Morning, April 16
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but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.  — 1 Peter 1:19
Bible League: Living His Word
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
— Ephesians 5:2 NLT

There are many commandments in the Bible. Jesus taught us, however, that two of them stand above the others. An expert in religious law had asked him, "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments," (Matthew 22:36-40).

What about Jesus Himself? Did Jesus follow His own teaching on love? Our verse for today has the answer. He did. Indeed, He set a stellar example in this regard. He lived a life full of love. He loved the Lord God by obeying Him, even though the Lord expected Him to offer Himself up as a sacrifice for our sins (Matthew 26:39). He loved his neighbors by his willingness to actually die for us. He didn't have to do it, but He did it anyway. He loved us enough to go through the pain and humiliation that all of it meant (Hebrews 12:2).

The Apostle Paul says we should follow the example of Jesus. We should, that is, be filled with love. How far does this go? It goes as far as the example Jesus set. We should be willing to give our lives for our neighbors. Few of us will be asked to go that far, but we should be ready to go that far if necessary. We must always be ready to turn from our selfish ways, take up our crosses daily, and follow Jesus' example (Luke 9:23).

Jesus' obedience to the laws of love teaches us that there is much more to life than the mere satisfaction of our own wants and desires. Further, it teaches us that if we're ready to follow Him in this regard, even to the point of giving our lives for our neighbors, then it will be pleasing to God the Father.
Bible in a Year
Old Testament Reading
1 Samuel 19, 20, 21


1 Samuel 19 -- David Protected from Saul

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


1 Samuel 20 -- David and Jonathan's Covenant

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


1 Samuel 21 -- David Takes the Consecrated Bread

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


New Testament Reading
Luke 15:11-32


Luke 15 -- Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Prodigal Son

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library.
Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion
There are “friends” who destroy each other,
        but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
Insight
Loneliness is everywhere. Many people feel cut off and alienated from others. Being in a crowd just makes people more aware of their isolation. We all need friends who will stick close, listen, care, and offer help when it is needed—in good times and bad. It is better to have one such friend than dozens of superficial acquaintances.
Challenge
Instead of wishing you could find a true friend, seek to become one. There are people who need your friendship. Ask God to reveal them to you, and then take on the challenge of being a true friend.
Morning and Evening by Spurgeon
1 Peter 1:19  The precious blood of Christ.

Standing at the foot of the cross, we see hands, and feet, and side, all distilling crimson streams of precious blood. It is "precious" because of its redeeming and atoning efficacy. By it the sins of Christ's people are atoned for; they are redeemed from under the law; they are reconciled to God, made one with him. Christ's blood is also "precious" in its cleansing power; it "cleanseth from all sin." "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Through Jesus' blood there is not a spot left upon any believer, no wrinkle nor any such thing remains. O precious blood, which makes us clean, removing the stains of abundant iniquity, and permitting us to stand accepted in the Beloved, notwithstanding the many ways in which we have rebelled against our God. The blood of Christ is likewise "precious" in its preserving power. We are safe from the destroying angel under the sprinkled blood. Remember it is God's seeing the blood which is the true reason for our being spared. Here is comfort for us when the eye of faith is dim, for God's eye is still the same. The blood of Christ is "precious" also in its sanctifying influence. The same blood which justifies by taking away sin, does in its after-action, quicken the new nature and lead it onward to subdue sin and to follow out the commands of God. There is no motive for holiness so great as that which streams from the veins of Jesus. And "precious," unspeakably precious, is this blood, because it has an overcoming power. It is written, "They overcame through the blood of the Lamb." How could they do otherwise? He who fights with the precious blood of Jesus, fights with a weapon which cannot know defeat. The blood of Jesus! sin dies at its presence, death ceases to be death: heaven's gates are opened. The blood of Jesus! we shall march on, conquering and to conquer, so long as we can trust its power!

Daily Light on the Daily Path
Psalm 31:3  For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.

Psalm 69:2  I have sunk in deep mire, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me.

Lamentations 3:54-57  Waters flowed over my head; I said, "I am cut off!" • I called on Your name, O LORD, Out of the lowest pit. • You have heard my voice, "Do not hide Your ear from my prayer for relief, From my cry for help." • You drew near when I called on You; You said, "Do not fear!"

Psalm 77:7-11  Will the Lord reject forever? And will He never be favorable again? • Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end forever? • Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah. • Then I said, "It is my grief, That the right hand of the Most High has changed." • I shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.

Psalm 27:13  I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

Evening April 15
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