ROMANS 5:6-8 – BEAUTY THROUGH THE GOSPEL

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8 ESV)

Have you ever seen a picture of a beautiful celebrity without makeup? They look average, normal or even down right awful. But when we see them on TV and in the movies they are larger than life and seemingly spotless. But the images we see are fabrications, the actors and actresses are painted with makeup and placed in ideal lighting situations. Sure, Leonardo DiCaprio is a good looking guy in any light, but a false beauty is created in the cinematic world.

Now, let’s see the Gospel picture for what it really is instead of altering and modifying reality as movies do. We are not saved because of what we’ve done, but in spite of it. We are not beautiful without Jesus, but hopelessly marred by sin. We are like celebrities with no makeup, no physical trainer, no personal chef or personal hygiene. But rather than let that truth sink into us, we can make up our own little movie where we are the hero (we never sin, never gossip, always read our Bible, and join all the ministries at church) and look perfect. Jesus turns into some sort of sidekick that wants to be our friend and help us. We must remember to no play the hero and put on the makeup. The only hero in this real life movie can and must be Jesus!

Even though we are sinful and rebellious God still loves us. This is the Gospel, that while we were still sinners Jesus died for us. When we understand this it helps us see the way things really are. King Jesus is eternally perfect and beautiful and we are not, but he loves us anyway and makes us like him. He started it and he’s going to finish it. When we understand the true Gospel instead of making up our own, we are free to love and worship Jesus as Savior instead of trying to play that role ourselves.

Remember, we are like a no makeup celebrity photo. We can paint ourselves pretty on the outside, but only Jesus makes us eternally beautiful.

2 Timothy 3:16 – God Speaks Still

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)

Have you ever felt like God has quit speaking? Maybe sermons are losing their impact, times of genuine worship in life are growing more scarce, and overall, you’re coasting on spiritual memories and past times? Whatever the reason, there are times in life in which we feel disconnected from God and alone.

If you feel this way, consider looking deeper into your Bible. The Bible was faithfully recorded by inspired men from all walks of life, who lived across three continents, and compiled the texts over a period of fifteen hundred years without ever contradicting one another. God spoke then through Scripture, and He is still speaking through it now.

When we neglect to meet God in the words He preserved for us, we lose our bearing in life and He seems distant. However, the wonderful truth is that God hasn’t moved and He is still speaking to us through the Bible. Remember; it’s not just a book with worn-out phrases, rather, it’s a treasure house of truth that’s living and active. The Bible is a fountain of living water and is intended to be our prime source of strength. Pick it up, dust it off, and draw near to the God who speaks still.

Approach Scripture with the understanding that God still speaks to us every time we read His words.

James 4:1-2 – Pridefulness In Quarrels

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?  You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. (James 4:1-2 ESV)

Unfortunately as Christians we aren’t perfect, yet. Because of this, we tend to fight and argue on a seemingly daily basis (many times stupid things). Those who don’t want anything to do with the church will bring this up and rub it in our face. They have a hard time seeing Jesus or the church as loving when the people who are a part of it don’t even get along.

We aren’t known by our love as Jesus said we should be (John 13:35).

We should each read James 4:1-2 humbly to see why we are fighting. The reason we fight is because of the warring passions inside of us. It is our desires that are causing the problems.

Instead of blaming somebody else for starting the fight, look inside yourself and see if it is you who is really the problem. It can be hard to admit our pridefulness. It isn’t easy for anyone.  If we do this more, we will stop worrying about ourselves so often and love each other more as true disciples of Jesus.

Examine your motive for a recent dispute with another Christian.