Long before Peter Cottontail ~ Devotion 4/4/12

[lightsoutcalls]

   Unless you live under a rock, we all know Easter is coming up.  A trip to any local retail outlet will reveal lots of pastel colored eggs, stuffed rabbits and that annoying green shredded plastic commonly known as "Easter Grass".  If you bothered to look in the devotional section to read this post, you probably know that Peter Cottontail is not the real story behind Easter...
   I kicked around  how to approach the focus of Easter and just was not having anything click...  A couple of ideas revolved around current events, but could be seen as missing the point or stir up un-Godly responses due to deeply held ideas and feelings.  What to do... maybe just start reading the Bible... novel concept, huh?
   I started reading in John, just after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead.  Don't you know that seeing that would rock your world!  That would likely get the Baptists and Methodists to shout!    (I was raised Southern Baptist... I'm just funnin') Although this occurred prior to Jesus death, burial and resurrection, the Easter story, I couldn't get any further.  When I read the following verses, it kinda made me sick inside... because it is so prevelant nowdays...


John 12:37-43

New Living Translation (NLT)

The Unbelief of the People

37 But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. 38 This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted:

"Lord, who has believed our message?
   To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?"

39 But the people couldn't believe, for as Isaiah also said,

40 "The Lord has blinded their eyes
   and hardened their hearts—
so that their eyes cannot see,
   and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
   and have me heal them."

41 Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah's glory. 42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn't admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

WOW! Did you catch those last 2 verses?
42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn't admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

 At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I have to go back to one of my favorite passages... the prophecy of Simeon when Mary and Joseph took Jesus into the temple as a baby -


Luke 2:34-35

New Living Translation (NLT)

34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby's mother, "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul."

   Forget the pastel bunnies for a moment...  POINT BLANK - Do you love the praise of men more than the praise of God?  Ask God to reveal to YOU the deepest thoughts of your heart.  Fellas, I'm feeling more than a bit convicted myself.  
"And a sword will pierce your very soul."


Take a few minutes and listen to this song by Jeremy Camp:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqXZD_z3eCc

[Roostem33]

  Forget the pastel bunnies for a moment...  POINT BLANK - Do you love the praise of men more than the praise of God?


Thanks Wendell for a wonderful devotional!!!
Answering your question, yes I too can get caught up in this when someone does not appreciate something I have done. Thank God I have an awesome wife that keeps me in check, she always says was it for you or for the Kingdom of God? There I will stand head down and asking for forgiveness, knowing the answer to her question. Thanks again and God bless you and yours through this Easter season!!


Jody

[BOFF]

Definitely a Word from God, as I was listening to the radio while discing today, and the topic of attempting to please others instead of pleasing the Lord was discussed!!

As Jody writes, it is easy to get caught up in trying to please others, instead of pleasing the Lord!!


Thanks Wendell!!


God Bless,
David B.

[Duke0002]

Thank you, Wendell.   

[turkey slayer]

Great devo, Thanks

[MisterEd55]

Thanks Wendell for being willing to speak the truth.  It sure convicted me, and that's just what I needed.  The more I read this part of the blog, the more I'm thankful for finding it.  I really appreciate all the guys that are willing to speak up for the Lord and speak the truth.  I'm blessed by it!