Devotionals

Enjoy our daily devotionals written by Pastor Randy Dubois. These devotionals can be used as another way to grow in your walk with Jesus and to grow in your understanding of God and His Word.


 

 

Forgiveness for the Sinner (Day 31)

Read 2 Corinthians 2:5-11
 
   Paul explained that it was time to forgive the man who had been punished by the church and had subsequently repented. He needed forgiveness, acceptance, and comfort. Satan would gain an advantage if they permanently separated this man from the congregation rather than forgiving and restoring him. This may have been the man who had required the disciplinary action described in 1 Corinthians 5, or he may have been the chief opponent of Paul who had caused him anguish. The sorrowful letter had finally brought about the repentance of the Corinthians, and their discipline of the man had led this church to repentance. Church discipline should seek restoration. Two mistakes in church discipline should be avoided: being too lenient and not correcting mistakes, or being too harsh and not forgiving the sinner. There is a time to confront and a time to comfort. 

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God’s Law Reveals Our Sin (Day 15)

Read Romans 7:7-13
 
   Where there is no law, there is no sin, because people cannot know that their actions are sinful unless a law forbids those actions. God’s law makes people realize that they are sinners doomed to die, yet if offers no help. Sin is real, and it is dangerous. Imagine a sunny day at the beach. You plunge into the surf; then you notice a sign on the pier: “No swimming. Sharks.” Your day is ruined. Is it the sign’s fault? Are you angry with the people who put it up? The law is like the sign. It is essential, and we are grateful for it: but it doesn’t get rid of the sharks. 

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Mark: A Walk With Our Savior (Day 51)

Read Mark 12:13-17
 
RELIGIOUS LEADERS QUESTION JESUS ABOUT PAYING TAXES
 
   The Pharisees were primarily a religious group concerned for ritual purity; the supporters of Herod were a Jewish political group that approved of Herod’s compromises with Rome. Normally the two groups had nothing to do with each other. 
 
   The Pharisees did not like Jesus because He exposed their hypocrisy. The supporters of Herod also saw Jesus as a threat. Supporters of the dynasty of Herod the Great, they had lost political control when, as a result of reported unrest, Rome deposed Archelaus, Herod’s son, who was over Judea, and replaced him with a Roman governor. The supporters of Herod feared that Jesus would cause still more instability in Judea and that Rome might react by never allowing the Roman leaders to step down and be replaced by a descendant of Herod. 
 
   Anyone who avoided paying taxes faced harsh penalties. The Jews hated to pay taxes to Rome because the money supported their oppressors and symbolized their subjection. Much of the tax money also went to maintain the pagan temples and luxurious life-styles of Rome’s upper class. The Pharisees and supporters of Herod hoped to trap Jesus with this tax question. Either a yes or a no could lead Him into trouble. A yes would mean He supported Rome, which would turn the people against Him. A no would bring accusations of treason and rebellion against Rome and could lead to civil penalties. 
 
   The Pharisees and supporters of Herod thought they had the perfect question to trap Jesus. But Jesus answered wisely, once again exposing their self-interest and wrong motives. Jesus said the coin, a laborer’s daily wage, bearing the emperor’s image should be given to the emperor. Our life, which bears God’s image, belongs to God. Are you giving God all that is rightfully His? Give your life to God: you bear His image.