Tuesday, September 21, 2010 40 Days of Prayer & Impact: 19 Days to Launch

Today, there are 19 DAYS before the Encounter Grand Opening on 10-10-10. We are asking you to join us in what God is doing and is going to do in these last 40 days.

Pray with us. Act with us. Imagine the impact we could have in Helena if each one of us is individually involved in making Helena a better place. Imagine the lives that could be touched. Imagine how the spiritual landscape of our community could be changed even BEFORE the grand opening.

When We Least Deserve It

Today, we are taking from John 8:3-11 ...

"Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?"

This interaction between the religious leaders and Jesus is always an interesting read. We read it in the scriptures and say, "Of course she should be forgiven!" But when faced with similar situations in real life our reactions vary.

According to religious law, she was to be stoned to death. But by the grace of Jesus, He challenges us not to condemn others, but instead to examine our own lives. In the end, Jesus says to each of us, "I do not condemn you. Go and sin no more."

Like Jesus, we are to love people when they least expect and deserve it.

TODAY'S PRAYER

We must first examine ourselves. If we are truthful, we would find ourselves guilty of many offenses against God and others. Sometimes we are blind to these offenses, and sometimes we put ourselves under deep guilt and shame. Ask God to reveal your offenses and to forgive you of these. And instead of living under law-imposed guilt, begin to live in the freedom of Jesus who simply says, "Go and sin no more."

TODAY'S IMPACT

We are reminded in Romans 3:23 that we have all sinned. Every single one of us falls short of God's standard set up in the Old Testament laws. To put it bluntly, none of us deserve God's grace. As you interact with others today, keep in mind that Jesus loves others when they least expect it and least deserve it.

Your impact today, is to love others like Jesus does. This is another chance to show those around you that "the Kingdom of God has come near." Instead of offering guilt and punishment, offer love and forgiveness. Perhaps when you are driving, perhaps in line at the store, maybe even in the classroom or workplace, and especially when it is least deserved.