5/8/2024 0 Comments Moving on from the HurtWhen we have been hurt by someone else in the past, it is easier to hold on to that hurt than it is to let it go. Yet we are called to be kind and tenderhearted. Jesus modeled this when he was kind and tenderhearted to the very soldiers that mocked and killed him.
Questions for further thought: 1. Describe a time when you held on to the hurt a little too long. 2. Did you have any anguish while you were holding on? Was there any relief when you let go? Challenge: Is there another situation you are holding on to that you should let go? What is keeping you from letting go? Share your story with someone you trust if you need. You may need to seek counseling. That is okay. You will be better bringing it into the light instead of hiding it in the darkness.
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5/7/2024 0 Comments The Forgiveness of JesusJesus was aware the Roman soldiers did not know the full purpose of the crucifixion. This was evidenced by divvying up his clothes through a game of chance. Jesus intervened by asking for the forgiveness of the soldiers. This request for forgiveness is an example of Jesus also intervening for us.
Questions for further thought: 1. What is a time when you did not realize you were hurting Jesus? 2. How has God forgiven you for the time you hurt Jesus? Challenge: Take some time to thank God for the good that has come after you have sinned and been forgiven. 5/6/2024 0 Comments The Abuse of JesusPontius Pilate ordered the Roman soldiers to flog Jesus. The result was not just a flogging, but also an abusive mocking (I don’t use the word “abuse” lightly.) In addition to the flogging, the soldiers dressed him up in a costume to make him look like a king. They gave Jesus a crown of thorns, a fake scepter, and a scarlet robe to make him appear regal. They then knelt before him to mock him even more. After mocking him, they spit on him, used the “scepter” to tap down the crown of thorns to make them dig in a little deeper, and they stripped the robe off his body (which was already full of open wounds from the whipping) and placed the original clothes back on those open wounds.
Questions for further thought: 1. How was Jesus physically abused? 2. How was Jesus emotionally abused? Challenge: Recall a time when you were wronged for something you did not deserve. How did it hurt you? Have you shared that burden with God? Take time to share with God the pain it caused. If needed, share with someone you can trust to help you release that to God. 5/3/2024 0 Comments Faith Like MaryIn these verses, Mary learns that she will give birth to the son of God. She did not have all the answers and did not know what to expect in the coming years. However, she said the following words to the Angel: “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” We will not know all the answers; we are not designed to know everything. God created us to walk this life with Him in the good, the bad, and the in-between. So, while we walk the path He has for us, may we always say “I am the Lord’s servant.”
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you remember a time when you had faith like Mary? 2. Do you also remember a time after that when you struggled with faith? Why was this time different than the first? Challenge: Be like Mary: Say “I am the Lord’s servant”; then have faith as God is with you no matter what. 5/2/2024 0 Comments My Strength Comes from HimWe all have a race to run. Each person’s race will have hurdles, bumps, detours, and mountains to climb. We will tire if we attempt to do this on our own. We were not made to do life on our own. These verses remind us where our strength needs to come from – God. That is only accomplished by doing the things we have discussed this week—praying, reading God’s word, waiting on Him, and trusting in His promises.
Questions for further thought: 1. Have you tried to run your race at times without God? 2. How did that work out? Challenge: Stop and take 30 minutes each day to sit quietly with God. You may need to start off with just 5 minutes and work up to the 30 minutes if you are finding it hard to shut out the word. In this quiet time, let Him breathe new life and strength into you. 5/1/2024 0 Comments When It Rains, It PoursEver felt like when it rains it pours? Joseph had a string of bad things happen to him. Things would start looking up and then something else would happen. We know how his story ends. All the bad things that happened led Joseph to save his family from a famine. We are not promised a rose garden and there will be troubles. The key is to remember the bigger picture; God has a plan and He is bigger than anything we will face. (John 16:33)
Questions for further thought: 1. Are you able to relate to the phrase: when it rains, it pours? 2. How would you rate your ability to trust God when this happened? Challenge: Seeing the bigger picture when we feel like we are drowning requires God’s hand and possibly the counsel of godly friends and family. If you are struggling today with something, seek God or a trusted friend. You are not in this alone. (Matthew 28:20) 4/30/2024 0 Comments Waiting on God's PlanIt was said that King David was a man after God’s heart; yet Gods plan did not include David building God a temple. David had the desire and means to build God’s temple, but God had other plans. The same is often true in our lives. We have plans to do something for God; however, God may have other plans for you. In order to ensure we are following God’s plan, we need to be connected to Him through prayer and His word. (John 15:4)
Questions for further thought: 1. When have you had an idea to serve or build God’s kingdom and possibly God had another plan? 2. What were the results? Challenge: Talk to God about how you can serve Him or build His kingdom. If you already have an idea, talk to Him about it. 4/29/2024 0 Comments Taking Matters into Our Own HandsHow often are we going through something and instead of waiting for God’s direction or answer, we take matters into our own hands? In these verses, we see Sarai taking things into her own hands. It would only result in more problems for her. This happens to us as well. Although it is not easy to wait on God or trust God when we are struggling or really want something, we need to remember and rely on stories like this. In the end, God kept His promise to Abram and Sarai and He will keep His promise to you too. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Questions for further thought: 1. When have you taken things into your own hands versus trusting/waiting on God? 2. What were the results? Challenge: Locate a few of God’s promises in your Bible that resonate with you. Write them on index cards or post-it notes and put them in key places at home and work to help remind you of God’s love and plan for you. Some examples are Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:8, Matthew 11:28-29, and Isaiah 40:31. 4/26/2024 0 Comments Perseverance and Victory After AllFor anyone who’s gone through very tough times, even ones that seem “no win” situations, it’s hard to persevere. That’s the theme we’ve been discussing this week. But we can. And we can win. Why? Because He did. Through the worst trial of them all in human history, He conquered. He is with us. And we are His. So, persevere we must!
Questions for further thought: 1. How do you feel about Jesus’ pain and suffering on the cross for us? 2. When you remember His ultimate perseverance for the entire world, how does your perspective on your own situation change? Challenge: Lord Jesus. With just ourselves, not everything is possible, but with you, all things are. We know that we’re not defeated - not really. We’re just down, but we need you to come pick us up, dust us off, give us a little more strength, and help us to persevere and claim the victory that we have in you. Thank you, Lord Jesus, and let it be so today! Amen. One of the amazing things about Jesus (among everything else) is that He really did become fully human at the same time as being sinless God. He, too, understood how human it is to avoid pain. Obviously, He didn’t avoid it, and we are so thankful that He followed through! This should underscore how He does, in fact, understand our all too human ways of just wanting to “give up” when it looks hopeless.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you ever wish pain would just “go away” from you, and your family and friends? 2. How do you deal with that feeling, knowing most times, it won’t? Challenge: Lord, we realize that we don’t like pain. We realize, though, that you also endured worse pain than we ever will, and you didn’t even deserve it. Help us in the midst of what “looks” like no-win situations and help us to persist in the midst of them, with your help, strength, and presence. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
May 2024
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