For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
After escaping from the Philippine Islands in 1942 during World War II, General Douglas MacArthur is reported to have said, “I came through and I shall return”. MacArthur did return as head of the American army in 1944 and freed the Philippines from occupying forces.
We are glad to bring you ‘Responding to God – Lessons from Palm Sunday’. This 4 Day Devotional Plan for Palm Sunday is now available on YouVersion . Click here to start reading. The Reading Plan shows 4 practical ways we can honor God during the season that leads up to Palm Sunday.
If you like following Bible Reading Plans, you could consider doing this 4-Day Plan and Devotional on YouVersion. May it encourage you to seek God’s amazing Favor. Click here to start reading this plan.
Soul singer Lionel Ritchie was once deeply impacted by a speech in which his father had honored his mother, on their 37th wedding anniversary. In his speech, Ritchie Senior had lovingly given thanks to his wife for sticking by him through the ups and downs of life. Said Lionel, “What a great story because I pass through my house every day and I don’t say thank you. I just take for granted that certain things be done”. That speech moved him to compose one of his best loved songs, ‘Three Times a Lady’.
“…, people brought the sick into the streets and laid then on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by… and all of them were healed” (Acts 5:15-16).
As you think of the Apostle Peter’s ministry in the book of Acts, what comes to mind? Is it fearlessness, anointing, miracle worker, dynamic preacher?
Yes, all these are true and God used Peter powerfully. Through Peter God healed a crippled (Acts 3:6-7) and a paralyzed man (Acts 9:32-35), raised the dead (Acts 9:36-43), opened prison doors and gates (Acts 5:19, 12:8-10) and brought thousands to salvation [Both Jews and Gentiles](Acts 2:41,4:4,10:44-46). As the opening scripture in this devotional records, people even expected to be healed by having Peter’s shadow fall on them as he passed by.
Popular singer/songwriter Tom Petty passed away last week after a highly successful career. One of Petty’s most loved songs was titled ‘I Won’t Back Down’. Some of the lyrics go like this:
Well, I won’t back down
No, I won’t back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won’t back downNo, I’ll stand my ground
Won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down
Gonna stand my ground
While Tom Petty was probably singing about the injustices and human challenges we have to face, the Apostle Paul says something similar regarding the spiritual challenges and battles we encounter as God’s children. He says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand (Ephesians 6:13). The imagery is that of a well-trained soldier, planting his feet firmly on the battle field and refusing to back down. In other words, Paul may be saying, ‘Don’t back down’. Ever!
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
Introduction – The book of Zephaniah was written to warn of impending judgment on Judah. In the midst of the doom however, the book ends with a promise of restoration, forgiveness and blessing. As the book comes to a close, we find the powerful statement mentioned above in chapter 3 verse 17. From this verse we can glean the following 4 encouraging truths.
“Don’t be afraid, Mary,… you will… give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus” (Luke 1:30-31).
The name ‘Jesus’ means ‘The Lord saves’. In the corresponding passage in Matthew’s Gospel, Joseph is also told to give the child “the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins” (1:21).CONTINUE READING
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