#youversiondevotional

“Even if I have to die with You,” Peter told Him, “I will never deny You!” And all the disciples said the same thing…” —Matthew 26:35

…“Then all the disciples deserted Him and ran away.” —Matthew 26:56

“When Things Don’t Go As Planned (Praying Through Disappointment)” By Elevation Church:

“Have you ever expected a miracle, but then it seemed like the opposite happened?

You were asking God to keep your family together, but things fell apart.

You were believing God for a promotion, but instead your position was eliminated.

You were praying for healing, but then you were forced to prepare for a funeral.

These are the very things that often cause our formula for faith to fall apart, because nothing tests our faith like unmet expectations and disappointment.

Well before Peter denied Jesus three times, he pulled out his sword and cut off a man’s ear in the Garden of Gethsemane during Jesus’ arrest (John 18:1-11). He had expected this King of Kings to lead them to victory, so he was ready to fight next to the One who had performed countless miracles. But when Jesus healed the man’s ear, told Peter to put down his sword, and was willingly led away in handcuffs, Peter wasn’t just dumbfounded — he was devastated.

Peter began following Jesus at a distance after His arrest (Matthew 26:58). In his disappointment, Peter took a step back from Jesus, and it was in that very space where he would go on to deny knowing Him three times.

How we process disappointment determines whether it becomes fear that paralyzes us or faith that fuels us. If we allow our disappointment to create distance between us and God, we will find ourselves like Peter — denying the very truth that once set us free.

Jesus wasn’t letting Peter down, and He isn’t letting you down either. He was setting Peter up for something that was beyond his wildest imagination, and He’s working something wonderful out for you too.

Maybe the reason God didn’t meet your expectations is because He wants to exceed them or even do something you would NEVER have expected. Will you move beyond being available and be flexible when God’s plan doesn’t match your preference?

Acknowledge your disappointment and unmet expectations today — and then take a step toward Jesus in faith. God’s presence is the best place to process your pain and frustration because He has perfect peace and comfort waiting for you. Don’t allow your disappointment to create distance between you and the One who is working all things together for your good.

PRAYER: Father, You see the broken parts of my heart. You know the plan I was clinging to and the disappointment I’m walking through. But God, I acknowledge that Your ways are higher than my ways and Your thoughts are not my thoughts. Your purpose is so much bigger than my plans. I am available, but I also want to be flexible. Help me follow You when Your plans don’t match my preference. Give me the strength to close any distance between us with steps of faith today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“Now He came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen.” —Luke 19:37 (CSB)

“More Than Miracles” By Elevation Church:

“Miracles weren’t Jesus’ primary mission, although John tells us the world itself couldn’t contain all the miracles Jesus performed. And despite being the greatest preacher to ever live, Jesus’ main goal wasn’t to motivate us with His sermons, either. Jesus came to save. His purpose was resurrection power, which meant His assignment required death.

Holy anticipation filled Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. As Jesus rode through town on a donkey, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, the celebration couldn’t be contained. They shouted “Hosanna!” (meaning, “Save us!” or “Praise Him!”) with heightened expectations to the King they had waited and prayed for. Jesus was the King nobody expected, and He was about to do the most unexpected thing.

We get the privilege of reading the Easter story in hindsight, but as John recounts in his gospel, “His disciples did not understand these things at first.” (John 12:16) The crowds didn’t know the One they called blessed would be beaten and buried before their very eyes. The disciples marched alongside Jesus on Palm Sunday praising God for all the miracles they had seen, but despite walking closely with Him for three years, they still weren’t ready for what was next. Their hopes couldn’t have been higher on that Sunday, which meant their disappointment couldn’t have been deeper on the following Friday. Nobody was prepared for the resurrection that would take place a week later because nobody had planned for the death that came before it.

As you step into Holy Week, don’t skim the surface of the events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection, but rather sit in the emotions of those who lived through it. Perhaps you’ll be able to identify with some of the wounded expectations of Jesus’ followers. Our prayer for you as you travel this road during Holy Week is that your eyes will be opened to the reality that God wants to do more in your life than the miracle you have in mind. Will you welcome resurrection this Easter?

