t ignore or reject it.

He says:  “I will protect you”.  The enemy may surround you but under His wings, you are safe.  Christ is a strong tower, a mighty fortress, a wall that cannot be breached.  Our Lord is always standing guard. He never sleeps nor even slumbers.  His eyes are ever upon His children and there is nothing that can come against you that escapes His careful watch or that is beyond His control.

He doesn’t say:  there won’t be troubles.  This is the part where many of us get tripped up.  We’ve been deceived into believing that being a Christian means we will live a happy-go-lucky life, that we’re just going to march into glory without a single care along the way.  That my dear sisters is Satan’s lie, one he uses to disarm us, to throw us off our feet when the struggles come.  To the contrary, Jesus prepares us with the warning – “In the world you will have trouble“.  But look, with the warning, He gives us a promise: “I have told you this so that through me you may have peace” and an encouragement “but be courageous–I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33).

An Aside – I know that to some of you this may sound like a lot of religious platitudes and that’s the last thing you want right now.  But let me ask you, what else have you got?  Where else are you going to go?  You’ve tried everything you could try but you’re still hurting. I can tell you, there is no person or no thing in this world that is going to take your pain away.  I know it, and you know it.  

In the end, when all your efforts have failed, listen to the counsel of the Psalmist.  Go to Jesus and let Him hide you in the shelter of His wings.

Sandra

 

 

 

 

 

 

DailyBread

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Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. (John 21:12)

Sharing a meal is such an intimate thing.

Since our bodies are sustained by the food we eat, when we break bread together, we are, in effect, sharing life.  In the gospels Jesus talks about food often, both literally and figuratively; both physically and spiritually.  Jesus spoke –  “…open the door and I will come in and dine with you”,  “I am the bread of life”, “take, eat, this is my body”, “feed my sheep”, “come, have breakfast” (that I have prepared for you).

When we pray “give us this day our daily bread”, we are saying “feed me Lord with the Bread of Life.  Sustain and nourish my soul with the meal you have prepared for me.”

David wrote in Psalms 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!”  As you begin your day, take time to sit at the Lord’s table, enjoy the feast has prepared for you.

Sandra