Bible League: Living His Word Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:13-14 NIV The Easter season reminded me about all our Savior Jesus Christ had to endure for our sake. It wasn't easy then, but in the end, it brought God the glory and saved us from eternal damnation. It reminds me of lyrics from one of CeCe Winans' songs: "It wasn't easy, but it was worth it." This message speaks to life's unpredictable outcomes. Sometimes, we must go through challenging seasons to get to the other side. During a trial, it can seem like an eternity. The pain, anguish, unrest, and waiting seem endless. But when the season is over, we're ushered to a new one. If we focus on the discomfort, we may lose the fight, but if we focus on the end, we're likely to hang on. Before Jesus reached the cross, He had to go through Gethsemane (oil press). There, He wrestled with Himself, with God, and His mission. Ultimately, He chose to endure the cross; He sacrificed His life for humanity. He suffered (was beaten, humiliated, mocked), died, and was buried. But on the third day, He rose again and declared it was fulfilled. We, too, must endure the challenges of this life; it might be the loss of a loved one, the end of a dream, broken hopes, or unrealized goals. It may seem like the end of life, the pain too much to bear and hopes too far in the distance to grasp. We may find it hard to cope, not wanting to wake up to another day of the harsh realities. But it's during those moments that we must make a choice -- whether to soldier on or turn back and quit. As Paul reminds us in scripture, we should lay aside everything that hinders us and press on toward the goal. We must resolve to move on; the good news is that we don't have to do it alone. Jesus is now our mediator to God, and we can call on Him in times of distress. He knows and understands what it is like to be under pressure. He knows what it's like to feel alone, abandoned, and in agony. Setting aside our fears, self-preservation, and comfort allows Him to lift us to a place of deep faith. We move from walking under defeat and tap into His resurrection power. We begin to walk under His divine power, and at that point, we align with His divine nature. It's encouraging to know that we're never alone when we go through trials. Jesus, our Savior, is there to hold our hand and to walk with us. He's there to reassure us that His presence is always there to guide us. Jesus urges us in Matthew 11:30 to take His yoke and burden, for His burden is light and easy. Things can be daunting on our own, but with the Lord on our side, everything is bearable. We are blessed to have a Savior acquainted with our weaknesses, yet through Him, we are made strong. As we celebrate His death and resurrection, let us rest in His power and trust His sacrificial love. By Jennifer Macharia, Bible League International staff, Nairobi-Kenya Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading1 Chronicles 11, 12, 13 1 Chronicles 11 -- David Reigns over All Israel; Conquers Jerusalem with His Mighty Men NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Chronicles 12 -- David's Supporters at Ziklag and Hebron NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Chronicles 13 -- Bringing Back the Ark NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 9:1-23 John 9 -- Jesus Heals a Blind Man; Pharisees Question His Authority; Jesus Affirms He Is the Son of God NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion That is why the LORD says,“Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don't tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Insight God told the people to turn to him while there was still time. Destruction would soon be upon them. Challenge Time is also running out for us. Because we don't know when our lives will end, we should trust and obey God now, while we can. Don't let anything hold you back from turning to him. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 66:20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer.In looking back upon the character of our prayers, if we do it honestly, we shall be filled with wonder that God has ever answered them. There may be some who think their prayers worthy of acceptance--as the Pharisee did; but the true Christian, in a more enlightened retrospect, weeps over his prayers, and if he could retrace his steps he would desire to pray more earnestly. Remember, Christian, how cold thy prayers have been. When in thy closet thou shouldst have wrestled as Jacob did; but instead thereof, thy petitions have been faint and few--far removed from that humble, believing, persevering faith, which cries, "I will not let thee go except thou bless me." Yet, wonderful to say, God has heard these cold prayers of thine, and not only heard, but answered them. Reflect also, how infrequent have been thy prayers, unless thou hast been in trouble, and then thou hast gone often to the mercy-seat: but when deliverance has come, where has been thy constant supplication? Yet, notwithstanding thou hast ceased to pray as once thou didst, God has not ceased to bless. When thou hast neglected the mercy-seat, God has not deserted it, but the bright light of the Shekinah has always been visible between the wings of the cherubim. Oh! it is marvellous that the Lord should regard those intermittent spasms of importunity which come and go with our necessities. What a God is he thus to hear the prayers of those who come to him when they have pressing wants, but neglect him when they have received a mercy; who approach him when they are forced to come, but who almost forget to address him when mercies are plentiful and sorrows are few. Let his gracious kindness in hearing such prayers touch our hearts, so that we may henceforth be found "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit." Daily Light on the Daily Path Ephesians 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.Romans 15:30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Isaiah 63:9,10 In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old. • But they rebelled And grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them. 1 John 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. Ephesians 1:13,14 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, • who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Galatians 5:16,17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. • For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Romans 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 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. |
    |