Our time in the devotional “Awaken” by Priscilla Shirer came to a close for now …
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“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
(Isaiah 53:5)
Circling every time the word “our” and “we” was used made the verse all the more personal. It was for me, for each of us that Jesus was wounded and bruised.
The NLT words it this way: “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”
He was pierced, crushed, beaten and whipped so we could be whole and healed.
We need to remember this so we don’t take it for granted, nor live a life of complacency.
The devotional asks us to: Take time to worship Him for the depth of His love for you, expressed through the price He paid on your behalf.
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“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” (Psalm 16:11, NLT)
There is no denying there are many facing difficult, challenging, and painful days. I kept reading and re-reading the above verse, my eyes were opened to see several things:
- He will show us the way of life.
- He grants us joy as we spend time in His presence.
- He brings us pleasure as we live with Him.
The devotional brought this thought:
“He raises a banner of hope in your heart and mind. As you trust Him to do this, something called abundant life actually shows up, right in the middle of the dreariness.” (from Awaken, page 212)
We can’t do this for ourselves. We can’t find hope apart from Him. We won’t experience abundant life without an abundance of Jesus in our lives.
What evidence and hints of “abundant life” have you been ignoring in the midst of your current circumstances? What would walking in Christ’s abundance and living by His Spirit look like today? Ask the Lord to allow the swell of His life in your life today.
Here’s another little song to help us to see the places we may overlook the abundance He has provided.
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On this last day the topic was: Compassion.
Compassion is not the same emotion as sympathy. Compassion moves us to action. It moves us beyond simply feeling.
Jesus was moved by compassion for the crowds. His emotion moved him beyond just feeling and into action. He had to do something.
The devotional brought these thought provoking words:
“But if you and I truly want to follow the example of Jesus, we’ll step ashore into each new day with our radar up for where other people are hurting and in need. We’ll see the stewardship of our time as an opportunity to put His love into practice.” (from Awaken, page 220)
We don’t want to feel sorry for people, we want to be like Jesus. We want to feel and make the most of the opportunity to be His hands and feet extended.
What needs or people has compassion signaled you toward recently? How have you responded?
May we not sit still but be moved, May His love come to life in our actions.
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Worship.
Hope.
Compassion.
May we be like Jesus.
Today I am joining …
Great post filled with so many great reminders like this: “We won’t experience abundant life without an abundance of Jesus in our lives.” Oh how we need, how I need an abundance of Jesus in my life. I’m so grateful for his compassion. I believe compassion moves us to action and yes, Lord knows I have done everything I can to be his hands in this feet in this very difficult situation…to respond as he would yet every effort has failed. #thingsidon’tunderstand
Yvonne, I prayed for you this morning. Sometimes we can make every effort, and then it all needs to be left in His hands. Not easy but we rest in knowing we made every effort. And keep on praying!
This is a beautiful post, Joanne. I needed to remember the ways to experience abundant life. In a season that has felt non-stop busy, I become depleted. I need more of Jesus in my days, as He’s the only One who offers an abundant life and an abundance of His presence in my days.
These last few months have been overwhelming for sure. A few days away this week have done my soul much good. We all surely need more of Jesus in these days we are living and the beautiful thing is – He is gracious to give more of Himself to us.