The first two devotion thoughts are connected to last chapters' last two prayers. And I will be giving two more devotional rules that follow these two devotions. One in this will not contain a prayer.
Jesus Our Substitute
A wealthy twenty-year-old was drag-racing with his friends when he struck and killed a pedestrian. Although the young man received a three-year prison sentence some believed that the man who appeared in court (and who subsequently served a prison sentence) was a hired surrogate for the driver who committed the crime. This type of thing has been known to occur in some countries where people hire body doubles to avoid paying for their crimes.
This may sound scandalous and outrageous, but more than two thousand years ago, Jesus became our substitute and "suffered once for (our] sins, the righteous for the unrighteous" (1 PETER 3:18).
As God's sinless sacrifice, Christ suffered and died once and for all (HEBREWS 10:10), for all who believe in Him. He took the penalty for all our sins in His own body on the cross. Unlike a person today who chooses to be a substitute for a criminal to get some cash, Christ's substitutionary death on the cross provided "hope" for us as He freely, willingly gave His life for us (1 PETER 3:15, 18; JOHN 10:15). He did so to bridge the chasm between us and God.
May we rejoice and find comfort and confidence in this profound truth: Only by the substitutionary death of Jesus can we-sinners in need —have a relationship with and complete spiritual access to our loving God. –Marvin Williams
How has Christ's substitutionary death changed your life?
What does it mean for you to have access to God and eternal life because of His death on the cross?
Read Judges 7–8 and Luke 5:1–16.
2. The Passion of Christ
Read Isaiah 53:4–7 & Verses 10–12.
The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
Before Jim Caviezel played Jesus in the film The Passion of the Christ director Mel Gibson warned that the role would be extremely difficult and could negatively impact his career in Hollywood. Caviezel took on the role anyway, saying, "I think we have to make it, even if it is difficult."
During the filming, Caviezel was struck by lightning, lost forty-five pounds, and was accidentally whipped during the flogging scene. Afterwards, he stated, "I didn't want people to see me. I just wanted them to see Jesus. Conversions will happen through that." The film deeply affected Caviezel and others on the set, and only God knows how many of the millions who watched it experienced changed lives.
The passion of Christ refers to the time of Jesus' greatest suf-fering, from His triumphal entry on Palm Sunday and including His betrayal, mocking, flogging, and crucifixion. Accounts are found in all four gospels.
In Isaiah 53, His suffering and its outcome are foretold: "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniqui-ties; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed" (V. 5). All of us, "like sheep, have gone astray" (V. 6). But because of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, we can have peace with God. His suffering opened the way for us to be with Him. –Alyson Kieda.
What aspect of Christ's life most impacts you?
How does His suffering affect you?
Read Judges 9–10 and Luke 5:17–39
3. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today!
Prayer 270: Risen Jesus, thank You for coming and dying on the cross that I might have life eternal. I worship You in Your name amen.
Read Matthew 28:1–10.
"'He is not here. He has risen just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.'" speaks the angel to the Disciples. Matthew 28:6
Before Charles Simeon attended university in Cambridge, England, he loved horses and clothes, spending a huge sum on his attire yearly. But because his college required him to attend regular Communion services, he started to explore what he believed. After reading books written by believers in Jesus, he experienced a dra-mátic conversion on Easter Sunday. Awaking early on April 4, 1779, he cried out, "Jesus Christ is risen today! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" As he grew in his faith in God, he devoted himself to Bible study, prayer, and attending chapel services.
On the first Easter, life changed for the two women who arrived at Jesus' tomb. There they witnessed a violent earthquake as an angel rolled back the stone. He said to them, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said" (MATTHEW 28:5-6). Overjoyed, the women worshiped Jesus and ran back to tell their friends the good news.
Encountering the risen Christ isn't something reserved for ancient times— He promises to meet us here and now. We might experience a dramatic encounter, such as the women at the tomb or as Charles Simeon did, but we might not. In whatever way Jesus reveals Himself to us, we can trust that He loves us. –Amy Boucher Pye.
How has God shown Himself to you?
How have you changed because of your encounter with Him?
Read Judges 11–12 and Luke 6:1–26.
On Behalf of Others
I recently spent several days with a CEO who, though he manages billions of dollars, found little energy in accumulating profits or plotting acquisitions. Rather, his passion surged when pondering how to employ capital to create goodness for others: launching high-tech schools in developing countries, urging companies to support their workers, and leveraging influence to illuminate shadowy boardrooms.
Another friend, a communications director for a research university, recently included me in a group email where she was organizing a long-term plan to gather support (meals, rides, donations) for a high school girl facing chemotherapy treatments.
And then another friend, who has a knack for interrogating complexities, delved into the crisis surrounding the alarming death rate of honeybees and the catastrophic implications for our food supply. He passed along practical information about how we (in simple ways) could help the bees-making for a healthier ecosystem for ourselves and our neighbors.
Three very different people, in a variety of locations and seasons of life and each with vastly distinct skillsets and resources, offering who they are and whatever assets they have in the service of others. This is precisely how Peter challenged us to live:
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms" ((Prayer 271: Amen, Lord help us all see what gifts you gave us to share in this very needy world of needy lost people amen in Your name I pray this open the eyes of heart to touch those who do indeed desperately need hope and love.))
(1 PETER 4:10).
Peter said nothing about how much (or how little) influence or expertise or money we have. He was disinterested in any pecking order of more (or less) important work or impact.
Rather, the apostle assured us that God has entrusted each of us with some gifts) to use on behalf of others. ((True.))
–Winn Collier.
My comments are in double (())s this time. –Lumna10.
YOU ARE READING
Simple Short Daily Prayer Books Series Book 2
Non-FictionSummary: More of God's promises and lessons listed out and of course the regular day prayers found on the Short Daily Prayer App. And some more simple prayers from my common book of Prayers. And devotional book reviews too A book two of simple praye...
