Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 72, Jeremiah 3:6-18, Romans 1:28-2:11, John 5:1-18
Today’s Writer: Sharon Hodges
Jeremiah, the prophet, was calling out to Israel and Judah to repent and return to God; united, living by God’s wisdom. Is that not what we strive for today – united, obedient to God, in loving fellowship with Jesus and each other?
Paul too called for repentance in writing to the believers in Rome. They had turned away from God, filled with wickedness; we see glaring evidence of that in our world today. Reading Romans 1:28-32 we might say, “Surely I am not guilty of such sins?” But Paul goes on to say we too deserve death when we give our approval to such sins. Is our own silence deafening?
During Lent, we are called to search our hearts, asking God to reveal anything in our lives that prevents us from fellowship with Him. Bring it before the Lord in true repentance, asking for forgiveness, and then be filled with the knowledge we are made righteous in his sight.
Let us open our hearts so God can use us. Not rushing through our daily lives, failing to see the needs of others, just as those who pushed past the “lame man”. John 5:1-8. BUT Jesus stopped, reached out, and healed him – he could walk! Jesus is our example! How many opportunities are missed because we do not reach out and help a hurting soul? In failing to do so, we miss the joy of God’s love, mercy and grace manifested through us.
Max Lacado said of God’s unmerited gift of grace, “I knew that I was working with Christ and He was with me. But I never imagined He was in me. This heart transplant is an aspect of grace we Christians haven’t discussed enough.” Thanks be to God that we can be grateful recipients of a grace filled heart transplant!
