At the back of my book, Simply Water to Wine, a unique look at John 2:1-11, I appended this prayer that I pray whenever I study and meditate on God’s Word:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your Holy Word.
Now, as I read and meditate upon it,
my prayer is that you would open my eyes
to see Your mighty deeds,
that I might praise Your Holy Name.
Lord, I pray that You would open my ears
to hear Your words of truth,
that my sins might be revealed and that
I might have discernment in all things.
I pray that You would open my mind
to understand Your perfect will,
that I might agree with You in my prayers.
And Father, I pray that You would open my heart
to allow Your Spirit to mould me
into the likeness of Your Son,
that I might act justly, love mercy
and walk humbly with You.
All this I pray in Jesus’ precious name.
Amen.

This prayer holds particular significance for me as it beseeches God to touch us in what I believe are seven critical areas of need in our daily Christian walk.

The first stanza speaks to our need for the humility that comes as we recognize the awesomeness of the God of the universe and praise Him for who He is.

The next considers the repentance that must flow when we honestly measure our thoughts and actions against God’s purity.  It also seeks the wisdom that only He can provide, without which we would be easily led astray and fumble our way through life.

Stanza three relates to our intellect and highlights that we must choose submission to the will of the only true and perfect God.  Only by submitting to His will can we enjoy the blessings that flow as we realign our attitudes and goals with His character rather than demanding that He fulfill our shallow, selfish desires.

The last stanza seeks the transformation of our very being that God desires and can accomplish as we give the Holy Spirit freedom to work deep within us.  And finally, as that transformation takes place, the last half of this stanza is a reminder that we need courage and diligence to walk faithfully in the three areas of obedience that God desires as revealed to us in Micah 6:8.

Father, I pray that You would help me grow in my daily walk with You as I explore the wonders and truth of You Word and allow Your Spirit to transform my heart.

Questions: How has God worked in your life through the power of His Word and the leading of His Holy Spirit this week?  Have you given Him permission to transform your heart?

About the Author Doug Emberley

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Your Place in God’s Band, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

In the shadow of the recent Olympic Games, we can look back and recall the high level of dedication and focus displayed by the athletes striving to attain the crowning glory of victory.  For example, in a sprint event on the track, we see how all aspects of the race are focused on the pursuit of victory.

The athlete first invests years of preparation and training before finally being ready for the actual event.  After a final period of mental preparation and rehearsing his race strategy, he enters the starting blocks.  The race only begins with the sound of the gun and the explosion of the competitors out of the blocks.

The actual start of the race foretells its conclusion and from that point on, every action is focused on the sole purpose of gaining the victory.  No unnecessary effort is expended and the racers do not stray to the left or right.  The crossing of the finish line is the culminating fulfillment of all the planning, preparation and training.

What a wonderful picture of God’s plan to provide for the redemption of mankind!

God began effecting His plan by declaring His intention to rescue us from our bondage of sin.  The revelation of this intent appears numerous times throughout the Bible and John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Jesus’ period of preparation and training for the coming “race” included time spent in the synagogue exploring the Scriptures as a child, the time of temptation in the wilderness and the calling of the disciples.

The fulfillment of Gods’ plan to provide for our redemption was, of course, the death and resurrection of our Lord.  But when did the final race begin?  Was there an event that set it in motion and foretold the coming glorious victory?

Certainly, all Jesus did during His public ministry focused on bringing Him ever closer to the goal and as He crossed the finish line, He declared, “It is finished.”  If this is so, then could the start of the race have been His first public act ? Did the miraculous changing of water to wine at the wedding feast at Cana signal the start of His race?  See John 2: 1-11.

Could this seemingly frivolous miracle be a pivotal event in the overall theme of the Bible?

It both connects and marks the transition between God’s unfulfilled plan to redeem us (as revealed by the old covenant represented by the ceremonial cleansing water) and the actual work of redemption (provided through the new covenant represented by the wine).

The wine points us to Jesus’ death and ultimate triumph through its representation of His blood. The substitution of the water with wine illustrates how the demands of the old covenant law were completely satisfied by the blood of the new covenant.  (from Simply Water to Wine? www.dougemberley.ca)

~Father God, I am amazed at how You revealed the race that Jesus came to run through this miracle. May my life reflect Your grace today and may I triumph in the victory You secured for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Question: Are you living today in the victory that Jesus secured at the cross for you?

Take this Life Lesson to learn about what to expect in a long-term relationship with God and how you can grow closer to Him.

Listen to the audio version of this devotional.

In the shadow of the recent Olympic Games, we can look back and recall the high level of dedication and focus displayed by the athletes striving to attain the crowning glory of victory. For example, in a sprint event on the track, we see how all aspects of the race are focused on the pursuit of victory.

