APRIL 1: Do You Think He Loved Me?
(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
In his book The Good and Beautiful God, author James Bryan Smith writes a story about two friends who grew up together, joined the military together, and found themselves together in war together. While hunkering down in a foxhole the friends were chatting when a live grenade landed nearby. One friend smiled and looked at the other, and then dove on top of the live grenade, killing him instantly, but saving his friend’s life.
Years later, the surviving friend continued to wrestle with this event, and whether or not he was worthy of his friend’s sacrifice. Late one evening, he asked his friend’s mother, “Do you think he loved me?” The mother quickly jumped off the couch, shook her finger in his face and said, …”What more could he have done for you?!”
In this moment, he had an epiphany. He realized not only that his friend deeply loved him, but also that Christ loved him in the same way. He had sometimes wondered if he was truly worthy of God’s love. He could picture God shaking His finger in his face saying, “What more could I have done to show you how much I love you!?”
READING & JOURNALING:
In the Old Testament, King David lied, murdered, and committed adultery, yet he experienced the full forgiveness of God. Do you struggle to think that God has fully forgiven you of any wrongdoing? If so, why do you think that is?
PRAYER:
Today, write out your own prayer and/or praise God. Thank Him for fully forgiving you of any sins you’ve committed against Him or others.
(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.
Read: Nehemiah 1 & 2
Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.
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