Written by Juliet Constantine, these devotionals share thoughts and blessings from on high to give you encouragement, wisdom, and strength to face life's many challenges. Juliet has authored two sets of devotionals: "At His Feet" and "Finding Jesus In The Scriptures". Select from all the devotionals below or choose a topic from the menus.
I have been told that the dying, especially those who were injured by gunshot, always ask for water when death was drawing near. It would seem that this thirst was a natural occurrence before death comes and the water was needed to wet the tongue which clings to the jaws. Whatever is the cause for this thirst before death, it can also be viewed in a spiritual sense.
At first, he could not sanction His death. Jesus did nothing wrong. He found no fault in Him. So, why did these people want their proclaimed King dead? The church leaders would have secretly assassinated Him if they could, if it was in God’s plan for them to do so. They hated the fact that they couldn’t kill Him privily without getting in trouble with their Roman government. They need the approval of the Romans and they knew exactly how to secure it. Even though their Roman Governor, Pilate, wasn’t in agreement with their evil accusation and plot to kill Jesus, his hands were politically ‘tied’.
Was Peter wrong in not wanting Jesus to do the servant’s job? It was a natural reaction. John the Baptist had similar reaction when Jesus came to him to be baptized. John forbade Him as he felt he needed to be baptized by Jesus, not the other way around. But Jesus’ gentle words reminded him that history was in the making, as all righteousness would be fulfilled. Jesus knew, though He had no sin, that His baptism was an essential act in the plan of salvation. At His words, John gladly baptized his Master.
So, what’s your testimony, what has God done for you lately? Who will be the first? Did God provide food in your hour of need? Did He provide a way of escape when you were tempted? Were you vindicated after being accused of something you weren’t guilty? Did God set you free from smoking, from drinking, from gambling, from being a womanizer? And the list goes on. There’s no need to feel ashamed. In stead, you should be thankful and joyful in telling your story of how God ransomed and set you free.
If you know you only had two days to live, what would be your final preparation? Would you be preoccupied with your impending demise or would the time be spent reinforcing some critical principle in your child/ward? Would you be busy putting your affairs in order or would you find the time to help somebody? Death is the only thing that’s certain in this life. The Bible teaches that the living know that they will die. Yet, not many made preparation for death.
Yes, I believe supper time is a welcomed activity in most cultures; and it seemed to be so in Jesus’. He often enjoyed supper with His disciples. In fact, He was the server - He handed the food to His disciples. Such was the case when He sat with them for what turned out to be the last Passover Supper. His disciples didn’t know it; they were too self-centered to realize that deep meaning of His words. So much was happening with them all; but history only records what was happening in Judas’ thoughts as it served as the base for all that later transpired.
Like the Jewish nation of old, God has sent many evidences for you to believe in Him. If you reject the Bible, there is nature which speaks so loudly of the One, bigger than you and me, who holds this world in space. No scientist can explain God’s complex creation and maintenance system. The Darwin theory is just that – a theory... that has been pulled apart and found wanting. But God’s creation still stands a mystery to the most brilliant minds.
Have you ever experienced a misconstrued interpretation of your true motives? With all your sincere and genuine intentions, people still choose to believe different and hold you in suspicion. Well, you’re not alone. People with much to lose will always view you suspiciously and ‘knock down’ your suggestions and improvements toward something. The Bible is so true: Jesus really did experience all things that we humans do.
