Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Roman 8:1,2

Pardoned

Daily Devotion – March 28, 2022

Devotion based on Roman 8:1,2

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One of the greatest powers bestowed on the President of the United States is the near-absolute authority to pardon people who have been convicted of a federal crime. That power even extends over lawbreakers who have been sentenced to death because of their misdeeds. The second article of the Constitution of the United States grants this power to the president, except in cases where federal officers have been impeached and removed from office. Beyond that one exception, the president has the unconditional power to pardon whomever he pleases.

It has long been the custom in the Christian church to illustrate the eternal truths of the Bible with every day, earthly examples, with which we are familiar. So, when a Christian wants to illustrate God’s power to forgive sin, it might be tempting to compare it to a presidential pardon.

But when it comes to illustrating God’s power to forgive, all analogies limp. And that’s true of this one, too, because when God forgives our sin, we are more than pardoned. When a person is pardoned, the crime still exists. The president declares no person will pay for the crime and that crime simply remains unpunished.

But that’s not what God did with our sins. He didn’t ignore them or leave them unpunished through a divine pardon. That would mean our sin is still on our record; it would simply go unpunished.

But our sin is gone; it’s forgotten forever! Our rightful condemnation has been completely crushed by the perfect life and perfect sacrificial payment of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. Our sin is not just pardoned; it’s vanquished and vanished forever. And not just our sin but the sins of the whole world. What power!

Make no mistake about it. We are more than pardoned. Sing for joy because “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for giving me the assurance that my sin has been paid for and my condemnation forever crushed. Amen.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Romans 8:5

Autopilots of Life

Daily Devotion – March 27, 2022

Devotion based on Romans 8:5

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Do you feel trapped or stuck in a miserable pattern of life? Are your feelings making you feel caged? Are your sinful habits too hard to climb out of? Perhaps your autopilot is set wrong.

Often when we think of laws, we think of those rules that have been set up that we must abide by. But there is another way the word “law” is used. Think, for example, of the law of gravity. I don’t know of anyone arrested for breaking the “law” of gravity. This kind of law is an observed reality of how things work–the consistent pattern that holds true.

The pattern that holds true in the lives of people is the “law” of sinful nature. It is the autopilot that directs us to want the opposite of what God wants. But the Holy Spirit resets the autopilot of our lives. He creates in us a new heart as he leads us to trust what Jesus did by perfectly keeping God’s law for us and putting himself under the sentence of condemnation that we deserved. He became what we were to be, so we could be forever tied to what he is. When we live in trust in Christ, a new direction is set for our lives. There is no longer the slavery to the feelings and actions to the sinful nature, but rather a continued growing in Christlikeness. Keep reading and listening to the message of the Bible to keep your autopilot set right on Jesus.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, overcome the autopilot of my sinful nature and create a Christlike heart in its place. Amen.

Then [Jesus] told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
Luke 13:6-9

Sparking Joy

Daily Devotion – March 25, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 13:6-9

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Does it spark joy? Over the last few years, many people have become familiar with that question because of the popularity of Marie Kondo and her KonMari system of tidying. Pick up any item and ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” When the answer is yes, then you can be sure you’re retaining it for a good reason.

Does it seem like the fig tree sparked joy in the heart of the vineyard owner? Not so much. He saw little reason to keep it around. He’d been reasonable. After all, one would expect that a fig tree would produce figs. He’d been patient, looking for fruit from the fig tree for three years. To receive nothing in return for all his time invested sparked the opposite of joy. He was ready to get rid of it. The only thing that saved it was the intercession of the caretaker.

We also have a caretaker–a divine caretaker. Jesus pleads for us and nurtures us. His grace and forgiveness make us want to produce good fruit in our lives. Truly that sparks joy in the heart of God. And in our hearts, too.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, you work in people’s hearts to bring them to repentance and faith. Graciously do the same for me every day. And then help me to produce fruits of faith and repentance in gratitude to you. Amen.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.
1 Corinthians 10:11

A Lesson in Gratitude

Daily Devotion – March 22, 2022

Devotion based on 1 Corinthians 10:11

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Think of a time when your mom or dad taught you something important. Maybe it was how to tie your shoelaces or how to make your bed. Maybe there were times when it wasn’t a skill that you learned from them, but rather attitudes or values. And then, of course, because they were human, there were times when their mistakes taught you that some of their words or actions were best not to imitate.