PRAYER: Father, I praise You for all the miracles You’ve done on my behalf — but I thank You that You came to do more than miracles. I ask that my eyes be opened to the new things You’re doing in my life right now. Help me not to miss Your greatest miracles just because they don’t match my expectations. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

“After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead. He was going up to Jerusalem. He approached Bethphage and Bethany. The hill there was called the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two of his disciples. He said to them, “Go to the village ahead of you. As soon as you get there, you will find a donkey’s colt tied up. No one has ever ridden it. Untie it and bring it here. Someone may ask you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ If so, say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” Those who were sent ahead went and found the young donkey. It was there just as Jesus had told them. They were untying the colt when its owners came. The owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.” Then the disciples brought the colt to Jesus. They threw their coats on the young donkey and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their coats on the road. Jesus came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives. There the whole crowd of disciples began to praise God with joy. In loud voices they praised him for all the miracles they had seen. They shouted, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Psalm 118:26) “May there be peace and glory in the highest heaven!” —Luke 19:28‭-‬38 (NIRV)

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” —John 14:1‭, ‬27 (NKJV)

“Calm down, Jesus is here!” By Jeff Wells

“It is incredible how much the God of the universe wants us to have his peace. Or, to be more direct and personal: it is incredible how much the God of the universe wants you to have his peace.

We see this so strongly in John 14. It’s the eve of Jesus’s crucifixion. Jesus is leaving his disciples, and they are more than a little upset. They are heartsick and worried. They have left everything to follow Jesus, and now all their hopes and dreams have come crashing to the ground. Besides that, they are in considerable physical danger. They are very troubled.

Jesus cares. He cares deeply. His heart goes out to them, just like his heart goes out to you.

The chapter began with the tender words of Jesus saying, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1). Now, in verse 27, he again addresses their troubled souls. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

How strong and emphatic is the heart of Jesus that you rest in his peace. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”

Jesus offers it. We only need to receive it. “Yes, Lord! I receive your peace. Flood me with your peace.”

When you are assailed by worry and fear, don’t take it. Say no, then choose to receive the peace of Jesus. “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” This is the heart of Jesus for you.”

“The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” —Mark 12:31 (GW)

“Love Yourself So You Can Love Others” by Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - Devotional

“It's tough to enjoy life when you don't like yourself. People who haven't learned to accept and get along with themselves tend to have more difficulty accepting and getting along with others.

I personally spent years having a hard time getting along with people, until I finally realized through the Word of God how my difficulty with other people was actually "rooted" in my difficulties with myself.

The Bible says a good tree will bear good fruit, and a rotten tree will bear rotten fruit. Likewise, the "fruit" of our lives comes from the "root" within us. If you're rooted in shame, guilt, inferiority, rejection, lack of love and acceptance, etc., the fruit of your relationships will suffer.

However, once you have a revelation of God's unconditional love for you and begin to accept yourself and others, eventually these new roots will produce good fruit, and your relationships will thrive.

What are your roots planted in? Examine your heart today and pray that God will firmly plant you in the soil of His love, so that you can genuinely love yourself and then love others. Make sure you are rooted in Him today.

“I look at the heavens you made with your hands. I see the moon and the stars you created. And I wonder, “Why are people so important to you? Why do you even think about them? Why do you care so much about humans? Why do you even notice them?” —Psalm 8:3‭-‬4 (ERV)

“For God’s mighty miracles astound me! His wonders are so delightfully mysterious that they leave all who seek them astonished. Everything he does is full of splendor and beauty! Each miracle demonstrates his eternal perfection. His unforgettable works of surpassing wonder reveal his grace and tender mercy.” —Psalm 111:2‭-‬4 (TPT)

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!” —John 14:27 (TPT)

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” —Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

“Prince of Peace: He is All Around You” By Laura Woodworth:

“Have you ever felt like God was far away - far removed from your daily life and the heartaches and struggles you are going through? Maybe work is chaotic or your household is in an uproar and it’s hard to imagine that God is near.

