2022-03-12
Luke 7:47 CEV
One day, Jesus was eating at the home of a Pharisee when a prostitute came in. “The woman kissed his feet and poured… perfume on them. The Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this and said to himself, ‘If [Jesus] really were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him!'” (vv. 38-39 CEV). But Simon the Pharisee got it wrong. It wasn’t that Jesus didn’t know, it’s that He didn’t care! That day, He forgave her sin and sent her on her way redeemed, restored, and redirected.
This story confirms what we already know; Jesus came to save sinners on the street and hypocrites in the church. No one is beyond the reach of His grace. With that in mind, think this way: (1) Never forget what God saved you from! Note what Jesus told Simon the Pharisee: “Anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love” (v. 47 CEV). Remembering the sins of his past, David wrote: “He… brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay… set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth – praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:2-3 NKJV).
(2) Remember that Jesus isn’t looking at your past but at your future. The crowd saw this woman as a weed, but Jesus saw her as a rose, and He watered it. Bottom line: If you need forgiveness today, come to Jesus. And if you have been forgiven, pour out your heart to Him in praise.
Soul food: Exo 39-40; Luke 16:1-18; Ps 135; Pro 7:21-23
2022-03-11
Philippians 4:4 NKJV
Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Why did Paul repeat himself? Because joy is the fuel we run on, and unless we maintain it, we can run out. That means regularly checking your fuel gauge to make sure you’re not being sucked into negativity and doubt.
In the Bible, wine represents joy. In fact, Christ’s first miracle was turning water into wine – the best they had ever tasted. Jesus is a joy giver, and when you stay connected to Him, you experience His joy regardless of your circumstances. In John 15:11, He said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
Think about this for a moment: How can you walk around saying your sins are forgiven, God guides and protects you, and you’re going to heaven – but look like you have been baptized in pickle juice? In prison, Paul had so much joy that his jailers were won to Christ and a church sprang up in the “household of Caesar” (See Philippians 4:22).
People are always more influenced by your attitude than your theology. Always! When they see you rejoicing in hard times, they’re apt to wonder what your secret is and to think, “Whatever that person has, I need it”; they become more open and receptive to the truth. The happiness this world offers is only a reaction to circumstances, whereas the joy that comes from living for Jesus lifts you above the circumstances. So, focus on His joy, draw on His joy, and demonstrate His joy to the world today.
Soul food: Exo 36-38; Luke 15:11-32; Ps 27; Pro 7:10-20
2022-03-10
John 11:26 MSG
At the graveside of His friend Lazarus, Jesus told his grieving sisters Mary and Martha two all-important things: (1) “Your brother will rise again” (John 11:23 NAS). (2) “Everyone who lives believing in me does not… die at all. Do you believe this?” (v. 26 MSG).
So, what’s going to take you beyond death and into your heavenly home? Sterling character? Charitable giving? Going to church? No. While those are all commendable, only by placing your trust in Christ can you have the assurance of resurrection and eternal life. You see, Jesus conquered death and the grave for you.
You may be reading these words today fighting tears of sorrow. Perhaps you have lost your mate of many years, or your child to a tragic accident, or a loved one to some dreaded disease. Like no other, Jesus understands your grief. He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities (See Hebrews 4:15). Or perhaps you sense that death is near to you. If you haven’t placed your trust in Christ, you must take care of that right away.
Don’t wait for a more convenient time. Do it today, and you will be saved; that means that when you breathe your last breath, you will pass from death to life – heavenly life. When you trust in Christ, there is no reason to fear what lies beyond the grave. He is already there. And He has prepared a place for you. It’s ready! Inexplicable, unending joy will be yours forever, thanks to Jesus. You can exclaim with Paul, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). Think about it: Immediately following death – glory!
Soul food: Exo 33-35; Luke 15:1-10; Ps 112; Pro 7:6-9
2022-03-09
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
A respected author, along with her husband and friends, were on a mountaintop discussing which direction to go. One guy said, “That’s south!” Another countered, “No, that’s east.” Everybody threw in their two-cents’ worth, until finally the woman’s husband produced a compass and said, “We can settle this real fast.” Within seconds the compass confirmed they were, in fact, facing due west! The only reliable source had the final say, and nobody was about to argue with it. In the course of a day, many voices vie for your attention, and some that sound like experts can be dead wrong.
Bottom line: You had better know which voice to listen to, because if you look only at your circumstances, you will become disoriented. An unexpected phone call, a floundering relationship, a lost job, or a sick child can make north look like south and east look like west. When that happens, it’s easy to lose your bearings, jump to conclusions, and end up on the wrong path.
The Bible says, “Whether you turn… right or… left, your ears will hear a voice… saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” There is only one true source of wisdom and truth, and Peter recognized that when he asked, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68 NIV).
You don’t need to know every detail in advance; that’s not how God works. Often, He doesn’t show us the big picture because we would be overwhelmed and think it was impossible. He wants to develop in you an unshakeable trust in His character and goodness; an acceptance that in order to fulfill His plan, you must depend on His strength.
Soul food: Exo 30-32; Luke 14:25-35; Ps 106:24-48; Pro 7:3-5
2022-03-08
Jeremiah 44:16 NKJV
Do those in authority sometimes abuse it and prove themselves unworthy of it? Yes, but that doesn’t let you off the hook. The Bible says that in his youth, Jesus submitted to the authority of His parents (See Luke 2:51). And even though His ministry was marked by demonstrations of supernatural power, He still taught submission to the governing authorities in Rome. “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25 NKJV).
Submission to authority is not optional for a follower of Jesus. Whether you are passed over for a promotion, assigned an incompetent boss, or feel you have been treated unfairly, respecting and submitting to authority is still God’s will for you. And when you obey His will, He works on your behalf.
As you consider your tendency to be defiant, try to understand the root cause, which may include these: (1) A distressful history of suffering or mistreatment. (2) Disrespect for an inept superior. (3) Pride because your skills have not been recognized and rewarded. (4) Unfair behavior from those in authority. (5) A tactic on your part to test the honesty, care, or concern of authority figures in your life.
Bottom line: “Anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished” (Romans 13:2 NLT). So pray: “Father, I repent of having a rebellious attitude. Remind me that all authority is from you, and when I resist it, I am resisting you. Empower me to submit. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”
Soul food: Exo 28-29; Luke 14:15-24; Ps 106:1-23; Pro 7:1-2
2022-03-07
Hebrews 13:17 NKJV
Until you learn to submit to authority, you will never be qualified to exercise it. Why? (1) Because you will have no credibility. (2) Because you won’t really understand what it means to be a follower. Today the entertainment industry glamorizes rebels and turns them into heroes. But that’s not how it works in everyday life. An insubordinate attitude will buy you a one-way ticket to a life of trouble and failure.
The Bible says this: (1) Children must be taught to submit to the authority of their parents. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth'” (Ephesians 6:1-3 NKJV).
(2) Wives are called to submit to the leadership of their husbands. (And husbands must prove worthy of that role and take responsibility for it). “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22 NKJV).
(3) Church members are called to submit to the leadership of their pastor. “Obey those who have the rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.”
(4) Citizens are called to submit to their government. “The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted” (Romans 13:1-2 NIV). “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority… This is good, and pleases our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:1-3 NIV).
Soul food: Exo 25-27; Luke 14:1-14; Ps 136:13-26; Pro 6:32-35
