Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Today's Scripture

"You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" (Romans 2:1-4 NLT)

Thoughts for Today

Proud people are easy to spot. Something in the way they talk and carry themselves gives them away.

How do you react to people who are arrogant and proud? What would you like to say to them?

It's easy to see pride in others and to condemn them. But maybe we need to look inward before we judge others. In fact, today's scripture makes that clear.

Consider this …

Although God hates the sin of pride, he loves us. "Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?"

When we condemn others for their arrogance, are we not being arrogant? Considering ourselves better than they? Instead of judging others for their arrogance, we need to let God's love flow from us to them. To be kind, tolerant, and patient with them. And we need to let their behavior motivate us to look at any smoldering arrogance and pride within us. To repent and humble ourselves before God.
 

But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Words of Jesus in Matthew 23:12 NLT)

Prayer

Father, help me not to judge others and condemn their prideful behavior. Help me show your love to others . . . and to humble myself before you. In Jesus' name . . .

These thoughts were drawn from …

Completely Free! A Group Study of Romans 1-8 by Dan Strickland. Everyone struggles from time-to-time, but we can have confidence that in Christ we are completely free from sin's slavery, from condemnation, and from fear of failure. This group study of Romans 1-8 and 12 helps Christians break out of the dull routine of a stagnant spiritual life. Applying the truths found in Romans can transform any believer into a person eager to follow God's will. This study can also serve as a powerful evangelistic tool by explaining the message of salvation as presented in Romans. Suggested uses include home Bible studies, cell groups, Sunday school classes, support groups and personal enrichment.

We hope these devotions are a blessing to you and to others in your life. We are happy to provide them for you at no cost, but thought you might want to consider a donation to help our ministry with the expense involved. You can safely donate through our website . Thank you!

©Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Today's Scripture

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us
can boast about it." (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT)

Thoughts for Today

Yesterday we talked about pride preventing people from admitting they need Jesus. Pride can also prevent us from receiving forgiveness and eternal life when we try to earn our way with good works.

Serving in the church . . . helping needy people . . . donating to charities . . . being kind to people. All good. But not good enough to earn passage to heaven. There is only one way. Jesus.
 

"And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” (Jesus' words in John 3:36 NLT)

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NLT)

This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.  (1 Timothy 2:3-6 NLT)

We cannot earn salvation. We can only receive it as a gracious gift from God.

Consider this …

Even after we've humbled ourselves before Christ and accepted Him as Lord and Savior, pride can seep in. We look around at people who have not found Jesus . . . and maybe feel just a little superior. But . . . "Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."

We don't have anything to brag about—but we do have much to be thankful for. God's grace. God's forgiveness. God's love. The promise of eternal life with him—not because of anything we did but because of what Jesus did.

After realizing that, when we see those who do not yet know Jesus, we will be ready to share with them the good news about him.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the gift of forgiveness. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. Help me always remember the tremendous sacrifice of love that made all that possible. Help me share the good news with others. In Jesus' name . . .
 

These thoughts were drawn from …

Completely Free! A Group Study of Romans 1-8 by Dan Strickland. Everyone struggles from time-to-time, but we can have confidence that in Christ we are completely free from sin's slavery, from condemnation, and from fear of failure. This group study of Romans 1-8 and 12 helps Christians break out of the dull routine of a stagnant spiritual life. Applying the truths found in Romans can transform any believer into a person eager to follow God's will. This study can also serve as a powerful evangelistic tool by explaining the message of salvation as presented in Romans. Suggested uses include home Bible studies, cell groups, Sunday school classes, support groups and personal enrichment.

We hope these devotions are a blessing to you and to others in your life. We are happy to provide them for you at no cost, but thought you might want to consider a donation to help our ministry with the expense involved. You can safely donate through our website . Thank you!

©Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Today's Scripture

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood." (Romans 3:23-25 NLT)

Thoughts for Today

"I'm not that bad. I'm a pretty good person—better than most. Of course, I'll go to heaven."

This is the most dangerous kind of pride a person can have.

