#041326

Jesus, Your capacity for love is extraordinary. You humbled Yourself, facing a humiliating death because of Your great love for Your Father and the world. As I reflect on Your sacrifice, help me to never take it for granted. Make me eager to model Your sacrificial love and forgiveness to others. in Jesus' name, Amen.

God, with everything that I am I wish to honor You. Show me how to live a life that is in line with Your character. Teach me how to live a life that brings You glory. You are worthy of all my praise, attention, love, and affection. Thank You for drawing me closer to Your heart! Thank You for loving me. Today, I want to honor You, in Jesus' name, Amen.

JOHN 15:16 You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

God chose you. Allow God to encourage you as you talk to Him about what you need.

1 JOHN 2:2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins-and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

All your mistakes have been paid for. Whatever shame you may feel, picture Jesus taking it off you. As you picture that, give God whatever praise comes to mind.

DAILY BIBLE READING: 1 SAMUEL 22-24 LUKE 12:1-31 DAVID AT THE DAVE OF ADULLAM THE SLAUGHTER OF THE PRIESTS DAVID PROTECTS TH ETOWN OF KEILAH One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors. 2David asked the Lord, “Should I go and attack them?” “Yes, go and save Keilah,” the Lord told him. 3But David’s men said, “We’re afraid even here in Judah. We certainly don’t want to go to Keilah to fight the whole Philistine army!” 4So David asked the Lord again, and again the Lord replied, “Go down to Keilah, for I will help you conquer the Philistines.” DAVID HIDES IN THE WILDERNESS DAVID SPARES SAUL'S LIFE So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. After Saul had left the cave and gone on his way, 8David came out and shouted after him, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked around, David bowed low before him. A WARNING AGAINST HYPOCRISY “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” TEACHING ABOUT MONEY AND POSSESSIONS And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. 33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

EPHESIANS 2:1-9 MADE ALIVE WITH CHRIST But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. INSIGHT When C. S. Lewis was asked what makes Christianity unique, he didn’t hesitate: “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.” God’s grace is the overarching theme of Ephesians 2. Paul points out how, without grace, we wouldn’t even be aware of our spiritual condition. “You [all of us] were dead in your transgressions and sins,” he wrote (v. 1). A dead body can do nothing to rescue itself. And we were all spiritually dead, “gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts” (v. 3). But God “made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved” (v. 5). It’s all God’s grace, “so that no one can boast” (v. 9). God’s grace draws us to Him. God’s grace keeps us. His grace sets us free “to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (v. 10).

THE POWER OF GRACE When Mark was pulled over by an officer for driving while intoxicated, he was afraid his college football career was over. He was sure he was going to jail. But the policeman instead dropped him off at his college. When Mark asked why, he said, “I’m giving you grace.”

Still, the young man was certain his coach would find out, and he’d lose his scholarship. So when his coach asked to see Mark after practice the next day, he was very apprehensive. Surprisingly the coach said, “I know what happened last night, but I’m giving you grace.” He then suggested that Mark consider attending church the next Sunday.

He went. And guess what the pastor talked about? The grace of Jesus in offering us salvation when we don’t deserve it. Mark got the message. That day, he trusted Jesus as Savior, and he spent the rest of his life serving Him—starting a ranch for boys who need a second chance—who need grace.

It’s by God’s grace that believers in Jesus “have been saved” (Ephesians 2:8). Grace does what good works can’t do (v. 9; Romans 11:6). It’s a gift provided by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

The burden of our sin doesn’t have to weigh us down. As Mark discovered, God’s grace can free us and give us life “to the full” (John 10:10).

REFLECT AND PRAY How have you experienced God’s grace in your life? What are some ways you can show it to others?

Dear God, thank You for showering Your grace on me. Please help my life to be marked by grace and mercy. in Jesus' name, Amen.

EVERYDAY EVANGELISM INVITE TO CHURCH, CELLGROUP OR BIBLE STUDY

“Come and see” John 1:46 NIV

In John 1, After experiencing Jesus for himself, Philip tells Nathanael that they have found the Messiah. Skeptical, Nathanael questions it. But instead of arguing, Philip responds with a simple invitation: “Come and see.”

Inviting someone to church or a small group is one of the easiest ways to introduce them to Jesus. Church is more than an event, it’s a community centred around Jesus. That means your Sunday service is a great option to invite someone to, but it’s not the only option.

Someone might invite a coworker to attend a church service or a friend to join a small group Bible study. Another person might host a BBQ, bringing together friends from church and non-Christian friends to foster connections. Even a casual invitation to coffee with a church group can make a big difference. The goal of an invitation is to help someone take a step closer to Jesus, through the power of gospel centred community.

Think about someone in your life who might be open to an invitation. Pray for courage to ask and trust God to use that moment to draw them closer to Him.

Who could you invite to church, a small group, or an event this week, and how might that invitation impact their faith journey?

Pray: Father, thank You for the gift of community in the church. Help me to boldly invite others to experience the love, grace, and truth found in Your people. Give me wisdom to know who to invite and courage to take the step. Bless those invitations and prepare their hearts to encounter You. Use me to connect others to the life-changing power of Your presence. in Jesus' name. Amen.