Worst Sinner Ever - 1st Monday in Lent

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” -1 Timothy 1:15

I don't know about you, but I don't feel like I'm the worst of sinners. I mean there are some pretty bad dudes out there. There are people who steal, kill, and lie but Paul says we should each consider ourselves the worst of all sinners. The truth is if we start thinking we're better than other people then we miss out on understanding the vastness of God's love.

In Luke 7 Jesus is anointed by a “sinful” woman. He tells onlookers that she loves so much because she's been forgiven so much. He even goes so far as to say that whoever is forgiven little only loves little (Luke 7:47). Considering that, it's pretty good news that we are each the worst of sinners.

Challenge:
Consider your sin for a moment. Make no excuses. Allow yourself to feel the weight of them.

Now consider that the creator of the universe died to wash you clean of these sins. You are clean and those sins are no longer a part of you. Allow yourself to feel the lightness, relief and freedom of that comes with forgiveness.

Love much.

Grandpa Jesus - 1st Sunday in Lent

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

My grandpa is commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. He doesn't think about himself in these terms, in fact he doesn't really think about himself very much. People who are so much like Jesus tend not to. He just lives simply, thanks God for what he has. My grandpa doesn't wrack his brain for ways to change the world; he just lives, is full of the Spirit's fruit and the world changes around him.

When we abide in Christ our hearts become aligned with God's heart, his power flows through us and our everyday acts of love, peace, patience, and kindness become supernaturally empowered.

Challenge:

Read Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the Spirit is the most tangible evidence that God is at work in and through you. Take a moment to reflect; do you see these fruits? Do you see bad fruit? Ask forgiveness for the times you've failed to let God's Spirit shine through you. The good news is that God forgives you, the other good news it that the fruit of the Spirit is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of trying harder. On our own we cannot please God and God knows that, ask him to produce good fruit in you. Depend on him to do so, and I promise he will.