“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

Zacchaeus had searched for Jesus. Then Jesus saw him and called him by name. Now we see what happens when a sinner encounters the grace of Christ: After spending time with Jesus, Zacchaeus was never the same.

The man once known for greed and dishonesty suddenly stood before the crowd saying he would give half of his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had cheated four times over (Luke 19:8). What happened?

Jesus changed his heart.

You see, true transformation does not begin with trying harder. It begins with encountering the grace of God in Christ. When people genuinely experience the love, mercy, and forgiveness of Christ, their lives begin to change from the inside out.

That is exactly what happened to Zacchaeus.

Jesus did not shame him into change. He loved him into change.

At the end of this encounter, Jesus declared, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That statement really summarizes the entire mission of Christ. Jesus came pursuing people who were far from God. He came offering forgiveness, redemption, and new life.

And the wonderful truth is that no one is beyond His reach.

Sometimes people look at their past and assume God could never forgive them. Others think they have wandered too far away. But the story of Zacchaeus reminds us that Jesus specializes in changing lives– even the lives that we feel could never change.

When we place our faith in Christ, He not only forgives our sin, but He begins transforming our desires, priorities, and direction in life.

Only Jesus can truly change the human heart. Will you trust Him to change yours?

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Read “Adopted by Grace” also by Bryant Wright

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“Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Luke 19:5

Zacchaeus climbed the tree looking for Jesus. But he soon discovered that Jesus was looking for him. Out of all the people lining the streets that day, Jesus stopped and looked up into a sycamore tree.

And there sat Zacchaeus. The wee little man.

Can you imagine the shock of that moment? Here was a man the crowd hated and resented, yet Jesus called him by name and invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ home. The people were resentful. Of all people, Zacchaeus?

That tells us something powerful about the heart of Jesus.

Most people saw Zacchaeus as a sinful man beyond hope. Jesus saw a man who needed grace.

And isn’t that still true today? So often, we assume God wants nothing to do with us until we straighten out our lives. We think we need to clean ourselves up first, become more spiritual or religious or good.

But throughout the Gospels, Jesus continually moved toward broken people. That’s why He came.

Before Zacchaeus changed his life… before he repaid anyone… before he made anything right… Jesus pursued him with love and grace. THEN all those things followed.

“God demonstrated His love for us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

That is the Gospel.

Jesus knows every failure, every hidden sin, every regret, and every struggle in our lives, yet He still invites us into relationship with Him. Nothing places us beyond His mercy.

What a comfort to know that the Savior who stopped beneath that sycamore tree still sees people who are in need and searching today. May you accept His love and grace today.

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Read “Lord Have Mercy – On Me!” by Jonathan Munson

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“He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.” Luke 19:3

When a well-known figure visits a town, people get excited. Crowds gather. Everybody wants to catch a glimpse. That was certainly true when Jesus entered Jericho 2000 years ago.

At this point in His ministry, word about Jesus had spread everywhere. He was like a rock star! People had heard about the miracles, the teaching, and the lives He had changed. Among the crowd that day was a man named Zacchaeus.

Now Zacchaeus was not exactly beloved in Jericho. As a chief tax collector, he had become wealthy collecting money from his own people for the Roman government (and himself). Jewish people viewed tax collectors as dishonest and greedy. Collaborating with the Roman oppressors. They saw them getting rich off the backs of their own people. Zacchaeus was doing that, but something was still missing in his life.

Luke tells us he “wanted to see who Jesus was.”

That little statement reveals a great spiritual truth. Deep down, there was a hunger in Zacchaeus’ heart that success and wealth could not satisfy. So that short little guy climbed a sycamore tree just to get a better look at Jesus.

Many people today know exactly how that feels. On the outside, life may look successful and put together, but inwardly there is still an emptiness. We often try to fill that void with achievements, money and possessions, status, or relationships, but none of those things can truly satisfy the human heart.

Why?

Because we were created for a relationship with God. And until we know Him, there will always be something inside us still searching. Thankfully, Zacchaeus began a relationship with Jesus that day, and he found the answer to life he was looking for. Zacchaeus went looking for Jesus, but he was about to discover that Jesus was already looking for him.

