Today’s Verse – James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. —James 3:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Wisdom isn’t shown by our book learning, street smarts, intellectual comments, or arrogant boasting. True wisdom demonstrates itself through the godly character of our lives as we live with humility and are generous with kind deeds. My Prayer… O Father, make me wise like Jesus. Please help me know your will more fully and live it more faithfully with kindness and humility, especially toward the lost, outcast, stumbling, broken, forgotten, and alone. May the words of my mouth and the actions of my life please you and bring your grace to others. In Jesus’ name, I ask for your help in being your kind of person. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
07 May 2025
Whatever our circumstances are, we should offer a prayer of faith or thanksgiving. The Lord hears our prayers and answers. He is merciful and loving. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Share your prayer request with someone and pray together. James 5:13-18.
Resurrection 2.5: Sarcastic Ridicule
Jesus knew the sting of sarcastic ridicule and unbelief from his family Sarcastic ridicule! All too often we enjoy it at the expense of others. However, when we are in the crosshairs of its vicious bite, we can find ourselves torn apart emotionally and our confidence shattered. As difficult as painful ridicule feels, we can take comfort that we are not alone in facing this emotionally dismantling tool of Satan. As believers, many of us know how faith feels when you are on the wrong end of an increasingly unbelieving world. Some people today believe their job is to sarcastically ridicule people of faith. For them, this is a great sport. Sometimes, unfortunately, this sarcastic ridicule comes from people we love and people we long to bring to Jesus. This kind of ridicule hurts worst! Thankfully for us, however, Jesus knew the sting of sarcastic ridicule from his family: After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him” (John 7:1-5). Because Jesus knows the pain of family rejection and lack of faith, he understands our hurt, too. After all, unless Jesus had given them some heavenly revelation about his identity, how would they knew who he was. He was their brother. They ate together, played together, and did the things that brothers do. No one around Jesus, except for Joseph and Mary, had any inkling that he was someone special. To his brothers, Jesus was the guy in their family who would take over their father’s carpentry business (Mark 6:1-6). They had seen him in his underclothes, and they didn’t see anything special in their brother! If we pay careful attention to the Jesus story, however, these doubting brothers provide us with a reason for us to believe in the resurrection. James the half-brother of Jesus, became the key leader of Christians in Jerusalem as the apostles dispersed throughout the world carrying out Jesus’ mission for them (Acts 12:17; 21:18). James helped ensure that the Gentiles would be included in the family of God without having to become Jews through circumcision (Acts 15:6-21). However, our first clue that Jesus’ brothers had moved from sarcastic derision of their brother to faith in his identity as the Christ, the Son of God, was very soon after Jesus’ resurrection. As the early followers were gathered in Jerusalem after Jesus’ ascension and while they were waiting for the Holy Spirit to bring them power, Luke tells us: Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives [after Jesus’ ascension], a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers (Acts 1:12-14 Bold text added for emphasis.). So, what had happened between the sarcastic ridicule Jesus received from his brothers at home and their gathering with his apostles in Jerusalem waiting for him to pour out the Holy Spirit? What changed James and the half-brothers of Jesus from skeptics to followers? Paul helps us understand: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born (1 Corinthians 15:3-7 Bold text added for emphasis.). Jesus chose to come to his half-brother, the former unbelieving brother, and reveal himself after his resurrection. James was blessed to see Jesus after his resurrection, and from that point forward, we know that he and Jesus’ other half-siblings believed. Remarkably, James went on to be THE great Christian leader in Jerusalem until its destruction around A.D. 70. I am thankful that the New Testament is honest about the skepticism, unbelief, doubt, and sarcastic ridicule of Jesus’ brothers before his death, burial, and resurrection. I am thankful the resurrection accounts remind us of those who doubted, even those like Thomas who disbelieved until he had proof. Their skepticism, and then their later faith-borne passion to give their lives proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection point to a remarkable conviction built upon their experiences with the resurrected Jesus. In the early decades of the church, Christians could point to people who had known Jesus before his death, been devastated by his crucifixion, and who were ignited with passion proclaiming his resurrection. They shared their testimony even if it cost them their lives. In response to threats of bodily injury and death, they answered: Then they[, the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council that sentenced Jesus to death, called Peter and John] in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:17-20;
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 3:7
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. —Proverbs 3:7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Let’s keep this simple today. First, we need to admit that with the complexities and perplexities of life, even the smartest of us is not all that brilliant. Second, the LORD our God is awesome in holiness, majesty, power, wisdom, and grace. Our God is far beyond us. All we can truly grasp of him is the smallest of glimpses of glory — “but the outskirts of his ways” (Job 26:14 ESV). Finally, let’s stay away from anything that hints of evil, knowing that evil infects and confuses us, as well as separates us from God. My Prayer… All wise and gracious Heavenly Father, your wisdom is matchless, your grace unfathomable, your holiness incomparable, and your love beyond comprehension. Thank you for all of your many blessings and gifts, but most of all, I thank you for your gift of accessibility. Your grace has given us access to your presence and grace because of your loving mercy. Please strengthen my will to withstand temptation and deepen my wisdom to see evil for what it is. Please empower me with a spiritual desire to stay far away from evil and its influence as I draw near to you and your love and your grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
06 May 2025
Even when those people and circumstances causing us grief seem to be powerful and unstoppable, let us not forget that we serve a mighty God. Nothing catches Him by surprise. He is a man of war. Jeremiah 20:11-12.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. —Psalm 139:23-24 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Most of us don’t like being scrutinized or tested, especially not the motives and thoughts behind our actions. However, God knows us thoroughly. He has been with us from our conception (Psalm 139:13-16) and will work with us through the grave and beyond (Psalm 139:7-12; Romans 8:38-39). So let’s invite him into our interior world to search us, test us, and even scrutinize our anxious thoughts. He is not with us to condemn or punish, but to cleanse and redeem so we can find his everlasting way of life! My Prayer… Search me, O God. I know that my heart is not always pure, and my ways are far from perfect. Search me, O God, for I need your purifying presence. Search me, O God, for I want you to set my life’s course and destination. With the psalmist, David, I continue my prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
05 May 2025
When we dare forget how majestic God is or feel overwhelmed by our circumstances and cannot see a way out, let us consider what the Lord told Job in Job 38:1-18. He is the one who created day and night. He put the oceans where they are. He laid the foundations of the earth.