Sometimes we learn what to do from those who’ve gone before us. Sometimes we learn what not to do. In our Bible reading for today we hear the apostle Paul tell the church at Corinth to look carefully at the generation of Israelites made famous in the book of Exodus. “Learn from them,” Paul says. “Learn what not to do.”

Those Israelites had every advantage, spiritually speaking. They had seen God’s hand deliver his people from Egypt. They had passed between the parted waters of the Red Sea. They had daily collected the manna that had fallen miraculously from heaven. They’d been on the receiving end of grace upon grace, miracle upon miracle. Humble gratitude would have been the appropriate response.

But presumption, rather than humble gratitude, was the dominant attitude among the Israelites. And if knowing that doesn’t lead us to check ourselves for presumption, the lesson to be learned here would be totally lost on us.

How easy for us to feel slighted because someone else has received something we haven’t. And to complain loudly—even if it’s just in our heads—about God’s providence, even as we live each day with food on the table, a bed to sleep in, a closet full of clothes—and a heavenly home waiting for us. That’s presumption when humble gratitude is called for. So we approach the cross, trusting Jesus’ promise that he will cover these sins, too, with his perfect life and innocent blood! And knowing that He has, we rededicate ourselves to lives of humble gratitude before the One who gives us every good thing.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, drive presumption from my heart, and keep me ever mindful, ever thankful for the undeserved blessings that come from your hand. Amen.

All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked . . . All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff.
Luke 4:22,28,29

The Difference

Daily Devotion – March 20, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 4:22,28,29

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Notice the difference in the reaction of the same people to Jesus, and all in a matter of a few minutes. In verse 22, “all spoke well of him…” In verse 28, “All…were furious when they heard this.” In fact (vs. 29), they tried to kill him. What had Jesus said that so changed their demeanor? Using the words of the Bible, Jesus told the people that he was the Messiah (the Savior) promised by God for his people, Israel. Further, he pointed out that when Israel did not receive God’s plan of salvation for them in Old Testament times, God sent the message to foreigners.

Did Jesus’ hearers need a savior? Yes, they did. They were sinners, as have been all people since Adam and Eve. That includes us. You and I need a savior, too. We sinned and separated ourselves from God. Jesus took our sins on himself by living a perfect life in our place, then innocently suffering, and being sacrificed for us. Jesus paid the price for our sins and his Father accepted us back into fellowship with him.

Are there differences between Jesus’ hearers in Nazareth and us? Not in terms of our need for a savior. But thank God that he has convinced us that Jesus is our Savior. Because of the faith the Holy Spirit has implanted in us, we know that we will spend eternity in heaven.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I thank and praise you for your work of salvation, taking my punishment on yourself. Take me to be with you eternally. Amen

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:18-20

Our Citizenship

Daily Devotion – March 19, 2022

Devotion based on Philippians 3:18-20

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While my family lived in southern Alabama, we loved southern hospitality, greeting friends with a hug at the grocery store, and “slap my Momma” chocolate cake.

But hot boiled peanuts we never learned to crave—maybe because we weren’t from around there.

Christians can relate. We’re not “from around here.” So, we don’t live to make our belly happy, as if this were our home. Our citizenship is in heaven.

True, we sometimes live for our belly. We neglect family to make a few extra bucks with overtime. We rush out the door, ignoring a need for help that a neighbor has. Every day we sin by living for ourselves and not for our Savior.

Then Jesus steps in. Christians aren’t citizens of heaven because we deserve it. We belong in heaven because Jesus gave us citizenship. He signed our naturalization papers with his blood from the cross.

