Saved? From what?

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Jeremiah 12:1–14:10 
1 Thessalonians 1:1–2:8 
Psalm 79:1-13 
Proverbs 24:30-34

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (ESV) "For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

In our Verses for Today, the Apostle Paul is bragging on the church at Thessalonica. They received the Gospel even though they were being persecuted for it. As a result, their example was being talked about in areas well beyond their city.

But, I want us to focus on the last phrase of today's verses...

"Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

If you want to ask someone if they are a Jesus-follower, you might ask the question: "Are you saved?"

As Christians, we have come to use that biblical word a lot. When we say "saved," we understand that it refers to the person who has trusted in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross on their behalf to forgive them, cleanse them, and make them God's child.

But, "saved" is one of those words that is used so often that we may not realize what it is actually talking about.

What does it mean to be "saved?"

If I told you that someone was drowning in a lake but I saved them, what would that mean? Simply that they were going to die but I took action and spared them of that tragic end.

If I told you that I came upon a car wreck and saved someone whose vehicle was engulfed in flames, what would that mean? Simply that they were going to die but I took action and spared them of that tragic end.

So, when Christians say that we are "saved," what does that mean? It simply means that we were headed for something utterly horrific but God took action and spared us of that tragic end.

What did God save us from?

"Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

Friend, God is a loving God (1 John 4:8,16) but He is also a just God (Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:18). He has set a day upon which He will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:30-31). And as a good, righteous Judge, He has no choice but to send sinful lawbreakers to a fiery Hell (Revelation 20:11-15). 

This is the "wrath to come," friend. This is where we are all headed unless God steps in to save us from this tragic end.

But God did step in to save us. He took drastic measures that enabled Him to maintain His holiness (our sin had to be paid for) and reveal His love (Jesus willingly offered His life as the payment for our sins - Romans 5:8).

So, all that is left is for us to receive that free gift. We do so by repenting (turning from sin and self-rule) and trusting in Jesus (resting in what He did to make us right in God's eyes). And when we do this, we are once and for all time "saved from the wrath to come."

John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

Why responding to God quickly is so important

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Isaiah 54:1–57:14 
Ephesians 6:1-24 
Psalm 70:1-5 
Proverbs 24:8

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV) "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The second part of our Verses for Today is wonderful, isn't it? We are told that we can turn away from sin and back to the Lord and He will completely forgive us. Further, we are told that the Lord will do so because He is compassionate - He really cares for us!

But, the first part of our Verses for Today should cause us to sit up and pay attention.

"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;" (Isaiah 55:6)

Friend, this verse clearly tells us that there is a limited time in which we can return to the Lord. There is only a certain amount of time in which "he may be found" "while he is near."

Clearly, from this verse (and others that say the same thing), we realize that there may be times when we cannot return to the Lord.

Sometimes, folks say "no" to the Lord so many times that their heart becomes calloused to Him. They have completely shut down the Spirit's work in their life (1 Thessalonians 5:19). So, they will no longer feel a desire to return to the Lord.

Sometimes, folks grow into old age and dementia sets in. They can no longer return to the Lord because their mind is no longer cooperating.

Sometimes, folks can get so locked into a sin that to get out would be so painful and the consequences so dire that they are essentially entrenched in that lifestyle.

Friend, if you are in sin and God is calling you back into a love relationship with Him, then repent and return today. Right now! Because there may come a time when repentance is no longer an option.

To be sure, your salvation is not on the line. If you are one of God's children because you have put your faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, then you are Heaven-bound. But, your life will have little to show for it and there will be far few rewards to receive on the day of judgment if you live apart from Him. But, even greater still, you will have foregone the ability to enjoy your God while you are on this earth.

So, repent and return, friend, while God is calling. Don't wait. Do it now.

