'advocate' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
For whenever I speak, I must cry out, I must shout, ‘Violence and destruction!’ For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long.” vs. 8 Jeremiah 20:7-13 For the most part it’s wonderful to be a follower of Jesus, walk in the Way of Love, and share the good news with sad and lonely people. It does our heart good to see folks respond with thanksgiving to our message of mercy and…
Daily Devotions
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.” vss. 15-16 John 14:15-17 Sometimes it can seem as though the world could care less about love, at least the brand of love that was at the core of Jesus’ ministry and that he commanded his followers to practice. Instead we are served up a steady diet of lies, deceit, and self-serving manipulation.…
Daily Devotions
Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land, saying, ‘When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain; and the sabbath, so that we may offer wheat for sale?’” vss. 4-5a Amos 8:4-5a When Amos, from the hill country of Judah, went to the prosperous kingdom of Israel to speak a word from the Lord, he couldn’t believe his eyes. These folks were the descendents of Abraham.…
Daily Devotions
Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.” vs. 4 Psalm 99:1-5 While the word “equity” occurs many times in scripture, it often goes unnoticed or is presumed to be a synonym for “equality.” In reality it is more related to the idea of justice, and could be thought of as being the spirit of the law, rather than the letter. Equality implies that all people should be treated exactly the…
Daily Devotions
Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” vs. 7 John 16:4b-15 The disciples likely didn’t think it would be to their advantage to have Jesus go away–that’s not in our human nature. When we love someone dearly and have been fed by their presence, we like to keep…
Daily Devotions
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf.” vs. 26 John 15:26-27 According to John, one of the prime tasks of the Holy Spirit was advocacy. Because Jesus had not defended himself at his hearing before Pilate, all sorts of malicious and defamatory things were being said about him by his enemies, the religious leaders. After his death and resurrection…