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Today's Scripture: But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7, NKJV. Today's Word: Oftentimes, people set their focus on what God has done in the past—how He parted the Red Sea or stopped the sun for Joshua or fed thousands of people with just a little boy’s small lunch. Yes, God has performed many amazing miracles throughout history, and it’s important that we give Him praise and glory. But at the same time, we also have to look forward to what God wants to do in our lives today. In this verse, Paul says that “in the ages to come,” God would do things that far supersede anything He’s ever done before. I believe that the “ages to come” he’s talking about is this day and time we’re living in right now. God wants to outdo Himself in our generation! Remember, God is a God of increase. Where you are today is not where you are supposed to stay. He has greater levels of His favor and blessing in store for you. Dare to dream big! Dare to keep a God-sized vision in front of you! Dare to take hold of every blessing the Lord has in store for you! Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. I open my heart and mind to You so that I can see the greatness of what You want to do today and in the future. Use me for Your glory in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Even Norman Borlaug Needs a Savior
by Rick Warren
“God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin so that we might receive God’s approval through him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 GW)
If you were to Google this question, “Who has saved more human lives in history than anybody else?” you would find a name you probably never heard of. When Norman Borlaug died in 2009 at the age of 95, the world hardly noticed, even though he’s one of only seven people to have won the Nobel Peace Prize, the Congressional Gold Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.Who was Norman Borlaug? He was an agricultural scientist who invented high yield, drought and disease-resistant crops that in the 20th century saved more than 1 billion people from starvation. Before Norman Borlaug, many countries like China, India, and Pakistan had famines every single year. Now those countries export food because of the crops that Borlaug developed.
Borlaug was a Christian and a lifelong member of an evangelical Lutheran church. In fact, his faith was the driving force for all of his scientific efforts. When he received the Nobel Prize, he quoted from the book of Isaiah as his motivation for what he had done. Borlaug was a truly great man, a real hero. But if you had asked him, “Were you the savior of the world?” he’d say, “no.”
Even someone like Norman Borlaug needs a Savior.
That’s why “God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin so that we might receive God’s approval through him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 GW).
It’s the great exchange, friends. God takes all the junk in your life, all your pettiness, all your ego, all your anger, all your jealousy and gossip, all the thoughts and actions and words that you’ve ever said that were unkind, and he puts them on himself so you don’t have to pay the penalty for your sins. The perfection of Jesus covers you so you can enter God’s perfect place called Heaven.
What a deal! That’s called grace, and it’s the only way you’ll ever get into Heaven — by accepting God’s gift of grace in his Son, Jesus Christ.
Talk It Over
- What do you think God wants you to do with the junk in your life once it has been forgiven through repentance?
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