Posts by WEAG Communications (Page 27)

DEVOTION – MON. April 1, 2019

John 13:21 (The Message) After (Jesus) said these things, Jesus became visibly upset (troubled in spirit, KJV), and then He told them why. “One of you is going to betray me.” The expression “troubled in spirit” described the pain which Judas’ defection would cause Jesus. On two other occasions Jesus used similar words that expressed His deep concern: at the grave of Lazarus (11:33) where He was “deeply troubled” over how death had invaded and impacted mankind, and when the…

DEVOTION – SAT. MARCH 30, 2019

John 13:8b (NIV) “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Love cleanses. Peter protested. Jesus’ response disclosed a spiritual significance that Peter did not yet understand. Later he would understand. Through the cross Jesus would provide a cleansing from sin for all those who accepted it. God saved us…through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-7). Yet a constant cleansing is also necessary “to remove the incidental defilement resulting from the casual…

DEVOTION – FRI. MARCH 29, 2019

John 13:4a  (NIV) So (Jesus) got up from the supper table… Jesus had an active love. “Twice it is stated that the supper was interrupted (v. 2 and v. 4). The disciples, as they filed into the room, had looked for someone to wash their feet, but no servant was present. Rather than humiliate themselves, they were reclining with unwashed feet. Jesus, after waiting in vain for one of them to take the place of a servant, finally assumed the…

DEVOTION – THURS. MARCH 28, 2019

John 13:8 (NLT) “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” According to the custom of that day, a household servant washed the feet of guests who had come through the dust and filth of the street. “Since the last supper was held in a private home, and probably as a secret meeting, it is understandable why no servant was present to fulfill this task. Furthermore, the disciples’ minds were preoccupied with dreams of elevation to office in…

DEVOTION – WED. MARCH 27, 2019

John 13:3-4a (The Message) Jesus knew that the Father had put Him in complete charge of everything, that He came from God and was on His way back to God. So He got up…. Christ’s love was tendered in the full consciousness of His own exalted powers. “He deliberately subjected Himself to the needs of His disciples, and sacrificed Himself for them by submitting to an authority which was beneath Him. He told Pilate, you would have no power over…

DEVOTION – TUES. MARCH 26, 2019

John 13:4-5 (NLT) So (Jesus) got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet… The devil had already put into the heart of Judas to betray Jesus. Think of it: Jesus offered His service in spite of His full knowledge of Judas’ coming betrayal and the coming denial by Peter. “Notwithstanding treachery and cowardice on the part of men and…

DEVOTION – MON. MARCH 25, 2019

John 13:1 (NIV) It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love.   The emphasis of John’s account of the Last Supper is on Jesus’ personal love for His disciples. “The significance is not that He loved them to the last of His life, but…

Devotion – Sat. March 23, 2019

Luke 15:10 (NIV) (Jesus told them) there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. All heaven cheers when we turn toward God and begin the journey of following Jesus. Suddenly, wholeness becomes possible. Spiritual healing can begin. A path to transformation opens to us because we have placed our faith in a supernatural God who supplies us with supernatural ability and that makes all things possible. Chains to the past are broken.…

Devotion – Fri. March 22, 2019

I Chronicles 15:1b  (NIV) (David) prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. The Ark of the Covenant was a holy piece of furniture in Israel’s tabernacle. It represented the visible presence of God and was to be treated with honor and respect (though not worshiped). An enemy country had raided Israel and carried it off as a trophy of war; now David had recaptured it and brought it home. He would make sure…

Devotion – Thurs. March 21, 2019

Genesis 3:8b (NIV) …and (Adam and Eve) hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Some people prefer to hide from God rather than engage in honest conversations with Him. It is easy to hide. We fill our schedules with both work and play. We turn up the music and drown out the still small voice that calls to us. We feed our addictions and sit in front of the big screen to engage in someone else’s…

Devotion – Wed. March 20, 2019

Luke 11:9b (NIV) …seek and you will find… To seek after God requires intentionality, setting aside one action for another. God promise is firm: seek me and you will find me when you seek with all your heart. That’s determined pursuit. Life holds so many distractions and disappointments that capture our hearts and hold our attentions. We must break loose of them to pursue God. We put years of study into educational and business pursuits. Shouldn’t we be even more…

Devotion – Tues. march 19, 2019

Colossians 1:9b (NLT) …We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.   We are to increase in our knowledge of God because there is always more to discover about Him. The Bible is replete with Old Testament examples of His demand for justice in a fallen world where mankind yields to the basest of behaviors; but the New Testament focuses on His love and mercy and His deep desire…