God's love and our tragedies

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Job 1:1–3:26 
1 Corinthians 14:1-17 
Psalm 37:12-29 
Proverbs 21:25-26

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Job 1:8 (NLT) "Then the LORD asked Satan, 'Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.' "

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

In American Christianity, so many that claim that they are opposed to the Health & Wealth Gospel actually believe it. When something good happens to them, they immediately assume that God is blessing them. When something bad happens, they feel like an injustice has occurred. "God, I've been faithfully serving You and this bad thing has happened to me. Why?!"

Fortunately, we have the Bible to correct our erroneous thinking. And if God's Word said nothing else about the subject, the book of Job is sufficient.

The book of Job essentially deals with the topic of suffering in a messed up world. By the end of chapter 1, we read that Job had lost his livelihood and all of his children had been killed.

If that happened to you or me, we would immediately ask the question: "God, what have I done to deserve this?" That question assumes that God will give good things to those who faithfully follow Him and He will allow bad things to come to those who are not following Him. (In other words, the false beliefs of the Health & Wealth Gospel.)

But, all we need to do is read Job 1:8 (and Job 2:3 where God essentially repeats Himself) to see that sin did not bring on Job's tragedy. It wasn't because he was out of favor with God. God wasn't angry at him or disappointed in him.

None of the above things were true. The truth is that God was thoroughly pleased with Job and proud of him!

Job 1:8 (NLT) "Then the LORD asked Satan, 'Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.' "

Essentially, there was a cosmic battle taking place. Satan wanted to demonstrate that God's followers were weak and would quickly abandon Him if their life got tough. God presented Job to Satan as a trophy and as proof that his followers wouldn't quickly abandon Him.

So, Job's horrible troubles weren't because of sin or God's displeasure. No! Job's troubles actually came about ... because God was very pleased with him and proud of him!

Friend, when bad things happen to you, it would be appropriate to do a self-assessment. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your mind and heart to reveal any hidden sins that may have brought on God's discipline (Psalm 139:23-24). 

But, if there is no known sin, then don't continue to assume that the bad thing(s) is evidence of God's displeasure with you. In fact, Job's example reveals that there will be times when God allows troubles into the life of those who are thoroughly pleasing to Him. 

In those times, don't waste your energy questioning Him. Just focus on passing the test. Keep your eyes on Him, strive for wholehearted obedience, and immediately repent of any shortcoming as you receive the grace and forgiveness to get back up and keep on going.

Drowning in God's love and faithfulness

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Esther 4:1–7:10 
1 Corinthians 12:1-26 
Psalm 36:1-12 
Proverbs 21:21-22

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Psalm 36:5 (ESV) "Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds."
REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Our Verse for Today is simple and yet profound. It could be read at a glance and yet we could meditate on it all day.

Essentially, the Psalmist says:

Do you want to know how much love God has? Well, it begins under your feet and extends all the way up to the heavens. 

Do you want to know how much faithfulness God has - the fact that he can always be counted on to keep His promises and watch over His creation? Well, it begins under your feet and extends all the way up to the clouds.

The Psalmist uses poetry to express his conviction that we are all swimming in God's love and faithfulness. If you are walking on planet earth, you are immersed in God's compassion for you and faithfulness to you.

Regardless of what you may feel, my friend, you are the object of God's affection.

"God so loved the world..." (John 3:16)

The only thing left for us to do is respond to this love and faithfulness. 

For the unbeliever, their response is to receive God's greatest gift of love by trusting in Jesus and what He did on the cross to forgive them and save them. 

For the Jesus-follower, our response is to reflect on God's love and faithfulness to us so that we are motivated and energized to make progress in our pursuit of holiness. Because of what God has done and is doing for us, we want to learn more about Him and submit ourselves more fully to Him.

Friend, today you are immersed in God's love and faithfulness. 

Swim around in it. 

Enjoy it. 

And reflect on how best you are to respond to it.

Enjoying a divine relationship

DAILY BIBLE READING:

1 Chronicles 9:1–10:14 
Acts 27:21-44 
Psalm 8:1-9 
Proverbs 18:23-24

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 18:24 (CSB) "One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Our Verse for Today was written in the Old Testament. King Solomon only knew tidbits about the coming Messiah.