We yearn for the day when Jesus will come back, transform our bodies into glorious ones, and take us home to heaven.

Not sure if you’re a citizen of heaven? You don’t need a visa or to pass a civics test to know Jesus died for you. He’s already signed your naturalization papers. Your sins are forgiven, and there’s a place for you in heaven—all gifts of his love for you!

Enjoy his blessings here and look forward to your home in heaven!

Prayer:
Jesus, remind me of my home in heaven every day. Give me the strength to live for you and not for my belly. Amen.

[Jesus replied] “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Luke 13:34

He Will Cover You With His Wings

Daily Devotion – March 17, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 13:34

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Patrick would have had good reason to curse the Irish. Born in Scotland, he was raised as a Christian but was not very serious about his faith. He was kidnapped at the age of sixteen and enslaved in Ireland. He did hard labor for six years and got much more serious about his faith. Finally, he escaped, made his way to the coast, got a job on a ship, and returned to Scotland.

But he could not get the Irish out of his mind. Something was compelling him to share Jesus, the one who had come to mean so much to him, with his former captors. After studying the Bible for nearly twenty years, he went back to Ireland a free man and never left. Despite opposition, he persevered and gathered the Irish into Christian congregations. We remember this remarkable man every March seventeenth when we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.

Jesus would have had good reason to curse the people of Jerusalem. He had come from heaven to save them, but many opposed him. Still, he longed to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. It’s a tender picture of love for people who did not deserve it.

It’s a tender picture of love for you and me. Jesus longs to gather us under his wings. He does not want to curse us. We ignore or oppose him at our own risk since salvation can come only from him. But he persevered, even to death, and he perseveres in gathering people into Christian congregations. Take refuge there.

Prayer:
Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. Amen.

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!”
Luke 13:31-33

Jesus Does Not Avoid Death

Daily Devotion – March 16, 2022

Devotion based on Luke 13:31-33

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I know a man who heard from his national government that a local mob was coming for him and that the government couldn’t protect him. That man’s brother-in-law had already been kidnapped by a mob, so the man knew that he should take the warning seriously. He decided to leave temporarily. It is still not safe for him to return.

Jesus had a similar situation, only in his case, it was the national government that was wanting to kill him. Instead of running away, Jesus chose to go toward the seat of the national government and continue his work on the way. Why would he make a choice like that?

Jesus gives a hint to his motives when he talks about reaching his goal in three days. Jesus knew that the only way he would fulfill the prophecies about him would be to die and then rise to life again on the third day. Jesus did not avoid death. He walked right into it because he knew that by his death and resurrection, he would provide eternal life to everyone who believes in him.

One day we will all come face to face with death. Thankfully, Jesus has done everything in his power to give us eternal life when our time for death eventually comes.

Prayer:
Jesus, give me the confidence to face death and enter eternal life with you. Amen.

Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!” Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the LORD your God. Then the LORD will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right.”
Jeremiah 26:11-14

Ready Recipients

Daily Devotion – March 14, 2022

Devotion based on Jeremiah 26:11-14

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Every year I hear people complain about the beginning of Daylight Saving Time because, on that first night, everyone has to set their clock ahead one hour and lose an hour of sleep. Have you ever been the one to remind someone that “Daylight Saving Time begins tonight?” They usually aren’t very happy to hear it. It’s never fun to be the one who shares unwelcome news.

Jeremiah was a prophet who had to share some unwelcome news—news that was far more important and serious than the beginning of Daylight Saving Time. God had commanded him to warn the people of his day that if they did not repent of their sins against God, he would destroy them. When leaders of the people heard it, their response was, “This man should be sentenced to death.”

You may never have wanted to put one of God’s messengers to death, but all of us have at times treated God’s calls to repentance with something less than ready acceptance. What is remarkable is that, even for this ungodly attitude, we have God’s forgiveness through Jesus. We can be certain that when we turn from our sin to him for forgiveness, he will always be there to restore us. May this reality make us ready recipients of God’s messengers when they call us to repentance.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, make me a ready recipient of your messengers. Amen.