Devotion – Mon. March 18, 2019

John 17:3 (NLT) And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.   Most people who believe in God recognize that He revealed Himself in special ways to select people in history (Abraham, Moses, David).  But many don’t realize that God wants a relationship with them also. What does that mean? It can be a bit frightening. They wonder: what would He expect from me?…

Devotion – Sat. March 16, 2019

John 12:9-11 (NLT) Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of Him but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in Him. The paparazzi quickly learned about Mary and Martha’s dinner and pressed into the outskirts of…

Devotion – Fri. March 15, 2019

John 12:8  (NLT) You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. “These words of defense on Mary’s behalf did not mean that the disciples should ignore the needs of the poor. The poor exist in every society and it is part of our social responsibility to help them. But Mary’s anointing took precedence at this moment (Tenney).” Mary knew how to worship well. Never underestimate the importance of taking time to worship Jesus…

Devotion – Thurs. March 14, 2019

John 12:4 (NIV) But one of (Jesus’) disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray Him, objected…   Judas’ response to Mary’s act of worship gave voice to the sentiments of many. John paints Judas as a restless, dissatisfied, mercenary and a thief who helped himself to the disciples’ moneybag. “Was he frustrated with Jesus’ refusal to claim royal titles for Himself when He did miracles?  Did he wonder why Jesus didn’t address the political issues or stage a coup…

Devotion – Weds. March 13, 2019

John 12:3 (NIV) Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair.  For a woman to uncover her hair in public in the presence of men was a disgrace in that culture. The shock of what the men had seen must have caused a brief, embarrassed silence that finally found expression in Judas’ harsh comment. Of course, Mary knew the risk of her action…

Devotion – Tues. March 12, 2019

John 12:3 (The Message) The fragrance of the oils filled the house.   Mary and Martha gave a dinner in Jesus’ honor. It would provide Mary an opportunity to express her deep gratitude to Jesus for resurrecting Lazarus, her brother. While everyone else celebrated, Mary “wasted” her precious perfume on His feet. “The fragrance of the oils”—did it linger on Christ’s clothing in the difficult days to come? Fragrance can trigger memories of wonderful (or terrible) events. The Old Testament…

Devotion – Mon. March 11, 2019

John 11:53 (The Message) So from that day on they plotted to take (Jesus’) life. Jesus’ miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead intensified the hostility of Jewish officials toward Him to the point of murder. From a human viewpoint, things would end in disaster; but from the divine viewpoint, things would lead to the crowning event: Jesus giving His life to atone for the sins of the whole world thus making it possible for humanity to inherit eternal life.…

Devotion – Sat. March 9, 2019

John 11: 43 (NLT) Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” This was the voice of command. It was the same voice that told the wind and waves: Peace, be still (Mark 4:39). It was the voice that said “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3; John 1:3). It is the voice that speaks to our hearts today. “Don’t be afraid. I am with you.” Do you hear it? “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me…

Devotion – Fri. March 8, 2019

John 11:34-35 (NLT) “Where have you put him?” (Jesus) asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept.   The people interpreted Jesus’ tears as an expression of compassionate grief. In reality His distress was with death itself. He was indignant more than sorrowful. “As He looked upon the cemetery, a silent memorial to the devastation that death had wrought on the human race, He was angered against man’s great enemy. Death to Him was not an…

Devotion – Thurs. March 7, 2019

John 11:25  (NLT) Jesus told (Martha), “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha? Jesus pressed for a statement of faith. “Yes, Lord. I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” This is the anchor truth, the breakthrough revelation…

Devotion – Wed. March 6, 2019

John 11:21 (NLT) Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When a crisis hits, our conversation fills with “if only’s.” If only I had not said that. If only I had taken a different route. If only I had been more attentive. When we finally quiet our hearts we can finally hear Jesus saying, “Believe in me.” Have you had a moment when your world fell apart and in the…

Devotion – Tues. March 5, 2019

John 11:14-15 (The Message) Then Jesus became explicit: “Lazarus died… You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him.” Jesus had barely escaped a stoning in Bethany, Lazarus’ hometown. It was a dangerous place for Jesus. His disciples reminded Him of this (v. 8). But Jesus is always going into dangerous territory. It doesn’t intimidate Him. He has a firm resolve to do the Father’s will in spite of danger. There is no fear in…

Devotion – Mon. March 4, 2019

John 11:5-6 (The Message) Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, but oddly, when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed on where He was for two more days. “Jesus’ delay was not a matter of indifference; rather, it was a matter of purposeful timing that would strengthen the faith of His disciples (v. 15) and bring glory to God (v. 4). The sickness would not end in death (v. 4) because Jesus would restore physical life” (Kuzmic).…

