Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 13

Devotion for Maundy Thursday

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

~ Matthew 26:26-56

The disciples couldn’t stay awake when Jesus was praying in Gethsemane, pleading with His Father to take away the cup of wrath Jesus was about to drink. Nevertheless, He said, let the Father’s will be done, not His. Then when He was arrested, the disciples all ran away and left Him—the disciples who promised they would never deny Him. They didn’t know that the arrest was part of God’s grand plan and that everything would turn around on Sunday. But we know—and how often do we turn away and deny Jesus; if not by physically running way, we do it by staying silent when we should speak up.

Father, forgive me for the times I fail to stand up for You. Let me never deny You by thought, word, or deed. In the name of Jesus Christ, Who took my sins upon Him willingly and Who now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

These daily devotions are available in a book The Grace of God, with all profits donated to Love for the Least to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. L4L shares the Good News of the Gospel with the least and unreached by making disciples of Jesus who make disciples (2 Tim 2:2) and by helping to meet the physical needs of the poorest of the poor.

Devotion for Holy Wednesday

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

~ Matthew 26:17-25

Jesus knew that Judas would betray him even before calling Judas to be an apostle. Yet as part of God’s plan for our salvation, He chose Judas and traveled and taught and lived with him for three years. He didn’t treat Judas any differently than the other apostles; indeed, Judas was the one trusted with the money box.

Holy and Eternal God, Your plan required that one man from among Jesus’s most trusted followers betray Him. If I even suspected that someone to whom I was close would betray me, I would distance myself from that person and try to prevent the betrayal from happening. Yet Jesus kept Judas close and in essence invited Judas to betray—and all for my sake and for the sake of all who trust in Jesus. There is no way for me to express my love and thanksgiving for my salvation, but I will endeavor to live a life that brings You glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.

These daily devotions are available in a book The Grace of God, with all profits donated to Love for the Least to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. L4L shares the Good News of the Gospel with the least and unreached by making disciples of Jesus who make disciples (2 Tim 2:2) and by helping to meet the physical needs of the poorest of the poor.

Devotion for Holy Tuesday

And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

~Matthew 23:23-27

The chief priests and elders put up a tough front, demanding that Jesus tell them by what authority He performed miracles. But Jesus turned the tables on them and asked them a question they wouldn’t answer out of fear of the crowds. It had to have been obvious that Jesus got His authority from God, and they wanted to hear Him say that so they could denounce His words as blasphemy. But He was too wise to give them that opportunity.

Almighty God, nothing man could do could obstruct Your plan for our salvation. You knew exactly how the religious leaders would respond, and You thwarted their plans to fulfill Your own. Thank You that Your plan for me and for each of Your children is perfect. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

These daily devotions are available in a book The Grace of God, with all profits donated to Love for the Least to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. L4L shares the Good News of the Gospel with the least and unreached by making disciples of Jesus who make disciples (2 Tim 2:2) and by helping to meet the physical needs of the poorest of the poor.

Devotion for Holy Monday

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.

~ Matthew 21:12-17

Some people say that Jesus was meek and mild and never got angry. This passage contradicts that idea. Jesus was justifiably angry that people were using the Temple to take advantage of Jews fulfilling their religious obligations. Not only were God’s people being treated unjustly, but God’s House was being defiled. Holy and righteous, Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit are too pure to allow wickedness to prevail without showing righteous anger. God has been patient and allowed the enemy and sin to dominate the world to allow everyone to hear the Word of God. But His patience will come to an end, and those who did evil and did not repent will suffer throughout eternity as just punishment for their sins.

Holy and righteous God, Your House should be kept pure and holy. May all who call themselves Christians honor and glorify Your Name and Your dwelling place. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, now and forever. Amen.

These daily devotions are available in a book The Grace of God, with all profits donated to Love for the Least to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. L4L shares the Good News of the Gospel with the least and unreached by making disciples of Jesus who make disciples (2 Tim 2:2) and by helping to meet the physical needs of the poorest of the poor.

Devotion for Palm Sunday

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion,‘Behold, your king is coming to you,humble, and mounted on a donkey,on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

~Matthew 21:1-11

Every time I read this story of the Triumphal Entry, I am amazed that the donkey and colt were tied up waiting for the disciples to come get them. They didn’t have to look for a donkey or plead with the owner to release the donkey. All they had to do was to say, “The Lord needs them.” Even more amazing, the Triumphal Entry was prophesied by Zechariah five centuries earlier. What an example of God’s plan! The crowd spreading palms and crying “Hosanna” was not a spur-of-the-moment event; it was part of the perfect plan of the perfect God.

Holy God, omniscient and omnipresent Lord, I praise You for Your great love for us and Your perfect plan for our salvation. May everyone on earth hear Your Word and believe. In the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost forever and ever. Amen.

