- By rejecting this, some has made shipwreck of their faith. (v.19b) Our pastor’s theme yesterday for his message was our church becoming a forgiving church. While the message was great as a whole, his final question to the church hit home. He asked, “How is your forgiveness affecting you?” What does that mean? He’s asking how has the fact that you have been forgiven by God actually changed you? Has is changed you? Has because you have been forgiven actually changed the way you act? Live? Speak? Worship? Has it changed anything? I pray that it has! Sadly, many have rejected that amazing understanding that they are forgiven and shipwrecked their transformed life with God because of it. They are stuck on a reef of guilt, shame, selfishness, and pride and never allowing the change to take place in their life that comes from the forgiveness that God places in their story. Today, wrap your head around the fact that you have been forgiven if you’ve come to Christ. Because of that, live changed. You’ve had a massive change take place in your life when you are forgiven; now actually live out that change. The weight is off, the shackles are gone, the forgiveness is here. Live changed. For your own walk with God and so others can see the awesome love of God through your story. For if you never let the forgiveness of God affect you, your story will never affect anyone. – Daily DEVO 17
- Nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 1 Timothy 1:4 – What I see being taught from this passage is that we can invest our time in things and questions that have no impact on our spiritual growth or the growth of others. I’ve seen this take place within the church body far too often. We find ourselves arguing and debating over things that really have no value or clear cut answer. I see scripture saying to invest our energy and mind on things that grow you and others in Christ. In fact I see Paul telling Timothy to check those people who are allowing themselves to be caught up in all that. Let’s begin to pour ourselves into what really matters, the salvation of others and our sanctification. Let’s also be brave enough to speak up when we see the opposite of that happening within our churches. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 472
- The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 – Paul is writing to his co-laborer in the mission Timothy, and he is seeking to direct and encourage young Timothy to remain steadfast in his calling. Here Paul looks back at his pre-Jesus life and acknowledges the true sinfulness of it all. He even claims to be the worst of all sinners. Yet, that didn’t stop Jesus from being able to save him and use him for God’s glory. Now Paul’s life and story is an example of what God can do in a sinner’s life. For each of us, we too have our own pre-Jesus story. Some may be longer than others and some may include greater amounts of sinful behaviors than others, but all have the truth that Jesus changed our lives in common. Paul wasn’t afraid to speak about and demonstrate the change Jesus made in him, the question is will we be willing to? It can be scary to show others who we were before Jesus. The enemy will seek to cover you with shame and embarrassment about all that, but there’s a reason why the enemy would play the shame game with you on this. Because when we share the change Jesus has made in our life, people’s eyes are opened to how good Jesus truly is. Will you allow your story to be used for God’s glory? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2484
Daily DEVO 