 Scripture: "They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”" John 8:6-7 NIV Application: God gives us opportunities to stop being hateful to others and to turn around. His invitations to show mercy come softly and privately at first, just as Jesus wrote convicting things on the ground. But if we keep hard hearts, Jesus will come with harder correction. The time to repent is immediately after conviction. Prayer: When You first send us messages of conviction, dear Lord, we pray that we will repent, forgive, and change our hearts and behavior. Amen.  Scripture: “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. Mark 10:5 NIV Application: No one completely knows what goes on inside a marriage other than the couple and the Lord. Accordingly, we shouldn't pass judgment on spouses when the union deteriorates. But one common factor exists in most every destroyed marriage: Hard heartedness. When we seek a way out of a marriage based on technicalities (his/her fault), or an exit strategy for a marriage before it even begins (prenuptial agreements), we suffer from calcification of the heart. Marriage is an all-in game. Softening the hard heart takes divorce as an option completely off the table. Prayer: Jesus, melt our hearts and mend our marriages. Amen.  Scripture: For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ' ... Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:18,25 (KJV) Application: It's great when people give Christians compliments. But in doing so, they may say, "I know you're a Christian, but really, you're just really a nice person naturally." A correct response is not to say "thank you," and walk away beaming with joy. The accurate response is to reply, "thank you, but no, it's not me who's nice. It's Jesus Who lives in me." Prayer: Jesus, help us show everyone You living within us instead of our natural selves. Inspire us to give You Your deserved credit. Amen. |