These daily devotions are available in a book The Grace of God, with all profits donated to Love for the Least to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. L4L shares the Good News of the Gospel with the least and unreached by making disciples of Jesus who make disciples (2 Tim 2:2) and by helping to meet the physical needs of the poorest of the poor.

Devotion for Saturday in the Fifth Week in Lent

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

~ Romans 16:25-27

The mystery that was kept secret for long ages was that we—the Gentiles—would be saved by the Messiah, just like the Jews. Jesus died on the cross of our sins, and He rose again on the third day to give us eternal day. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit!

Only wise, eternal God, who offers the gift of salvation to all who will accept it, I give You glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Messiah whose sacrifice made the gift of salvation possible. Amen.

These daily devotions are available in a book The Grace of God, with all profits donated to Love for the Least to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. L4L shares the Good News of the Gospel with the least and unreached by making disciples of Jesus who make disciples (2 Tim 2:2) and by helping to meet the physical needs of the poorest of the poor.

Devotion for Friday in the Fifth Week in Lent

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

~ Romans 15:4-7

Some Christians think only the New Testament applies to us today and ignore the Old Testament. However when Paul wrote these words, the only Scripture (whatever was written in former days) was the Old Testament. Everything in the Old Testament points to Christ, and if we read it with that in mind, we will be instructed by it, and we will be encouraged.

Gracious and holy God, thank You for Your Word—both Old and New Testaments. Thank You that You knew from the beginning that man would fall and need a Savior. You planned for Jesus to sacrifice His life for our sins, and You gave us the Old Testament to give hope that the Messiah would come. And we know He will come again in glory. Make me ready, Lord, to meet Jesus when He comes again. In His holy Name I pray. Amen.

These daily devotions are available in a book The Grace of God, with all profits donated to Love for the Least to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. L4L shares the Good News of the Gospel with the least and unreached by making disciples of Jesus who make disciples (2 Tim 2:2) and by helping to meet the physical needs of the poorest of the poor.

Devotion for Thursday in the Fifth Week in Lent

For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

~ Romans 14:7-9

We like to think we are independent—self-reliant, in charge of our own lives, doing it our way. But if we love the Lord, we can’t live our own way. We are not our own. We belong to God; His way is our way. Jesus died and rose again for our salvation so we can be with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit in Heaven. Because we are His, He loves us and wants us with Him. And He knows what we need and He works all things to good to those who love Him.

Holy Father God, forgive me when I try to be independent and self-reliant. I know that I am nothing of myself. I can do nothing without You. Make Your desire my desire, Your Way my way. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

These daily devotions are available in a book The Grace of God, with all profits donated to Love for the Least to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. L4L shares the Good News of the Gospel with the least and unreached by making disciples of Jesus who make disciples (2 Tim 2:2) and by helping to meet the physical needs of the poorest of the poor.

Devotion for Wednesday in the Fifth Week in Lent

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

~Romans 13:11-12

No one knows when Jesus is coming again except the Father. Obviously that day is coming closer all the time, and we need to be ready when it does. We want to be found living in the light, doing the good works of faith, when our Savior appears in the clouds.

Father God, only You know the day Jesus will return, but I don’t want to be caught unaware. And I don’t want people I love to miss out on salvation. Help me to walk in Your light to attract those I come in contact with to You. In the name of Jesus Christ. Maranatha, Lord Jesus!

These daily devotions are available in a book The Grace of God, with all profits donated to Love for the Least to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. L4L shares the Good News of the Gospel with the least and unreached by making disciples of Jesus who make disciples (2 Tim 2:2) and by helping to meet the physical needs of the poorest of the poor.

Devotion for Tuesday in the Fifth Week in Lent

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. … Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

~Romans 13:1-2, 7-8

We tend to think that an officeholder whose views differ from our own must not be in power justly. However, anyone in any position of authority is there because it is God’s will. Even evil rulers, like Pharaoh, can be used of God for His purposes. He used Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus and many other pagan leaders, sometimes to chasten His people and sometimes to restore them. We should certainly exercise our privilege to vote and support those whose policies reflect our faith. But regardless of what we think of the authority, he or she is in that position because God wills it. If we are required by the government to take actions contrary to Biblical faith, we must in good conscience follow God rather than man. Otherwise, we are obligated to obey the laws and respect our leaders.

Lord God Almighty, sometimes it’s hard to see why You give us the leaders You do, but You have a purpose for everything. I pray that You will give us the leadership we need, not the leadership we deserve. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

These daily devotions are available in a book The Grace of God, with all profits donated to Love for the Least to share the compassion of Christ with an unreached world. L4L shares the Good News of the Gospel with the least and unreached by making disciples of Jesus who make disciples (2 Tim 2:2) and by helping to meet the physical needs of the poorest of the poor.