Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Tabernacle


June 25, 2012
1 Corinthians 3:17- “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him: for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.”

Interpretation: The Holy Spirit dwells inside of me. He makes himself comfortable to tabernacle among us, his small but important creation. How do I treat my temple? I used to destroy it. God says in Ephesians 5:18, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” I used to drink and ruin the organs God gave me. I used to go tanning and destroy the healthy skin God gave me. I used to do drugs and all sorts of things that were hazardous to the one temple of the Holy Spirit that God gave me to take care of. Now that I am no longer in the dark, God is revealing more, less obvious ways He wants me to change to build up this temple and maximize it for what it is worth. Do I get enough sleep so that I can feel the prompts of the Spirit who resides inside of me? Do I drink enough water and eat enough whole, natural foods from the earth? Do I exercise and take care of the body He gave me? Do I grieve the Holy Spirit by my thoughts or actions? All of these things I am learning to do, and with the faithfulness and goodness of Jesus, they will come to completion.

Application: I will go running today in my mid-day break 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Written at the Ranch

1/17/2012

I want to write you a love song,
I want the earth to know
There is a hope
There is a place to rest your head,
There is a truth.
There is freedom.
There is love, faith, patience, and peace,
There is a creator
Who watches so closely.
There is someone who loves, forgives, and heals.
There is a king who is just,
And a judge who rules.
A friend who sacrifices,
And a father who never leaves,
Someone who listens,
Joy in trials,
And a light in the darkness.
A place with no more suffering,
No more death or tears,
There is a key
To the oppressor's chains,
No more self-righteousness, self-pity, or self-image,
The image of God
The breath of life
The blood of redemption
-There is good news-
It is waiting with open arms,
He is Jesus Christ

Monday, June 18, 2012

Contentment in Spiritual Gardening


June 18, 2012
1 Corinthians 3:10- “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.”

Interpretation: Paul is talking about how it is foolishness to claim to follow a certain person rather than God himself. He uses the example of how some may plant seeds, while others water them, but it is always God who makes anything grow. In relation to constructing a house, Paul says that he laid a foundation as an expert builder, for the foundation is Jesus Christ. It is awesome and encouraging to me to read that the great Paul understood that it is not important who plants, who waters, who lays the foundation, or who builds, for it is God who finishes everything and uses whom he will to complete his work. So many times I want to see the finished product, I want to plant the seed and water it and have fruit and flowers the next day. I want to lay the foundation, build the walls, and be the one who brings a house warming gift later that afternoon. God is reminding me to be faithful in the work he has put before me. To trust him with the finished products, and to do faithfully the appointed daily tasks he lays before me. Paul also says that we should be careful how we build. If the foundation is Jesus Christ, should not also the walls and ceiling be to the glory of God? We are a temple of the Lord; A dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Nothing else matters beyond this.

Application: I will practice my guitar today working on worship songs to be sure that I am continually building Jesus on top of my foundation

Monday, June 11, 2012

Pruning hurts but leads to flowers


June 11, 2012
1 Corinthians 3:3- “You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?”

Interpretation: So this is God speaking right to me. Jealousy and quarreling are still a part of me, and so I am acting as mere man. I think that the devil gets you to believe lies- minute by minute- that draw you back to worldliness and away from the life God wants you to live. We forget that we have been saved by grace- we don’t deserve anything we have. We look around at the church and try to match up ourselves to their standards; We put ourselves in a hierarchy and try to climb to the top. We still want to be number one. But Jesus says in John 13:14, “Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” There should be no jealousy, there should be no quarreling, these things are a result of keeping the flesh alive and not fully surrendering to the Spirit of Christ, who died to live in us. We all know that living by the Spirit bears the fruit that leads to life, so why do we get suckered into living as worldly when we already know living by the world bears fruit that leads only to death? God, help me to abide in you, so that you will abide in me. Help me to continue to die to myself daily in order that your everlasting love can shine through me to the world for your glory. Thank you Jesus for your word, Amen.

Application: I will stay off facebook this afternoon and instead spend time reading and doing productive things for the Lord.  

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Goooood


June 4, 2012
1 Corinthians 2:12-“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”

Interpretation: This verse brings me to a few other verses: 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” John 14:16-17, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him not knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” Romans 8:15, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry Abba, Father.” We have received the Holy Spirit of God who sets us free and guides us in all things. Our power, love, and self-discipline are all from the spirit of God. The Spirit testifies to the truth for us and confirms in us that we are indeed co-heirs with Christ. What has God freely given us? His Son, his word, his promises. In Luke 24 when Jesus reappears to his disciples, they still do not understand what was happening, but in verse 45 it says, “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” The Spirit helps us to understand the things of God and have assurance in them. Romans 8:16 says, the Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” We should not look to the world for power or wisdom or knowledge because all of the help we could ever need was already given to us freely. 1 John 4:2-3 states, “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” We understand what God has given us because we do not have the spirit of the world, but the Spirit of understanding who is from God. And that is a free gift!

Application: I am going to spend alone time in the word today and write out some flash cards of scriptures I would like to memorize. Amen!

Got It


May 30, 2012
1 Corinthians 2:7- “No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.”

Interpretation: We speak about Jesus. Some people do not know Jesus, but before time began Jesus was destined for our glory. Our glory is in Christ, not in ourselves. God, I need help. I have all of these heart issues and no idea how to get a handle on them. I don’t want to be like this much longer- let alone for the rest of my life. I ask you to change me Lord, to change my heart so I can freely love others just as you loved me; So I can love you with all of my heart, mind, and soul, and not care what others think. I want to serve your Spirit living within me, but I keep fueling my flesh. I don’t know how to put this fire out, but I know that you can. Please show your mercy to me, I need it fresh every day. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and lend me your eyes, your heart, and your ears for discernment and wisdom. Why am I so angry? Why do I refuse to let people in? Why do my relationships with the people I’m closest to- I end up pushing away? God eradicate this, I am tired of this anger…please send me to the root of it and lets conquer it together. I want to be a light, not this dark selfish love-sucker. I want to be a giver. I need your life, and your light, and please lead me to the answers I need. Thank you God, for you are faithful. I want to be a pleasure + a joy! …Not a burden! Please show me how to do this, please do this work in me Father. I recognize that I have these issues and I have probably had them for a long time and I have no idea how to handle them or get rid of them. But I know that you have the power to make this change in me. Please hold my hand Lord. Thank you Jesus for listening to my prayer, and always knowing the words of my heart before they even leave my mouth. Amen.

Application: Confess to Caitie what is on my heart, ask for forgiveness, and continue on.

Yup


May 27, 2012
1 Corinthians 2:4- “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power…”

Interpretation: I always feel like I have to rely on myself to pull up the right answers at the right time or to say the perfect thing to someone in order to point them closer towards God. But by doing this I am not demonstrating the Spirit’s power and thereby not glorifying God by letting his glory work in me. Sometimes I definitely rely on the Spirit but for the most part I think that I try and work things out my own way. This reminds me of John 14:26 which says, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” It is the Holy Spirit himself who just brought that scripture back to my mind in order that the Father may be glorified. Paul’s power lied in his relationship with the Lord, it lied in his weakness, and upon his dependence on the Father. This is encouraging to me and I am excited to continue on my work by the power of God, not by my own knowledge or what I would consider wisdom.

Application: Memorize 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, and John 14:26.

Get It Elijah


May 22, 2012
1 Corinthians 1:31- “Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’”

Interpretation: There are so many things that I have done that I love to talk about. I love swapping stories about the past as well as talking about the things God has brought me out of. But what gets me the most excited? The things God has done or God himself? How does one boast in the Lord? By speaking of him of course! The only thing I have the actual right to brag about IS my God, because my God is greater, stronger, and better over all life! Think of how much Elijah boasted about God to the 450 prophets of Baal. He didn’t hold back! He must have boasted in the Lord because he was so confident in him. And his confidence must have come from a relationship based in trust. I think I don’t boast about my God enough because I’m scared that I won’t know what to say or that I’ll misrepresent him. But, as it speaks about earlier in this chapter, our human words mean nothing in comparison to the word of God. No need to hesitate over sharing the truth :) ...It's GOOD NEWS! I love good news!

Application: Do things unto the Lord

BEAUTIFUL


May 16, 2012
1 Corinthians 1:25- “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”

Interpretation: The foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and his weakness is stronger than our strength! If this is true, how important must it be to trust in God and in his wisdom, strength, and power, which is, if we refer back to verse 24, Jesus! God is wiser and greater than man. Not just into others, but also into ourselves. I feel like I always need to do something in order for God’s work to get accomplished to it’s fullest peak, but God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, so really all I need to do is fully submit and commit my way to him in order for him to accomplish what he wants through me. Also- God doesn’t make mistakes. God didn’t make mistakes in me being me and having the life, heart, and mind that I do. He set it all apart before the beginning of time. I need to trust Jesus to take care of me because he is the only one who is trustworthy!

Application: I will memorize this scripture tonight.

