PERSONAL JOURNAL:
SIN ( Conviction ): I have so much to confess, Father, but I guess this morning I will focus on two based on my quiet time and my heart. The first is that I have not done a quiet time in 12 days partially from being sick, but mostly from just plain ol’ making excuses. I do not know why I have been trying to avoid You as of late, Father, but please forgive me for this. The second happened yesterday and I’m not sure why. I gave into temptation, even though I’m still coming off an illness. I gave into this temptation while my wife was in the other room. Why would I do such a thing? What is going on with me, Father? Please forgive me for this, but also help me to be the better man You expect me to be, Father.
PROMISE ( Luke 7:27 ): In this one verse is such a powerful promise and reminder this morning. You say that You sent Your messenger ahead of Him to prepare the way for Jesus. Jesus implies to everyone that this messenger is definitely John the Baptist. If John the Baptist is considered Your messenger who made a way for Jesus, then his words must truly be important. Thank You for the fulfillment of this promise, even though John had to make some very great and dire sacrifices to be Your messenger. He did it with a God-focused and God-driven heart the entire time no matter how long or frequent he was locked up. Such a great example of how to live.
ATTITUDE ( Luke 7:50 ): Jesus tells the woman that her faith saved her and to go in peace. The reason I find this verse to be so powerful for me as an attitude adjustment this morning, because I often forget that ALL of my sins (past, present, and future) are forgiven by You through my faith in You, so why can’t I continuously walk in peace in this life, Father? Why do I struggle so much with self-forgiveness when You have already forgiven me? I am essentially saying that Your forgiveness of my sins isn’t “good enough” for me to forgive myself and that’s never okay. Help me to be a better man, Father, by teaching me to show myself some grace and forgiveness like You have shown me so often.
COMMAND ( Luke 7:50b ): The last three words in this chapter hit me pretty hard. I heard it quite a bit in my head and heart yesterday and here we are again hearing these words—“Go in peace.” Why do I struggle so much with walking in peace in my life, Father? I have so much inner turmoil that I do not know how to release and get away from. Help me to be better at following this command thoroughly, Father, so that I may continue to go in peace throughout my life no matter the obstacles and storms that may arise.
EXAMPLE ( Luke 7:36-50 ): The example provided here about the woman, the Pharisee, the debtor, etc. is an amazing story to read. It shows how even the most “religious” person, such as a Pharisee, is blinded by their own biases and sin towards another believer who is doing an amazing thing through her faith. He only saw a sinner on the outside, but Jesus saw her heart and knew that she was truly a faith-driven woman who was simply a sinner like the rest of us trying to get by the best she could. If the Pharisee could have recognized this instead of having to get it all explained to him in-depth, then maybe his faith would have been more true and God-revealing, but instead his “religious blinders” are on and quite strong.
*DAILY NOTE: Thank you for such an amazing quiet time this morning, Father. Even though it has been 12 days since my last quiet time, You welcomed and embraced me back with love and open arms and I appreciate You so much for that. You always know exactly what I need and how I need it delivered to me in any given moment. Thank You for this great conversation this morning.
EXPAND TO READ: GENERAL NOTE FOR MY QUIET TIMES
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