DEVOTIONS

Monday, October 24– “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” (1 Peter 1:20) Who Jesus is, was and will ever be, has always been.  Jesus has always been God’s plan, from the beginning of time.  Salvation has always been through Jesus.  Even before Adam and Eve ever ate the forbidden fruit.  Feel free to question God’s timing of Jesus’ arrival on the scene.  But you can’t question the fact that Jesus has always been God’s plan.  By the way, God’s timing is exactly that, God’s!

Tuesday, October 25 – “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) Who Jesus is, was and will ever be, has always been.  These words of Isaiah were written over seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, life and death on the cross.  How could Isaiah write these words?  It was either a very lucky guess or God revealed to him a truth that he couldn’t possibly know.  What say you?  Lucky guess or is there something happening here that is so much bigger than you could ever comprehend? 

Wednesday, October 26 – “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16) Why?  Was Jesus shy?  Did the disciples get on his nerves so much that he needed to get away?  Or was Jesus presenting you a model for prayer?  An example of isolation and separation for your prayer life?  Whatever the reason, Jesus “withdrew to lonely places” in order to pray.  More importantly than wondering why, as a follower of Jesus, what does this teach you about your prayer life?

Thursday, October 27 – “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.” (Malachi 4:5) This is the Old Testament prophecy that had people thinking that Jesus might be Elijah.  You know the power of perspective in your life.  Your mind will always figure out how to see something, how to understand an event and how to frame reality, based on what you already believe.  The people wanted Elijah to return, because they craved “the day of the Lord”.  They wanted an end to their Roman occupation.  They wanted to be free.  Little did they know, the freedom that Jesus offered was so much greater than the freedom from Roman occupation.

Friday, October 28 – “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.  Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26) “Do you believe this?”  As fellow humans on this journey to be, we are called to love each other and to walk with each other.  Yet, you can walk with your neighbors while still claiming the truth of Jesus, for all people.  The truth of Jesus isn’t a merit badge to be earned or a well-deserved promotion or even a one-time gift, given only to certain people.  Jesus is salvation for the world.  So, love everyone, in the name of Jesus.

Saturday, October 29 – “Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.” (Matthew 16:20) Are you one of those people who can’t keep their mouth shut during a movie that you have already seen?  Someone who has to give away every important part, plot twist or even be a spoiler of the ending?  Well, Jesus didn’t want any of his disciples to be that guy!  The disciples had already seen the movie and Jesus didn’t want them to spoil the ending for anyone else.  Success is a process and nobody can skip the process of success.  No matter how hard you want to tell them how to skip it.