#Jesus - Daily DevotionalsSample

#TurnAround (Tobias Teichen)

Often the idea buzzes in our minds that Christian faith is about behaving as well as possible, doing good deeds, being good, and going to church so that God is content with us and we are in his good books. Nothing could be farther from the truth!

It is not about pleasing God or having to compete with him – this is impossible anyways. In this living relationship with God, it is about wanting to live with God out of thankfulness for everything he has done.

Zacchaeus was a tax collector, a betrayer of the nation who worked together with the Roman occupying power – the worst scum in the eyes of many contemporaries – and Jesus goes to eat with this man. Jesus even says: “I have to be a guest in your house today!” Zacchaeus is so overwhelmed that this distinguished rabbi and teacher wants to spend time with him that it turns his life and thinking upside down. He has deceived people for a bunch of money and now he wants to give back multiple of it! Not because he has to, but because his life has been so overwhelmed by God’s love and kindness that he gladly does what God expects of us humans: a life of gratitude, a spirit of charity, a mind-set of reparation.

A 180° turnaround to a lifestyle of wanting and not of having to.

Actionstep:

Jesus gave his life for you on the cross. What would you like to give back to him in gratitude and joy this week? Not because you have to, but because you want to! Here are a few ideas:

• Your talents? – “Jesus, show me how I can help in a practical way this week so that your ideas for this earth can become a reality.”
• Your finances? – “Jesus, show me where I can invest part of my money to finance your goals with people and the church.”
• Your time? – “Jesus, show me with whom I can spend time this week.”
• Your intercession prayers? – “Jesus, show me how and what I can pray for other people during this week.”