He knew that the Messiah would sit on his father David's throne.

He knew that the kingdom would have no end.

But, he did not know his name would be Jesus.

He also did not realize that the Mighty Warrior would also be a dear friend "who stays closer than a brother."

So, Proverbs 8:24 was not initially intended to speak about Jesus. Solomon did not have Jesus in mind when he included this verse in the book written to his son for his instruction.

Yet, as New Testament saints, we realize that ALL of the Bible (properly understood) is about Jesus. If we look carefully enough we will see Jesus not only on the pages of the New Testament but all over the pages of the Old Testament (see John 5:39).

As we look at Proverbs 18:24, it could not be more clear that God had Jesus in mind when this verse was written.

Proverbs 18:24 (CSB) "One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother."

Further, this reminds us of the New Testament truth - that God doesn't want us to go about doing religious things so much as He wants us to enter into relationship with Him so we can enjoy Him as He enjoys us.

It's all about relationship. And, if we are Jesus-followers, Jesus is our friend that "stays closer than a brother."

So, enjoy relationship with Jesus today. Speak with Him in prayer and listen to Him in His Word. And realize that obeying Him is essential to experiencing the joys of the relationship.

John 15:14 (CSB) "You are my friends if you do what I command you."

So, enjoy this relationship today. God is calling out to you to participate in the most loft of relationships that meets our deepest needs. And He's waiting on you. Will you enjoy Him today?

God's favor and taking a wife

DAILY BIBLE READING:

1 Chronicles 7:1–8:40 
Acts 27:1-20 
Psalm 7:1-17 
Proverbs 18:22 

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 18:22 (CSB) "A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

When a man marries a woman, there is much more to it than meets the eye.

On May 10, 1997, I stood at the front of the worship center as Kim was walked down the aisle. Within a few minutes, both of us said, "I do." Our marriage had begun.

But, I didn't simply pick Kim and she didn't simply pick me. As I took her for my wife, I realized that my God had graciously given her to me. He was smiling on me as I received His gift to me.

Proverbs 18:22 (CSB) "A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."

That's what our Verse for Today is saying. It's a message to guys saying that we all need to realize that if we are blessed with a wife, she is God's gift to us.

So, she is to be enjoyed and cherished. As a precious gift from our Father, she needs to be valued and loved.

In fact, husbands are commanded to love our wives with a self-less, sacrificial love just like Jesus loves us (Ephesians 5:25ff).

Why do we love her this way? Among other reasons, she is God's gift to us. We have obtained favor from the Lord and He has smiled on us.

So, husbands, we've got work to do. Get busy.

Responding to correction

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 4:18–5:27 

Acts 15:1-35 

Psalm 141:1-10 

Proverbs 17:23

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 141:5 (CSV) "Let the righteous one strike me - it is an act of faithful love; let him rebuke me - it is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. Even now my prayer is against the evil acts of the wicked."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Our Verse for Today can only be understood and appreciated by someone who genuinely wants to pursue holiness. All others will simply pass over it and not give it a second thought.

This verse is powerful. The Psalmist is saying that even though it would be painful to his pride, he recognizes that being rebuked is actually an act of love. He wants those painful words!

Why? 

Because the Psalmist realized that if someone truly loved him and desired for him to live in such a way that his actions would be pleasing to the Lord, then he needed them to point out his sins. Sometimes, his sinful heart may not acknowledge the sin. Other times, he may not even be aware of the sin. So, he needed those who loved him to point them out.

And rather than resisting this potentially painful experience, he longed for it. He wanted to live in such a way that his actions pleased the Lord and he needed others to help him grow in holiness.

So, friend, how do you respond to correction? Do you resist it? Do you get angry? Do you sever relationships when someone is painfully honest with you?

Or do you desire for others to point out your weak spots so you can address that area of your life?

Friend, we need each other. If we truly love each other and desire holiness, we need to love each other enough to point out areas of concern in each other so we can grow in holiness.

