Luke 23:18 - But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas (whose name means 'son of the father').” 23:22 - A third time he [Pilate] said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. God, our heavenly Father, we … Continue reading Barabbas and Jesus – A Prayer of Confession of Sin
Devotional Thoughts
Reflections on Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Only those who have first tasted peace with God at the cross of Christ can become peacemakers. - James M. Boice The peace intended is not merely that of political and economic stability, as in the Greco-Roman world, but peace in the … Continue reading Reflections on Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Putting on Airs vs. Putting on Armor
A Prayer of Confession Gracious heavenly Father, we confess that we put on airs more often than we put on Your armor. Forgive us for our self-promotion, self-protection and self-reliance. Pardon us for not cherishing and trusting in Your gifts of righteousness, faith, and salvation during times of temptation and spiritual conflict. Transform us by … Continue reading Putting on Airs vs. Putting on Armor
Awakened to the Lord – C.S. Lewis
“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but … Continue reading Awakened to the Lord – C.S. Lewis
One Powerful Lesson for the Church
On November 18, 1978, at the direction of charismatic cult leader Jim Jones, 909 members of the People's Temple died, all but two from apparent cyanide poisoning," including over 200 murdered children. Mel White, a Christian writer and filmmaker and adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, set out to investigate the causes of the Jim … Continue reading One Powerful Lesson for the Church
The Lord is Your Portion
Thomas Brooks, a Puritan pastor, counsels believers to confront all temptations (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life) with the words of the Psalmist: “The LORD is my portion” (16:5; 73:26; 119:57; 142:5). He exhorts: Every blast and every wind of temptation will overset and overturn … Continue reading The Lord is Your Portion
In the Presence of a Holy God – Isaiah 6
It was a devastating blow. Like all devoted citizens, Isaiah had venerated King Uzziah. For fifty-two years, King Uzziah had led Judah in an administration of peace and prosperity. It was an era of expansion and achievement. Now he was dead. The throne sat empty. It was unfortunate that the king had rebelled against the … Continue reading In the Presence of a Holy God – Isaiah 6
In the Midst of Trouble – Psalm 138
A Prayer Guide... 1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; 2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. 3 … Continue reading In the Midst of Trouble – Psalm 138
A Prayer of Adoration – from Psalms 3-5
Who is like You O LORD? You are a shield about Your people (3:3). You answer the prayers of Your people when they cry aloud to You (3:4). You sustain Your people when they sleep and when they rise (3:5). You are the LORD to whom salvation belongs (3:8). You are a God who gives … Continue reading A Prayer of Adoration – from Psalms 3-5
Praying Psalm 2
Psalm 2 - The nations that rage will become the inheritance of the Messiah (vv. 1,8). Father, you have given to Jesus the ends of the earth as His possession. He declares, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth." "There is not a square inch in the whole domain of … Continue reading Praying Psalm 2
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