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God, Im in awe of Your love for those who follow You. You choose to protect, care for and provide for us-just as a loving Father should. You see the needs I have today. I trust that You will not only provide for me. but You will bless me so that I can be a blessing to others. Thank You for being a good Father. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God, You are holy? You alone define perfection, power and strength. You alone can provide lasting hope, grace, and unconditional love. Nothing is too hard for You, and no one is beyond Your reach. How holy You truly are! What an honor it is to worship You! in Jesus' name, Amen.

LAMENTATIONS 3:24 I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!"

What does it mean to place your hope in God? Talk to Him about what's on your mind right now.

1 PETER 3:15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

Spend some time processing any themes or ideas that have stood out to you through today's prayer time. What would it look like to worship God with your life?

DAILY BIBLE READING: LEVITICUS 11-12 MATTHEW 26:1-25 CEREMONIALLY CLEAN AND UNCLEAN ANIMALS PURIFICATION AFTER CHILDBIRTH THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS JESUS ANOINTED AT BETHANY Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. 12She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” JUDAS AGREES TO BETRAY JESUS THE LAST SUPPER

MATTHEW 26:6-13 INSIGHT In Matthew 26:10, Jesus described a woman’s act of devotion as a “beautiful thing.” It was selfless, thoughtful, and costly. What a contrast with the selfish, ugly actions recorded by Matthew on either side of this account. Plotting religious leaders devised a murderous plan to kill Christ (vv. 3-5). And, from within the band of His own disciples, Judas Iscariot’s plan to betray Him was set in motion (vv. 14-16). Given these circumstances, the woman’s act of honor shines even more brightly.

In a world that includes misguided and unflattering sentiments toward Jesus, those who believe in Him can show how precious He is by honoring Him through thoughtful, caring actions that may cost us time, money, or things we value. Honoring Christ by loving others is still a beautiful thing.

By: Arthur Jackson

HONORING JESUS A twenty-dollar bill and two leaflets with messages about Jesus. That’s what was inside an envelope labeled “John Daniels Sr, Random Act of Kindness Day.” A woman gave it to me while I was on my walk at the community college campus. A year earlier, John had been fatally struck by a car after helping a homeless man and sharing words about Christ’s love with him. John’s legacy of witnessing through words and deeds lives on through the woman I met that day, along with John's other family members.

In Matthew 26:13, one woman was memorialized by Jesus with these words: “Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” The woman’s tender heart for Christ compelled her to anoint Him with expensive ointment (v. 7). What was misunderstood and criticized by others as wasteful (vv. 8-9) was commended by Jesus as “a beautiful thing” (v. 10). The woman’s costly devotion was used by God in a unique way, just as He uses our deeds today for His purposes.

The envelope I received reinforced my desire to distribute resources to those on the street corners in my city, but honoring Jesus can happen in a variety of ways. Let’s tell others about Him and demonstrate His love practically.

By: Arthur Jackson

REFLECT AND PRAY Who has inspired you to honor Jesus in practical ways? What acts of kindness might your love for Him compel you to do?

Heavenly Father, the lives of other believers in Jesus inspire me to love You more. Please help me to see ways to share my love for You.

ALL THE FEELS - LEADING OUR EMOTIONS RESENTMENT/BITTERNESS Ok, here's the truth. Whether we like it or not, resentment and bitterness will never lead us to what is best and healthy in our life or relationships. They are dangerous to linger in and damaging to stay in. If you find yourself wrestling with how or why to forgive someone, this is for you. Remember, forgiveness is not a feeling, it's a choice.

Why do we forgive? We forgive out of love and obedience to the Lord.

Not because they did or didn’t apologize. Not because we aren’t upset anymore. The Bible is clear, as we have been loved by Jesus sacrificially, we are to love sacrificially. As we have been forgiven freely, we are to forgive freely. This is one of the most difficult and freeing commandments from God.

He knows what bitterness does to His children, it destroys them. Let God be the judge and your defender. Don’t let resentment add to the hurt you're already experiencing. Let Him heal your heart as you trust Him with your obedience.

Even when you don’t feel like it, say “I forgive you” out loud. Remind yourself that Jesus is the one who is worthy of it even if we feel others may not be.

COLOSSIANS 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

MATTHEW 6:15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

LUKE 11:4 and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.

MARK 11:25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.

1 JOHN 1:9 9But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

EPHESIANS 4:31-32 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

HEBREWS 12:15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.