In those lonely moments, step into nature. Take a walk or turn your gaze out your office window and you’ll see the evidence of God. The heavens declare it, the skies proclaim it – the glory of God can be seen in all his creation! The beauty of a sunset, the hush of softly falling snow, the glory of the turning leaves of fall – these are all beautiful reminders that God is near.

He has not forgotten his creation. He has not forgotten you. The Prince of Peace is in control. Let this truth sink into your soul. Let his peace saturate your very being. He is here.

He is Emmanuel. God is with you and with me. God is with us.”

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” —John 14:6 (ESV)

“Jesus is the only choice you have” By Jeff Wells:

“Did Jesus ever say anything quite so astounding as this? Did he ever say anything so controversial? So difficult?

Who talks like this? Can you imagine any religious teacher, any political leader, any military leader, any great man saying this?

“I am the way.” Not just that I know the way or point to the way, but I am the way, the only way.

“I am the truth.” Not just that I know the truth or have the truth, but I am the truth. I embody truth. Truth is found in me.

“I am the life.” Not just a way to life or a source of life, but life itself. All life is found in me, and there is no life apart from me.

“No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is not trying to be exclusive or narrow. It’s just the way it is. There is no other sacrifice for sin, no other source of life, no other way to God.

There is a striking scene in C.S. Lewis’s The Silver Chair:

“Are you not thirsty?” said the Lion.

“I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill.

“Then drink,” said the Lion.

“May I–could I–would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.

The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience.

The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.

“Will you promise not to–do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill.

“I make no promise,” said the Lion.

Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer. “Do you eat girls?” she said.

“I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the Lion. It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.

“I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill.

“Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.

“Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”

“There is no other stream,” said the Lion.”

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” —John 14:27 (NIV)

“Experiencing God's Peace” by YouVersion - Day 1 of 5

“What Is Peace? If you ask people what peace means, they’ll give you a variety of answers:

Peace and quiet

Tranquility

Freedom from disturbance

Lack of oppressive thoughts or feelings

Harmonious relationships

Time without war

Absence of hostility or harm

While those answers aren’t bad or wrong, they are usually from a viewpoint that doesn’t include God in the equation. The world’s peace is different from God’s peace. Worldly peace is temporary and dependent upon circumstances, and doesn’t provide the kind of peace Jesus is offering. When things are calm, we’re at peace. When our circumstances grow dim, we’re not at peace.

In John 14:27, Jesus doesn’t want our hearts to be troubled. Because although we concern ourselves with temporal struggles, He’s offering a permanent solution, which is His peace. It doesn’t matter how intelligent we are, how decorated our resumes are, how many inventions are credited to our names, or how smart, creative, and wise we are—we don’t know how to create peace.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” —Romans 12:2 (NLT)

“Who controls your thoughts?” By Tony Evans (YouVersion Plan) - Day 1 of 3

“God looks at your future, while the enemy tries to keep you in your past.  God says, “You can, in spite of what has been done!” The enemy says, “You can’t, because of what you have done!” God will never define you by your past issues, but the enemy will try to confine you by them. Whether it is the good, bad, or ugly that dominates your life up until now, it is Satan’s goal to keep you chained there. 

Never let your yesterday keep you from your tomorrow. Learn from yesterday, but don’t live in it. Your victory comes through learning and then applying what you’ve learned. Becoming who God wants you to be starts with your thoughts.

Always remember that Satan’s number one strategy is to plant unhealthy thoughts in your mind, repeating them over and over until you start to think they are your own thoughts. When Satan told Eve she would be like God if she ate of the fruit, whose thought was that? That thought came straight from Satan himself. In fact, he’d had the same thought before, as we read in Isaiah 14:14: “I will make myself like the Most High.” It was Satan’s thought, but he planted it in Eve’s mind. 

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” —1 Peter 5:8‭-‬9a (NLT)

So, be mindful of the devil. Don’t let him have free reign in your mind.  Who are you going to listen to?”