Application:

- Ask God to grow your desire for holiness.

- Give others permission to point out sin in your life.

- When you are corrected, listen and then pray about what God is saying.

- If necessary, point out areas of sin in those around you but make sure that you are doing so because you love that person.

The standard of love

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Samuel 9:1–11:27 
John 15:1-27 
Psalm 119:49-64 
Proverbs 16:1-3

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

John 15:12-13 "This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

We don't have to spend much time in the New Testament before we realize that love is the theme: 

It's the reason Jesus came to earth (John 3:16).
It's what motivated Jesus to help people (Matthew 9:36; 14:14).
It's the essence of every law God has given (Matthew 22:35-40).
It's the attribute that must be present in us or nothing we do will matter (1 Corinthians 13).

On and on we could go. Love is the theme. It's how God has related to us and how God calls us to relate to Him and others.

In our Verses for Today, the standard for this love is clarified... 

Jesus is our example. 
John 15:12 "This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you." 
We are to love others as Jesus has loved us. That means that since Jesus loved us while we were still messed up (Romans 5:8) and nothing we do can ever separate us from that love (Romans 8:38-39), we must provide that same kind of love for other believers.

Sacrifice is our aim.
John 15:13 "No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends."
When Jesus said these words, He was pointing to the death He would die for His disciples to show His love for them. But, He also implied that sacrificing for others demonstrates the kind of love we are to have for each other. If someone has a need and we have the ability to meet that need, then we must be willing to help even if it costs us.

What would it be like in each of our churches and Christian communities if we loved each other this way? It would almost feel like a Heaven on earth, wouldn't it? Unbelievers would definitely be attracted to that kind of love (John 13:35). 

Let's ask the Lord to help us grow in this kind of Christ-like love today ... and then look for opportunities today to love others as Jesus has told us to.

Enjoying God and others

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Samuel 7:1–8:18 
John 14:15-31 
Psalm 119:33-48 
Proverbs 15:33

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

John 14:23 (CSB) "Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Probably the greatest human need is for relationship. We long to love and be loved by others.

In God's work of Creation in Genesis 1-2, we read that the Lord kept pronouncing everything "good." Yet, when He created Adam and before He created Eve, He acknowledged Adam's lack of relationship as "not good."

Genesis 2:18 (CSB) "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.'"

So, even in the perfect utopia known as the Garden of Eden, before sin entered the world, where Adam was free to enjoy God, it was still acknowledged that Adam needed a human relationship - in his particular case, a wife.

But, the interesting truth is that it wasn't good that man only had God, he needed a human relationship. But, once Adam sinned and took his wife out of Eden and away from the unbroken relationship with God, loneliness became his plight.

Principle: We need a relationship with God and others. We need to have our hearts satisfied in a relationship with God in order to enjoy others. And having our need for relationship met by others (church, family, etc.) enables us to enjoy God's presence all the more.

The greatest commandment (love God will everything we've got) enables us to obey the second greatest commandment (love others as we love ourselves) and vise versa (see Matthew 22:35-40).

In our Verse for Today, God tells us that for those who love Him and demonstrate it by doing what He says, the Trinity will take up residence inside of him. Relationship and union cannot get any closer or more intimate than that! God lives inside of those of us who are Jesus-followers!

So, there are two truths to be enjoyed from this verse:

1) Enjoy the relationship with God that He is offering to you. Enjoy it so much that you are overflowing with joy.

2) Then, you will be more emotionally healthy and suited to enjoy relationship with others.

God really does understand us. He knows of our need for relationship. It's met in Him and in others. And He has provided the way for us to enjoy them.

Why we must love each other

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Samuel 4:1–6:23 
John 13:31–14:14 
Psalm 119:17-32 
Proverbs 15:31-32 

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

John 13:34-35 "I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Following Jesus is difficult but easy.

It's difficult because of our propensity toward sin that keeps us on our knees each day asking for forgiveness over and over.

