Man In Red

 

March 1

MAN IN RED – Who’s that Man in Red? Look! It’s no other than Jesus. The soldiers have taken Him to the Praetorium. They gather all the other soldiers who surround Jesus, strip Him of His clothes and dress Him in a robe of red. They make fun of Him and treat Him cruelly. Look! These people who never claimed to love Jesus, or be His followers, dishonour Him. I look, and hang my head in utter shame, for I, who have claimed love and respect for Him, have added my voice to those dishonouring Him, and shouting, Crucify Him!

 

Forgive me Lord, for I’m quick to see what others are doing to You, yet blind to how I make a mockery of You in my life. Amen!

 

Read Matthew 27: 27 - 31

 

Everlasting Bliss

 

Jesus, our Pledge of Everlasting Bliss,

We come in these times all askew, amiss,

And ask, blest Jesus that even in this,

You be our peace our solitude, our Bliss.

 

You came Jesus, the straying ones to save,

You suffered, You died, You went to the grave,

That no powers again will us enslave,  

You are our Bliss, whom from all ills still save.

 

 As we walk this path of sunshine and rain,

Of joy and happiness, sorrow and pain,

When times snatch from us, all joyous refrain,

Come Jesus! Be our Bliss within the rain.

 

Grant peace to each heart and calm to each mind,

Only in You, perfect peace we will find,

Speak to us Jesus, again us remind,

That You are our Bliss, lift each downcast mind.

 

Jesus, our Pledge of everlasting bliss,

To You we look up, holding each promise,

You’re with us even in a time like this,

What ere our plight, You’re Everlasting Bliss.

Amen!

 

 

Spiritual Food

 

February 28

SPIRITUAL FOOD - The root of the vine produces nourishing sap for its branches. It contains the nutrients needed for strong, healthy living and fruit bearing. Sap is nourishing, not because of its appealing appearance, appetizing taste, or even its aromatic smell. It is nourishing, because of its building, strengthening, sustaining and bearing power. Spiritual food is no different, as it satisfies all that we need to live the Spirit’s life, here on earth.

 

Holy Spirit, feed us daily that we may continue to be strengthened and nourished in You, bearing Your abundant fruit. Amen!

 

Read John 6: 48 - 51

 

God's Ways

 

February 27

GOD’S WAYS - Who can fathom our Lord’s ways and plans? We are quick to say that God’s ways are not ours, as He is all knowing and all powerful. Yet, we so often turn from His ways and fight to keep our ways. Remember, God is Lord. Even when His ways seem dead wrong and unwise to us, trust Him. He makes impossible things happen.

 

Father God, please help me to trust Your ways and not mine. You are the God who speaks things into and out of existence. Help me please! Amen!

 

Read Isaiah 55: 6 - 11

 

Where Is Your Heart

 

February 26

WHERE IS YOUR HEART – Jesus is on the Jericho road and He has a large crowd following Him. Although they publicly, on the surface, show they are friends of Jesus, their hearts and minds are far from Him. They show utter unbelief in who Jesus is, when they see Him going to the house of a sinner, a man called Zacchaeus. Immediately they turn against Jesus, for His works of grace. Does the grace of Jesus offend you?

 

Grace! Unfathomable grace! Lord, help me not to turn away from You, because of Your unmerited grace to those who have offended me. Amen!

 

Read Luke 19: 1 - 7

 

 

 

Bought With Blood

 

February 25

BOUGHT WITH BLOOD - In His human flesh, Jesus, Son of Man, bought our freedom from the bondage and curse of sin. His shed Blood has bought our lives back to be oneness and to know oneness, in perfect fellowship with our God, our heavenly Father. Jesus’ shed Blood, reconciled us to God. We do not have to live as estranged children of God. Sin has no more power over us, for in Jesus, ransom has been paid. 

 

Holy Jesus, we accept that You died to give us freedom from the enemy. Show us how to live in Your won victory, please. Amen!

 

Read Romans 5: 9 - 11

 

 

Unashamed

 

February 24

UNASHAMED - Enemies of Jesus were always trying to show Him up as an imposter and shame Him. Try as they might, they could not stand up to His power and authority. As believers in Jesus, when you face skeptics, unbelievers, and deceivers, do not be intimidated. Jesus, the Living Word in you will confirm you. He never makes His own ashamed.

 

Lord, save me from foes within and without, which come to derail me and make me cower. Keep me uplifted in You, please. Amen!

 

Read Psalm 25: 1 - 5

 

 

God Prepares Us

 

February 23

GOD PREPARES US – Preparation is a daily activity in your life.  Even today, you have done preparations in big and small ways. We serve a Father of order and preparation. When God was ready to be born in human flesh, is it not true that He prepared the heart of the vessel through whom birth would come? Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. Luke 1: 30b. Whatever God has called you to do for Him, He will prepare your timid, fearful heart and mind. Trust Him.

 

Holy Spirit, prepare me to be and do as pleases You. Amen!

 

Read Ephesians 2: 6 - 10

 

Forgiven And Freed

 

February 22

FORGIVEN AND FREED – When Jesus tells you that your sins are forgiven and that you are now free through His truth, do you accept all that He offers? Do you feel confident to go and serve the Lord as His disciples? You see, it is not just being called by Jesus, and receiving His Love and repentance that matter. It is to have the faith to accept and know that you are indeed a child of God, set free from all bondage by His truth. It is to have the faith to accept and be resolved to live free, as a child of faith.

 

Holy Spirit, help me daily to know and live as one who has been set free from the bondage of sin. Amen!

 

Read John 8: 31 – 36

 

Love Us Still

 

 

You have loved us blessèd Jesus,

With a love that brought You dread pain,

Love most wonderful and glorious

All to each sinner’s good and gain;

Blessèd Jesus, You love us still,

Please teach us how to do Your will.

 

You have called us blessèd Jesus,

With such love that bids us come close,

Love divine, love illuminous,

For every sinner, e’en the worse;

Blessèd Jesus, You love us still,

Please teach us how to do Your will.

 

You have sought us blessèd Jesus,

With bold, persistent love, untold,

Love ever full and bounteous,

Leading sinners into Your fold;

Blessèd Jesus, You love us still,

Please teach us how to do Your will.

 

You have bought us blessèd Jesus,

With Your powerful Blood divine,

Love in heart pure, most beauteous,

That says to sinners, you are Mine;

Blessèd Jesus, You love us still,

Please teach us how to do Your will.

 

You have loved us blessèd Jesus,

For You died on sin’s cross of shame,

Love that conquered, was victorious,

Now sinners are saved in Your Name;

Blessèd Jesus, Your love is sure,

Please teach us how to love You more.

Amen!