Tag: King Jesus

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Acts Devotionals 2

Following our King

cross

“The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging him on a tree. God exalted this man to his right hand as ruler and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:30-31)

Every day in the temple and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah (i.e., “God’s anointed King”). (Acts 5:42).

I mentioned yesterday that the heart of the gospel is “Jesus is Lord.”

We see that again in the apostles’ defense before the Sanhedrin and in their daily messages to the people.

But I was thinking about how easy it is for me to follow something else, to let something else reign in my heart.

I don’t think I struggle with jealousy as the priests and Saduccees did. But I do see times I let pride reign in my heart. Times when I know I’m wrong and am slow to admit it.

And I can definitely say there are times that I’m like Ananias and Sapphira, craving the praise and approval of others and struggling with the love of money.

But I don’t want those things reigning in my heart.

I want to yield my heart to my King and let him reign.

More, I want to be sharing with those around me the joy of life under his good reign. (Acts 5:20)

How about you?

Lord Jesus, reign in my heart.

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Acts Devotionals 2

Not a heavy thing

Journey of faith

Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah…

You must listen to everything he tells you...

God raised up his servant and sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways.” (Acts 3:19-20, 22, 26)

Jesus, you have been appointed as our Messiah, our King.

And as our King, we owe you our obedience—in everything.

Yet I choose to believe this is not a heavy thing.

Because in doing so, I am refreshed and find blessing in you.

You are my King.

And I delight in obeying you.

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John Devotionals

Here is your King!

Cross

Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!”

They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”

Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?”

“We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered. (John 19:14-15)

Probably one of the great ironies of history is a Roman governor proclaiming to the chief priests that Jesus was their King and them shouting back that they had no king but Caesar.

Ultimately, that is the sin of this world.

God proclaims, “My Son is your rightful King.”

But the world shouts, “No. We have no king but _________!”

Most times, that blank is filled with “ourselves.”

How about you?

How does it make you feel to hear, “My Son is your rightful King. King of your life. King of your relationships. King of your finances. King of everything”?

Is your first reaction “Yes!”?

Or is it “No way!”?

Is your reaction joy?

Or is it fear?

A lot of it will depend on how you see your King.

Do you see him as a good King who loves you and knows and desires your best?

Or do you have serious doubts about him?

How do you see your King?

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Luke Devotionals

Repentance

Crossroads

God’s word came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins… (Luke 3:2-3)

Repentance.

That’s one of those words I like to call “Christianese.”

It’s a word we often use inside the church, but not so much outside it.

But what does it really mean? What was John preaching?

He was telling people to prepare the way for the Lord in their hearts.

In short, to embrace God as King and to come under his good reign in their lives.

So often we think of repentance merely in terms of what John calls the “fruit of repentance.”

But God’s primary concern is not instant behavior modification. He wants hearts that are soft towards him. That truly love and trust him.

And from that kind of heart flows the fruit of repentance: a different way of thinking, a different way of acting, moment to moment, day to day.

The good news is that as harsh as the consequences are for maintaining a hard heart toward our King, he so freely forgives when we soften our hearts to him and embrace him as our King. (Isaiah 55:6-7)

Just think about the thief on the cross. (Luke 23:39-43)

God doesn’t require us to mope around in misery for 30 days to prove our repentance.

He doesn’t require us to make a bunch of promises that ultimately prove impossible for us to keep.

All he requires is that we embrace him as King in our lives. To believe that he is good, that he knows and desires our best, and that he deeply loves us.

That’s repentance: changing how we see our King and embracing him.

A changed life that is pleasing to him flows from that.

So I ask what I did in the last article: How do you see your Lord?

Do you love him?

Do you trust him?

Do you embrace your good King’s reign in your life?

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Matthew Devotionals 2

As we look upon our King

Shout for joy

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:18-20)

“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.”

I was thinking on those words this morning. What was Jesus saying?

“I am the King.”

And because he is, we are to obey him in everything and teach others to do the same.

But how do we see this King?

As a King that abuses his power? A King to be fearful of?

I find it interesting that after the women left the tomb, they were filled with joy, but also with fear. Fearful of what, I’m not sure.

But then Jesus appeared, and what was the first thing he told them?

“Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 28:10)

And after he left, their fear was gone and all that remained was pure joy.

Because this King, while worthy of all our honor and obedience, is also a good King. And he loves us greatly.

I happened to read Psalm 47 this morning, and it so captured what our attitude should be as we look upon our King. Is it yours?

Clap your hands, all you peoples;
shout to God with a jubilant cry.

For the Lord, the Most High, is awe-inspiring,
a great King over the whole earth. (Psalm 47:1-2)