Jesus is the very wisdom of God


May 15, 2012
1 Corinthians 1:24- “…But to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

Interpretation: Proverbs 1:7- “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs1:20- “Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares.” Proverbs 2:12- “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse.” Proverbs 3:13- “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding…” Proverbs 3:19- “By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place.” Proverbs 8.

Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. I remember being 15 and the only parts of the Bible I would read were Proverbs, the Psalms, and Job. I was so entranced by wisdom. I saw it as very valuable, and I would often ask God for it. It is cool that Christ IS the power of God, and he IS the wisdom of God. I asked God for wisdom, and he gave me Christ. I ask God for strength and it goes back to the glory of the savior. Everything in history points forward, while everything today points back, and it all leads to the cross. I don't need long drawn out speech, I only need to tell of the cross, of Christ, and use Jesus as my power and wisdom. His words, his life and resurrection. Jesus conquered death! That is great news!

Application: I will post another scripture as my status today, knowing it is God who changes hearts. [Matt 5:16!]

El Poder de La Cruz


May 14, 2012
1 Corinthians 1:23- “…But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles…”

Interpretation: The power of the cross is the end game of Christianity. The power of the cross is the fruit of life. It is love so amazing that it was innocently and obediently led to death for the sake of the life of all who will put their faith in Christ alone. Why is Christ being crucified a stumbling block to Jews? Through the book of Acts Paul always preached in the synagogues first. He would bring up the scriptures and point towards Christ, but they always wanted to remain under the law. Romans 6:14 says, “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” (Romans 7:5-6 also good) Jesus came for the sake of love and grace; He came not to enforce the law but to demolish it. Religious people do not want to accept this. No one is good but God alone, and no one can get into Heaven on their own righteousness. The cross of God is foolishness to Gentiles because they are not even trying to keep the law. Jews and religious leaders don’t want to recognize grace, while Gentiles just want to live a good life. What is the cross to me? Not a stumbling block but a stepping-stone, not foolishness but logic and beauty. The cross is the key to the lock I have slung over the 10 foot high stone wall prison I built to protect my heart. The cross sets us free, mentally, spiritually, emotionally. The cross is power. The cross is death, and the cross is life to those who seek it.

Application: I want to preach Christ being crucified, but I need to remember that my own words won’t make the ultimate difference. The word of God is what penetrates hearts, along with prayer. I will find my note cards today and write down people’s names on them who I know need prayer. In the mornings I can shuffle them and will pray for whoever comes up!

Beautiful


May 10, 2012
1 Corinthians 1:19- “For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’” (Isaiah 29:14)

Interpretation: God will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and frustrate the intelligence of the intelligent. I feel like so often I have to do something wise and smart to stand up for Christ. On facebook I see people’s statuses about things of this world- how life is bad or how they want Obama to be re-elected. I feel like I have all of these opportunities to be a light- but usually when I say something I am outnumbered because the “wisdom” and “intelligence” of the world is made complete in ignorance. This verse makes me joyful though because I know that lies are illogical, and when people believe in them they will all have to eventually be frustrated and destroyed! God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and makes fools of the smartest of men. I so often feel like when I read these statuses I am being personally attacked and so my flesh wants to lash out in anger. But Jesus said in John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” WOW how refreshing! So yes, there are opportunities to be a shining light and a grain of salt, but we do not have to take the weight of the world upon our own shoulders. God is the one, by his word and his cross and his power, who is going to destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the intelligence of the intelligent he will frustrate.

Application: I will post 1 Corinthains 1:18 as my status and know that if anyone says anything foolish, I can come back to this and speak the truth in love and rejoice that the truth is going out + will accomplish the purpose for which God sent it, never returning void! This is the Lord’s battle, and my weapon is his word.

Oh Paul


May 7, 2012
1 Corinthians 1:16- “Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.”

Interpretation: Paul didn’t come to baptize but to preach the gospel, which he shares in the next verse, but here he shares who he has baptized. Along with Crispus and Giatus who he said he baptized in verse 14, Paul now makes the statement that he can’t remember if he baptized anyone else. I think about when I was baptized, I remember the day and the names of the two pastors who did it. It was important to me because it was something exciting and felt like a milestone in the journey. But Paul in these verses is exhorting the church in Corinth to be united under Christ, instead of divided under men. Paul baptized people because it was a command from God (Matthew 28:19- “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”), not because he was trying to gain or accomplish anything for himself, especially not followers or people who would make him into an idol and would fall away from the body of Christ to be a worshipper of man.

Application: Tonight I will do my other daily devotional book that I haven’t touched in a week to get more of God’s word in me to understand what he wants me to do and who he wants me to be IN HIM.