The athlete first invests years of preparation and training before finally being ready for the actual event. After a final period of mental preparation and rehearsing his race strategy, he enters the starting blocks. The race only begins with the sound of the gun and the explosion of the competitors out of the blocks.

The actual start of the race foretells its conclusion and from that point on, every action is focused on the sole purpose of gaining the victory. No unnecessary effort is expended and the racers do not stray to the left or right. The crossing of the finish line is the culminating fulfillment of all the planning, preparation and training.

What a wonderful picture of God’s plan to provide for the redemption of mankind!

God began effecting His plan by declaring His intention to rescue us from our bondage of sin. The revelation of this intent appears numerous times throughout the Bible and John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Jesus’ period of preparation and training for the coming “race” included time spent in the synagogue exploring the Scriptures as a child, the time of temptation in the wilderness and the calling of the disciples.

The fulfillment of Gods’ plan to provide for our redemption was, of course, the death and resurrection of our Lord. But when did the final race begin? Was there an event that set it in motion and foretold the coming glorious victory?

Certainly, all Jesus did during His public ministry focused on bringing Him ever closer to the goal and as He crossed the finish line, He declared, “It is finished.” If this is so, then could the start of the race have been His first public act ? Did the miraculous changing of water to wine at the wedding feast at Cana signal the start of His race? See John 2: 1-11.

Could this seemingly frivolous miracle be a pivotal event in the overall theme of the Bible?

It both connects and marks the transition between God’s unfulfilled plan to redeem us (as revealed by the old covenant represented by the ceremonial cleansing water) and the actual work of redemption (provided through the new covenant represented by the wine).

The wine points us to Jesus’ death and ultimate triumph through its representation of His blood. The substitution of the water with wine illustrates how the demands of the old covenant law were completely satisfied by the blood of the new covenant. (from Simply Water to Wine? www.dougemberley.ca)

~Father God, I am amazed at how You revealed the race that Jesus came to run through this miracle. May my life reflect Your grace today and may I triumph in the victory You secured for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Permanent devotional link

Question: Are you living today in the victory that Jesus secured at the cross for you?

About the author : Doug Emberley

**In this Study you can learn about what to expect in a long-term relationship with God and how you can grow closer to Him. http://mag.thelife.com/study/growingfaith.html

Listen to this devotional read aloud online

In the shadow of the recent Olympic Games, we can look back and recall the high level of dedication and focus displayed by the athletes striving to attain the crowning glory of victory. For example, in a sprint event on the track, we see how all aspects of the race are focused on the pursuit of victory.

The athlete first invests years of preparation and training before finally being ready for the actual event. After a final period of mental preparation and rehearsing his race strategy, he enters the starting blocks. The race only begins with the sound of the gun and the explosion of the competitors out of the blocks.

The actual start of the race foretells its conclusion and from that point on, every action is focused on the sole purpose of gaining the victory. No unnecessary effort is expended and the racers do not stray to the left or right. The crossing of the finish line is the culminating fulfillment of all the planning, preparation and training.

What a wonderful picture of God’s plan to provide for the redemption of mankind!

God began effecting His plan by declaring His intention to rescue us from our bondage of sin. The revelation of this intent appears numerous times throughout the Bible and John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Jesus’ period of preparation and training for the coming “race” included time spent in the synagogue exploring the Scriptures as a child, the time of temptation in the wilderness and the calling of the disciples.

The fulfillment of Gods’ plan to provide for our redemption was, of course, the death and resurrection of our Lord. But when did the final race begin? Was there an event that set it in motion and foretold the coming glorious victory?

Certainly, all Jesus did during His public ministry focused on bringing Him ever closer to the goal and as He crossed the finish line, He declared, “It is finished.” If this is so, then could the start of the race have been His first public act ? Did the miraculous changing of water to wine at the wedding feast at Cana signal the start of His race? See John 2: 1-11.

Could this seemingly frivolous miracle be a pivotal event in the overall theme of the Bible?

It both connects and marks the transition between God’s unfulfilled plan to redeem us (as revealed by the old covenant represented by the ceremonial cleansing water) and the actual work of redemption (provided through the new covenant represented by the wine).

The wine points us to Jesus’ death and ultimate triumph through its representation of His blood. The substitution of the water with wine illustrates how the demands of the old covenant law were completely satisfied by the blood of the new covenant. (from Simply Water to Wine? www.dougemberley.ca)

~Father God, I am amazed at how You revealed the race that Jesus came to run through this miracle. May my life reflect Your grace today and may I triumph in the victory You secured for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Permanent devotional link

Question: Are you living today in the victory that Jesus secured at the cross for you?

About the Author:  Doug Emberley

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30am EDT.

As Easter comes and goes this year ask yourself some important questions. In these difficult days of uncertainty and change do you trust Jesus with all that is within you? He wants to meet you with His miraculous provision now.

