Daily Devotional: Wednesday, Feb 24

Speaker: Rick Enloe

Theme: The Roman Flower and Garden Show

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Yesterday, Today and Foreverby Vicky Beeching, Let the Praises Ring by Lincoln Brewster; Cannonsby Phil Wickham; You'll Comeby Hillsong.

Think: As we have been looking at Romans 11 this week we find the Apostle Paul teaching some Christians who had fallen into some wrong thinking and had become prideful. We get the sense that somehow these early followers of Christ were operating as if their position and their status as Children of God was somehow because they earned it. And Paul gives a much needed spiritual kick in the pants: In v. 23 and 24 he says "don't get to feeling superior...Just be glad you're in the tree". I love that!

Spiritual pride is so easy to fall into - just look around! Paul's admonition should serve as a warning for us who can tend toward pride... Don't fall into the false thinking that somehow our favor with God is something we deserve or are due. God has shown us favor beyond our ability to earn - and has allowed us to be grafted to His tree NOT because we've earned it, but because He loves us.

The branches (you and me) draw life from the root and the tree (God). It's not the other way around. We are completely dependent on Him for all our needs. We are totally at His mercy for our next breath and heartbeat. When we remember His gift of grace then we can keep a heart of humility.

Do: Check your spiritual attitudes and disposition - Do you see any signs of spiritual pride? 

Pray: God, I know there is nothing I can do to earn your favor or to deserve salvation. Thank you Jesus that when I placed my faith and trust in You I received the right to become a Your child. I come humbly and so grateful for your mercy and grace. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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