Unity


May 3, 2012
1 Corinthians 1:10-“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

Interpretation: Wow wow wow wow wow! That’s a lot. Paul wants the church of believers in Corinth to be united in mind and thought. So where does true unity come from? And do we have in here in Costa Rica? How can we obtain unity with one another? What causes division anyway? Surely Paul heard of the power that came at Pentecost when all believers were of one accord, or the peace in Acts 2:44 when “All the believers were together and had everything in common,” right after the coming of the Holy Spirit when people were sharing everything they owned and resided in harmony. Paul wants the body of Christ to function as such, one body, one agreement, all serving the same living God by the same Spirit. I know that Satan is powerless against God; And against a body of believers who are dead to themselves so that God can be alive in them. When our God is for us, what can be against us?

Application: If my team is willing, I would like to pray together tonight to join and unite in mind and thought under the Lord. 

Doin' Work


April 30, 2012
1 Corinthians 1:2- “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Interpretation: I love how Paul writes that his letter also goes to all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This letter is truly for us, as well as the church in Corinth some 2,000 years ago. We are all called to be holy. I have heard that salvation takes a moment but sanctification takes a lifetime. It is interesting to me that I can see this refreshing process at work in my life. It surely is a process. After I cut drinking and drugs out of my life I thought I was going to be all set- but God continued digging through my heart- envy, selfishness, pride, things that God sees on the inside and so amazingly wants to replace with his love and truth. I pray for my heart to stay soft, understanding, and non-judgmental  to those who haven’t had this work yet begun in them because we’re all the same before receiving the grace of our Lord Jesus.

Application: I will pray tonight for strength for all of the believers in the places God has them and for strength in their trials (El Salvador + Africa teams)

1 Corinthians It Is


April 29, 2012
1 Corinthians 1:1- “Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes.”

Interpretation: Paul is writing a letter to the church in Corinth. He addresses himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus and brings up that it is the will of God. It was the will of God for me to be his servant and soldier of Christ Jesus just as much as it was his will for Paul. I have been praying since I came to Costa Rica for God’s will to be done in me everyday. I don’t know what his long-term plans are but I know I am supposed to be obedient to him day by day, and when I walk in joyful obedience his will is completed in me. I have done a lot of things out of my own fleshly desires and strengths but when I act outside of God’s will my actions turn back to the dust from which they came.

Application: I will memorize Romans 12:2 by tomorrow in order to strengthen my walk in God’s will. (Romans 12:2- “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”)

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

I'm bad at creative titles but...


3/22/2012
Galatians 6:6- “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.”

Interpretation: I like this verse. Matthew 10:24-25 says, “A student is not above his teacher, not a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.” So why must we share all good things with our instructor? I think of the friends I have who have gone up to the altar call by God’s lead in me inviting them to church, and His Spirit moving them to grab my hand and go up front and accept him. He has used me in this way many times, and each one is a blessing and an honor. Sometimes that is all there is, an altar call and then they don’t make it back to church. Sometimes they come a few times more, but there are a few, who are so precious to me in a different way than the others, because they actually let God change them. They are receiving instruction in the word, and when they hear good things, I love it when they share it with me! It is so amazing for me to see how God is working in a life, and that is just one reason why we should share all good things with our instructor. Also, in case there was any confusion and need for correction, the teacher could redirect the path of the student. I think of people who have instructed me in the word, my mother, my pastor, and the staff here. They must be so proud of us when we actually let God do work in our lives.

Application: Today I will write a letter to Cortney explaining good things I have learned since I have been here. 

Yep


3/22/2012
Matthew 11:5- “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”

Interpretation: Jesus didn’t give the disciples a yes or no answer to bring to John. What he did give them, however, is a little more convincing and reassuring than any yes or no could be. By not saying yes or no, he still leaves the choice to believe up to John, just as it is each of our personal decision’s to accept Christ as Lord and savior, even though God has made himself plain to us. Romans 1:20 says, For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” John was in prison and waiting for an answer about the God he so badly wanted to believe in. The blind receive sight; God can make the blind see as he did often in the New Testament, but also today he is the one who pulls the scales from our eyes to reveal to us who he truly is. The lame can walk and also those who have had no purpose their whole lives suddenly take part in the majesty of God’s will. Those who have leprosy have been cured, although there was no cure for leprosy. Just as our sin stains are taken away through Christ where there had been no hope of salvation before His promise was fulfilled. The deaf hear, and finally pearls are no longer being cast before swine but God’s word is making sense and feeding the believer. The dead are raised; we have gone from darkness to light, and death to life. The good news is preached to the poor. The physically poor as well as the emotionally poor, the spiritually poor, and the mentally poor. So let us ask ourselves, is Jesus the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else? He didn’t give a yes or no answer, but his answer contained the loudest sound of a trumpet playing, “Yes, yes yes!”

