Daily Devotional
Can We Be Righteous on Our Own?
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Matthew 5:43-48
May 12, 2024
Ponder This
What are you depending on? Education and knowledge? You say, “I am a learned person.” You may be, and thank God for your education; get all you can. I’m telling you, Jesus Christ said spiritual beggars are blessed. Maybe you have personality and ability, and you’ve always gotten by on those. Some people are blessed with sweet personalities. But if that’s all you’ve got, try flashing that big smile at the judgment seat.
We need to stop measuring ourselves by some false standard. Do you know what most of us do? We compare ourselves to others that we think we’re better than. Don’t lie down in the gutter, stretch yourself out alongside some hypocrite, and brag, “I’m longer than he is!” We are measured by the standard of Almighty God.
So many people say, “I’m just as good as those people down there at the church.” But you better start saying, “I’m just as bad as those people down there at that church.” All of us are beggars in the sight of a righteous and holy God until we lay our pride in the dust.
- Who do you most often compare yourself to? What has been damaging about that comparison?
- What are some things you are depending on to get through life? How do those things measure up when you consider your spiritual need of God?
Practice This
Write down the areas of life where you depend on things outside of Jesus. Surrender those things to God in prayer.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
