Daily Reading: Matthew 13
Scripture Focus: And he told them many things in parables. (Matthew 13.3a)
Devotional Thought: When my grandchildren are home, they insist that Pahpooh - for that is what Avery, my oldest grandchild, named me when she was just a baby! - tell The Monkey Story. They've heard it so many times that they know it by heart. They often remember what's next before I do! Sometimes they even like to tell their own versions. It's always fun to hear what they come up with.
Everybody loves a good story - to hear and to tell. Jesus recognized this, so "he told them many things in parables." A story communicates a message much more powerfully than a recitation of facts and formulas. That's why presidents use stories in their state of the union addresses. People identify with sooner and remember longer a story that touches their hearts.
How do you tell the story of Jesus? Do you try to communicate it through truths and tenets? Is there a better way? Every Christ-follower has a story to tell. It is the story of their lives. People are reading your story every day. The Apostle Peter - himself an eyewitness to the story of Jesus - said, "In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).
Live the story, then when those around you ask - and they will - tell them the story of how Jesus has changed you.
Prayer: Lord, my story may not seem exciting to others, but I thank you for allowing me to live it. Help me to share the story of your love with others. Help me to do that with gentleness and respect. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. (Psalms 84:1-7)
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