Jesus Does What is Best

“Jesus was also invited to the wedding…the wine ran out…Jesus turned the water into wine…” (John 2:1-9).

Greetings,

I have read and re-read the verse above over the last several days because it demonstrates a great truth: Jesus does what is needed!

He could have made milk or He could have made lemonade.  But the request was for wine, so that’s what He provided.

And when an adulteress was surrounded by stone-wielding accusers Jesus said, “I do not condemn you. Go and sin no more” (John 8:10)

He could have easily pointed out her sin. He could have just as easily told her she was making stupid decisions.  But He gave her what she needed most: Forgiveness.

How about all the testimonies of people whom Jesus healed?

The blind received sight.

The deaf received hearing.

The lame walked again.

And let’s not forget that the depressed received joy and hope.

The fearful were inundated with peace.

The financially strapped received provision.

The hungry received food.

Jesus always gave and provided what was needed most.

Can you imagine if a hungry person were given a sermon on how Jesus provides but then given no food?

There’s an awesome story in the Bible about how the disciples were freaking out because they were caught in a storm in the middle of a lake.  The boat was taking on water, and “they were in real danger of drowning” (Luke 8:23).  Thank God that Jesus was in the boat, and when the disciples rushed to wake Him up, He immediately got to His feet and told the wind to “Quiet down” (Luke 8:24)! And it did.

Jesus always does what is best.  Always provides what is most pressing.  He has His priorities in order and ours as well.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, strengthen our faith to believe that when we call upon the name of Jesus, He will always answer with what is best. Thank you! Amen!

Remember Me~

Greetings,

Luke 23 in the Bible details the crucifixion of Jesus, and we learn in verse 32 that two other men, convicted criminals, were also crucified – one on each side of Christ. Verse 39 says one of them "hurled insults at Jesus." Verses 42, however, paints a different picture of the other criminal: “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

How did Jesus respond?

“Today you will be with me in paradise.”

No harsh words about a crime-filled life. No judgment, no condemnation, no criticism. The criminal wanted forgiveness, and Jesus gave it.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, today we unite our voice with the forgiven criminal who realized his need for Jesus and say, "Remember us!"  We look forward to being with You in Paradise. In the meantime, thank You that You are with us each step of the way on planet earth. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

No Questions Asked~

Luke 23 contains the details of Jesus' crucifixion, and we learn in verse 32 that two other men, who were criminals, were also going to be crucified. Verse 39 says one of the them "hurled insults at Jesus." Verses 40-42, however, paint a different picture of the other criminal.

He says, "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But Jesus has done nothing wrong.”  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

These two men represent the two types of people in our world today - those who want nothing to do with Christ and those who realize their great need for Him. (I have something in common with the criminal who needed Jesus, and I hope you do too.)

Nevertheless, verse 43 is what makes Christ so awesome, so great, so wonderful, so selfless..."Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise."

So simple, really. No harsh words about a crime-filled life. No judgment, no condemnation, no criticism. The criminal genuinely wanted to be forgiven, and Jesus gave it. No questions asked.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Today we unite our voice with that forgiven criminal and say, "Remember us!" We look forward to being with You in Paradise. In the meantime, thank You that You are with us each step of the way on planet earth. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

You Are Like Barabbas~

Mark 15:15 “Pilate set Barabbas free and turned Jesus over for whipping and crucifixion.”

This past Sunday night the National Geographic Channel played Killing Jesus, and it was the highest rated show in their network’s history.  It is such a compelling, life-changing, life-giving story, and I am happy that over three million people saw it.  This particular production was of the highest quality, and those crucifixion scenes were particularly realistic.  It was hard to watch the thorn of crowns being placed on Christ’s head and watch Him carry His own cross.  And it always reminds me of Barabbas.

In Bible days it was a custom during the time of Passover to release a prisoner.  Seems kind of dangerous, but nonetheless, when it was time to pick the lucky fellow who would be absolved, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Jerusalem who had all the decision-making authority, skipped right over the innocent Jesus and set Barabbas – a convicted murderer –  free. 

Jesus never did one thing wrong, but Barabbas? He should have paid for his crimes.  He deserved it, right?

And then I was reminded of a little conversation that God and I had last year.

“Yenisita, You are like Barabbas.”

“Say what? I have never killed anybody.”

“No, my precious girl, you haven’t. There’s a bunch of stuff you haven’t done and never will. But are you perfect? You still need forgiveness, don’t you? You still need Jesus, don’t you?”

“Yes I do – a lot – every second of every day I need Him.”

“Jesus took Barabbas’ place and yours. You are free.”

“Thank You, my Lord, I love You.”

“And I love you, Yenisita.”

