January 27th - Ex. 17-20; Acts 3

Scripture: Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

Observation: Some of the most religious people of all time were the ones who killed Jesus. Being religious does not make you a follower of Christ. So often the two are confused and people get lost in legalism and works righteousness trying to earn their way to heaven. What it is really all about is having and living out a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Application: I need to continue to grow in my relationship with Christ. I will do that by learning about him - through time in the Word - and by living like him - serving others. Sounds just like what Meal Groups are all about.

Prayer: Savior, thank you for taking down the system of works that the religious people tried to impose on you. Thank you for taking down systems that people would want to impose upon me as well. I pray that I would be healed from my sins as this man was from his ailment. Amen.