Devotionals for August 19, 2024
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READ
Ephesians 2:1-3
“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.”
Isaiah 64:6
“We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.”
“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.”
Isaiah 64:6
“We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.”
REFLECT
Imagine if the next time you come across someone who is lost and acting from their sinful nature, you stop to ask God, “I wonder what their story is.” What if you took the time to understand the heart that has grown cold and calloused by asking God to give you eyes to see the pain in their eyes and where it stems from? How much more effective could you be if you had eyes for the lost, showing compassion to those who are slaves to their sinful nature? Often we need to keep in mind how far we have come and how much we needed Jesus, so that we never look at others from the perspective of where we think they should be but the possibility of where they could be if we just took the time to show them grace and love that overflows from a heart sold out to Jesus.
APPLY
Q: Have you stopped to celebrate how far you have come and the work that God has done in your life lately?
Q: Is there an area you can grow in to show more compassion to the lost in your circle of influence?
Q: Who could you share Jesus with this week just by taking the time to hear their story and where their heart is coming from?
Q: Is there an area you can grow in to show more compassion to the lost in your circle of influence?
Q: Who could you share Jesus with this week just by taking the time to hear their story and where their heart is coming from?
SING
PRAY
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy."
Lord, please give me eyes to see the storyline behind the heart and actions I experience from the lost. I want to be Your hands and feet and lift Your name high with the life You have entrusted me to live. May someone see Your immeasurable grace in my life this week!
Lord, please give me eyes to see the storyline behind the heart and actions I experience from the lost. I want to be Your hands and feet and lift Your name high with the life You have entrusted me to live. May someone see Your immeasurable grace in my life this week!