A Devotional for Wednesday of Holy Week
WATCHWORD
60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” 61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” 66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” John 6:60-67 Continue reading
Devotional for Monday of Holy Week
WATCHWORD:
[Context — They had traveled a distance, from the hillside outside Gadara, with the memory of the miracle feeding of the crowd still fresh in their minds, now they stood outside Bethany. The journey had been eventful and amazing. The evening with that tax-collector in Jericho, restoring sight to that blind boy, and then climbing the rugged road toward Jerusalem. Even the disciples wondered who was this man they had followed for years, this carpenter, this miracle-worker? They had gotten word of the illness of Jesus’ friend, but that was days ago, now, here they were, Bethany, and Lazarus had died while they were still in Jericho. These friends and followers wondered, what now? A life restored? Another miracle?] Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
“Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 20b …you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. 21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young. 22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. 24 When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26 Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” Luke 18:18b,20b-27 Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.28a “But don’t begin until you count the cost.
33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” Luke 14:25-28a, 33-35 Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy, I will draw living water from the Wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-3 Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1
And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world. And he will be the source of peace. Micah 5:4-5
6Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
In the same way, the spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the spirit, because the spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
Jesus said: I am the resurrection of the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. John 11:25
8 … whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 NKJV Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
1 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:1-5 Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So, I will not be ashamed of using my authority. 9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. 10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” 11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away. 2 Corinthians 10:8-11
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God Ephesians 2:8 Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. Matthew 23:1-3 Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in truth; remove the gods which your father served on the other side of the river and in Egypt and serve the lord. As for me and my house we will serve the lord. Joshua 25:14,15b
Serve the lord with gladness and delight; come before his presence with joyful singing. Psalm 100:2
Whatever you do, whatever your task may be, work from the soul, that is, put in your very best effort, as something done for the Lord and not for man. Colossians 3:23 Continue reading
