Month: April 2019

April 30, 2019

Proverbs 3 – 2019-04-30

  • Journal
  • Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • Bible Text & Personal Reflection: Read today’s proverbs and notice repeated words and phrases, images, or metaphors. What themes emerge? Consider the wisdom, truths, and lessons about life, the gospel, or Christian life. Engage in personal reflection and respond to how God is using these proverbs to speak to you today. Afterwards, choose one key proverb for the day, and spend a few minutes committing it to memory!
  • Proverbs 3:27-35 (ESV)

    27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

    when it is in your power to do it.

    28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,

    tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

    29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor,

    who dwells trustingly beside you.

    30 Do not contend with a man for no reason,

    when he has done you no harm.

    31 Do not envy a man of violence

    and do not choose any of his ways,

    32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,

    but the upright are in his confidence.

    33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,

    but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

    34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,

    but to the humble he gives favor.

    35 The wise will inherit honor,

    but fools get disgrace.

  • Prayer
By carmenhsu
April 29, 2019

Proverbs 3 – 2019-04-29

  • Journal
  • Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • Bible Text & Personal Reflection: Read today’s proverbs and notice repeated words and phrases, images, or metaphors. What themes emerge? Consider the wisdom, truths, and lessons about life, the gospel, or Christian life. Engage in personal reflection and respond to how God is using these proverbs to speak to you today. Afterwards, choose one key proverb for the day, and spend a few minutes committing it to memory!
  • Proverbs 3:13-26 (ESV)

    13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

    and the one who gets understanding,

    14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

    and her profit better than gold.

    15 She is more precious than jewels,

    and nothing you desire can compare with her.

    16 Long life is in her right hand;

    in her left hand are riches and honor.

    17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

    and all her paths are peace.

    18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

    those who hold her fast are called blessed.

    19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;

    by understanding he established the heavens;

    20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,

    and the clouds drop down the dew.

    21 My son, do not lose sight of these—

    keep sound wisdom and discretion,

    22 and they will be life for your soul

    and adornment for your neck.

    23 Then you will walk on your way securely,

    and your foot will not stumble.

    24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;

    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

    25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror

    or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,

    26 for the Lord will be your confidence

    and will keep your foot from being caught.

  • Prayer
By carmenhsu
April 26, 2019

Proverbs 3 – 2019-04-26

  • Journal
  • Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • Bible Text & Personal Reflection: Read today’s proverbs and notice repeated words and phrases, images, or metaphors. What themes emerge? Consider the wisdom, truths, and lessons about life, the gospel, or Christian life. Engage in personal reflection and respond to how God is using these proverbs to speak to you today. Afterwards, choose one key proverb for the day, and spend a few minutes committing it to memory!
  • Proverbs 3:1-12 (ESV)

    1 My son, do not forget my teaching,

    but let your heart keep my commandments,

    2 for length of days and years of life

    and peace they will add to you.

    3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

    bind them around your neck;

    write them on the tablet of your heart.

    4 So you will find favor and good success

    in the sight of God and man.

    5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not lean on your own understanding.

    6 In all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he will make straight your paths.

    7 Be not wise in your own eyes;

    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

    8 It will be healing to your flesh

    and refreshment to your bones.

    9 Honor the Lord with your wealth

    and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

    10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,

    and your vats will be bursting with wine.

    11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline

    or be weary of his reproof,

    12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,

    as a father the son in whom he delights.

  • Prayer
By carmenhsu
April 25, 2019

Proverbs 2 – 2019-04-25

  • Journal
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  • Bible Text & Personal Reflection: Read today’s proverbs and notice repeated words and phrases, images, or metaphors. What themes emerge? Consider the wisdom, truths, and lessons about life, the gospel, or Christian life. Engage in personal reflection and respond to how God is using these proverbs to speak to you today. Afterwards, choose one key proverb for the day, and spend a few minutes committing it to memory!
  • Proverbs 2:1-22 (ESV)

    1 My son, if you receive my words

    and treasure up my commandments with you,

    2 making your ear attentive to wisdom

    and inclining your heart to understanding;

    3 yes, if you call out for insight

    and raise your voice for understanding,

    4 if you seek it like silver

    and search for it as for hidden treasures,

    5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord

    and find the knowledge of God.

    6 For the Lord gives wisdom;

    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

    7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

    he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

    8 guarding the paths of justice

    and watching over the way of his saints.

    9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice

    and equity, every good path;

    10 for wisdom will come into your heart,

    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

    11 discretion will watch over you,

    understanding will guard you,

    12 delivering you from the way of evil,

    from men of perverted speech,

    13 who forsake the paths of uprightness

    to walk in the ways of darkness,

    14 who rejoice in doing evil

    and delight in the perverseness of evil,

    15 men whose paths are crooked,

    and who are devious in their ways.

    16 So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman,

    from the adulteress with her smooth words,

    17 who forsakes the companion of her youth

    and forgets the covenant of her God;

    18 for her house sinks down to death,

    and her paths to the departed;

    19 none who go to her come back,

    nor do they regain the paths of life.

    20 So you will walk in the way of the good

    and keep to the paths of the righteous.

    21 For the upright will inhabit the land,

    and those with integrity will remain in it,

    22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,

    and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

  • Prayer
By carmenhsu
April 24, 2019

Proverbs 1 – 2019-04-24

  • Journal
  • Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • Bible Text & Personal Reflection: Read today’s proverbs and notice repeated words and phrases, images, or metaphors. What themes emerge? Consider the wisdom, truths, and lessons about life, the gospel, or Christian life. Engage in personal reflection and respond to how God is using these proverbs to speak to you today. Afterwards, choose one key proverb for the day, and spend a few minutes committing it to memory!
  • Proverbs 1:20-33 (ESV)

    20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street,

    in the markets she raises her voice;

    21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;

    at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

    22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?

    How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing

    and fools hate knowledge?

    23 If you turn at my reproof,

    behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;

    I will make my words known to you.

    24 Because I have called and you refused to listen,

    have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

    25 because you have ignored all my counsel

    and would have none of my reproof,

    26 I also will laugh at your calamity;

    I will mock when terror strikes you,

    27 when terror strikes you like a storm

    and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,

    when distress and anguish come upon you.

    28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;

    they will seek me diligently but will not find me.

    29 Because they hated knowledge

    and did not choose the fear of the Lord,

    30 would have none of my counsel

    and despised all my reproof,

    31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,

    and have their fill of their own devices.

    32 For the simple are killed by their turning away,

    and the complacency of fools destroys them;

    33 but whoever listens to me will dwell secure

    and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

  • Prayer
By carmenhsu
April 23, 2019

Proverbs 1 – 2019-04-23

  • Journal
  • Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • Bible Text & Personal Reflection: Read today’s proverbs and notice repeated words and phrases, images, or metaphors. What themes emerge? Consider the wisdom, truths, and lessons about life, the gospel, or Christian life. Engage in personal reflection and respond to how God is using these proverbs to speak to you today. Afterwards, choose one key proverb for the day, and spend a few minutes committing it to memory!
  • Proverbs 1:8-19 (ESV)8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,

    and forsake not your mother’s teaching,

    9 for they are a graceful garland for your head

    and pendants for your neck.

    10 My son, if sinners entice you,

    do not consent.

    11 If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;

    let us ambush the innocent without reason;

    12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive,

    and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

    13 we shall find all precious goods,

    we shall fill our houses with plunder;

    14 throw in your lot among us;

    we will all have one purse”—

    15 my son, do not walk in the way with them;

    hold back your foot from their paths,

    16 for their feet run to evil,

    and they make haste to shed blood.

    17 For in vain is a net spread

    in the sight of any bird,

    18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood;

    they set an ambush for their own lives.

    19 Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;

    it takes away the life of its possessors.

  • Prayer
By carmenhsu
April 22, 2019

Proverbs 1 – 2019-04-22

  • Journal
  • Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • Bible Text & Personal Reflection: Read today’s proverbs and notice repeated words and phrases, images, or metaphors. What themes emerge? Consider the wisdom, truths, and lessons about life, the gospel, or Christian life. Engage in personal reflection and respond to how God is using these proverbs to speak to you today. Afterwards, choose one key proverb for the day, and spend a few minutes committing it to memory!
  • Proverbs 1:1-7 (ESV)1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

    2 To know wisdom and instruction,

    to understand words of insight,

    3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,

    in righteousness, justice, and equity;

    4 to give prudence to the simple,

    knowledge and discretion to the youth—

    5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,

    and the one who understands obtain guidance,

    6 to understand a proverb and a saying,

    the words of the wise and their riddles.

    7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

    fools despise wisdom and instruction.

  • Prayer
By carmenhsu
April 19, 2019

Passion Week Passages – 2019-04-19

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  • Bible Text: Passion Week Passages: Luke 23:26-49 (ESV) 26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

    39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

    44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

  • Reflection & Application:
    • Luke 23:32-34
      • Reflect on Jesus’ prayer, and meditate on the magnanimity and pity with which he viewed those crucifying him.
      • In what sense is it true of all of us that we really don’t know what we are doing?
      • What is my response to Jesus’ prayer, given that he intercedes for all believers even now?  (See Romans 8:34 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? )

      Luke 23:35-39 

      • What expression appears three times in this text?  What is behind this cry to “save yourself”?  How does this play out in my life?

      Luke 23:40-43

      • Upon what basis does this man receive these words of assurance from Jesus?
  • Prayer
By carmenhsu
April 18, 2019

Passion Week Passages – 2019-04-18

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  • Bible Text: Passion Week Passages: Matthew 27:15-26; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:33-19:16 (ESV)

    Matthew 27:15-26 (ESV) 

    15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

    24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

    26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

    Luke 23:1-25 (ESV) 

    1 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

    6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer.10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

    13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”

    18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder.

    20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

    John 18:33-19:16 (ESV) 

    33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

    After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

    19 1 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

    12 From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

  • Reflection & Application:
    • What is Pilate’s relationship with truth?
    • What did he do with truth when he “saw that he was gaining nothing” (Matthew 27:24)?
    • How many times did Pilate declare Jesus’ innocence? What was the process by which Pilate came to the point of handing Jesus over to be crucified?  What did Pilate forfeit as a result?
    • In what ways do people compromise the truth in order to “gain” something in this world (e.g., fame, wealth, status, etc.)? In what ways have I done this?
    • Contrast Pilate and Jesus. Who possessed true power and what lessons are there for me about the nature of power?
  • Prayer
By carmenhsu
April 17, 2019

Passion Week Passages – 2019-04-17

  • Journal
  • Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • Bible Text: Passion Week Passages:Mark 14:55-65; Luke 23:6-11; John 18:28-32; Matthew 27:3-7 (ESV)

    Mark 14:55-65 (ESV)

    55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. 56 For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.65 And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.

    Luke 23:6-11 (ESV)

    6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer.10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.

    John 18:28-32 (ESV)

    28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”

    30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

    Matthew 27:3-7 (ESV)

    3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers.

  • Reflection & Application:
    • Think about the chief priests and elders’ words to Judas: “What is that to us?  See to it yourself” (Matthew 27:4).  What does this reveal about their worldview?
    • Mark 14:55-65
      • With what mindset did the teachers of the law and the chief priests come to question Jesus?  Think about how the people of the world cling to a prejudiced view, “seeking testimony against Jesus” (v. 55).  Is there some truth toward which I harbor a similar attitude?

      Luke 23:6-11

      • The chief priests and the teachers of the law “vehemently accused [Jesus],” even though they turned out to be wrong.  How can I avoid this kind of dangerous blindness in my life?

      John 18:28-32; Matthew 27:3-7

      • In what ways were the chief priests and elders careful to obey the religious law even while refusing to give a fair trial to Jesus (John 18:28), or after having paid a man to betray his teacher (Matthew 27:6)?  Are there these kinds of inconsistencies in my life?
  • Prayer
By carmenhsu
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