LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED

Read: John 14:1-31
     "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." John 14:1 NKJV

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     The disciples still did not quite understand the clues Jesus had given about His coming death and resurrection: Thomas questioned Him about where He was going, saying, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (14:5-6)
     Then Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; " (14:8–9)
     Then Jesus promised, "I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever–the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (14:16–17)

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     God the Father would send His Holy Spirit not only to dwell with them–but in them. The Holy Trinity–Father, Son and Holy Spirit –all working together to abide in us forever! Thank You, Lord for this incomparable truth: "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)

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     "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."   John 14:27 NKJV

FEAST OF THE PASSOVER

THE LAST SUPPER
Read Luke 22:1-23

     Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat."   Luke 22:7–8 NKJV

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     The feast of the Passover celebrated the day when God delivered the Jews from Egypt. The blood of the lamb was placed on the doorposts in the sign of a cross. The wine of the Passover feast represented the blood. On this occasion Jesus said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you."    (Luke 22:20 NKJV)

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     Jesus was the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world and give eternal life to all who believe. The time had finally come when Jesus would fulfill this prophesy:

     Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. . . But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!" (22:15, 21-22 NKJV)

     Jesus knew He would suffer, He knew who would betray Him and He knew who would be with Him in His kingdom.

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     Lord, thank you for giving Your life blood so that we could live eternally in Your presence. One day, those of us who have believed will see You face to face and we will bow down in worship and praise for all You accomplished for us as the ultimate Passover Lamb.

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     "I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again."   John 10:17b-18 NKJV

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     And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  Luke 22:19 NKJV

FRIDAY'S HERE BUT SUNDAY'S COMING

     Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed -- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed .   1 Cor 15:51-52 NKJV

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     Easter is coming late this year, but in just a few weeks it will be here.  I prefer late April - in March it always takes me by surprise.  Easter came as a surprise to believers in Bible times as well. No matter how many times the Lord told them that He would die and rise again the third day - they couldn't seem to comprehend. They were ready to see Him as King, Messiah, Promised One - but suffering, death and resurrection - that was unthinkable!

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     This week we will take a break from our journey through the Old Testament - which prophesied that Messiah would suffer and die for our sins - and spend some time reading the New Testament passages leading up to Good Friday. Our hope comes not just on Friday (the cross) but on the Sunday that follows. Jesus died for our sins on Friday - but He conquered death on Sunday- so that those of us who receive Him need not fear death any more.

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     For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.   John 3:16

Have you believed in the only begotten Son of God?

Introducing Living the Word - A Devotional Prayer Journal

This blog will be distributed to facebook through  networkingblogs.com. In comparison to my other blog THE GOD WHO SEES ME, which is based on New Testament readings, LIVING THE WORD is moving through the Old Testament. I hope that you will find nuggets of Truth in each of these blogs for your own encouragement in our Lord.

TEACH THE CHILDREN

[25]

Read Deuteronomy 4:1–40

     "Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.”    Deuteronomy 4:40 NIV

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     Moses anticipated that the children and grandchildren of those who were born in the desert would need to be reminded of what had happened there. He warned, "Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them… Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."  (4:9; 6:7b)
     God’s laws were not meant to burden His people, but to lead them to prosperity and blessing. The law functioned as a tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. (Galatians 3:24–25 NKJV)

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     Dear Father, thank You that the law no longer condemns us, but in fact, brings us to the only One who could satisfy its demands. Remind us to tell our children and grandchildren the stories of how You introduced us to the Savior, so they too, will place their trust in You.

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     From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.    John 1:15–17 NIV

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED

[24]
JOSHUA AND CALEB

Read Deuteronomy 1:1–40


     "See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."   Deuteronomy 1:21 NIV

     The Israelites were miraculously delivered as God divided the Red Sea and let them walk across on dry ground– which should have been enough to convince them that God was on their side. In spite of this, when it was time to enter the promised land, they did not trust in the Lord their God. They said, "The LORD hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart…" (27b-28a)

     Ten spies were sent into the land, but only two believed that God would give them victory. God, through Moses, said to the people, "Not a man of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your forefathers, except Caleb and Joshua… your children who do not yet know good from bad…they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it." (1:35-39)

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     Lord, grant us the faith to do Your will, no matter how challenging it may be. Help us to wait upon you for the emotional and physical strength only You can give. I pray that we will be faithful to lead our children into Your promises, and not fall behind so that they must enter alone. “May All Who Come Behind Us Find Us Faithful!” (Jon Mohr)

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     "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"    Romans 8:31 32 NIV

A COMPASSIONATE HEART

[23]

MOSES AND AARON
Read Exodus 32:1-33:17

     So Moses went back to the LORD and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin–but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written."   Exodus 32:31-32 NIV

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     During the 40 days that Moses was on Mt Sinai receiving God's commandments, the people talked Aaron into making them a golden calf. Then they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." (32:4b)  The next day the people sacrificed burnt offerings to the idol and began to dance and engage in revelry.

     The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen these people… Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them.” (32:9-10a)   Moses pleaded for the people saying that if God would not forgive Israel's sin, Moses was ready to be blotted out with them. Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. (32:14)

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     Lord, give me a compassionate heart for those who are living disobedient lives. Teach me your ways so that I will know You better, and be an example of obedience to my family and friends. I know that I cannot do this without your daily presence in my life.

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     "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?" (Exodus 33:15 16)