Excerpt from Simply Water to Wine?

What about you? Are you trying to earn God’s favor by satisfying your own set of rules? Are you really prepared to stand before God and proudly offer the meager fruit of your labor or your religious rituals?

Or, are you one who, having already trusted Jesus with your life, is now trying to top up your offering to God just to be sure or because of a touch of pride?

Remember his miraculous provision completely satisfies the demand of God’s law. The jars of justification have been filled to the brim by Jesus’ blood; there is no room for anything else. Have you caught a glimpse of His magnificent glory?

Why not choose to give your life to Jesus today?  Because of His great love, He died for you. “Now that faith has come, you are no longer under the supervision of the law” (Galatians 3: 25).

Father God, please forgive me for trying to satisfy You through my own feeble efforts and according to my own set of rules. I confess that only You are God and I must come to You on Your terms and in Your strength.  I thank you that Your only son, Jesus, chose to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I now choose to accept this gift of grace and commit to live for You from this day on. Please come and live in my heart and strengthen me by the power of Your Holy Spirit. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Questions: Do you have your own set of rules that you work at to try to gain God’s favor? Are you ready today to lay aside your own feeble works of righteousness and put your hand in His with fresh resolve to let His Spirit work in and through you?

About the Author Doug Emberley

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Because He’s Risen, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.

Jesus established the act of remembrance we call communion when He associated His coming broken body and spilled blood with the bread and the wine that He offered to the disciples in the upper room (Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20).  This symbolism is clear and easy for us to grasp.

Is this the only symbolic significance of communion?  I believe that in addition to the symbolism of the elements themselves, a deep, intimately personal meaning is revealed as the elements are consumed.

Many think that, although the Romans carried out the horrible act of the crucifixion, the Jews were ultimately responsible for Jesus’ death.  After all, they were the ones that cried out, “Crucify Him.”  But each time I celebrate communion, I am confronted with the sobering fact that the blame belongs to neither the Romans nor the Jews.  It lies squarely on me.  I killed Jesus!

As I crush the bread representing His body with my teeth, I cannot deny that I am the one responsible for His crushed and broken body, the penalty He paid for my sins.  Then, after eating the bread, the crumbs remaining in my mouth are a powerful reminder of how tainted I am by my glaring sin and guilt.

Fortunately, I need not remain at this sobering and desperate place as I am soon able to drink from the cup and wash away the crumbs.  I rejoice because, in like manner, Jesus’ shed blood washes away my sin and guilt and leaves me bathed in His righteousness.

Father, I pray that each time I celebrate communion, You will remind me as I crush the bread, that I killed Jesus when He took my place on the cross.  Thank You that, as the wine washes away the crumbs in my mouth, so His blood washes away my sin and guilt.  Thank You for the pictures You give so that we might understand and glorify You.

Questions: Have you come to terms with the fact that you are one responsible for Jesus’ death on the cross?  If so, thank Him for His amazing grace that has given you eternal life and cleansed you from the stains of sin and guilt.

About the Author Doug Emberley

Daily audio podcast: Hear today’s daily devotional, Who Killed Jesus?, read aloud on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Jesus established the act of remembrance we call communion when He associated His coming broken body and spilled blood with the bread and the wine that He offered to the disciples in the upper room (Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20).  This symbolism is clear and easy for us to grasp.

Is this the only symbolic significance of communion?  I believe that in addition to the symbolism of the elements themselves, a deep, intimately personal meaning is revealed as the elements are consumed.

Many think that, although the Romans carried out the horrible act of the crucifixion, the Jews were ultimately responsible for Jesus’ death.  After all, they were the ones that cried out, “Crucify Him.”  But each time I celebrate communion, I am confronted with the sobering fact that the blame belongs to neither the Romans nor the Jews.  It lies squarely on me.  I killed Jesus!

As I crush the bread representing His body with my teeth, I cannot deny that I am the one responsible for His crushed and broken body, the penalty He paid for my sins.  Then, after eating the bread, the crumbs remaining in my mouth are a powerful reminder of how tainted I am by my glaring sin and guilt.

Fortunately, I need not remain at this sobering and desperate place as I am soon able to drink from the cup and wash away the crumbs.  I rejoice because, in like manner, Jesus’ shed blood washes away my sin and guilt and leaves me bathed in His righteousness.

Father, I pray that each time I celebrate communion, You will remind me as I crush the bread, that I killed Jesus when He took my place on the cross.  Thank You that, as the wine washes away the crumbs in my mouth, so His blood washes away my sin and guilt.  Thank You for the pictures You give so that we might understand and glorify You.

Questions:  Have you come to terms with the fact that you are one responsible for Jesus’ death on the cross?  If so, thank Him for His amazing grace that has given you eternal life and cleansed you from the stains of sin and guilt.

About the Author: Doug Emberley