Let's rejoice with SJEP for a day filled with love despite doubts. "Love never fails" (1 Cor 13:8). Trusting God's love & peace continue. "Be strong and courageous...for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deut 31:6). Keep praying! 
Let's lift up 
At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave. So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. "If anyone deserves your help, he does," they said, "for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us."
—Luke 7:2-5 NLT
Key Thought
In a world of prejudice and rank, this is a story that warms the heart and points us to our better truths! While Jews plead the case of a non-Jew to Jesus, an officer of rank pleads the case of his slave. Of course, for Jesus, these distinctions didn't make a difference, but they did to the people of his day. This story is a great reminder that in the grace of Jesus, race, rank, and reputation pale in comparison to his desire to save and bless all people who will come to him as Lord.
Today's Prayer
O Lord God Almighty, please forgive me for the barriers and the labels that I allow to be erected between me and others who are your precious creations and who so desperately need your grace. Use me to help make your people more open to all peoples so that our earthly reality can mirror the complete racial and social diversity and the equality that exist in the glory of heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2019 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Luke 7:2-5 NLT
Key Thought
In a world of prejudice and rank, this is a story that warms the heart and points us to our better truths! While Jews plead the case of a non-Jew to Jesus, an officer of rank pleads the case of his slave. Of course, for Jesus, these distinctions didn't make a difference, but they did to the people of his day. This story is a great reminder that in the grace of Jesus, race, rank, and reputation pale in comparison to his desire to save and bless all people who will come to him as Lord.
Today's Prayer
O Lord God Almighty, please forgive me for the barriers and the labels that I allow to be erected between me and others who are your precious creations and who so desperately need your grace. Use me to help make your people more open to all peoples so that our earthly reality can mirror the complete racial and social diversity and the equality that exist in the glory of heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2019 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Continue reading...
