Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

A deep loud voice echoed through the wilderness of Judah, "Take notice, this man is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Two weathered men smelling of fish and sea salt listened to the words of the hairy man dressed in camel skin. "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Could this be the promised Messiah?" they wondered. "Lamb of God" brought to their minds the many times they had travelled to the temple to sacrifice a perfect lamb to pay for sins committed. The blood of those lambs never took sin away, but only provided a temporary covering.  How many lambs had died over the years as those sacrifices needed to be completed over and over again? But now this rugged, long-haired man with the powerful voice was pointing to One who could completely remove the sins of the world. These two disciples packed up their things and followed this man called Jesus, the Lamb of God, to see if it was true.

It happened again! For the second time this winter a deer came bounding out from the side of the road and blindsided one of our cars. Now we have two cars with huge dents and mangled hoods. You need to be so careful driving the back roads at this time of the year. Even when you are watching carefully these skittish animals can jump out unexpectedly and cause great damage.

I love to read the prayers of Paul. Many times I find myself praying these same prayers for my family, my friends and myself. Though Paul, in his love for people, was concerned about their physical problems, most of his prayers had an inward focus. He knew that what his world needed more than anything was a relationship with the Almighty God of heaven and that this was possible through the Lord Jesus Christ.

The distinctive twang of banjos floated through the air as we entered through the doors and into the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival. We were immediately enveloped in the charged atmosphere as we searched through the packed auditorium for a few empty seats. While scanning the audience, acquaintances greeted us as if we were good friends, and some amiable strangers made room for us to squeeze into a corner where we could settle in and comfortably view the sights and sounds.

One day the Lord spoke to a man named Abram and called him to leave his country and relatives to travel to a land that He would show him. God promised that if Abram obeyed He would make a great nation out of his family, bless him, and make his name great. God also promised that through Abram's family God would bless all the earth.

Repentance is a huge theme of the book of Revelation. It tells us that people will be called over and over to repent of their sin, but that they will not do so.  Even after experiencing horrible things in God's judgment, they will refuse to turn to God. This will be a sign that the final judgment is very near. I have been disturbed about this as our church has been studying Revelation. How can people hear the truth over and over, experience the wrath of God and still not turn to Him?