july 13-19 | loved

july 13-19 | loved
july 13
Read: JOHN 8:1–11
The flashing lights of the police car drew my attention to a motorist who
had been pulled over for a traffic violation. As the officer, ticket book
in hand, walked back to his car, I could clearly see the embarrassed
driver sitting helplessly behind the wheel of her car. With her hands, she
attempted to block her face from the view of passersby—hoping to hide
her identity. Her actions were a reminder to me of how embarrassing it
can be when we are exposed by our choices and their consequences.
When a guilty woman was brought before Jesus and her immorality
was exposed, the crowd did more than just watch. They called for her
condemnation, but Jesus showed mercy. The only One with the right to
judge sin responded to her failure with compassion. After dispatching
her accusers, “Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin
no more’” (John 8:11). His compassion reminds us of His forgiving grace,
and His command to her points to His great desire that we live in the joy
of that grace. Both elements show the depth of Christ’s concern for us
when we stumble and fall.
Even in our most embarrassing moments of failure, we can cry out to
Him and find that His grace is truly amazing.
Jesus alone can supply the grace we need
for each trial we face.
Pray: Lord, You love us for exactly who we are. Despite our flaws, our
hurts, our struggles – you still know who we are and love us. Thank you
for pulling me out of darkness each day. Amen.
Memorize: Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin
no more.” john 8:11
By Bill Crowder, Our Daily Bread (odb.org)
july 14
Read: romans 8:1–11
The elephant is the largest land animal on earth—and one of the most
powerful. Yet it takes only a strong rope to restrain one. Here’s how it
works. When the elephant is young, he is tied to a large tree. For weeks,
he will strain and pull, but the rope holds him fast. So eventually he
gives up.
Then, when the elephant reaches his full size and strength, he won’t
struggle to get free, for once he feels resistance, he stops. He still
believes he’s held captive and can’t break free.
Satan can play a similar trick on us to hold us captive. The Bible assures
us that there is “no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who
do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans
8:1). We have been set “free from the law of sin and death” (v.2). But the
enemy of our soul tries to make us believe we are still dominated by sin.
What shall we do then? Reflect on what Christ has done. He died for
our sins and declared an end to sin’s control over us (v.3). He rose from
the dead and gave us the Holy Spirit. Now we are empowered to live
victoriously in Him because “the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from
the dead dwells in [us]” (v.11). In Christ, we are set free.
Experience true freedom—
take every thought captive in obedience to Christ.
Pray: Lord, You alone set us free. I know I have sinned, and will
continue to sin. Forgive me, Father, each day – and bring me closer
to your ways and further from my own. I need you. Amen.
Memorize: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who
are in Christ Jesus. romans 8:1
By Poh Fang Chia, Our Daily Bread (odb.org)
july 15
Read: Romans 8:1–4; 28–39
Everybody likes to be a winner. So when we read in Romans 8:37 that
we as followers of Christ are “more than conquerors,” we get excited.
But what does that phrase mean?
The apostle Paul began Romans 8 by recounting God’s grace in
sending His Son Jesus to die to pay the penalty for our sins (vv.1–3).
He went on to say that believers also have the help of the Holy Spirit
to give us victory over the power of sin in daily life (vv.4–17).
Paul later talked about Christ’s unfailing love (v.35). Some circumstances
may make us feel alone and defeated, but in all situations we are
conquerors because nothing can “separate us from the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v.39).
When I was a boy in Singapore, I experienced one particularly harsh
punishment. I was forced to kneel on the thorny skin of a durian (a large
Asian fruit). I became angry, and bitterness consumed my life. But when
I learned of God’s love for me and I put my faith in Christ, He not only
forgave my sin but He taught me to forgive others. No longer was I imprisoned by my sin or anger. I began to discover that “we are more than
conquerors through Him who loved us” (v.37).
Because of Christ and His unfailing love for us, we are winners!
Think less of the power of things over you
and more of the power of Christ in you.
Pray: Father, come into my life. Passionately, I want to know you more
and more. You entered this world with a humble beginning and you
came to serve. Show me how to go forward with that humility, bringing
your Good News into the lives of others. Amen.
Memorize: In all these things we are more than conquerors through
Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
By Albert Lee, Our Daily Bread (odb.org)
july 16
Read: john 21:3–17
It’s my duty to grill the burgers, brats, steaks, or whatever else my wife
has on the menu. And while I’m not the greatest chef when it comes
to outdoor cooking, I love the unforgettable aroma of grilling over a
charcoal fire. So the mention of a “fire of coals” in John 21:9 catches
my attention. And I find myself wondering why John would include this
detail in the story about Jesus calling a failing Peter back to serve and
follow Him.
In verses 1–3, it’s apparent that Peter had reopened his fishing business.
Just a few days before, Peter was warming his hands over a charcoal fire
when he denied Jesus to save his own skin (John 18:17–18). So why not
go back to fishing?
While Peter and his cohorts were casting nets, Jesus built a fire on
the beach. Coincidence? I doubt it! And as Peter approached Jesus,
I wonder if the pungent aroma of the burning charcoal brought back
memories of that other fire where he had failed Christ. Yet Jesus in His
mercy took the initiative to call Peter back into His service.
