+DEV+ Jesus Is Deeply Moved

Date: November 5, 2015 12:53 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Jesus Is Deeply Moved

Jesus Is Deeply Moved

 "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. Where have you laid him? he asked. Come and see, Lord, they replied. Jesus wept." John 11:33-35

Scripture Focus: Genesis 1:1-31

The shortest verse in the Bible is only two words: "Jesus wept." Short, indeed, but poignant. If Jesus was wailing or tearing His clothes, we might see melodrama. If He had shed only one tear, we might see coolness of heart. But neither would exhibit the character of our God. We see Jesus grieving deeply over the sin in this world, grieving for His children who suffer its effects. He is mourning over what was made of God's creation. 

All is not as it's meant to be. God declared His created world good - called it good six times, in fact. But Adam and Eve sinned, and through them we all sinned. This world's evil wouldn't be overcome until God compassionately lowered Himself into the mire to rescue us. He didn't come 2,000 years ago as a pragmatic figure, eager to finish His business and be on His way. In John, we see Jesus' abiding love for us, a love that we only understand now in shadow form, perhaps in our relationships. Praise God He knows our sorrows, sees every tear, and saves us from eternal suffering. 

Insight: God did not intend for us to suffer. Wrap yourself in the love of Jesus who grieves for all of your grief.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ The Everlasting Arms

Date: November 4, 2015 1:18 AM

Topic: +DEV+  The Everlasting Arms

The Everlasting Arms

 "...like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions." Deuteronomy 32:11

Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 32:1-12

That first flight for a fledgling eagle has to be quite frightening. The nest is high on the face of a cliff, or atop the branches of a Douglas fir. The young birds first stretch and flap inside the nest; they ultimately climb onto the edge of the nest; then they jump up a bit, flapping their untested wings again. Not uncommonly, the mother eagle has to give them a push to force them to launch into that first flight. 

That flight is usually quite feeble and erratic; but at just the right moment, the mother bird swoops under the struggling young one and allows it to settle onto her back for a return to the nest. That may happen several times before the young successfully launches into it’s soaring flight that we all know as a trademark of the majestic eagle. 

God sometimes takes us to the edge of our comfort zone. Jesus' command to "Go into all the world" can be a daunting task. But if He pushes us out into any service that He may ask of us, we can be sure He will be there to bear us up lest we fail!

Insight:  "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27)

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Live For Him Completely

Date: November 3, 2015 12:40 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Live For Him Completely

Live For Him Completely

 "...Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him..." Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 29:1-9; 30:11-20

I remember a simple little chorus that we sang in our youth group many years ago. "After all He's done for me, after all He's done for me, how can I do less than give Him my best, and live for Him completely, after all He's done for me?"

The words of that song point us to the basis for Moses' challenge to the people as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. God had done so much for them already; even more, He promised His blessing for obedience. "Your eyes have seen all that the Lord did..." It only made sense that the people set aside the foolishness of idolatry, avoid God's judgment for disobedience, and enjoy the blessings inherent in obedience to Him. That should be a no-brainer! 

Dare we think any less? "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things..." (Colossians 3:1-2). Setting our minds on Jesus comes not from harsh obligation, but from a heart full of gratitude!

Insight: Remember that chorus? Perhaps you can sing it now!

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

+DEV+ Christ Has Redeemed Us

Date: November 1, 2015 9:58 PM

Topic: +DEV+  Christ Has Redeemed Us

Christ Has Redeemed Us

 "... Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse." Deuteronomy 21:23

Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 21:22-23

It's an obscure point that you might miss as you struggle through a reading of the Laws enumerated in the book of Deuteronomy. Capital punishment in Israel was commonly done by stoning. But, according to a note in the Ryrie Study Bible, "Hanging was not the usual means of death but a sequel to death, in order to expose the corpse to ultimate disgrace." 

You might miss the point, but the Apostle Paul didn't. He saw the significance of our Savior's suffering. "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree'" (Galatians 3:13). Not only did Jesus die for us, but He suffered all the agonies and humiliation of crucifixion. That was not only physical suffering, but He experienced fully God's curse; "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" (Matthew 27:46)? 

Don't ever take lightly that aspect of Jesus' suffering on your behalf. He became sin for us, became "a curse," so that we might receive God's great gift of salvation.

Insight: God's curse fell on one who didn't deserve it, in order that His grace might fall on those just as undeserving!

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ My Eyes Are On You

Date: October 29, 2015 11:48 PM

Topic: +DEV+  My Eyes Are On You

My Eyes Are On You

 "For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:4

Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 20:1-4

Forty years they wandered in the wilderness. Forty years God had been punishing, pruning, and preparing His people. Now Moses was instructing them about the next step. Clearly it would include warfare... and with overwhelming odds against them. God's people would face enemies far more numerous and powerful than they. But Moses' strong word was, "Do not be afraid of them." 

I am reminded of King Jehoshaphat's plight many years later. "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You" (2 Chronicles 20:12). Many times I have prayed that prayer as I have faced an enemy that seemed so strong. I am powerless; I don't know what to do; but my eyes are on You!

At those times I have been reminded that the battle is not mine. I have One Who is able. Jesus is victor! "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

Insight: We do, indeed, face overwhelming odds - but they are in our favor!

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

+DEV+ Do Not Forget

Date: October 28, 2015 10:26 PM

Topic: +DEV+  Do Not Forget

Do Not Forget

 "Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day." Deuteronomy 8:11

Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Many of us have agonized with loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's disease or various stages of dementia and memory loss. I recently met a man whose young daughter's MS had attacked her mind instead of her body. These are difficult and tragic situations. 

God is concerned and compassionate about that loss - but just as much so about our tendency to spiritual memory loss. All of the feasts in the Jewish calendar, and even the minutia of commands in the Law (in Leviticus and Deuteronomy), were largely given that the people might not forget. "Remember how the Lord your God led you..." (Deuteronomy 8:2). "Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God..." (8:11). "But remember the Lord your God..." (8:18). 

Lest we forget, we have been given a great reminder as well. Every time you partake of the Lord's Supper, you are being reminded of all that you have in Christ. Our memories are so short; our tendency is to become self-sufficient. We dare not forget the price that Jesus paid so that we might have eternal life!

Insight:  "Do this in remembrance of me..."

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

+DEV+ The Wilderness Is Refreshing

Date: October 28, 2015 1:27 AM

Topic: +DEV+  The Wilderness Is Refreshing

The Wilderness Is Refreshing

 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 8

Trudging through the "wilderness times" of life is not fun; in fact, it is downright painful. It is not my choice, and it is frustratingly tiring. Be that as it may, in the Providence of God, the wilderness is an all-too-common experience for every Christian. We are so often tempted to cry out, as my children did when we were traveling, "Are we there yet? How much longer?" 

Deuteronomy 8 is a great reminder of God's purposes and workings in that tiring wasteland. As with Israel, God uses the wilderness to test our faith (8:2), to redirect our focus (vs. 3), and to train us as children (vs. 5). 

Moses' challenge to Israel is appropriate for us as well. Be grateful (vs. 10), don't forget (vs. 11), and stay humble (vs. 18). God uses all of our harsh experiences for His purposes. Our responsibility is to listen and learn, and then to rest in Him. 

Perhaps most importantly, as you sometimes struggle through that wilderness, let Jesus' word encourage you: "Come to me... and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Insight: The wilderness is an inevitable part of the journey. The refreshment is an invaluable part of our provision.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm