Daily Devotion is Moving Forward
The theme or this Daily Devotion for 5th March 2022 is Moving Forward
Scripture (NIV)¹ Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
² A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.
³ He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.
⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
⁵ When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
⁶ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
⁷ All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
⁸ But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
⁹ Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
ReflectionFriend of Strangers (19:1–6)
Jesus is not only a friend of sinners; He is a friend of strangers. Zacchaeus probably knew very little about Jesus before their encounter. He climbs the tree out of sheer curiosity without ever dreaming of speaking to the famous rabbi face to face. But Jesus goes above and beyond to reach out to him: He calls Zacchaeus by name and invites Himself to his house! No matter how distant, foreign, or inaccessible Jesus might seem, He knows everyone because He created everyone. He longs for authentic relationship regardless of status or background. With so many people around the world who have yet to hear about Jesus, let us do all we can to know Him and make Him known!
When did you first feel Jesus as near and accessible? How did it change the way you relate to Him?
New Life (19:7–10)
Zacchaeus’ controversial vocation causes him to be rejected as a traitor by the Jewish people. But Jesus not only reminds him of his heritage as a child of Abraham, He also changes Zacchaeus’ life and gives him a new identity. When Jesus comes into our lives, He propels us forward into a new way of thinking and living, with a new purpose of shining His light to all nations. Like Zacchaeus, our good deeds demonstrate rather than merit our acceptance before God, and God’s Spirit in us empowers us to see our old lives and passions in a new light. Our hurts and baggage are no longer hindrances to our success; they become tools to serve others to the glory of God.
What hurtful experiences of your past has Jesus healed? How has He used these to make Himself better known to you and to others?
PrayerLord God, thank you for reaching out and saving a sinner like me! As I receive Your love and power, help me share the good news of Your salvation to the ends of the earth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Today’s QT – Mar 6, 2022 (SUN)Faithful Diligence
Scripture (NIV)¹¹ While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.
¹² He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.
¹³ So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
¹⁴ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’
¹⁵ “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
¹⁶ “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
¹⁷ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
¹⁸ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’
¹⁹ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’
²⁰ “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth.
²¹ I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’
²² “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow?
²³ Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
²⁴ “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’
²⁵ “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’
²⁶ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
²⁷ But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”
ReflectionApplying God’s Grace (19:11–27)
As believers, we are saved by God’s grace alone and not by our works of obedience. But the Christian life is not meant to be lived in seclusion from the world or in passive resignation toward the many things that need to be done. In saving us, God sets us free and fills us with His Spirit so that we can serve Him and our communities with our gifts and talents. It is a terrible shame and waste to not apply God’s grace outwardly, to bring transformation to more souls who desperately need Him. If we are not compelled to share God’s love with others, we ought to question how well we have truly understood and received God’s love within our own hearts. Now that we are saved by grace, let us strive all the more to make our calling sure and to live boldly for the glory of God!
What transformation has God’s grace worked in your life? How does it compel you to serve Him and others?
PrayerDaily Devotion for 5th March 2022 theme is Moving Forward: Intercede Together
The Persecuted
In Algeria, a Muslim nation of over 43.3 million people, only 129,000 are Christians. Thus, whoever converts to the Christian faith can face severe limits to their freedoms, harassment, or even imprisonment. In fact, the government has closed down thirteen churches in the past three years. Pray for believers to persevere in their faith and for the churches in Algeria to find favor in the eyes of the government and local leaders.
Sharib in Chad
The Abu Sharib live in the east of Chad. They reside in an area with easy access to water, which allows for a year-round cultivation of crops. They are nominally Muslim but also practice rites that stem from tribalistic traditions. When the rainy season comes, they offer up sacrifices and prayers to Allah for a good harvest. Pray that God would send workers among the Abu Sharib and that they may receive His gospel.
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