II Corinthians 2:11 ” In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” Read II Corinthians 2:10-11 “Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan…
Tag: following Christ
Satan’s Snares, Part II: “An Opportune Time”
“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:13 Read Luke 4:1-13 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted[a] by the devil. He ate nothing during those days,…
Satan’s Snares, Part I
“For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into the solitary places.” Luke 8:29 What happens when you’re alone? Does…
Bloom Where You’re Planted: Jesus, Part V
Read Matthew 26:47-54 And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. 48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to…
Bloom Where You’re Planted: Jesus, Part II
“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14 Before reading today’s devotion, please pray: Dear Father, Please open my eyes to what you would have me glean from today’s reading of Your words. Amen For background, please read Matthew 14:6-14. But when Herod’s birthday was…
Bloom Where You’re Planted: Jesus, Part I
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49 Read Luke 2:41-52 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43…
Prayer: Praying Like Jesus, Part III
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’” Luke 23:34 As we have spent a few weeks on prayer, we have highlighted a few ways in which Jesus prayed. This week, let’s see what Jesus prayed in His final hours, while enduring great physical pain and deep emotional distress….
Obedience, Part III, How Good is Good Enough?
“If you love me, you will obey what I command” John 14:15 I was asked a very interesting question this week. One I think most of us have entertained: If all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, how much is enough? How obedient do I need to be? Accepting Jesus is…
Obedience Part II, Disobedience Defined
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness, I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel.” Jeremiah 31:3-4a Last week we began examining obedience. Sometimes we can learn more about a subject by studying its’ direct opposite. Disobedience is a subject most…
RESET
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” II Corinthians 5:17 How long have you walked with Christ? Really desired to live like a Christian: become Christ-like? I was so blessed to attend the WinterJam concert this past Saturday night. The devotional theme was “Reset”. Using…