When we do something wrong there’s a price to pay. But we don’t have to pay for our sins; Jesus did that already.  All we have to do is accept His gift of forgiveness.  As we gather this weekend with family and friends to celebrate what my mom used to call, “Resurrection Sunday,” let us count our blessings and remember that Jesus took Barabbas’ place and ours!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for the forgiveness we have in Jesus.  We have been set free to love this life and live it to the full. We have been set free to love others and help them understand their freedom as well. Most importantly, we have been given eternal life. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

An Uneven Exchange~

Tuesday greetings~

Some of you found it a little unnerving that God is always watching you. Today I invite you to relax!

He's not keeping score of all the stuff we do wrong--all those mean thoughts and less-than brotherly actions--for the sake of keeping score. On the contrary. God gently nudges our hearts and exposes all the junk we have inside in order to cleanse us. He wants us to live light and free and happy, and trust me--if you're holding something in that shouldn't be there, it will weigh you down. It becomes impossible to enjoy life.

One of the biggest things we hold is grudges, but today I want to share with you about a precious young woman who let go of her right to be angry and decided to partner up with God to save her marriage. It was a journey filled with curves, detours, delays, distractions, and yes, even dangers. But she made it through and every day she continues to build a solid future.

From the very beginning she felt God's precious eyes on her and knew deep in her wounded soul that for her sake, the sake of her kids and family and community and nation, she must operate with a loving and forgiving heart. If ever there were someone with a right to be angry, hurt, and unforgiving, it would be this gal, but she chose forgiveness, and I want us all to celebrate and draw inspiration from her attitude.

Being able to forgive is sometimes impossible without supernatural help, but don't you know that He is a willing God? Willing to go above and beyond in helping you when you ask? And that's what she did. Day in and day out--sometimes in the face of unthinkable adversity--she kept her primary focus on prayer. She kept God as her priority by begging, screaming, pleading, asking, knocking, and seeking Him and His strength to be able to love and forgive in a manner that was more than she could do on her own.

And here are two truths she discovered: You can not stay angry at someone you pray for, and when you pray you have peace and joy--all the negative emotions leave.

In order to fully appreciate the magnitude of that statement, I would have to go into details, and I can't. But maybe you can identify in some way with that kind of burden? Maybe you've been hurt and can't see straight? And maybe you have been no where near that kind of conflict, amen!, but can treasure these truths in your heart anyway? (Please say yes).

Praying for someone releases the bad and invites the good into your life. I know! It doesn't seem like a fair exchange, but then that's how God is.

Psalm 30:11 "You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy."

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for taking away our clothes of mourning. We would much rather be clothed with joy. We would much rather dance than mourn. Burn those clothes of sorrow that we might never wear them again. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

This Woman Prayed~

TGIF Greetings:)

 

This morning I was ready to park when a vulture swept right in and scooped up the space. I momentarily lost my mind then came back to my senses because of each of you. How can I possibly sit here and write the DEVO if I have been rude? So thank you for keeping me in line:)

 

What does our journey look like when Jesus travels alongside?

 

Our protagonist from this week's DEVOs will testify that although it's not always obvious, it is true nonetheless. That looking back provides plenty of evidence of His guidance and comfort, and now that a year has passed she has finally settled into a peaceful season of life.

 

Long story short: Marriage was in deep trouble, every one's future was a frightful unknown, but just last week something private took place that was as an act of even a stronger devotion than before.

 

Talk about everything working out better than expected!

 

What is the number one exercise we should all be doing on our own journeys? What guarantees that Jesus is with us?

 

Group shout: PRAYER!

 

Every single day this woman prayed. She prayed in the morning, in the car, at home, at night in bed...She asked for prayer as well. She found a couple of like-minded buddies to come alongside her and trust God for the future of her family. Time after time she made sure every one was on the same page because someone praying for reconciliation and someone praying for a divorce will stop the hand of God.

 

Matthew 18:19 "When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, My Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of Me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”

 

Would any one have blamed her if she would have chosen to go her separate way? Would any one have said she wasn't entitled? That she didn't have the right to divorce someone who was unfaithful? No~

 

But sometimes taking the higher road, being willing to do the hard, heart-wrenching work of rebuilding, leads to something that was even better than before. There's enough destruction in this world already. I say REBUILD. Let's all take a step of faith and REBUILD! Whether it's our own marriage, a strained relationship with a friend, sibling, in-law, or child, let's fix it.

 

For me, the most profound and blessed moment came when this precious young woman said to me the other day, "If I would have ended my relationship there is a great likelihood that my spouse would not even be alive right now."

 

I will not share certain details, but when she said that, I immediately thought that perhaps, rather than seeing forgiveness as some sort of undeserved gesture she extended to the person who hurt her, it was a gift she gave herself--a gift that she will continue to unwrap as time goes on and the kids get older and dad is there every step of the way holding her hand and theirs...

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, There are more than three of us praying right now, so thank You that You are here with us. Thank You that You go into action when we pray. Do Your thing and we will do ours, which is pray. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

The Domino Effect~

TGIF Blessings:)

 

Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."

