Devotions

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it will produce much grain.”

John 12:24

Jesus had to die so we can live, just like taking dry seeds that are “dead” and then planted to produce more! The same goes for us; in many situations we have to die, give up having things our way!

“He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

John 12:25

When we have disagreements or differences of opinion, realize no one wins until someone gives up and dies to self! Don’t push so hard to get your way. Often times giving up and giving in gives you a win! Don’t assume that it’s always the other person who needs to give up.

“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”

John 12:26

Remember, Jesus is perfect in every way. He is never wrong! So if He gave up His life so we can live, I believe in many situations we can give up our lives and opinions too, we don’t always have to be right and often times we’re not! Have a blessed day giving up our lives to the LORD!

“But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, than you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.”

Exodus 13:13 NKJB

Every donkey was to be redeemed by a lamb! Who’s the donkey (jackass) so to speak? We are! Remember, donkeys aren’t kosher and honestly, neither are we. We are unclean also; the only thing that cleans us is JESUS!

“Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.”

Psalm 31:5 NKJB

Even though the donkey was unclean, let’s look how mightily God has used them! Abraham used a donkey to bring Isaac to Mount Moriah, God used one to talk to Balaam and Jesus rode one into Jerusalem, to name a few! So, if God will use a donkey, He can and will use you and me!

“Rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Tziyon! Shout out loud, daughter of Yerushalayim! Your king is coming to you. He is righteous, and He is victorious. Yet He is humble – He’s riding on a donkey, yes, on a lowly donkey’s colt.”

Zechariah 9:9 CJB

Today, we all have a lot to rejoice about; we are saved! So, let’s shout out about the good news of salvation! We all may be donkeys, a bunch of jackasses, but the LORD still can and does use us mightily! Have a blessed day shouting loudly about the LORD!

“As He approached Beit- Pagei and Beit-Anyah, by the mount of Olives, he sent two talmudic (disciples), instructing them, Go into the village ahead; on entering it, you will find a colt tied up that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks why you are untying it, tell him, The LORD needs it.”

Luke 19:29-31 CJB

Often times the LORD will ask us to do things that make no sense to us like: Noah build a ark, Abraham sacrifice your son, Moses wave your staff, Joshua walk around the city seven times or Jesus telling the disciples sit the folks down so I can bless a couple fish and some bread to feed them! This account is no different: go get a donkey that no one has ridden on and bring him to me! There really is so much to unpack here, but let’s keep it simple. When the LORD calls, we need to do! Move there, talk to them or start this!

“But God chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise; God chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the strong; and God chose what the world looks down on as common or regards as nothing in order to bring to nothing what the world considers important; so that no one should boast before God.”

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 CJB

See, the world looks at us just like we are donkeys: not really good for anything, but the LORD looks at the donkey (us) as useful for His perfect purposes! Remember, if you’re a donkey, you can’t really boast for much!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways, says Adonai.”

Isaiah 55:8 CJB

Today, you may feel like a donkey (jack ass), but remember it was this donkey that Yeshua (Jesus) rode on into Jerusalem The same goes for us as donkeys: it is us who get to proclaim the good news of salvation to the world! So your situation may seem crazy, but remember THE LORD HAS NEED! Have a blessed day knowing the LORD loves you and has need of you!

“And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”

Luke 1:47

Our LORD really has done magnificent things for us. He has given us salvation! Walking through this life is the worst it’s gonna get and for the non-believer it’s the best it’s gonna be!

So let’s rejoice in His salvation today!

“My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.”

Psalm 34:2

When we, as believers, just wrap ourselves up in the LORD, looking at every problem or situation, knowing the LORD is in it and has it covered, we can rejoice and be glad!

“And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation.”

Psalm 35:9

Salvation is forever; this life is temporary, so just look to the LORD and rejoice in everything, knowing He’s got you and your situation! Have a blessed day rejoicing in the LORD, remember He’s got this!

“But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”

Luke 1:13

The same goes for us. Don’t be afraid. God hears are prayers too, and answers really our on the way!

“But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him.”

Psalm 4:3

The key is to set ourselves apart to Him, not looking at the situations, but looking to the LORD! Also, not looking to the world, which has no real answers.

“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.”

Psalm 5:3

Look to the LORD first thing in the morning and first in any situation! Also just remember the LORD hears you and is answering in His perfect time! Have a blessed day!

Shabbat Shalom.