*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL* *SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 2019* *A DIFFERENT KIND OF DEATH* *TEXT:* JOHN 11:47-57.

*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

*SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 2019*

*A DIFFERENT KIND OF DEATH*

*TEXT:* JOHN 11:47-57.

_*🔑KEY VERSE* "From that day forth, they took counsel together for to put him to death" (JOHN 11:53)._

Death is always a sad event because it separates loved ones. Death brings sorrow to the heart of men. It creates a vacuum that is always difficult to fill. And above all, death brings judgement to anyone who dies in sin. But there was one death that was different. It was a death that gives life to the dead. A death that brings freedom to those in captivity, that brings hope to the hopeless. That was the death of Jesus Christ at Calvary!

Jesus Christ had just raised Lazarus from the dead after four days in the grave. The euphoria of the unprecedented event was spread like wild fire everywhere. But the religious leaders of the day were not impressed. To them, it was an affront to their authority and therefore Jesus must be stopped.

The promise God gave Adam immediately he fell at the Garden of Eden concerning "the seed of the woman" was eventually fulfilled at Calvary where Jesus died for the sins of the world. Jesus Christ, "the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world" has through His substitutionary death taken the place of man by dying for all. And as many as will repent today of their sins and put their faith in Him by receiving Him as Lord and Saviour will be saved and their names written in the Book of Life in heaven. Unfortunately, many don't understand this simple gospel message. Some still believe they have to go through many days of fasting or one form of self-torture or another to "earn" salvation. But salvation is free.

This places a great responsibility on all believers to daily tell people of the availability of this great salvation. Secondly, believers must live their lives that truly show that they have genuine salvation that has set them free from sin.

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY* Jesus' death is the climax of God's love for man.

*COVER TO COVER* AMOS 6-9.

*MEDITATION*

1. Has the death of Jesus produced new life above all forms of sins in your life?
2. Are you striving to receive more of the fullness of the life of God in you?
3. Are you grateful to God that the costliest eternal blessings, including forgiveness of all sins, can all be received free of charge because Someone paid the price?
4. Do you daily appreciate it far more than those earthly needs of your life?

*HYMN* My faith hath found a resting place

1
My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device nor creed;
I trust the Ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
*Chorus*
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
2
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.
3
My heart is leaning on the Word,
The written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s name,
Salvation through His blood.
4
My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.

*PRAYER POINTS*
1. Praise God for offering Himself to do what nobody could do or is willing to do for you.
2. Ask God that the purpose of that death will not be in vain in your life and family.
3. Pray for the retreat that the blessings of calvary will be experienced by all in fullness.
4. Pray for resurrection power to flow into every person that comes for the service this morning.