Get the app#JESUS2020 - Daily DevotionalsSample
When was the last time you were seriously burned by the sun? Certainly, when you forgot to put on sunscreen on a nice summer day. My last time was some years ago on Laguna Beach in California. We went to the beach and I thought I did not need protection because I was only going to be there for two hours. What happened next was special! I came home, looked in the mirror and all I saw was a purple forehead!! Totally burned. All I would have needed was the protection of some simple sunscreen.
I am the oldest of five kids, and ever since my childhood, the story of the tenth plague has moved me. God bringing His beloved people out of slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. Both Israelites and Egyptians needed protection against the death of all the firstborn. The only way to protect the oldest child from death was the blood from a perfect lamb on the doorposts. I have always wondered: How would I feel in that situation as the oldest child? Would I feel safe? Would I be fearful? Would the blood my father put on the doorposts really protect me? How can a simple act like that protect me? I hope God knows what He is doing. Now we know that that simple act was more than enough to save the oldest child.
In life, we need a lot of protection from our own mistakes. Jesus’ death and blood on the cross not only wipes away all your guilt and shame from all your mistakes right away if you ask Him, but He also wants to protect you from future mistakes, guilt, and shame. If we dare to ask Him how we should live and what decisions we should make, we can protect ourselves by doing life Jesus’ way. Sometimes the things He asks are small and seemingly meaningless, but they keep us far from the slavery of pain, guilt, and shame, and bring us into freedom. Jesus knows what He is doing!
ACTION STEP:
If you have pain or guilt from past mistakes, ask Jesus to forgive and heal you. Also, ask Him how to live differently so you can stay free and be strong to do the things you would like to do.
Arie Spaanderman, ICF Leiden
Scripture
About this Plan
The Lamb of God dies in Jerusalem, on a cross. Three days later He rose from the dead - sin and death are overcome. Two thousand years later, His blood sets me free. During the weeks before Easter, we want to acquire a deeper understanding of this fundamental event of our faith, get to know Jesus better and experience how His loving deed on the cross changes our lives forever.
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We would like to thank ICF Church for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://www.icf.church
