Monthly Archives: April 2026

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Signs Divide, Signs Reveal

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by Michael J. Stamp

“Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.” (John 11:53)

The Jewish leaders sought to kill Jesus after He raised Lazarus from the dead. Why? They knew Lazarus’ resurrection was a well-established fact. And the profound miracle took place in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, with crowds watching.

Rather than recognizing this sign that Jesus was the Messiah and inspiring belief in Him, these leaders viewed the miracle as a threat to their authority. They feared Jesus’ popularity could lead to the loss of their positions and social standing. But more than that, their hearts were not open to the Word of God standing right in front of them in human flesh (John 1:14). Their hearts were hard and remained so. This made them blind to the very Messiah they were awaiting!

We also see this in the Old Testament. When Moses demanded that Pharaoh free the Israelites, Pharaoh continued to harden his heart. Even after he saw miracle after miracle, and even as the 10 plagues directly challenged the Egyptian gods, Pharaoh refused to concede (Exodus 9:12, 10:27).

Rather than forcing their hearts to believe, God allowed the Jewish leaders and Pharaoh to willfully harden their own hearts against the great miracles they witnessed.

But to the softened heart, Jesus’ identity was undeniable, being clearly revealed by the seven signs described in the gospel of John. The seventh sign was the raising of Lazarus. It foreshadowed the greatest miracle of all: Jesus’ defeat of death and sin on the cross and His resurrection Easter morning! “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25).

Jesus performed these signs to reveal to the Israelites the power of Yahweh, the great I Am. And the signs revealed who Jesus was—the Son of God in their midst! May our hearts be ready to recognize and praise Him for what He has done. MJS

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Spirit, Soul, Body

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Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (AMP)

God loves you, and He is interested in every single part of your life—not just the spiritual part. Just look at what 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says about this: Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (ESV).

This verse clearly says that we can be sanctified completely, “wholly consecrated to God.” God created us as tri-part beings: We are spirits, we have souls, and we live in bodies. Your spirit is the part of you that receives revelation from God, and your con- science functions through it. Your soul is made up of your mind, will, and emotions, and your body is the house you live in.

God wants every part of our lives to be healthy and whole. This is important, because if even one of those areas is unhealthy, we won’t be able to fully enjoy the life Jesus came to give us. Not only does God want you to be spiritually sound—born again through a personal relationship with Jesus—but He also wants a life for you that’s free from depression, anger, unforgiveness, and so on. He wants you to have peace and joy in your soul!

Prayer of the Day: God, thank You for caring about every part of my life. I commit to You my soul, my spirit, and my body. Thank You for working in me to make me whole, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Grace Seeps In 

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Play

God’s grace. It has a wildness about it. A white-water, rip-tide, turn-you-upside-downess about it. Grace comes after you.

Some years ago I underwent a heart procedure. I asked the surgeon, “You’re burning the interior of my heart, right?” “Correct.” “You intend to kill the misbehaving cells, yes?” “That’s my plan.” “Could you take your little blowtorch to some of my greed, selfishness, superiority, and guilt?” He smiled, “Sorry, that’s out of my pay grade.” But it’s not out of God’s, my friend.

We’d be wrong to think this change happens overnight. But we’d be equally wrong to assume change never happens at all. It may come in fits and spurts—but it comes! Titus 2:11 (NKJV) says, “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared.” The floodgates are opened, the water is out. You just never know when grace will seep in.

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – A Time of Trouble

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Read Ruth 1:1–2

The Old Testament book of Ruth reads almost like a play. It has well-crafted dramatic dialogue, compelling characters, and rich imagery. While the story may be familiar to you, during this study we will move slowly through the text, taking time to notice every detail and savor each splendid truth.

As the curtain rises, the unknown author of the book gives some background: “In the days when the judges ruled” (v. 1). His original audience lived during the time of the kings—a more stable and prosperous age. But for them, this opening sentence would have brought to mind the moral and spiritual depravity, which had prevailed in that previous age. The love story of Ruth and Boaz will stand in dramatic relief against the chaotic backdrop.

Next, the author sets the stage by giving us the inciting incident—“there was a famine in the land.” This famine was possibly a punishment for Israel’s disobedience and idolatry. Deuteronomy 28, verse 48 lists “hunger” as one curse God may bring if His people worship other gods.

Then, we are introduced to key characters, including “a man from Bethlehem in Judah,…his wife and two sons” (v. 1). Ironically, the name Bethlehem means “house of bread,” but when there was no longer any bread available, the family had to act. They traveled to Moab to “live for a while” (v. 1). The journey was 50 miles, which would have taken them 7–10 days, a relatively short, but nonetheless dangerous, trip. More concerning was the fact that Moab was an enemy of Israel. Moving to Moab was an unusual, even dangerous decision, no doubt influenced by a desperate situation. In verse 2, the family members are named. It’s important to note that Elimelek means “my god is king,” and Naomi means “beautiful, pleasant, and good.” They were Ephrathites, which will later become deeply significant. No detail is wasted.

Go Deeper

What difficulties in your own life have forced you to take unexpected action? What was the result?

Pray with Us

Dear Lord, as we begin our study in Ruth, open our eyes to see the truths You have given us in Your Word. Use this story to shape how we view the difficulties we face.

Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.Psalm 6:4

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/