Devotionals for April 12, 2024
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READ
John 16:31-33
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Romans 8:18-25
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Romans 8:18-25
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
REFLECT
You don’t have to overcome on your own - God himself has gone before you and all you have to do is believe and confess. Because of this, you don’t have to lose hope when life isn’t working out as planned. One day, you will be joined with God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. Think about it - a new body promised to you. Eternity with Jesus - what a glorious day that will be. So, when you feel disappointment or lacking in faith, lean on this promise of hope.
APPLY
Q: Learn: When does the scripture above tell us we received that undeniable hope?
Q: Obey: How can you realign the feelings that normally go with disappointment and instead focus on the hope we have in Jesus?
Q: Being involved in a discipleship community allows us to share our sufferings and keep each other grounded in the hope we have with Jesus for an amazing eternity. Are you involved in a discipleship community? If not, why not? Who do you turn to when you are suffering for encouragement?
Q: Obey: How can you realign the feelings that normally go with disappointment and instead focus on the hope we have in Jesus?
Q: Being involved in a discipleship community allows us to share our sufferings and keep each other grounded in the hope we have with Jesus for an amazing eternity. Are you involved in a discipleship community? If not, why not? Who do you turn to when you are suffering for encouragement?
SING
PRAY
"And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."
God help me to be strong and remember that I am not alone. Remind me that You have overcome the world and there is much to look forward to. Help me wait patiently and confidently for the ultimate prize - eternity with You! Thank you for your grace, love, presence, and promises Father God!
God help me to be strong and remember that I am not alone. Remind me that You have overcome the world and there is much to look forward to. Help me wait patiently and confidently for the ultimate prize - eternity with You! Thank you for your grace, love, presence, and promises Father God!