OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
MARCH 7, 2023
READ: Luke 22 (Focus vs. 31–34 & 54–62)
MEMORY VERSE
“When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32
BACKGROUND
Raj had trusted Jesus as Savior in his youth, but soon afterward, he drifted from the faith and led a life apart from God.
Then one day, he made the decision to renew his relationship with Jesus and go back to church—only to be scolded by a woman who berated him for being absent for all these years.
The scolding added to Raj’s sense of shame and guilt for his years of drifting. Am I beyond hope? he wondered. Then he recalled how Christ had restored Simon Peter (John 21:15–17) even though he’d denied Him (Luke 22:34, 60–61).
Whatever scolding Peter might have expected, all he received was forgiveness and restoration. Jesus didn’t even mention Peter’s denial but instead gave him a chance to reaffirm his love for Christ and take care of His followers (John 21:15–17).
Jesus’ words before Peter disowned Him were being fulfilled: “When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32).
Raj asked God for that same forgiveness and restoration, and today he’s not only walking closely with Jesus but serving in a church and supporting other believers as well.
No matter how far we’ve strayed from God, He’s always ready not only to forgive us and welcome us back but also to restore us so we can love, serve, and glorify Him. We’re never too far from God: His loving arms are wide open.
By: Leslie Koh
INSIGHT
Jesus warned Peter that Satan had asked permission to test him and that he would falter in his faith (Luke 22:31–34).
When Christ was arrested, all the disciples fled. But Peter and John had a change of heart and followed Jesus to the high priest’s house and were allowed to enter because John was “known to the high priest” (John 18:15–16).
In the courtyard, Peter mingled with the high priest’s servants. There he crumbled under pressure and denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54–61).
Years later, Peter warned us: “Be alert . . . . Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
What fears might you have about turning back to God? How can knowing His heart of forgiveness help you to return to Him?
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
“Man” condemns, God restores because they can’t do the latter. pr
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“No matter how far we’ve strayed from God…We’re never too far from God: His loving arms are wide open.”
PRAYER
“Father, thank You for Your endless mercy and patience with me. Thank You that I can trust in Your everlasting love.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“RESTORATION” The Winans
Restore me, restore to me the joy
This is my prayer today, Yes
Restore me
Restore to me the joy
Restoration has finally come
Been restored back to my place in God
Restoration has finally come
Been restored back to my place in God
What would I know about being restored
If I never lost my place?
And what would I know about his mercy
If I hadn’t got out of grace?
Restoration
Restoration has finally come
Been restored back to my place in God
Oh, restoration
Restoration has finally come
…back to my place in God
It reminds me of the prodigal son
After his riotous livin’,
All the evil he had done
Yet when he returned,
His father received him home
Gave him a ring of gold,
Put him on a robe
Killed the fatted calf
Gave him somethin’ ,
He never ever had
Restoration
Restoration has finally come
I’ve been restored…
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Count it all joy
…Restoration has finally come
I have been restored
…the joy of my salvation
Give me back my consecration…
I’m giving my life back to you, yes
I’m giving my life back to you…
I’m restored
I’m restored
I’m glad about it
I’m glad about it…
I will sing… Glad,
I’ll sing about it
I’ll sing about it
I’ll shout about it
I’ll shout about it
READING THROUGH THE ENTIRE BIBLE DAILY IN 2023″
DEUTERENOMY 1-4
Mark 9 &10