Lutheran Daily Devotional 17 February 2022 || Thursday Message By Lutheran Hour Ministries.
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Topic: Not Like Us
Today’s Scripture:Â Luke 6:27-38Â
Lutheran Daily Devotional 17 February 2022 MESSAGE
These are some of Jesus’ hard sayings. They tell us to do good things contrary to our human nature. They’re like directions that only those who really love Jesus would ever want to follow.
It would have been really easy for the Gospel writers to try and water down these sayings of Jesus, don’t you think? (Though God’s Holy Spirit would have none of that, I presume.) I mean, “Love your enemies”? With centuries of bad blood between nations, tribes, and even among families, who’s interested in loving their enemy? How about I start with simply ignoring them first, and then maybe they’ll just die without me having to do anything rash.
Jesus’ words show, as Scripture so often does, how God’s ways are not our ways—not even close. God would have us give; we’d rather take. He would have us forgive; we’d rather punish. Though created in God’s image (see Genesis 1:26), our resemblance to our Maker quickly fades when the rubber hits the road. But Jesus gives you and me the opportunity to become a little more like Him, doesn’t He? And how refreshing that is—to be like Jesus—the One who gave His life for us so that we can have life eternal.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, make us like Jesus. In His Name. Amen.
Lutheran Daily Devotional 17 February 2022 was written by Paul Schreiber.
Reflection Questions:
- Being kind to an “enemy” is tough. Can you remember the last time you were?
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Can you give some examples of Jesus doing the things He mentions above? What are they?
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Is there a person in your life who truly resembles Jesus in his or her attitude? How so?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 25-26 Mark 1:1-22
Lutheran Daily Devotional 17 February 2022. Lutheran Hour Ministries is a trusted resource in global media that equips and engages a vibrant volunteer base to passionately proclaim the Gospel to more than 150 million people worldwide each week. Through its North American headquarters and ministry centers on six continents, LHM reaches into more than 60 countries, often bringing Christ to places where no other Christian evangelistic organizations are present. LHM’s flagship ministry, The Lutheran Hour®, airs weekly on more than 1,800 radio stations and the American Forces Network.
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