An unlikely route to life

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 30TH

John 20:9 ESV NASB

For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

“An unlikely route to life”

The first Easter morning didn’t start out well for the disciples. The one thing they knew for sure, when they woke up that day, was that Jesus was dead. The precious Master and Friend they had followed for three years, hanging on His every word, was gone— having been brutally executed on a Roman cross. His death must have been a crushing blow. Imagine their emotions. Disbelief. Disillusionment. Despair.

Until that morning, the disciples had operated from the understanding that normally death was final. That’s the way the program worked. It wasn’t until the disciples saw the empty tomb that they finally ”believed” and understood “the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead” (John 20:9).

Suddenly, Old Testament passages such as Psalm 16:10, which predicted Christ’s death and resurrection, made sense. Weeks after Resurrection Sunday, on the day known as Pentecost, Peter quoted that very passage to a crowd in Jerusalem as he testified to the dramatic turn of events surrounding Jesus (Acts 2:22-32).

Speaking of His own impending death, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels” (John 12:24). In other words, death is the way to life.

Yes, it’s a paradox that death can be an unlikely route to life and joy. Only Jesus could lay down His life “as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Our path to experiencing His life involves daily crucifying anything that would lead away from Him.

Lord, help us to see what needs to die in us so that Your life can be our all. —Jeff Olson, Our Daily Journey

Be sure to check out all of our Christian Clothing & Christian Shirts @ SoulHarvest.net!

Chutzpah

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 26TH

Matthew 15:28 ESV NASB

Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

“Chutzpah”

When I was growing up, my father kept one can of WD-40 in the house and another in his car. It seemed it was the be-all and end-all for almost every mechanical problem. But what is WD-40? It literally stands for Water Displacement 40th attempt.

In 1953, chemist Norm Larsen was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion—a task which is accomplished by displacing water. Larsen’s unyielding tenacity and persistence paid off when he perfected the formula on his 40th try.

Matthew introduces us to a Gentile woman who had this same kind of persistence. Her daughter was violently and cruelly demon-possessed (15:21). She had no hope of ever seeing her daughter normal again, until she heard that Jesus was in town. She had heard about Jesus’ power and the miracles He had worked in the lives of others, and she believed He could help her too. So she approached Jesus boldly and persevered with unyielding tenacity, even when everything and everybody seemed to be against her. Her race, religious background, gender, the disciples, Satan, and even Jesus seemed to be against her (v.24).

Despite these seeming obstacles, she did not give up, but pushed her way through the dark corridors of her desperate need. She had chutzpah (khoot-spuh), a Jewish/Hebrew word for headstrong persistence, unyielding tenacity, bold determination, and raw nerve. Jesus complimented her chutzpah and rewarded her faith by healing her daughter (v.28).

Sometimes we pray, and if we don’t get an answer the first time, we give up. That’s not chutzpah! Chutzpah is having the raw belief, the deep trust, and the confident hope to be persistent with God, believing that He is good, just, and loving, and that He desires what’s best for us. —Marvin Williams, Our Daily Journey

Be sure to check out all of our Christian Clothing & Christian Shirts @ SoulHarvest.net!

Tattoos aren’t new

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 23RD

Romans 6:6 ESV NASB

knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

“Tattoos aren’t new”

You might think that tattoos are a recent phenomenon. Not true. The ancient Romans would tattoo (or brand) slaves and criminals. Later, during the fourth century AD a Christian sect called the Montanists tattooed themselves as slaves of God (Revelation 7:2-3). And Coptic Christians have been tattooing crosses and other symbols on their hands for more than 1,200 years. Many Coptic (Egyptian) Christian villagers still sport cross tattoos today. For them, the tattoo reflects their commitment to Jesus, whose scars will forever be reminders of His sacrifice for us (John 20:19-28).

Paul, in Romans 6, reveals what should be the mark of a true believer in Jesus today. “We are no longer slaves to sin,” he wrote (v.6). Unlike the slaves branded by the Romans, giving them a permanent identity as a criminal, believers in Jesus choose to be “a slave of Christ Jesus” (1:1). Jesus transforms us from the inside out and calls us to “live new lives” that show “we were set free from the power of sin” (6:7).

As we turn from sin and embrace the holy life to which Christ calls us, we bring glory to Him and present a picture of what Christianity is all about. Paul put it this way: “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives” (v.6).

Whether or not tattoos of a cross are a good idea may be a disputable matter. But all of us who are true believers in Jesus will reveal our faith in Him by turning from sin. He has broken the power of sin over us, setting us free to live “for the glory of God” (v.10). You don’t have to get a tattoo to show your faith. A life of pure devotion to Jesus, radiating His power to resist sin, will show the world you belong to Him. —Tom Felten, Our Daily Journey

Be sure to check out all of our Christian Clothing & Christian Shirts @ SoulHarvest.net!

Groundhog Day

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 15TH

Galatians 6:10 ESV NASB

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

“Groundhog Day”

Groundhog Day, one of my favorite movies, is a comedy featuring Phil Connors, a self-centered, arrogant TV weatherman. After being forced to take on a much-hated assignment—covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney—he suddenly finds himself caught in a time loop, repeating the same day over and over again. At first, he pursues every hedonistic escape he can think of. But eventually he begins to reevaluate his priorities, to better himself, and to think of others’ needs.

Thousands of years earlier, Solomon had carefully observed the circular repetition of human activity. The sun rises, you wake up, have breakfast, send the kids to school, and then off to work you go. Many hours later, you leave the office and come home. And you repeat the same routine over and over again. For some people, this routine couldn’t be more mundanely repetitive and monotonous. The endless cycle never produces anything “truly new” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). In frustration, Solomon concludes: “Everything is meaningless, completely meaningless” (v.2).

