Reflections of a lost sheep

  30 Apr 26 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One Readings: 2 Samuel 23 2 Samuel 24 Luke 22:31-53 For by You I can run against a troop (2 Samuel 22:30).  Are you willing to stand alone for the Lord? David knows how to stand alone against the opposition. He volunteers to fight against the behemoth Goliath when no one dared. The aging king praises his loyal soldiers and lists a number of their mighty feats. Adino the Eznite leads the list of these mighty warriors “because he had killed eight hundred men at one time” (2 Samuel 23:8). Next, Eleazar makes a stand when his fellow soldiers retreated (2 Samuel 23:9). The following is said about his prowess during the battle: “He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder” (2 Samuel 23:10). God honors those who boldly fight His battles.  Employment...

  29 Apr 26 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One Readings: 2 Samuel 21 2 Samuel 22 Luke 22:1-30 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me (Luke 22:29).  What’s the connection between suffering and glory? Jesus promises His apostles, “when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28). Why is this specific promise given? Previously Jesus shared with them, “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials” (Luke 22:28). Before the crown comes the suffering. Observe the following association Paul makes with the saints’ present suffering and future glory in Romans 8:17: “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Similarly, our Lord Jesus suffered and “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him t...

  28 Apr 26 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One Readings: 2 Samuel 19 2 Samuel 20 Luke 21:20-38 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you (Psalm 122:6).  Are you praying for the peace of Jerusalem? The name Jerusalem means  city of peace . Jesus rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; however, the people miss the significance of the Lord being their Savior (Luke 19:28, 42). John writes, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). Both people and place experience judgment as a consequence for not believing on the Messiah.  Because the Jews didn’t receive the One who fulfilled prophecy on Palm Sunday (Daniel 9:24-25; Zechariah 9:1-9), they are the recipients of another prophecy (Luke 21:20-24). Titus, son of Emperor Vespasian, surrounded Jerusalem on April 9 in AD 70 as Jesus predicted (Luke 21:20) and several months later devastated the city. Our Lord says, “For these are the days of vengea...