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Devotions Archive
The God We Want vs. the God Who Is
Easter, disappointment, Deadly Darts of the Devil, expectations Dana Rongione Easter, disappointment, Deadly Darts of the Devil, expectations Dana Rongione

The God We Want vs. the God Who Is

It started with palm branches and praise.

"Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel!" The crowd was electric. People threw their coats on the road, waved branches, and shouted themselves hoarse. If you'd been standing in that crowd on Palm Sunday, you might have thought, This is it. The revolution is here. And honestly? That's exactly what they thought, too.

The same people who had been groaning under Roman rule for generations finally saw their moment. Jesus was riding in. A miracle worker. A man who had raised the dead, fed thousands with a few fish sandwiches, and made blind men see. If anyone could overthrow Caesar's grip, surely it was Him!

And then... He didn't.

No armies. No swords drawn. No Roman soldiers sent running. Just Jesus weeping over the city, turning over tables in the temple, and talking about things like eternal life and the kingdom of Heaven. Not quite the battle plan they had in mind.

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When Success Looks Like Failure
disappointment, expectations, faithfulness, Weary Dana Rongione disappointment, expectations, faithfulness, Weary Dana Rongione

When Success Looks Like Failure

This week, I read about a man in ministry who dedicated his entire lifetime to his mission field. He did everything God asked of him and preached with passion and conviction. Day after day, year after year, he faithfully delivered God's message.

However, after a lifetime of service, this devoted minister had no converts to show for his efforts. Not one soul saved. Not a single person who repented of their sins and accepted the message he preached.

Many would look at this man and shake their heads in pity or, worse, ridicule. Armchair critics would be quick to make assessments:

"Perhaps he didn't preach hard enough."

"Maybe his heart wasn't right with God."

"He probably used the wrong outreach methods."

"His theology must have been flawed."

After all, if he had been doing things correctly, surely someone would have responded!

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The Miracle in the Message
salvation, disappointment, expectations Dana Rongione salvation, disappointment, expectations Dana Rongione

The Miracle in the Message

I don't know about you, but I've always had a flair for the dramatic. When I imagine Bible stories, I picture grand moments with heavenly spotlights and perhaps some holy background music. So when I read about Naaman, the mighty Syrian commander with leprosy, I can't help but smile at his reaction to God's healing plan.

For those who may not be as familiar with the story, let me give you a brief overview. Naaman arrives at Elisha's house with horses, chariots, and likely an entourage befitting a military commander. He expects a spectacle, a dramatic ritual with the prophet waving his hands over his diseased skin while calling down fire from heaven.

Instead, Elisha doesn't even come to the door! He sends a messenger with simple instructions: "Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean" (2 Kings 5:10).

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