Devotion – Sat. Mar. 2, 2019

(Jesus) pressed them. “And how about you? Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:13-17 (verse 15 shown) By this time the disciples had seen many miracles. They had heard many sermons and had plenty of time to reflect on Christ’s words and works and process all of it against the reality of their own lives. People all around us listen to the claims of Christianity and try to process it against the realities of their own lives. Ultimately, it…

Devotion – Fri. Mar. 1, 2019

…I hurt for these people. For three days now they’ve been with me, and now they have nothing to eat. I can’t send them away without a meal—they’d probably collapse on the road. Matthew 15:32 The Message Christ’s ministry was holistic. He cared not only for the peoples’ spiritual needs but also for their practical needs. He cared about their hunger and their sicknesses. He knew these listeners had arranged their lives so they could hear Him teach for three…

Devotion – Thu. Feb. 28, 2019

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed (Peter). “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” What happened to the faith that Peter initially felt as he began to walk on the water to Jesus? For a few steps he walked in a miracle; but when his focus shifted to the waves, fear caused him to begin to sink. Faith has much to do with sustained focus. Sometimes the object of focus can determine the strength of…

Devotion – Wed. Feb. 27, 2019

When Jesus got the news (about John the Baptist’s murder), He slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by Himself. Matthew 14:6-14 (verse 13 shown) When Jesus heard of John’s beheading, He withdrew to be alone and process the grief. He lost a beloved partner in ministry. Did His heart sink at the injustice of it all: a drunken king, a lustful dance, a manipulative mother, and a murderous demand for the head of a prophet? Jesus would continue…

Devotion – Tue. Feb. 26, 2019

At the same time, ripe, holy lives will mature and adorn the kingdom of their Father. Are you listening to this? Really listening? Matthew 13:36-43 (The Message) God sees and knows peoples’ hearts. We are tempted to believe that God is overlooking our heartache and ignoring our pain, but this parable teaches us an important truth about patiently waiting for God’s justice. A time will come when righteousness will prevail and followers of Jesus will no longer suffer but “shine…

Devotion – Mon. Feb. 25, 2019

Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Matthew 16:21-26 (The Message) Clearly, Jesus was preparing His disciples for the rough road to the cross. His direct and honest conversations revealed a heart fully committed to fulfilling His call. As usual, Peter didn’t understand…

Devotion – Sat. Feb. 23, 2019 – Home

Home God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You…

Devotion – Fri. Feb. 22, 2019 – Leader

Leader …His sheep follow Him because they know his voice. (Vs. 3b) – He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:4 The Lord’s people hear His voice and follow His lead. They refuse to follow others. This is John’s picture of belief in action. Just as a baby learns to discern its mother’s voice, so new followers of Jesus learn to discern His voice. Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus knows your name? Mary wept at…

Devotion – Thu. Feb. 21, 2019 – New Life

New Life The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 Jesus started His “Good Shepherd” discourse with a reference to the thief and the robber. Thieves are sneaky and get their booty through subtlety. A robber obtains his booty by violence. Either way, Jesus refers to those who illegally gain access to His flock, try to take them away from the Good…

Devotion – Wed. Feb. 20, 2019 – Solid Faith

Solid Faith “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.” John 10:16 Embedded in this Good Shepherd discourse is the prophecy that Gentiles would come to Jesus and become a part of His “flock.” (That includes you and me.) In fact, many believers in the first-century Gentile church most likely came from paganism to Christ through the intermediate step of becoming converts to Judaism. The Greek culture worshiped many false gods, but…

Devotion – Tue. Feb. 19, 2019 – All Authority

All Authority “I have authority to lay it (my life) down and authority to take it up again.” John 10:18b The story of Jesus does not end tragically in a gruesome death on a cross. It leads to an open tomb—but it doesn’t end there. It winds down through the centuries, all the way to today, through the lives of millions of transformed followers of Jesus who have experienced resurrection life. Ours is the only religion that points to an…

Devotion – Mon. Feb. 18, 2019 – Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 The discourse on the Good Shepherd was most likely a continuation of Jesus’ conversation with the Jews following the healing of the blind man (chapter 9). Because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the Pharisees were called in to investigate; and that led to this discourse. Jesus’ purpose was to illustrate the spiritual principles that governed His ministry and to contrast…

Devotion – Sat. Feb. 16, 2019 – Crown of Life

Crown of Life Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 What would you include if you were constructing a “Survival Kit for Life”? Perseverance would be high on my list. Without it, one doesn’t get far. Perseverance finds it strength in faith. Knowing that there is more to life than the current difficult moment…