Application: This is great news!! Yesterday I made a list of 10 main things I wanted to tell my family about when I came home in order to report exactly what I have heard and seen here at Potter’s Field. Today I will make a similar list for my friends. The report is positive, Jesus is the one!

Remember


3/21/2012
Matthew 11:4- “Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:”

Interpretation: Jesus wanted John’s disciples to report to him what they heard and saw. This would not only build John’s faith, but build the disciples faith as well. John in this case was found doubting Jesus, even as a man of the highest significance within the group of the prophets. The disciples were putting their faith in action as they approached Jesus expecting a preferable answer. Right now I am sure I have people who believe in Jesus yet may have their doubts about all he can do, especially in my own life. In 7 days I am flying home to spend a week and a half with my mom, dad, and brother. I am so excited to report to them all I have seen and heard. My mom is a believer and, I’m sure like John the Baptist, anxiously awaits positive news. But I can also imagine, that like John, she has her doubts about the new person God has created me as. It can be discouraging to be a new creation and have others constantly line up their assumptions based on the “dead man.” This is especially difficult when it is someone who plays such an important role in your life. My father knows of the Lord but has never asked Him into his heart, and the last conversation with my brother ended around, “That’s good for you, just not for me.” It will be very important for me, therefore, to stay grounded in the Spirit and tell everything that I saw and heard, just the way it happened.

Application: I have experienced God moving so much in the past 3 months I don’t even know where to begin. I know that retelling stories and God-oincidences is going to heighten my faith as I remember all of the good things God has done in me. Tonight I will write out 10 main points that I want to share with my family when I go home, to increase their faith as well as solidify mine. 

Who?


3/20/2012
Matthew 11:3- “…To ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

Interpretation: John the Baptist wanted his disciples to go and ask Jesus if he was the one who was to come, or, if they should expect someone else. Wait, wasn’t John the one to baptize Jesus in the Jordan River? Wouldn’t John have been there to see the Holy Spirit come down upon Jesus like a dove and heard a voice from heaven saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased”? Interesting that John knew Jesus was the one whom God sent, yet he continued to ask and seek confirmation. I know and believe that Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life. I know things like how God has a plan for my life and they are plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me a hope, and a future, but sometimes I want extra confirmation to these things. I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing, but I also want to make sure that I don’t put God into a box where he needs to reveal things to me my way. Matthew 13:58, in reference to Jesus, says, “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”  I understand that we want signs and we want confirmation, but sometimes I think I can be too close to a situation in order to see it clearly for what it is. Here John the Baptist wanted to make sure Jesus was who he claimed to be, even though he already knew in his heart that he was the one who was to come. It is reassuring to me that Jesus answered the disciples and didn’t get upset for them asking. Jesus didn’t mind John wanting the extra confirmation.

Application: Sometimes I want confirmation in my heart on things. There are a few things that are on my heart that I want confirmation about, and will be praying about throughout my day. I will confide in someone with these things for more prayer, and seek answers in God’s word knowing I will find peace in his will. 

John the Baptist


3/18/2012
Matthew 11:2- “When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples…”

Interpretation: John the Baptist was in prison because king Herod wanted to be with his brother Philip’s wife Herodias and John was saying that it was unlawful. John had been prophesying about Jesus the messiah and was in jail when he heard the news about the things that Christ was doing.  He had gained a gathering of followers whom he sent to ask Jesus if he was the one who was to come or not. It is interesting that John still had followers even though he was in jail. It implies that although he was imprisoned, even for something he was not truly guilty for, he never stopped preaching and prophesying. He was still very concerned with what Jesus was doing and his disciples were faithful enough to stick by him and to go where they sent him. I think about when I feel like I am in prison. When I have been condemned and found at fault by the world even though all I have been doing is speaking the truth. When I feel beaten down, do I slow down? John the Baptist’s head was eventually cut off and presented to the king on a silver platter. Am I willing to risk my neck for the truth? And do I love enough to have my friends stick by me even when I am looking like a culprit to the world though I am simply trying to be an advocate for the truth?

Application: Satan can lock me up in a mental prison where I can find myself feeling hopeless and weak. It is important for me, like John the Baptist, to find out even more of what Jesus is doing so I can stay strong and even grow more in my faith. In the morning I will spend the time I would be doing my IBS writing in my journal to God, doing my other devotional book, and in prayer.