 

I want you all to know that I have thought about that poor dentist (see yesterday's DEVO) over the years--13 years to be exact. Sometimes I wonder how everything would have turned out if I would have acted like a civilised human being. Worse, I sometimes think about the domino effect.

 

There's a commercial I really like because it has a gentleman opening a door for someone who had just helped someone cross the street, who had himself just allowed someone to cut in line at the market etc...And the message is that because someone did something nice for us, we turn around and do the same. It's a great message, but I wonder if the opposite is true.

 

What if I ruined the dentist's day and then he was grumpy the rest of the afternoon and was less than kind himself to a patient who then goes home with a sore mouth and a foul mood and snaps back at their spouse who turns around and puts the dog out and the dog, feeling vulnerable and rejected, bites a neighbor?

 

However, I can also testify that when we stop the rudeness dead in its tracks--when we practice self-control--we can change the course of the domino effect.

 

One day I went to pick up Rachel at school. In the immediate moments after the bell rang, a few of the moms and I were talking in the classroom while she and her buddies were playing. Back then guitar string bracelets were all the rage, and it was common to see all the little girls wearing as many as 20 at a time. Rachel's little friend gave her one, and thinking it was elastic, Rayray pulled it and of course, it was stretched beyond repair. The mother of the little girl went ballistic.

 

She went right up to Rayray, pointed a finger in her precious shocked face, and yelled ATROCITIES at her. "Look what you did!" "You should be ashamed!" "You are a vandal!" "You did it on purpose because you are jealous!" "You are the worst friend ever!"

 

I was literally one foot away, and for one brief moment, as I felt the heat rising on the back of my neck, time stood still and three things crossed my mind. (1) I am going to jail for murder, (2) I am going to wind up my arm and unleash a right hook and bust the teeth out of her mouth. ( I know a great dentist.), and (3) This is all going to go down in front of a bunch of witnesses, including my son who had by then come into the room.

 

And then I heard a whisper. God Himself bent over and gently said to my soul that my reaction would have consequences--good or bad. A question came to me: "Do you have room in your heart for forgiveness?"

 

Well, dang! Clearly God was watching me, and I never want to let Him down. So I stepped in between that mother and Rayray, and with the kindness that only Jesus can give when we purpose to do the right thing, I very quietly apologized for the incident. I assured her that Rachel hadn't meant to do it. I pulled out my wallet and offered to pay her one full American dollar bill plus tax for the one that was damaged because that was the cost plus $20 more for good measure. I encouraged Rayray to say she was sorry. I gathered my kids, went to the car, and sat there in stunned silence.

 

I finally drove home. My hands were shaking the whole time, and I was kind of sick to my stomach the rest of the afternoon. But that night I received a phone call from that mom. She was weeping and apologizing profusely. She explained that she had had a terrible day (she is an oncology nurse); she never meant to take it out on a small innocent child, much less in such a public way in front every one including her own kids. Would I ever forgive her? Would Rachel? We made our peace and were really good friends after that. Even traveled together a few times.

 

And from that moment until now I try to think of how we can all change the course of the domino effect.

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord,

Sometimes we forfeit blessings because we choose to let our anger--no matter how justified--to take over. May we all always hear Your voice, which is forever encouraging us to do the right thing with Jesus' help. AMEN~

Remember Us~

TGFGF-Thank God For Good Friday~

Today we will look at one final example about coming alongside someone, and Jesus once again is the Hero of the story.

Luke 23 contains the details of Jesus' crucifixion. We learn in verse 32 that two other men who were criminals were also going to be crucified. Verse 39 says one of the criminals "hurled insults at Jesus." But verses 40-42 paint a different picture of the other criminal.

“Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

These two men represent the world today. There are two categories of people--those who want nothing to do with Christ, and those who realize their great need for Him. Has anyone ever told you you had something in common with a criminal? Well, I just did:)

But what I really really love about this passage is what Jesus answers him in verse 43: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”

So simple, really. No harsh words about a crime-filled life. No judgment, no condemnation, no criticism. The criminal genuinely wanted to be forgiven, and Jesus gave it. No questions asked.

Let's not gloss over this. Jesus was Himself in agony having just been nailed to that cross--depths of pain we will never comprehend, and yet, even in the midst of His suffering He takes a moment to reassure one of the poor lost souls next to Him.

Would anyone have blamed Him if He would have said, "I've got my own problems; I am busy saving the world?"

No, I wouldn't have.

This is such an inspiring story because it shows that even when we're going through a personal crisis, we can still come alongside others and offer words of encouragement. 

And when we do, amazing things happen.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Today we unite our voice with that forgiven criminal and say, "Remember us!" We look forward to being with You in Paradise. In the meantime, thank You that You are with us each step of the way on planet earth. In Jesus' name, AMEN~