Daily Devotionals for Women - Today's Encouraging Word from Scripture

REMEMBER AND REVIEW

I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man. I Timothy 1:13

One of the prevailing themes of Scripture is ‘remember and review.’ Remember where you came from. Remember what you were like before you knew God loved you. Remember and tell your children.

Are any of you ashamed of what you used to be? If so, do you hide your dirty laundry in the closet, wanting to never reveal the extent of your brokenness? It’s a desire we all fight. If anyone had reason to be ashamed of his past, it was Paul. Yet he did not give in to the urge to make himself appear better than he was, which is a temptation for all of us.

Remember the story of the prostitute who came to see Jesus? She poured her most expensive ointment on his feet, wept, and then wiped his feet with her hair. The disciples were disgusted. “Who is this woman?” they asked. Jesus commended her act of worship and forgave her sins. She was simply told to go and sin no more. In trying to teach the disciples about kingdom love, Jesus added this: “She loves me much because I have forgiven her much. But he who forgives little, loves little.” This woman would never forget who she used to be and how Jesus’ love transformed her life.

I am the first to sing songs about Jesus coming to save sinners. Yet I can spend the rest of my time trying to hide that I am one. Make sense? Not in the kingdom, it doesn’t. I choose to remember the good, the bad, and the ugly, for the sake of humility and gratitude. I will love you more if I remember how lavishly I am loved!

In your mercy, Lord, you rescued me. I’m undeserving and ungrateful. Amen

Journal Question:Is there someone you refuse to forgive? “They don’t deserve it. They must pay!” you say to yourself. Ask Jesus to show you what it took for Him to forgive you. Rehearse this for as long as it takes ~ until your fist turns into an open hand.

For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org