Think of it: Jesus is willing to forgive our failures and call us into His
service. After all, if only perfect people qualified to serve Him, He
wouldn’t have anyone to choose from!
Being imperfect doesn’t disqualify us from
serving God; it just emphasizes our dependence
on His mercy.
Pray: Lord, although we are imperfect, You can use us still, if we
confess our sins to You and seek to do Your will. Amen.
Memorize: As soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals
there, and fish laid on it, and bread. john 21:9
By Joe Stowell, Our Daily Bread (odb.org)
july 17
Read: luke 22:39–51
Early in his career, jazz player Herbie Hancock was invited to play in
the quintet of Miles Davis, already a musical legend. In an interview,
Hancock admitted being nervous but described it as a wonderful
experience because Davis was so nurturing. During one performance,
when Davis was near the high point of his solo, Hancock played the
wrong chord. He was mortified, but Davis continued as if nothing had
happened. “He played some notes that made my chord right,” Hancock
said.
What an example of loving leadership! Davis didn’t scold Hancock or
make him look foolish. He didn’t blame him for ruining the performance.
He simply adjusted his plan and turned a potentially disastrous mistake
into something beautiful.
What Davis did for Hancock, Jesus did for Peter. When Peter cut off the
ear of one of the crowd who had come to arrest Jesus, Jesus reattached
the ear (Luke 22:51), indicating that His kingdom was about healing, not
hurting. Time after time Jesus used the disciples’ mistakes to show a
better way.
What Jesus did for His disciples, He also does for us. And what He does
for us, we can do for others. Instead of magnifying every mistake, we can
turn them into beautiful acts of forgiveness, healing, and redemption.
Jesus longs to turn our mistakes
into amazing examples of His grace.
Pray: Father, You understand how prone we are to make selfish and
foolish mistakes. Forgive us and restore us. Please, for Your name’s sake,
use even the worst aspects of our lives for Your glory. Amen.
Memorize: Jesus touched his ear and healed him. luke 22:51
By Julie Ackerman Link, Our Daily Bread (odb.org)
july 18
Read: 1 SAMUEL 18:28–19:12
John Matuszak was a 6’8”, 280-pound football player for the Oakland
Raiders. His public image was that of a havoc-wreaking, heavy-drinking,
hard-hitting player who was as much of a threat off the field as on. But
friends knew “Tooz,” as they called him, as a 280-pound puppy dog just
begging to be loved.
According to Los Angeles Times writer Mark Heisler, John Matuszak
was “beset by fears he couldn’t acknowledge.” As a young boy, he was
ridiculed for his gawky, beanpole appearance. And he had two brothers
who died of cystic fibrosis. The tough-guy image that Tooz had created
was a fortress for him to hide in. But he got trapped there. After years of
alcohol and drug abuse, John died of a massive heart attack at age 38.
The story of King Saul bears some striking similarities. He too was a
monster of a man, a fighter. He was also driven by fears (1 Samuel 18:29).
Because he tried to cope with them in his own strength instead of
turning to the Lord for help, his life came to an untimely end (31:4).
Father, no matter how big we may appear on the outside, sometimes we
feel very small on the inside. Forgive us for putting up a false front and
pretending we’re strong enough to handle life on our own. Help us to
trust You more.
Fear fades as faith grows.
Pray: Father, our weakness and fears can often be hid beneath an
exterior tough and strong; but it’s best to admit that we’re scared and
weak, And to trust in You. Amen.
Memorize: In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.
psalm 56:11
By Matt DeHaan, Our Daily Bread (odb.org)
july 19
Read: 1 john 1:1–10
A man rebuked me for admitting that I still sin and often need
forgiveness. He quoted verses 6 and 9 of 1 John 3 and said that a
Christian does not sin, implying that I was not a Christian. I assured him
that I don’t want to sin, but that I can’t say I’m Christlike in everything I
think, say, and do. I suggested that the verses in 1 John 3 refer to a sinful
lifestyle, and I pointed him to other verses in 1 John which teach that
Christians still need forgiveness (1:8–10; 2:1).
Becoming like Christ is a lifelong process. Only in heaven will we be
without sin. I believe that’s why John warned us to beware of three lies
about sin: First, saying “we have fellowship with [Christ]” while we “walk
in darkness” (1 John 1:6). Second, saying “we have no sin” (v.8). And
third, saying “we have not sinned” (v.10). Following each lie he gave us
the truth. First, if we walk in the light, Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all sin
(v.7). Second, if we confess our sins, He forgives and cleanses us (v.9). And
third, if we sin, Jesus speaks in our defense before the Father (2:1).
In our struggle with temptation and sin, let’s pray as David did, “Who can
understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your
servant also from presumptuous sins” (Psalm 19:12–13).
Christians are not sinless, but they should sin less.
Pray: Father, please help me, Lord, in all I do to act and think with
motives true; and by Your love reveal to me those sins that only You
can see. Amen.
Memorize: We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
rigtheous. 1 john 2:1
By Dennis J. De Haan, Our Daily Bread (odb.org)