Monday, January 26 – “Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice.” (Isaiah 59:15) Where truth is absent, good people become prey and justice is non-existent. How do we know? Just ask God, Isaiah, women, African Americans, poor people, old people, indigenous people, people with disabilities and refugees, just to name a few. You can’t change the world, but you can change someone’s world by following the example of Jesus.
Tuesday, January 27 – “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10) God didn’t wait for us to get everything right, before coming as Jesus. God came “while we were God’s enemies”. For God didn’t need to come as Jesus, in order to save us. We needed God to come, as Jesus, so that we could understand what it means to be saved. Jesus is our example of grace, love, justice and restoration.
Wednesday, January 28 – “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15) Jesus paid the price, on the cross, for every sin that was ever committed or will ever be committed. Because of Jesus, all of humanity has been given the gift of salvation. Accepting this gift means that you’ll live your life in response to this gift. Following Jesus’ example of grace, love, justice and restoration. No longer is your life egocentric or all about you. Now your life is allocentric or focused on others.
Thursday, January 29 – “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:22) Why Jesus? Because God has always required a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. In the Old testament, it was animal sacrifice. In the New testament, it’s the sacrifice that Jesus paid on the cross. Because of what Jesus has done, you have a right relationship with God. Now your questions are these: Do you believe it? And if you believe it, are you going to live like it?
Friday, January 30 – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” (Galatians 3:13) The curse of the law is that nobody can be good enough. The law is all about what you do. If you do everything right, you’re good with God. Yet, nobody can do everything right. Thus, nobody was or ever will be good with God. Enter Jesus. Jesus took away this curse, for all of us. In Jesus’ death and resurrection the curse of being good enough is gone.
Saturday, January 31 – “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6) How do you live, in response to the gift that Jesus has given you? You plant seeds, you water seeds and you let God grow the seeds. You job, as a follower of Jesus, isn’t to win anyone. Your job, as a follower of Jesus, is to walk with anyone. And in this walking, you’ll plant seeds and you’ll water seeds.
Tuesday, January 27 – “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10) God didn’t wait for us to get everything right, before coming as Jesus. God came “while we were God’s enemies”. For God didn’t need to come as Jesus, in order to save us. We needed God to come, as Jesus, so that we could understand what it means to be saved. Jesus is our example of grace, love, justice and restoration.
Wednesday, January 28 – “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15) Jesus paid the price, on the cross, for every sin that was ever committed or will ever be committed. Because of Jesus, all of humanity has been given the gift of salvation. Accepting this gift means that you’ll live your life in response to this gift. Following Jesus’ example of grace, love, justice and restoration. No longer is your life egocentric or all about you. Now your life is allocentric or focused on others.
Thursday, January 29 – “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:22) Why Jesus? Because God has always required a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. In the Old testament, it was animal sacrifice. In the New testament, it’s the sacrifice that Jesus paid on the cross. Because of what Jesus has done, you have a right relationship with God. Now your questions are these: Do you believe it? And if you believe it, are you going to live like it?
Friday, January 30 – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” (Galatians 3:13) The curse of the law is that nobody can be good enough. The law is all about what you do. If you do everything right, you’re good with God. Yet, nobody can do everything right. Thus, nobody was or ever will be good with God. Enter Jesus. Jesus took away this curse, for all of us. In Jesus’ death and resurrection the curse of being good enough is gone.
Saturday, January 31 – “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6) How do you live, in response to the gift that Jesus has given you? You plant seeds, you water seeds and you let God grow the seeds. You job, as a follower of Jesus, isn’t to win anyone. Your job, as a follower of Jesus, is to walk with anyone. And in this walking, you’ll plant seeds and you’ll water seeds.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
