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.
The ability to read another’s thoughts is amazing, yet frightening! If you could, you would know everything about other persons. Nothing would surprise you as every thoughts lay naked to your all knowing mind. This is scary! Even though we have the desire to know, with the main aim being to control, it wouldn’t be fun knowing everything.
That’s poor policing! How could they go to make an arrest, and not even know the accused or carry along an artist impression of Him? They might have taken anyone. But that wouldn’t happen. Judas was the reliable eye witness; and he was with the arresting officers to make sure they get the right accused. Still, upon their arrival, it was Jesus who asked them: “Whom are you seeking?” They replied, “Jesus of Nazareth”. Jesus identified himself when He said, “I am He”. Instead of stepping forward and arresting Jesus, they drew back and fell to the ground. It took a repeat of Jesus’ question before they believed and arrested Him.
The love of God never ceases to amaze me! His love is so stubborn and relentless. His love knows no measure. His love found a way to reconcile mankind to Himself! He turned away His own wrath by sacrificing His own Son, Jesus!! Isn’t that amazing? And what’s even more amazing is that Jesus Himself loves us just as much, and is ready and willing to forgive us of our sins. Jesus did not delegate this responsibility to humans – the responsibility to forgive sins. He is our High Priest. He encouraged us not to sin but just in case we did, He was our advocate with Father God. We are only required to confess our faults to each other!
God loved us when we were alienated from Him. He loved us when we were good, when we do the things we should. He loved us when we were bad, even though it makes Him sad. God loves us unconditionally. He knew us, yet He loved us! No one is always good, yet that does not change the way He feels about us. He does not employ the ‘an eye for an eye’ method of exerting revenge. No, He does not revenge, but in loving kindness He draws us to Himself. He loves unconditionally. We are called to emulate Him even in knowing, yet loving.
There are times in life when our problems seemed to crushed us; when all we can do is cry, and cry, and cry some more. Like Mary Magdalene, even though we have often sat at Jesus’ feet, yet in the time of testing we sometimes forget the lessons learnt. We allowed our troubles to cloud out the view of our Master, of our hope and dreams. In the face of our storms, we weep thinking it’s all over, that there’s no way out. Just as how Jesus called out to Mary, so He’s calling out your name. He’s calling your name saying, “Weep no more, I am not dead!”
In all these assurances, I am comforted and strengthened to keep on praying. Just as Moses cried to God when faced with the red sea and Pharaoh’s army behind, I too must cry to God for deliverance from my red sea experiences. You can too. Do not give up on life, and don’t you give up on God. Keep on praying. Keep on believing and hoping that God will make a way when there seems to be no way. His answer may seem slow in coming, but it’s coming nonetheless. Jesus promised that Our Father will answer His elect speedily.
But what exactly was finished? Do you think it was just the insults, the beatings, the slaps to and spit in His face, the blood draining from His side as death approach, and His life on Earth ended? Yes, those were finished; but there’s more. Jesus came on a mission to reveal His Father to us; to bridge the gap between God and man; to bring an end to the daily sacrifice; and to break the power of sin over our lives! Yes, His mission on Earth was finished! But my mind tells me that His words were also a warning to Satan telling the wicked rascal that he was finished!
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.
