Weekly Devotionals
Hebrews 12:2b “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”
Imagine for a moment that you are there, standing at the foot of the cross, watching as Jesus hangs… watching as he’s dying! Imagine that you have heard about all the miracles he’s done. You’ve seen him heal the sick and you’ve listened to his teachings. Your heart believed everything he had said and you started to have hope that the true Messiah had finally come. But now, you see that hope dying on a cross between two thieves, and his God doesn’t seem to be stepping in. You see hope being lost all around you and you are left with the choice… look past what’s happening at the moment and continue to stand firm in hope or give up like everyone else. Could YOU still believe, standing there that Friday?
Joel 1:3 “Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation”
Today, I celebrate my 38th Birthday. Although I’ve celebrated this day 37 times before today, this time around seems different. So much has changed since my last birthday. I’ve started a new job after 11 years. I have a son that has gone off to college. I’ve been more involved in ministry leadership and have had the blessed opportunity to teach God’s word. My circle of friends has changed. A lot has changed. But there is one thing that has remained consistent through all the changes… the goodness of God in my life.
Matthew 7:25 “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”
“What in the world happened last night?”, I wondered, as I headed to work Thursday morning. Branches had fallen everywhere, debris was scattered across the lawn, my car looked like it had been through a pollen storm. I slept so well the night before, so I was shocked to learn there was an overnight wind storm. After seeing several large trees completely uprooted and laying across busy streets, I decided to contact some friends to see if they had seen or heard anything.
Nehemiah 2:5 …” and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”
I love the story of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall. Nehemiah was a layman that served as King Artaxerxes’ cupbearer, but he was also the king’s friend. Nehemiah came to Persia in exile, but chose to remain even after the exiles were allowed to go home.
