We need a Savior

January 7

Scripture Reading

Read Romans 3:9-26 and reflect on the passage.

The tree is probably put away or out on the curb, and life is returning to some semblance of order once again. But how nice it would be to retain some of the warmth and kindness of the season? It is difficult to keep the spirit of Christmas alive, but how wonderful if we tried? What if we continue the practice of greeting complete strangers with friendly words and smiles?

Maybe the time is now to practice contagious kindness all year long. We might respond to someone’s frown with a genuine smile; hold a door, touch a shoulder, breathe a prayer. It is time to act like something big has taken place. We celebrated the birth of our Savior. It doesn’t get any bigger. We have every reason to be singing a new song and behaving in a new way.

We can be the change we want to see in our world. We can make a difference. As the words to a popular song say: “Lord, change the world, and let it start with me.” What a perfect way to leave 2016 and enter into 2017.

Questions

1.      What did you think about as you read this devotion? Is there one thing you are inclined to keep doing even though Christmas is over?

2.      How can you make this new practice contagious? How could this be one way to change the world?

  

Prayer

Dear Jesus, help me to change so I can be the change this world needs. Guide my actions and my words every day. Amen.

—Judy Webb  

The Pages of History (His Story)

Romans 3:9-12 (MSG) So where does that put us? Do we Jews get a better break than the others? Not really. Basically, all of us, whether insiders or outsiders, start out in identical conditions, which is to say that we all start out as sinners. Scripture leaves no doubt about it: There's nobody living right, not even one, nobody who knows the score, nobody alert for God. They've all taken the wrong turn; they've all wandered down blind alleys. No one's living right; I can't find a single one.

We all start out equal; our feet are poised on the same starting block, anticipating the sharp sound which begins the race. No one holds an advantage, no one is better than another; we are all sinful humans, neck and neck as we inhale our first breath.

Then everything changes. The family we are born into shapes our steps, our first years. Their faith system, or lack of one, will prompt ours. We will be shaped into worldly beings with different tastes, likes, and dislikes. Some of us find silver spoons between our teeth while others, not so much.

The sweet thing about this is God considers us equal. From birth, we are loved with the same passion as our brothers and neighbors, by the same loving God. God is by our side from the beginning -- if we acknowledge Him or not. His Holy Spirit is prompting us to try something new and step outside our comfort zone. He is using people every day, to pull us to Him.

Growing up Catholic and attending Catholic grade school taught me about this man called Jesus. The one thing lacking for me was God's Word. I'd heard about the Bible but was never encouraged to read for myself. I grew up thinking only authorized personnel were permitted to open and read scripture

and pray for understanding.

Then I learned how much God wants me to love Him and walk at His side.  I discovered the most exciting way to do this was to dig in and check things out for myself. This journey of discovery is more thrilling every day. I wake up anticipating what God will have in store for me each morning between the pages of His Story.