Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Tuesday, April 16, 2024
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which our faith stands. And Paul is emphasizing here how Jesus chose to make a way for you to be reconciled to the Father by giving up His own life. And for three days, that was the end of the story. But on the third day, just like He said, He rose to new life which changed everything. Now, not even death itself, can separate us from the love of Christ.

Monday, April 15, 2024

Monday, April 15, 2024
Acts 1:3
He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Luke wrote The Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. The first focused on the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The second, he wrote to complete Jesus’ ministry and to share the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the apostles. Acts 1 is a segue between the two accounts preparing the reader to understand their role in bringing God’s Kingdom to Jerusalem, Judea, and even the ends of the earth. And it starts with Jesus appearing to over 500 people in just 40 days.

Friday, April 12, 2024

Friday, April 12, 2024
Luke 1:48-49
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

This was a song sung by the mother of Jesus. She was overwhelmed by the goodness of God and couldn’t help but sing her praises to the Lord. She may have been from a small tribe in a small town, but God saw her heart and called her highly favored. And then, He allowed her to be the one who, along with Joseph, raised the Savior, the Son of God. Now all generations call her blessed, for she beheld the Messiah face to face.

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Thursday, April 11, 2024
Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

It’s like something out of a storybook, the king stoops down to help the lowly servant girl draw water from a well. But why? Why would someone whose position is so decidedly above others choose to bend their knee and help someone so low and humble? The answer is love. God’s heart is bursting with a desire to descend from on high and share that love with those whose hearts know they have nothing of worth to offer the king. And He doesn’t turn up His nose at your brokenness but offers to revive your heart through restoration and renewal. God makes Himself available to those who are truly in need of His tender care.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Revelation 4:8
And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

This is one of those key moments in Scripture where you get to see a glimpse of how worship will look in heaven. And these 4 unusual, yet angelic creatures never stop opening their mouths in praise to the God who was, who is and who is to come. But right now, since you’re still on earth, prepare your own heart to join in that magnificent chorus that will be the chant of all nations in every tongue forever and ever…Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Tuesday, April 9, 2024
1 Peter 1:15-16
But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Holy. Set apart. Godly. Pure. Those are words that perfectly describe God, yet they are also words Peter calls you to imitate. But, how in the world can a man who denied Jesus three times, command you to be holy? Well, Peter may have had a rocky beginning, but he learned holiness through obedience and even ended up dying a martyr’s death. He trained himself to align his thoughts, his words and his actions to Christ’s. Today, ask the Lord to teach you to be holy, set apart, godly, and pure in all that you say and in all that you do.