Jesus Will Bring You Home - May 23, 2011

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

John 14:1-3


Do you like saying goodbye, especially saying goodbye to someone you dearly love?  As Jesus spoke to his disciples on the night before he died, he knew that his words were, to a large degree, words of farewell.  But even as he spoke his farewell, he also wanted to comfort his disciples.  They were going to see him again!

Prayer: 

Dearest Jesus, you promised that you were going to prepare a place for me.  Come quickly, that I may join you in your Father’s house.  Amen.

 

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Devotion - Jesus Will Bring You Home - May 23, 2011
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You Have the Strength of Stephen - May 20, 2011

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 7:59-60


Stephen has the distinction of being the first Christian martyr.  Illegally arrested, tried and convicted by enemies of the Christian Church, he was dragged outside the city of Jerusalem and pummeled with stones until he died.  

Prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you in prayer because I know you are alive and ruling all things.  Grant me the strength you gave your servant Stephen that I may stand firm against those who oppose you and that I may forgive those who hurt me.  Amen.

 

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Devotion - You Have the Strength of Stephen - May 20, 2011
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Psalm 23:3 - May 19, 2011

He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3


David began Psalm 23 with a statement of confidence.  The rest of the verses show why he has that confidence.  David's life was one of wonderful highs and also deep lows.  He rose up from a shepherd boy to be the King of Israel.  And yet, David sinned against God by committing adultery and murder.  

In spite of the grievous sin that David had done, God did not abandon him.

Prayer: 

(Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 374):
My shepherd will supply my need—Jehovah is his name. 
In pastures fresh he makes me feed, beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back, when I forsake his ways.
And leads me, for his mercy's sake, in paths of truth and grace.

 

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Devotion - Psalm 23:3 - May 19, 2011
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Return to the Shepherd - May 18, 2011

For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

I Peter 2:25


Prayer: 

Dear Shepherd, I don’t want to wander from you.  I beg you, please watch over me that I might never go astray and be safe under your promises.  Amen.


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Devotion - Return to the Shepherd - May 18, 2011
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Psalm 23:2 - May 17, 2011

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.

Psalm 23:2


Sheep can be easily spooked.  A sudden noise can send them into a frenzy.  These gentle creatures are not built to handle a lot of stress because they do not have a strong defense mechanism.  Sheep are vulnerable and depend on their shepherd for protection.

Prayer: 

Jesus, my Good Shepherd, lead me to a deeper understanding and a greater trust in your words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

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Devotion - Psalm 23:2 - May 17, 2011
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Jesus is the Gate - May 16, 2011

I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:7-10


Fences have become a way of life.  People put up privacy fences to keep others from seeing into their yard.  Farmers put up fences to keep the cattle in the field.  Businesses put up fences to keep thieves away from their warehouses.  But every fence has a gate—a passage way for those who are supposed to get to the other side of the fence.

Prayer: 

Dearest Jesus, in your mercy you opened the way to eternal life. Guard me from those who seek to lead me astray.  Establish my faith in you, my only Savor. Amen.

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Devotion - Jesus is the Gate - May 16, 2011
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Repentance - May 13, 2011

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd … “Let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:14a, 36-47


Prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that the guilt of my sin is great.  It caused your horrible death.  I deserve that same torment of hell.  But you comfort me with your grace and love.  You tell me I’m forgiven.  Let the joy of your salvation fill my heart today.  Let me express my joy in love for you.  Amen.

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Devotion - Repentance - May 13, 2011
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Psalm 23:1 - May 12, 2011

The Lord is my Shepherd; I'll not be in want.

Psalm 23:1


Psalm 23 describes our Savior God as our Shepherd.  And because he is our loving Shepherd, we come to this confident conclusion:  we shall never be in want—we shall never lack anything we truly need.

How does the Lord our Shepherd give us such confidence?  We can trust where our Good Shepherd leads us.  He guides us for our benefit, even if it doesn’t always appear that way.  

Prayer: 

My Good Shepherd, I don't always trust in your lead.  I sometimes focus on my wants and my needs which are based on my own selfish desires.  Forgive me for the times I do not follow your lead.  Help me to trust that you always give me what I really need.  Fill me with the confidence that as you lead me, I will never be in want.  Amen.

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Devotion - Psalm 23:1 - May 12, 2011
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Perishable Things - May 11, 2011

It was not with perishable things…that you were redeemed.

1 Peter 1:18


In the corner of a museum in Springfield, Illinois, there is a special room where people enter quietly. In that room there is a clear, glass case. The case has special lighting. The interior of the case keeps a specific temperature and a specific level of humidity. All of this technology is necessary because of what the case contains.

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, because of Jesus, your promises to me will never perish. In troubled times, comfort me with this truth.  Amen

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Devotion - Perishable Things - May 11, 2011
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Jonah 4:8b-11 - May 10, 2011

Jonah wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?” “I do,” he said. “I am angry enough to die.” But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?”

Jonah 4:8b-11


Earlier in this chapter we read that Jonah was very angry because God turned from his threat to punish the people of Nineveh.

Prayer: 

Lord, teach me the extent of your great love.  Give me courage to open my mouth to tell others about your salvation.  In the name of Jesus, my Savior, I pray.  Amen.

Series of daily devotions are available for download purchase: Devotions on God’s Word

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Devotion - Jonah 4:8-11 - May 10, 2011
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