Day 1: The Gift of Grace Reading: Romans 5:12-21
Devotional: The pastor talked about how one man’s sin brought death to all of humanity. That convicted me because no matter how good I try to live, I am still a sinner. But God’s grace is so amazing! I need to meditate on that today. Where did I fall short yesterday? Where can I do better today? The good news is, Jesus paid the price for my sins. I just need to confess and turn away from those sins. Today, I need to make sure that I’m not trying to “earn” God’s love and grace. Salvation is Jesus plus nothing. I can live my life free to love and serve God, free to show others the grace God has shown me.
Day 2: Valuing Every Soul Reading: Luke 15:1-10
Devotional: The pastor talked about how Jesus’ payment on the cross was of equal value for every lost soul on the planet, saved and unsaved. God’s heart for every person is great. As I read this passage about the lost sheep and the lost coin, I need to meditate on this: Do I value every person like God does? Have I ever thought a person is not worth my time and effort to share the gospel? I can just ignore them. That’s not right. I need to ask God to give me his eyes to see the value of every person He created. Today, as I go about my day, I need to remember: EVERY PERSON MATTERS. I need to treat everyone as if they are a person Christ died for. Don’t let me miss any opportunities to let people know they matter to God.
Day 3: Living Out Your Faith Reading: James 2:14-26
Devotional: The sermon was on the fact that our good works don’t “pay the cost” for our salvation, but they are the expected result of our faith. The same theme is continued in James’ letter, in fact it makes it very clear that faith without works is dead. Today I need to be honest in my heart with God. Am I living out my faith? Is my faith showing any fruit of works? Is there something I am resisting to do that I should be doing? Maybe telling my testimony to someone. Maybe serving someone. We don’t do good works to “earn” our gift of salvation. We DO good works because of that gift. Today I need to ask God to help me do one tangible thing today as a result of my faith and gratitude for His gift to me.
Day 4: Overcoming Habitual Sin Reading: Romans 6:1-14
Devotional: The pastor talked about the danger of living in habitual sin. The problem is, old habits are hard to break. We’re all in a fight with sin, but Paul gives us hope in Romans 6. The verses to meditate on today are: 6:11 “Consider yourself dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus!” and 6:14 “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (ESV) As I read these passages I need to be honest. Are there areas in my life where I live in habitual sin? Probably. I am no longer a slave to sin. I am alive to God IN CHRIST JESUS. I am a new creation. So how do I “consider myself dead to sin but alive to God”? I need to come up with some practical applications today to help me break those sin habits. Maybe an accountability partner? Replacing the sin habit with a good habit? I don’t know. But I need to remember that Christ’s resurrection has the power to break me free from the bondage of sin.
Day 5: Restoration and New Beginnings Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Devotional: The sermon was about God’s heart for restoration all the way back in the Garden of Eden. The passage for today also talks about restoration, new creation and new beginnings. The old has gone, the new has come! The old me is gone, the new me in Christ lives now. I need to meditate on that today. How has God restored me? Am I living like I’m restored? Am I living like a new creation? God didn’t just reconcile us to himself in Christ. He’s given us the ministry of reconciliation. God is in the business of reconciliation and He wants to use us to share His good news of reconciliation with the world. He’s given us the ministry of reconciliation. Are we doing it? God, help me be an ambassador for you today. Let me use this day to share with others the great message of reconciliation.
Thoughts from Pastor Toney 