Like Phil Connors, we need to reexamine our life and priorities. Instead of seeing himself as a prisoner of life’s repetitive cycles, Connors began to use his knowledge of how the day would unfold to help people. Knowing that a child would fall from a tree at a certain time, he made it a point to be there and catch the child every time. He befriended a dying, homeless man. In helping others, he found meaning and purpose in life. We too can find purpose and meaning in life. Who is one person we can help today? Solomon advises “I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live” (Ecclesiastes 3:12 NIV). Life may be monotonous at times. But it is never without purpose or meaning. —K.T. Sim, Our Daily Journey

Be sure to check out all of our Christian Clothing & Christian Shirts @ SoulHarvest.net!

Adoption option

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 16TH

Matthew 5:16 ESV NASB

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

“Adoption option”

In his Apology (AD 197), Tertullian argued that the Roman government should stop persecuting its best citizens. He said that Christians not only prayed for the emperor and the empire, but they also sacrificed for the sake of their neighbors. He said they pooled their money “to feed the poor and to bury them; for boys and girls who lack property and parents; and then for slaves grown old and ship-wrecked mariners; and any who may be in mines, islands, or prisons.” They didn’t use their cash to fund lavish banquets as the Romans did.

This “trust fund of piety” was so successful that when a new emperor named Julian the Apostate wanted to return Rome to its pre-Constantinian, pagan ways a century and a half later, he discovered that paganism had been thoroughly discredited by the charity of the Christians. Julian complained that he could not turn people from the Christian faith when “the impious Galileans [Christians] support not only their own poor but ours as well.”

A similar opportunity exists today. James 1:27 states, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress.” Christians are rightly known for opposing abortion. What if we were also known for supporting adoption?

What would happen if our churches were lovers of orphans; if our church directories were as diverse as the world; if we made disciples of all nations in part by adopting their most at-risk members; and if mothers considering abortion chose life because they knew they could give their child to any number of Christian homes?

We would be imitators of God, who has adopted us into His family, and we would generate praise from non-Christians who witness our good works. They just might become followers of Jesus; but if not, they would at least understand why someone would. —Mike Wittmer, Our Daily Journey

Be sure to check out all of our Christian Clothing & Christian Shirts @ SoulHarvest.net!

Handle with care

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 13TH

2 Timothy 3:15 ESV NASB

and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

“Handle with care”

Various vacations have taught me that jet skis and boulders don’t go together. Neither do 3-wheelers and thin ice.

My motorized mishaps began when, as a kid, my family spent the afternoon visiting friends. Willing to accommodate my need for speed, their son let me use his go-cart. He showed me the gas pedal but assumed I would find the brake. So when my friend and I realized we were headed for the highway at full throttle, we jumped off to avoid crashing into any cars. Ouch! It’s so important to be properly trained in how to use expensive recreation vehicles!

Much more important than just a means of entertainment, the Word of God is both a weapon and a tool. Just as a soldier is trained to use his weapons in battle and a builder learns how to use his tools, believers in Jesus must be trained in how to handle the Word.

In recounting the temptation of Jesus, Matthew demonstrates how even Satan used Scripture (4:1-11). Manipulative, the enemy was interested in his own selfish purposes and not in truth. Because God is serious about His Word, we need to understand:

• Keeping our hearts pure before the Lord enables us to receive instruction from the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 5:8). • Wielding the sword includes accepting our inability to know everything, while being willing to learn (1 Timothy 4:12-16). • Learning how to handle the Word develops us as people who are unashamed and ready to share it (2 Timothy 2:15, 4:2-4).

Scripture tells us that in the end days, deception will grow stronger (Mark 13:22). God wants us to be master swordsmen, trained and ready to communicate His truth. Let’s do what it takes to learn. —Regina Franklin, Our Daily Journey

Be sure to check out all of our Christian Clothing & Christian Shirts @ SoulHarvest.net!

No condemnation

DAILY DEVOTIONAL, APRIL 12TH

Romans 8:1 ESV NASB

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

"No condemnation"

The Thirteenth Amendment that abolished slavery in the United States was ratified by the necessary number of states on December 6, 1865. So, how many slaves were there in the US on December 7? Technically, there were none. Although the law had been passed, there were many who did not know the truth and continued to live like slaves. There were many others who knew they were free but doubted the reality of their freedom.

This seems to be true of many believers in Jesus today. An “amendment of freedom” has been passed by the death of Jesus, but many doubt the reality of their freedom and continue to live like slaves to sin. This is precisely what Paul spoke of in Romans 8.

He begins the chapter with “So now,” a phrase that referred to the earlier themes of Romans: freedom from sin, justification by faith alone, friendship with God, and assurance of salvation and eternal life—all which were achieved through Christ.

Paul reminded his readers, “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (v.1). This means that there is absolutely no eternal punishment or estrangement for those who place their trust in the finished work of Jesus. Their sins are forgiven and covered. The war is over and they are no longer enemies of God. No accusation against them will stand. In this verse, Paul communicated that we’re no longer condemned under the penalty of sin, and there’s no condemnation or peril that could ever separate us from the love of Christ (vv.31-39).

At times, sin and failure cause us to doubt the reality of the freedom that Jesus has provided for us. Let’s remember that He alone has secured and sustained our salvation. It’s all about Him, not our performance. —Marvin Williams, Our Daily Journey

Be sure to check out all of our Christian Clothing & Christian Shirts @ SoulHarvest.net!