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VerseD: John 6:35

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35, ESV

Firstly, we are blessed when we hunger and thirst for righteousness, for we will be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6)
Secondly, all our appetites shall be satisfied in the Lord, most especially in eternal life.

Something Good Worth Waiting For

Anthony Baker's avatarThe Recovering Legalist

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. – Psalm 40:1

There’s an old saying, “good things come to those who wait.” Where did it come from? Who said it first? I don’t know, although I’m sure it’s traceable. All I know is that the first verse of Psalm 40 says almost the same thing, only what comes to the one waiting is better than anything this world can offer.

Something’s Wrong

Let’s think about some things that have to be going on for this verse to make any sense. First, something is wrong. Why else would David be crying out to God? Something is wrong. Why else would he be wanting God to do something.

Last night I dealt with some serious prayer requests. One thing led to another and I brought up the question that so many ask: “If there’s a…

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VerseD: Luke 19:38

saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Luke 19:38, ESV

First the angels at His birth, and then Israelites at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, gave glory to God at Jesus’ arrival. Someday [soon], all the [believing] world will celebrate Jesus’ return for His faithful!

VerseD: Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10, ESV

Our world is crazy and wicked.
But we can remember that God is in control and has a plan.
Wait on the Lord. Trust Him.

The Church during the days of Corona Virus: Being Grateful for the Resurrection of Christ

That is right, everyone: This Sunday at church (or, as it is, “at church”), remember the resurrection! That thing we gave us a weekly holiday, but -way more importantly – salvation from our sins and the wrath of God!

Daniel

SLIMJIM's avatarThe Domain for Truth

Our “This Sunday” series will be another a Corona Virus edition.  In light of today being Resurrection Sunday (Easter) its appropriate to say: Be grateful for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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600 Straight Days of Well VerseD Thoughts

On May 1, 2018, I began writing daily mini-devotionals with a verse (or short passage) of the day, calling them VerseD.

Now, due to errors in the WordPress app loading a couple of days VerseD’s before I went on a 3-day river trip, WP thinks I missed a few days in my run.

Sad.

So, I will just go with what they tell me … at least for today!

So, for 600 straight days, the internet has been getting VerseD in my thoughts on Scripture.

Do you feel well VerseD in the Bible?

I invite you to do two things:

  1. Join me (or continue joining me) in your daily Scripture reading, and
  2. Let me know if you enjoy getting these daily mini-devos!
    1. Bonus: Any thoughts on adding to these, such as longer devotionals or video VerseD messages and what they could look like. IT IS ON YOU TO DECIDE! (Somewhat.)

It has been one of those blessed burdens to post these. I do not always feel like finding the strength, time, and energy to post these, but I am always blessed by my time in the Word. And a few brothers and sisters tend to come along and encourage me on those days it is the hardest to share or that I feel like I wasted my words.

Hopefully, on this Easter/Resurrection Sunday, you are blessed by my words and, more importantly, God’s Word.

In His Love,

Daniel

VerseD: Psalm 126:5

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
Psalm 126:5, ESV

Before the cross, we lament our sin.
After the cross, we worship our God for His grace and love.

Topical Children’s Lesson: Resurrection Sunday – John 20:19-29

This is still happening online because of the current mandate for isolation for the C-19 pandemic.

After the lesson for Palm Sunday that my lovely other-half, Caitlin – who is our Children’s Director at the Church Next Door – made, we had her record another lesson!

So, gather up the kiddos (or enjoy this at any age), and enjoy another mashup from a weekly sermon and children’s curriculum:

Questions to consider:

Was there a time in your life that you thought everything was going wrong? How did you feel?

Have you had a fight with someone and  you could not ask for forgiveness or were you ever not able to see someone for any reason, to say goodbye?

Resurrection Sunday – John 20:19-29

Jesus is the Son of God, God’s only Son by birth.

Remember last week’s big idea? That Jesus is the Son of God, God’s only Son by birth.

He was nailed to a cross to save us from our sin, but His own disciples did not understand it.

Jesus died. Their leader was gone. His friends felt abandoned by Him. They thought they would never have the chance to see or talk with him again.

But then … He is alive?! Now what?

John 20:19-29

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus’ resurrection shows us that:

  • We can be afraid in our circumstances, but Jesus can comfort us;
  • We can push God away with our sin, but by His sacrifice He draws us back to Himself;
  • We can misunderstand God’s plan, but Jesus draws us close with the Holy Spirit to give us forgiveness;
  • We can doubt, but Jesus comes to us and overcomes our doubts. Because He was dead, but He is alive!
  • Now, we tell the world that Jesus is alive!

Today is Resurrection Sunday! The one holiday we celebrate 52 times a year!

Christ is risen!  He is risen, indeed!

Memory verses: Ephesians 5:2:

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

HE IS RISEN, INDEED!

What Was It Like, The Night Before?

Anthony Baker's avatarThe Recovering Legalist

Wells Branch Community Church: Austin, TX > Despair and the Key ...

 

Just imagine … the night before the resurrection.

Tomorrow is Easter, the day that we celebrate the risen Lord, Jesus Christ. But here it is the night before, the night before the celebrations, and few of us have any idea of the sense of total despair the followers of Jesus must have been experiencing on this night – the night before.

For three and a half years his disciples had followed Him around, listening to His stories, His parables, and His prayers. They had witnessed miracle after miracle which should have confirmed to them His claims to be the Messiah. Yet, just two days ago they witnessed the supposed Son of God, the “resurrection and the life” (that’s what he told Mary and Martha, you know, on the day He raised Lazarus from the dead), betrayed, beaten, falsely convicted, and tortuously crucified.

Then, after his tormentors had done all…

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VerseD: Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16, ESV

God’s power was manifest is raising our Savior to life. His power is manifested in every believer who is washed clean of their sins.