Pray:
Ask God to orient or reorient you to Himself. Confess any known sin. Thank Him for His forgiveness. Be still and reflect on Jesus and His sacrifice for you. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to God’s Word. Pray for others in your life that they, too, would know and love God today.
Read:
Rom. 1:1-6 “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding His Son, who as to His human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Him and for His name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
Understand:
It was hard for those who were not Jews to see themselves as being God’s people. Paul encourages the Roman Christians by telling them “You also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” It would be like a child without parents being told she has been adopted into a family: with all the rights, privileges, love, and care of a biological child.
Apply:
Do you see yourself as “easy to love” or “hard to love”? Did God get a “bargain” when He got you? Possibly the subtle thought of “I’m worthy of salvation” has seeped into your heart and mind? Do you understand that you are not worthy of salvation? God did not get a bargain…you did!
Did God get a “loser” when He got you? Do you live with an “I’m not worthy” mentality? It’s true, but it is not supposed to be our identity in Christ. You “were not worthy” but now you have been adopted into His family. Now God wants you to enjoy life as a loved son or daughter.
Neither pride nor despair is the way to move through life today. Move through life as a loved child of God. Live today with gratitude and with secure confidence.
*From what you have just read and considered: What is a personal implication/application for your life today?
Live:
(Personalize this prayer for today, make it specific to the circumstances that face you.) Ask God to lead you through His Spirit as you go through your day. Ask Him to bring to mind the truth of the gospel and its implications for what you will encounter today. Tell Him “Yes” to His will and ask Him for His power and protection to live this “yes.” Ask God to create and reveal opportunities to proclaim the good news today. KEEP PRAYING THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY.