Weekly Devotion ~ Week of August 27, 2018 ~ Hope for the Broken
I remember what my life was like before I met Jesus. I remember being broken. Sometimes, I still struggle with feeling that way. It's in those moment that I look back and see how far God has brought me.
We all have our struggles. Sin is sin. Many of us in the church pass judgment on one another because of what someone else struggles with. However, the Bible speaks against this.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ~ Luke 6:37 NIV
Our Savior, Jesus Christ came and sacrificed His life for us. Many people read that and do not understand the full weight of that statement.
Sometimes, we forget that this man, Jesus, sacrificed EVERYTHING for us. He left all he had known to do God's will for his life. He laid his hurt at the feet of the Father daily, relying on his relationship with the Father to obtain the strength needed to overcome his own fears, struggles, insecurities or perhaps even anger.
There were times when people called him names, treated him as an outsider, and let us not forget that he was bruised and beaten for our inequities and transgressions. He was even scoffed at by those in his hometown and when he tried to teach there, he was rejected.
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. ~ Mark 6:1-3 NIV
There have been many times in my walk that I wish I would have been in relationship with Jesus much sooner in life. How many hurts would not have happened?
Can I tell you a secret? Don't go there!
God has a plan for each of us. We were each marked by The Father before we were born. We were set apart for His great plan. And after years, I have come to realize that every trial we face brings us the unique ability to minister to the broken in some way. We have all been broken in some way or another. This world has a way of doing that. That's why it's so important to get to know Jesus, so that He may be the lamp until our feet, directing our steps. His love is NEVERending. No matter how fast or far you run, or how far away you travel, He will always meet you when you call on Him.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ~ 1 Peter : 3-6 NIV
Can you imagine, for a moment, what your life would look like if for everything you did, you consulted the father first?
Would there be hurts? Sure! If Jesus endured hurts and we are to model our life after His, why would we expect not to face adversity or trials? But God has made promises to us if we keep His word and do His will for our lives.
In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. ~ Proverbs 3:6 TLB
My prayer this week is for the broken, and for those in the body who have determined their relationship with Jesus to be nothing more than religious practice.
Prayer: Father God, I thank you for this day, this hour, this moment. I thank you for your anointing; that as I decrease, you increase. I pray that you would continue to embolden and strengthen me to do your will so that my life may find it's purpose through your son, Jesus Christ and his ministry of love. Abba, my heart hurts for the broken and those in the body who have yet to know and feel the breath of life that is having a relationship with your son Jesus. Lord, I have no way of changing anyone, but you do. I thank you for softening the hardened hearts so that your word can begin to speak to those you have marked. Many have tried to run, Lord, but you seek them out...your love unending. May they begin to seek you wholeheartedly. Provide them with strength to overcome the tactics of the enemy. Thank you for showing them that your love is the answer. I give you all the glory, God, for I am nothing without you. In Jesus name, I make these requests and give thanks. Amen.