It's simple because there are really only two commands that we must remember. All of the other commands are just subsets of these two: Love God will everything you've got and love each other just as you love and care about yourself (see Matthew 22:35-40).

In my Bible reading this morning, I was reminded that there are causes and effects to obeying these two greatest commands, particularly loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. When an unbelieving world sees the compassionate community that Jesus' followers create by their love for each other, many will come to believe that Jesus does exist, that we are His followers, and He is what their heart craves.

John 13:34-35 (CSB) "I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Fellow believers, we've got to love each other. That means we will honor each other and not gossip about one another. That means we will sacrifice to meet each other's need if necessary. That means we will extend grace and biblical assistance when one of us stumbles into sin and we will quit shooting our wounded. That means we genuinely like being around those in our own church as well as those who attend elsewhere.

All too often, when lost people look at the Christian community, they see people who can't get along. They hear the gossip, ridicule, and condemnation. They listen to the unforgiveness. They see the clique. The lost world struggles with their own relationship troubles so why would they be attracted to a community where they would simply add to that burden.

Let's focus on the two greatest commands: Love God will all of our heart and love each other as we love ourselves.

If you are a part of a church that is genuinely loving others like the one I pastor (we haven't 'arrived' but we're having fun working on it), you should thank the Lord for placing you there and always strive to make that love go deeper.

If, however, this is not your experience, work to create a community where broken people are accepted and helped along on their journey to Christlikeness. In doing so, show the world that Jesus really does exist, that we are His followers, and He really is all they need.

Serving God wholeheartedly

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Joshua 7:16-9:2
Luke 16:1-18
Psalm 82:1-8
Proverbs 13:2-3

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

In Americanized Christianity, we tend to think of our relationship with God as a segment of our life in which there are many other segments. There is church time, work time, family time, me time, etc.

While we wouldn't audibly agree with the fact that we compartmentalize our relationship with Jesus each day, our schedules tell us differently.

When we look at how too many of us spend too little time in God's Word and prayer each day and how rarely we speak of our Lord to others or offer up sporadic prayers throughout the day, but how much time we spend doing other things of no eternal value, we are reminded that our relationship with our God hasn't adequately permeated the moments of our days.

When we look at our verse for the day, we are reminded that God wants all of us, not just a part of us.

The language of our verse of the day tells us that Jesus says it is impossible to serve God as we should and yet also serve other things, too. There is no room for a segmented, compartmentalized life. We are either serving God as our master or we aren't.

Does that mean we must quit our jobs, leave our families, and give up our hobbies so that we can join a monastery to serve Jesus every moment of our day? Of course not!

Jesus wants us to experience the joy of serving Him while we go about the various activities of our day.

1 Corinthians 10:31 "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."

Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

So, as you live out the moments of your day, live with a conscience awareness of Jesus' presence with you in each of those moments. Let prayers flow from your lips during the moments of your days, especially when you need something from Him (e.g. wisdom for a decision, courage, peace, etc.). Consider writing a "verse for the day" down on an index card each morning so that you can meditate on it during the day.

Whatever it takes, strive to serve the Lord wholeheartedly while you live the moments of your day. Because, each follower of Jesus longs to one day hear Him say: "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

Pour out your heart to God

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 28:16-29:40
Luke 3:23-38
Psalm 62:1-12
Proverbs 11:18-19

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 62:8 (CSB) "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

As a young Christian, I believed a lie about my prayer life. I thought that 'mature' prayers focused on others. It was the prayer of an immature Christian that focused on themselves. 

Or, so I thought.

When I went off to college, I spiraled into a serious time of discouragement - depression, really. And as I tried to work my way through that difficult time, I wanted desperately to feel loved and accepted by God. 

Yet, He felt a million miles away. When God's Word told me that Jesus called me His friend (John 15:15), it felt like that truth applied to everyone else except me.

... and then I re-read the book of Psalms!

The book of Psalms provided a powerful paradigm shift for me. I saw the Psalmist being completely real about his questions. I saw him opening up his heart to the Lord and not holding anything back. I realized that the Psalmist said things that I wouldn't have dared say in my own prayers because they sounded too harsh or even disrespectful.

... and yet He basked in God's love for Him.

And then it hit me! God knows my heart anyway. So, why not tell Him everything! Why not follow the Psalmist's example and be completely open and honest about what's going on in the privacy of my heart. Tell Him of my fears, my questions, my concerns, my doubts.

Or, as the Psalmist said in today's verse: "pour out your hearts before him."

One reason we are rarely completely honest with our family and friends is because we fear that we will be rejected. They will hear what is going on inside of us and then pull away from us.

So, we don't pour out our hearts. We keep it private and hidden wishing we could be accepted in light of who we truly are, struggles and all.

But, in prayer, God WANTS us to "pour out (our) hearts." He won't pull away. In fact, as we "pour out (our) hearts," we realize that He will forever remain "our refuge." 

Be honest with the Lord. Tell Him everything that is going on inside of you. Realize that He knows it already ... and still loves you more than you could ever possibly imagine. If you are His child, there is absolutely nothing you can do that would cause Him to love you any less.

So, be honest with Him in your prayers - as honest as the Psalmist was. And then bask in the fact that as you are becoming more like Jesus as the years pass by, you are dearly loved by your Heavenly Father through it all.

I'm Barabbas? Really!?

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 15:17-16:40
Mark 15:1-47
Psalm 54:1-7
Proverbs 11:5-6

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Mark 15:12 "Pilate asked them, 'Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?'"

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

In our verse for the day, Pilate asked the crowd what they wanted him to do with Jesus. Certain things caused this question to be asked:

- Jesus had been brought to Pilate by the envious, Jewish, religious leaders. They wanted Him killed once and for all.
- The Jewish people reminded Pilate that it was the time of year when he had traditionally released a prisoner to them.
- Pilate, believing Jesus to be innocent of any wrong-doing, offered the crowd a choice: Jesus or the murdering Barabbas (a convicted murderer and insurrectionist).
- To Pilate's shock, the crowd chose Barabbas and demanded that Jesus be crucified.

Now, friend, if we were in that crowd and watched these events play out, our hearts would have been broken at such injustice. We would have wept as these words were welling up in our hearts: "It's not fair! It's not fair!"

Yet, in this ugly scene, there is a beautiful picture. It is simply this: An obviously guilty man went free as Jesus took his place on the cross.

Friend, you and I are Barabbas in this story! We've been angry so we are just as guilty of murder as he is (Matthew 5:21-22). We've also lied, stolen, looked to lust, refused to forgive, failed to love sacrificially, been filled with jealousy, and so much more! In God's eyes, we are all lawbreakers.

But, when we place our trust in Jesus, relying upon Him to make us right in God's eyes, then He takes our place on the cross. We get to go free because He forgives us and declares us righteous.

While we look down on Barabbas and cry "injustice," his role is actually a beautiful picture of our guilt, God's love and justice, and our freedom.

Reflecting on how much God loves you

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 4:1–5:31 
Mark 12:18-37 
Psalm 48:1-14 
Proverbs 10:26

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 48:9 "O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your Temple."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

I've said it before and I'll continue to say it again because it is a theme in Scripture - God doesn't want our mindless acts of worship. He wants our heart!

Whether we are worshiping on a Sunday morning with our church family or whether we are worshiping in our car on the way to work, God wants that adoration to flow from our inner being.

Well, if you are like me, you sometimes just don't feel like worshiping. You know you should. You want to. But, you just don't feel like it. 

So, how do you get your heart into a right attitude? Do what the Psalmist said: "Meditate on (His) unfailing love." Simply think deeply about how much God loves you. Think about how He demonstrated that love for you on the cross. Think about how He demonstrates that love for you each day by giving you your next breath of air, provides you with family and friends, and so much more.

When we come to realize how much God loves us, we will find it easy to worship Him from our hearts.