VERSE OF THE DAY:
MARK 12:10
Have you not read this Scripture: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"
GOD CARES ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Rejection is one of the most painful experiences known to man- whether it's rejection for who we are, or for something we've done, As Dr. Curt Thompson puts it, "Everyone is born looking for someone looking for them" We long to experience acceptance and connection, and when we don't find those things, it hurts.
The verse Jesus references is Psalm 118:22, and here he is applying it to himself. Jesus is intimately familiar with the experience of rejection. Isaiah 53:3 even prophetically describes Jesus as "despised and rejected by mankind"
But today's passage also shows us that rejection doesn't have the last word. it didn't for Jesus and it doesn't have to for us either. In Jesus's day and age, the construction of a new building involved carefully examining stone after stone to find one that was exactly right. That stone became the cornerstone, which was the guiding standard for what the entire building would be like. It provided stability and structural integrity for everything that came afterward.
Spiritually speaking, the stone the builders rejected-the one that didn't look right to human beings- has become the pattern for the entire building. Jesus, the cornerstone, is God's beloved Son-and in Him- we also can experience God's love and acceptance.
SHARE YOUR FAITH
Jesus endured rejection-so that we can experience redemption. He gave His life- so that we can live.
There's no stronger foundation than Jesus Christ. The most loving thing you can do is point others back to Him.
PRAYER
Jesus, You know the pain of rejection, yet You were chosen by God as the cornerstone. When I feel overlooked or unwanted, remind me that my worth is found in You. Help me rest in Your love and acceptance, knowing that I am secure in You. Amen.
HONOR GOD
PSALM 77:12
I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Take a moment to think about some of the things God has made, and the creativity involved in making them.
The God who created the universe also created you. Meditate on that as you praise God.
MY CONCERNS
LAMENTATIONS 3:24
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him"
What does it mean to place your hope in God? Talk to Him about what's on your mind right now.
PSALM 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
God holds us close in the middle of life's storms. Nothing is too hard for Him to handle. Where do you need God;s protection today?
DAILY BIBLE READING:
1 CHRONICLES 10-12
JOHN 6:45-71
THE DEATH OF SAUL AND HIS SONS
Now the Philistines fought against Israel and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. they overtook Saul and his sons. Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.
DAVID ANOINTED KING
David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.
DAVID TAKES JERUSALEM
Jebusites prevented David from coming to the land but David took stronghold of Zion. Joab struck Jebusites first and became chief. the city was repaired and David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him.
DAVID'S MIGHTY MEN
THE MIGHTY MEN JOIN DAVID
the men of Benjamin and Judah came to see David who said: "If you have come to me in friendship to help me, my heart will be joined to you; but is to betray me to my adversaries, although there is no wrong in my hands then may the God of fathers see and rebuke you." All there men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with whole heart to make David king over all likewise all Israel were of single mind and also their relatives. There was joy in Israel.
I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE
It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me-not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. Truly, Truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he will also live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.
THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE
the disciples were grumbling, Jesus said: "Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe. This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." Many disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. Jesus said to the 12: "Do you want to go away as well?" Simon Peter answered "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." Jesus replied: "Did I not choose you the 12? yet one of you is the devil."
ISAIAH 41:10-13
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, Fear not, I am the one who helps you"
INSIGHT
Isaiah 41 starts with God warning "islands" and "nations". He asks a rhetorical question: "Who has stirred up one from the east?" It is God Himself who has stirred up this "one". He is Cyrus, the great Persian king who wouldn't be born for another 150 years, yet Isaiah introduces him by name. God calls this future Persian monarch "his anointed"- anointed in the sense that God will use Cyrus to vanquish those who'd conquered His people. He'll do this "for the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen" Isaiah 41:8-20 comprises a shift in tone from the first seven verses of the chapter: "But you, Israel, my servant.."God comforts a people long persecuted: "I have chosen you and have not rejected you" And He grieves with us and extends His comfort to us today.
By: Tim Gustafson
A GRIEVING GOD
In the aftermath of Turkey's devastating earthquake in February 2023, a haunting photo came across newswires: a father sitting amid ruins holding a hand extending from the rubble, the hand of his daughter. We see the edge of the mattress where his daughter had been sleeping, and we see her lifeless fingers that he now holds. His face is grim; his grief is profound. In this father's gritted face, I see a semblance of our own heavenly Father. Genesis tells us that God was grieved by the devastation of sin in His creation: "It broke his heart" Isaiah, speaking of the future Messiah, says "He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief" God grieves for us, and with us, and sits at the edge of the rubble of our lives, reaching for us: "I am the Lord your God who takes hole of your right hand" Whatever devastation you currently face, a tragic circumstance, the loss of a dear one, or maybe even the effects of your own sin-know that God grieves with you. Whatever earthquake has shaken your life, see that God is reaching for your hand. Whatever your current sorrow, hear the God of love saying to you, "Do not fear; I will help you."
By Kenneth Petersen
REFLECT AND PRAY
In what ways has your life current or past, been shaken to the core? What does it mean to you that God grieves with you?
Father God, who grieves with me, and for me, thank You for Your righteous right hand. In Jesus name, Amen.
ACTS OF THE HOLYSPIRIT
A STUDY IN ACTS
ACTS 11
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Peter explained his vision to believers in Jerusalem. Barnabas and Saul met with the church in Antioch for an entire year, where Jesus' disciples were first called Christians.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Although Barnabas didn't have Peter's charismatic personality or Paul's dramatic testimony, he was a man of honorable character with discernment and humility. The apostles even changed his name from Joseph to Barnabas because it means "Son of Encouragement" Under his leadership, Antioch because a key city for early church because many believers from there went on to become missionaries and church leaders. The church in Antioch grew numerically and spiritually as Barnabas and Saul worked side by side. Onlookers noticed that this group belonged to Christ wholeheartedly, which is why believers were first called Christians in Antioch.
HOW SHOULD I RESPOND?
Do you know the meaning of your name? You might have been given a particular name because it represents something or someone significant, or people may call you something other than your given name because of what it means. One name we can choose for ourselves is "Christian" Unfortunately, its meaning has been sullied over the years because people who held the name haven't always acted like faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Are you a Christian? How will you live up to His name today?
