Morning Devotion
May 4, 2022
Today's Bible Verse
Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Today's Bible Study
In this verse from the Sermon on the Mount, a collection of Jesus' teachings found in Matthew, we learn about how we are supposed to treat our enemies. At first glance, it can seem pretty counterintuitive! We are not supposed to treat them as they have treated us. Rather, we should love them, be good to them, and pray for them. Today, we'll talk about why this is so important.
What comes into your mind when you read this verse? Several hurtful people flashed through my mind, and the thought of showing them love didn't feel so good in my heart. I felt like if I decided to show them love, that's like letting them get away with how they treated me—like I'm saying it was okay. How am I supposed to bridge that feeling with Jesus command to forgive?
I believe it begins with an honest truth: No one gets away with anything. The Bible says that God is just and that He will not overlook our pain. It also reminds us that we will reap what we sow … if we sow seeds of meanness, we will eventually reap them. This truth can help us forgive because it reminds us that justice is not something we should exact from each other; it is God's job to make sure that all sin debts have been paid. In fact, they already are.
What comes into your mind when you read this verse? Several hurtful people flashed through my mind, and the thought of showing them love didn't feel so good in my heart. I felt like if I decided to show them love, that's like letting them get away with how they treated me—like I'm saying it was okay. How am I supposed to bridge that feeling with Jesus command to forgive?
I believe it begins with an honest truth: No one gets away with anything. The Bible says that God is just and that He will not overlook our pain. It also reminds us that we will reap what we sow … if we sow seeds of meanness, we will eventually reap them. This truth can help us forgive because it reminds us that justice is not something we should exact from each other; it is God's job to make sure that all sin debts have been paid. In fact, they already are.
Jesus paid for every sin when He died on the cross. He has covered every iniquity in you and me once and for all. When we refuse to forgive, it is practically saying that Jesus' death on the cross was not a big enough sacrifice for sin. Jesus' death covered your sins—but also the sins of the many, many people who will harm you in your life. If those people come to Him and ask for forgiveness, Jesus will gladly forgive them.
We know this because He has forgiven us. We have harmed God just as other people have harmed us, and yet He forgave us. People will hurt us, deeply, painfully, but when we use those instances to show grace, love, and mercy, we are helping them understand who Jesus is and reminding ourselves of the grace that He has already shown us. Indeed, it is only because of the forgiveness we have received that we are able to pray for, do good for, and love those who have hurt us.
We know this because He has forgiven us. We have harmed God just as other people have harmed us, and yet He forgave us. People will hurt us, deeply, painfully, but when we use those instances to show grace, love, and mercy, we are helping them understand who Jesus is and reminding ourselves of the grace that He has already shown us. Indeed, it is only because of the forgiveness we have received that we are able to pray for, do good for, and love those who have hurt us.
Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, please help me to forgive those who have wronged me. I don't want to be someone who seeks vengeance. Instead, like Jesus, I want to be an instrument of reconciliation and love. Help me to remember how Jesus has forgiven me, and to show that same mercy to other people. I love you, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.
If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.
-C.S. Lewis
God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas but for scars.
-Elbert Hubbard
The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.
-C.S. Lewis
If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.
-Dorothy Parker
Yesterday's Devotional
May 3, 2022
Yesterday's Bible Verse
1 John 3:3
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Yesterday's Bible Study
In this morning's verse from 1 John, we see the power of hope in our lives. Hope in Jesus has a purifying effect. In today's Bible study, we will talk about the hope that we have in Jesus and how it changes the way we approach each day.
We have hope in Jesus because we know that we are saved by Him. While we were once unworthy of having a relationship with God, Jesus changed everything. He allowed Himself to die on a cross so that our sins could be atoned for once and for all. This shows us the great love that the Lord has for us—if He loved us enough to die for us, we can certainly trust Him with our lives. His love is the foundation of our hope.
Just before today's verse, in 1 John 3:2, we learn that the reason for hope is that Jesus will appear again and we will be like Him. This gives us confidence that no matter what we may be struggling with, very soon that struggle will end. The righteousness imparted to us by Jesus death on the cross will come full circle, and we will be holy and like Him forever. We can be assured that even though we live in a fallen world and struggle with sin, we will one day walk in righteousness and holiness forever.
We have hope in Jesus because we know that we are saved by Him. While we were once unworthy of having a relationship with God, Jesus changed everything. He allowed Himself to die on a cross so that our sins could be atoned for once and for all. This shows us the great love that the Lord has for us—if He loved us enough to die for us, we can certainly trust Him with our lives. His love is the foundation of our hope.
Just before today's verse, in 1 John 3:2, we learn that the reason for hope is that Jesus will appear again and we will be like Him. This gives us confidence that no matter what we may be struggling with, very soon that struggle will end. The righteousness imparted to us by Jesus death on the cross will come full circle, and we will be holy and like Him forever. We can be assured that even though we live in a fallen world and struggle with sin, we will one day walk in righteousness and holiness forever.
This encourages us to continue striving for spiritual growth even when it becomes difficult or makes us feel like strangers in this world. Knowing that we will one day no longer battle against sin encourages us to continue growing in our sanctification each day. Remembering that God has promised to defeat our sinful desires reminds us that He has the power to help us honor Him in our actions and words today.
We have many reasons for hope as Christians, and these begin with understanding and believing that the Lord is working in our hearts to make us more and more like Him with each passing day.
We have many reasons for hope as Christians, and these begin with understanding and believing that the Lord is working in our hearts to make us more and more like Him with each passing day.
Yesterday's Prayer
Dear Lord, I am so grateful that having hope in you changes who I am. You make me desire things of God and sanctify myself with each passing day. Help me to become more and more like you, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.