Resurrection 2.4: When We Hear His Voice
Mary heard his voice call her name and that one word changed everything for her! “Phil, the first voice I will hear now that I am dead will be Jesus’ voice. He will say to me, ‘Lloyd, it’s time to wake up and come home with me!” Lloyd would get tears in his eyes every time he shared that statement with me. He believed it. He built his life upon his trust in Jesus. Most of all, Lloyd anticipated the day when his two dreams would come true: He would be able to hear again. He would meet Jesus face-to-face. Lloyd loved to joke and tease. He would point to the missing end of one finger and joke that he was the only deaf person he knew who spoke with a lisp. Lloyd also deeply loved sharing Jesus with those in the deaf community. He went all over the world, sharing Jesus. I met him because his daughter interpreted for me to the deaf. I loved it when she would reverse-interpret (be the voice) for her dad when he preached to hearing people. And, I loved that he would repeat that statement of faith about hearing Jesus’ voice every time I saw him. Lloyd lived believing that the first voice he would ever hear would be the voice of Jesus. Lloyd’s faith made me want to live in such a way that I was sure the first voice I would hear after I died would be the voice of Jesus. Maybe my experience with Lloyd and his faith is why Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene at the tomb is so precious to me: Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”) (John 20:11-16). Mary was devastated by Jesus’ death. She had no apparent hope in Jesus’ resurrection. Mary and several other women and brought spices to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ dead body. Arriving at the tomb, she discovered that the huge stone over the entrance was rolled away and that Jesus’ body was gone. Frantic, heartbroken, and confused, Mary wanted the person she thought was the gardener to tell her where the body of Jesus had been taken. Then, Jesus said one word to her that changed, everything: “Mary.” Instantly, Mary knew Jesus had called her name. Sheep know their shepherd by the sound of his voice (John 10:4-5, 27). Mary knew that this man was Jesus and that his followers needed to know he was alive. Hearing Jesus’ voice say her name was enough for Mary! Anticipating Jesus’ voice, the first voice he would hear after going deaf, was enough for Lloyd. He knew that as soon as he hard the Lord’s voice, like Mary, he would be ready to fall at his feet and worship him as Lord. Lloyd trusted in Jesus’ promise about our resurrection, a resurrection ensured by Jesus’ triumph over sin, death, and hell through his resurrection: “I speak to you eternal truth: Soon the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who listen will arise with life! For the Father has given the Son the power to impart life, even as the Father imparts life” (John 5:25-26 TPT). I am hoping that you and I are like Lloyd: anticipating Jesus’ voice is enough to sustain us until we fall at his feet in worship, thanksgiving, and praise. One day “soon,” we will hear the voice of the Son of God, and because we are listening for our Shepherd’s voice, we “will arise with life!” Resurrection 2.4 is our reminder to keep listening for the moment our Savior calls our name! Special thanks for the use of images related to Jesus’ ministry from The Lumo Project and Free Bible Images for use on this week’s post, “The Jesus Window”! About the author: Phil Ware has authored 11 years of daily devotionals, including VerseoftheDay.com, read by 500,000 people a day. He works with churches in transition with Interim Ministry Partners and for the past 21+ years, he has been editor and president of HEARTLIGHT Magazine, author of VerseoftheDay.com, God’s Holy Fire (on the Holy Spirit), and aYearwithJesus.com. Phil has also authored four books, daily devotionals on each of the four gospels.
Today’s Verse – James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. —James 1:5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… So often, we act out of ignorance and face grave consequences for our hasty and unguided actions. God longs to grant us spiritual wisdom that not only helps us make wise choices but also gives us the ability to act and react with grace and wisdom. Before we face a new day with its challenging situations and decisions, let’s seek God’s face and ask for his gift of wisdom. My Prayer… Holy Father, I need your wisdom to help me make the right decisions in the challenges and situations that will confront me today. Please pour your wisdom into my heart so that my actions, words, and choices will please you and bless those around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Acts 1:14
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. —Acts 1:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus’ resurrection changed everything! “The women,” as the gospel writers referred to them, were faithfully present with Jesus throughout his crucifixion and resurrection. After the LORDs ascension, they were still present, obediently praying in expectation with the leading disciples. As we might expect, Jesus’ mother is there praying as well. Look carefully at Luke’s description (Acts 1:14-16) and notice that even Jesus’ brothers, once doubting and ridiculing of him (John 7:1-7), now praying in expectation of their risen brother’s release of power through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Yes, they are waiting, but not idly waiting. Yes, they are praying, but they are also expecting the great work of the risen Jesus, which he would do through them! God does amazing things when people who love the risen Jesus pray with expectation. So what are you waiting for? Get with a group of those who love Jesus, and pray with expectation for Jesus to accomplish his work through you! My Prayer… Almighty and All-powerful God, please bless my efforts as I seek to encourage others to join me in fervent prayer. I pray that you will bring revival among those who call on your name and a stirring among those who are hungry, but don’t yet recognize their hunger is for Jesus. Please bring revival to your people and an outpouring of grace to those who need to know Jesus as their Savior. In Jesus’ name, I pray with expectation. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.