Thanks for joining us on this journey of building a consistent habit of reading our Bibles every day. The Bible reading plan we are using this year can be found here: One Year Bible or here on the Bible app. As always, if you miss a day, don’t feel compelled to go back and catch up. Just skip it and start back on today’s date. I am reading the NLT this year, but feel free to use whatever version you prefer. Now here are some thoughts from today’s readings:
Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
– Matthew 16:23
First Jesus has an incredible moment with Peter where He tells Peter that he is a rock, and that He is going to use Peter to build the Church. In the very next instance, Peter opens his big mouth and Jesus calls him Satan! What a dramatic shift!
I have felt like this before, and I bet you have, too. One day I feel like I am Jesus’ best friend and the next I feel like His worst enemy because of my own stupidity and sin. If you’ve ever felt like this, you’re in good company!
Here is the good news: as we keep reading, we see the very next instance Peter has the privilege of being one of three people to experience one of Jesus’ most intimate moments, the transfiguration! Jesus’ goal is not to punish you, but to draw you close. Your hang ups aren’t stopping Him from loving you, so don’t let them stop you from loving Him!
What are you allowing to stop you from loving God like you want to? How can you stop letting it stop you?