Houston, We Have a Problem

04 / Sun  | Read Roman 3:23 / Romans 6:23

Overview: We tell ourselves we are OK, not that bad, better than others, doing all we can, i.e. we’re “all good”. But there’s a problem: we’re also all sinners in need of God’s grace. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to get it.

05 / Mon – One-way, wrong-way  |  Read John 14:6

Have you ever made a wrong turn onto a one-way street? What a shock to see cars coming straight at you. Hopefully, you got yourself turned around safely. When we sin, we are doing just that, going the wrong way. We will not get to where we want to go, heaven, unless we repent (go the other way) and follow and believe in Jesus. Will you keep your focus on Him? Is there someone you need to share the Gospel with so they, too, will be headed in the right direction?

06 / Tue – Canceled debt  |  Read Ephesians 1:7

I recently found loan papers for the first home my parents bought in the 1960’s, showing that my grandparents lent them money for it. After grandpa later died, grandma wrote across them PAID IN FULL, canceling their debt. Grace is the act of letting someone else off the hook. As believers, Jesus writes PAID IN FULL on our laundry list of sins, letting us off the hook and paving the way to eternal life with Him. His grace is there for you always. Will you trust Jesus to cancel your debt?

07 / Wed – Do you still trust Him?  |  Read John 15:5 / Psalm 119:105

Life can really throw us some big hurdles. Everyone can think of at least one that rattled us to the core. What happens then? How can we try to solve or cope with the issue? Be up nights, fill our awake time with worry, determined to figure it out on our own? Or do we remain close to God, even closer as we walk through the valley of the shadow? God is always awake and available. We need to humble ourselves and let Him lead us. He’s got this.

08 / Thu – Bad, bad people  |  Read Ephesians 2:8-9 / Romans 10:12-13

Have you ever encountered someone who thinks they are too “bad” to be forgiven by God? God does not think that way. He doesn’t measure sins. Great people in the Bible committed terrible sins, such as King David, Moses, and Paul, who literally murdered people. All three returned to God, laid their sins before Him, and were given the free gift of God’s grace and mercy. Simple and awesome at the same time. Is this a message that you or someone you know needs to absorb? Confess it to Him. He will take it from there.

09 / Fri – Good deeds or faith, or both?  |  Read Ephesians 2:8 / Romans 11:6

In the 1963 movie “Lilies of the Field,” a man was asked why he was helping to build a church, and he responded that if ‘they’ are right about the hereafter, he has paid his insurance. Of course, as Christians, we do good works because this is how we let the light of Christ shine through us onto others. But our way to eternal life is through faith in God, not in how many good things we do. This man thought his good deeds would make up for his doubts about faith. Have you known someone who thinks this way? How can you gently persuade them otherwise?

10 / Sat – Whose hands are you in?  |  Read 1 Peter 1:3

During the rescue operation for Apollo 13, the entire world – people of all faiths – prayed for the crew’s safe return. The men’s lives were in the hands of dedicated people on the ground who were determined to succeed, and when they did, the president proclaimed prayer and thanksgiving. When you believe in Jesus’ resurrection, you always have hope in the face of tough situations. Will you place yourself in his hands and worship him with praise and thanks? He wants to walk with you through every step. Will you share this truth with someone else?