We cannot go to heaven on our own. We all need Jesus.

Consider this …

We all need to come to a point where we realize we cannot perfectly obey God's law. Jesus is the only one who has lived a perfect life on earth. We have all sinned. When we realize this, we have a choice to make. Will we trust in Christ . . . or will we continue in our stubborn pride and unbelief. Will we protest to God saying, "I'm not that bad."

If we admit we have sinned and that the consequences of sin are spiritual death and eternity in hell, we recognize we have to humbly depend on God's mercy and grace. Our only recourse is to turn to Christ and ask him to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

When we turn to the cross and believe Jesus died in our place, our pride is demolished. We realize we caused the infinite pain Christ endured so we could be forgiven and spend eternity in heaven with him.

If you've not made this decision, don't delay. Consider today's scripture. You, like everyone, have sinned. The punishment for that sin is death. But God loves you so much, he sent his son, Jesus, to earth to die on the cross, paying the penalty for your sin. But you have to accept his gift.

Are you ready to swallow your pride? To admit you need Jesus? He loves you with a love so great we cannot even begin to grasp its magnitude. Turn to him today.

Prayer

Father, thank you for sending Jesus to pay the penalty for my sin. I realize now I cannot make it on my own. I know I need Jesus. Please forgive my sins. I invite Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. In his name . . .
 

These thoughts were drawn from …

Completely Free! A Group Study of Romans 1-8 by Dan Strickland. Everyone struggles from time-to-time, but we can have confidence that in Christ we are completely free from sin's slavery, from condemnation, and from fear of failure. This group study of Romans 1-8 and 12 helps Christians break out of the dull routine of a stagnant spiritual life. Applying the truths found in Romans can transform any believer into a person eager to follow God's will. This study can also serve as a powerful evangelistic tool by explaining the message of salvation as presented in Romans. Suggested uses include home Bible studies, cell groups, Sunday school classes, support groups and personal enrichment.

We hope these devotions are a blessing to you and to others in your life. We are happy to provide them for you at no cost, but thought you might want to consider a donation to help our ministry with the expense involved. You can safely donate through our website . Thank you!

©Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Today's Scripture

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones." (Proverbs 3:5-8 NLT)

Thoughts for Today    

Too often in our Christian life, we are like the child who insists, "I can do it myself." We like to be independent. We like to be in control. Instead of trusting God first in every situation, we go to him as a last resort. Maybe. Sometimes we don't go to him at all.

The one thing we bring to God that pleases him is faith. Even that faith is a gift from him (Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith is the opposite of pride. Pride says, "I don't need you; I can do it alone." But faith raises empty hands to God and trusts that he will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Today's scripture makes it clear. Don't trust your own understanding. Don't be impressed with you own wisdom. Turn to God.

Consider this …

Are you trusting God in your life? Submitting to his plan? His timing? What areas are easy for you to trust him for? Which are more difficult?

Learn to walk in humility, not pride. Learn to walk in God's wisdom, God's strength, and God's love.
 

But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:24-25 NLT)

Prayer

Father, thank you for being there for me. Help me trust you more. Help me walk in humility and not pride. I commit to following the path you put before me and depending on you for the journey. In Jesus' name . . .
 

These thoughts were drawn from …

Completely Free! A Group Study of Romans 1-8 by Dan Strickland. Everyone struggles from time-to-time, but we can have confidence that in Christ we are completely free from sin's slavery, from condemnation, and from fear of failure. This group study of Romans 1-8 and 12 helps Christians break out of the dull routine of a stagnant spiritual life. Applying the truths found in Romans can transform any believer into a person eager to follow God's will. This study can also serve as a powerful evangelistic tool by explaining the message of salvation as presented in Romans. Suggested uses include home Bible studies, cell groups, Sunday school classes, support groups and personal enrichment.

We hope these devotions are a blessing to you and to others in your life. We are happy to provide them for you at no cost, but thought you might want to consider a donation to help our ministry with the expense involved. You can safely donate through our website . Thank you!

©Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.