OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: 1 Timothy 1:12–16
MEMORY VERSE
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15
BACKGROUND
When my friend gave me a gift recently, I was surprised. I didn’t think I deserved such a nice present from her. She’d sent it after hearing about some work stress I was experiencing.
Yet she was going through just as much stress, if not more, than I was, with an aging parent, challenging children, upheaval at work, and strain on her marriage. I couldn’t believe she had thought of me before herself, and her simple gift brought me to tears.
In truth, we’re all recipients of a gift that we could never deserve. Paul put it this way: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).
Although he “was once a blasphemer and persecutor and a violent man, . . . the grace of our Lord was poured out on [him] abundantly” (vv. 13–14). The risen Jesus gave Paul a deep understanding of the free gift of grace.
As a result, he learned what it meant to be an undeserving recipient of that gift and he became a powerful instrument of God’s love and told many people about what He had done for him.
It’s only through His grace that we receive love instead of condemnation, and mercy instead of judgment. Today, let’s celebrate the undeserved grace that God has given and be on the lookout for ways to demonstrate that grace to others.
By: Karen Pimpo
INSIGHT
Stephen was one of the seven men chosen by the twelve apostles to help them with some of their duties (Acts 6:3–6). Soon he began performing great signs and wonders (v. 8).
But false charges were made against him, and he was brought before the Sanhedrin, the supreme judicial council of Judaism at that time. There Stephen gave an impassioned speech, concluding with condemning them for their part in the murder of Jesus (7:52).
Furious, the members of the Sanhedrin dragged Stephen away and stoned him to death. That’s where Paul (then called Saul) stepped into the story. “The witnesses laid their coats at the feet of . . . Saul” (v. 58), who approved of the killing (8:1).
Saul began to persecute the church, dragging off men and women to prison (v. 3). In Acts 9, he was on his way to Damascus to arrest followers of “the Way” (vv. 1–2) when Jesus suddenly appeared, and Saul was forever changed (vv. 3–19).
APPLICATION
How have you lost sight of the miraculous gift of grace? What would it look like to be motivated by grace once again?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2 nlt
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“It’s only through His grace that we receive love instead of condemnation, and mercy instead of judgment.”
PRAYER
“Dear God, help me understand more fully what it means to extend Your gift of grace to others.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WHEN I THINK OF THE GOODNESS OF JESUS…”
When I think of the goodness of Jesus,
and what he has done for me,
my soul cries out, “Hallelujah!”
Praise God for saving me.
When I think of the goodness of Jesus,
and what he has done for me,
my soul cries out, “Hallelujah!”
Praise God for saving me.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE DAILY THIS YEAR
Leviticus 11-12
Matthew 26:1-25