Day: July 11, 2017

Daily Reading 7-12-17

John 13:1-17  Living Bible (TLB)

 

Do you agree Christ’s way is the humble way?  You know there is a difference between believing in the humble way and actually living it, right?  We are not better than our Master; so, if Jesus humbled himself, took on a servant’s role, and washed the feet of the disciples, then we should find ways to serve others in a way that glorifies God.  How do you treat the people around you?  Are you waiting for them to serve you?  Or, do you actively look for ways to serve them?  If we are willing to take on a servant’s role and serve others, then clearly Christ has washed us and we have become his partners.  Our passage today, reminds us to know the truth and do it is the path of blessing!  So, I am praying blessing for you today!

 

John 13:1-17

13 1-3 Jesus knew on the evening of Passover Day that it would be his last night on earth before returning to his Father. During supper the devil had already suggested to Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that this was the night to carry out his plan to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. And how he loved his disciples! 4 So he got up from the supper table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his loins, 5 poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he had around him.

6 When he came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Master, you shouldn’t be washing our feet like this!”

 

7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now why I am doing it; some day you will.”

 

8 “No,” Peter protested, “you shall never wash my feet!”

“But if I don’t, you can’t be my partner,” Jesus replied.

 

9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well—not just my feet!”

10 Jesus replied, “One who has bathed all over needs only to have his feet washed to be entirely clean. Now you are clean—but that isn’t true of everyone here.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

 

12 After washing their feet he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Master’ and ‘Lord,’ and you do well to say it, for it is true. 14 And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow: do as I have done to you. 16 How true it is that a servant is not greater than his master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends him. 17 You know these things—now do them! That is the path of blessing.

 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the reminder that we are to serve you by serving others; we are partners in your mission.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Reading 7-11-17

Romans 3:1-8  Living Bible (TLB)

 

There are some things in life that should be overlooked, but sin is not one of them.  Do you think God overlooks your sin?  In his epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul reminds his listeners that everyone sins and stands guilty before a holy God.  With that in mind, the best way to handle the truth of that statement is repentance; a turning from sin in order to live for God.  

 

People love to make excuses for why certain sins are all right and others are not, but in reality sin is sin and God hates sin; he will judge it.  God sent the Holy Spirit so we could be delivered from sin and instead live in his righteousness.  God is good and will always be righteous, but we are his children who are to be growing into the image of Christ.  If we are not growing in righteousness, more than likely we are making excuses for the sin we want to practice.

 

Romans 3:1-8

3 Then what’s the use of being a Jew? Are there any special benefits for them from God? Is there any value in the Jewish circumcision ceremony? 2 Yes, being a Jew has many advantages.

 

First of all, God trusted them with his laws so that they could know and do his will.[a] 3 True, some of them were unfaithful, but just because they broke their promises to God, does that mean God will break his promises? 4 Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is not. Do you remember what the book of Psalms says about this?[b] That God’s words will always prove true and right, no matter who questions them.

 

5 “But,” some say, “our breaking faith with God is good, our sins serve a good purpose, for people will notice how good God is when they see how bad we are. Is it fair, then, for him to punish us when our sins are helping him?” (That is the way some people talk.) 6 God forbid! Then what kind of God would he be, to overlook sin? How could he ever condemn anyone? 7 For he could not judge and condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty brought him glory by pointing up his honesty in contrast to my lies. 8 If you follow through with that idea you come to this: the worse we are, the better God likes it! But the damnation of those who say such things is just. Yet some claim that this is what I preach!

 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for guiding me toward righteous living; I need your help and power.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.