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Read “From Religion to Relationship” also by Bryant Wright

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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

People have answered that question in a variety of ways:

• The Bible is God’s love letter.
• It’s a roadmap for life.
• It’s the Word of God.

It’s not only a good question; it’s perhaps the most fundamental and directional question we can ask. The reason is that how we answer that question determines our answers to almost every other question. That’s because if we believe the Bible to be trustworthy and true then it means we can trust the way the Bible answers every other question about God, the world, and ourselves. But if we do not find it trustworthy and true, we will inevitably look to other places for the very definition of reality as we know it.

The importance of this question is why Satan, in the very beginning, called the Word of God into question. Indeed, that was the source of his temptation of the first woman and man:

“Did God really say…” (Genesis 3:1).

Once you bring the Word of God into question, then everything else is on the table. So, what is the Word of God? Here’s what the Bible says about itself:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Paul, in writing to his son in the faith, Timothy, assures him of the nature of the Bible; he tells Timothy what it is. And it is, according to Paul, at least three things:

1. The Bible is inspired.

All Scripture is God-breathed. This means that though human beings wrote the actual text, those words were inspired by God. He is the ultimate author of Scripture. That doesn’t mean that the human authors of Scripture lapsed into a spiritual coma and woke up with a document in front of them and a cramping hand; these human writers were addressing specific issues and specific people during specific times.

But it does mean that while addressing those timely contexts, God was authoring His timeless Word. To say that the Bible is inspired, then, is to recognize this divine authorship and to know that when we rightly understand the timely message of the Bible in its context, we can know the timeless message and principles that are still true today.

2. The Bible is authoritative.

Paul provided Timothy with a list of what the Bible is used for—that it teaches, rebukes, corrects, and trains. Because it does all these things, the Bible is authoritative.

To embrace the Bible’s authority means it is our source of bedrock truth. We might have our own ideas, preferences, desires, or notions, but ultimately, we must bring those to bear under the authority of God’s Word. In short, we don’t come to the Bible with our own ideas looking for how the Bible agrees with them; instead, we come to the Bible as open-handedly as possible, willing to joyfully align ourselves with what it says.

3. The Bible is sufficient.

According to Paul, the Bible is also sufficient. It provides all we need for training in righteousness. That means we don’t need to look for another Word, another revelation, or another source. God has given us all we need in His Word.

Now, that doesn’t mean that we find the answer to every question in its pages. You won’t find, for example, a direct answer to what city you should live in or what job you should take. What you will find, however, is the Bible teaching and forming how we should think about these questions. Its sufficiency comes in that it shapes our minds and hearts as we marinate in the Word of God.

Put it all together, and you will find this answer to the question of what the Bible is:

The Bible is the inspired, authoritative, and complete revelation of God to humanity.

Let us rejoice that we have such a Word.

DIG DEEPER
Read “3 Reasons to Read the Bible First Thing in the Morning” also by Michael Kelley

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Imagínate a alguien conduciendo por un camino estrecho con una sólida línea amarilla en el medio. La ley dice que no crucemos esta línea. De repente, alguien que esta corriendo aparece en nuestra vista. No hay suficiente espacio para el corredor y el auto en ese carril, pero el conductor preferiría antes golpear al corredor que cruzar la línea amarilla. Esto es legalismo, (Y yo he sido ese corredor: reglas antes de que la gente pueda ser llevada a extremos extraños).

Jesús luchó contra el legalismo en todo su ministerio.  Y aunque nunca rompió los mandamientos de Su Padre Celestial, a sabiendas hizo caso omiso de las reglas creadas por el hombre para mantener a la gente a raya, tratando de ganar el favor de Dios a través de las buenas obras. Vemos esto cuando Jesús sanó a un hombre en el sábado, el día santo de descanso.  Los líderes religiosos de la época deberían haber estado encantados con este milagro. Pero en vez de eso, se perdieron la alegría por estar tan enfocados en las reglas.

Jesús no sólo revela el corazón compasivo de Dios a través de este milagro, sino que le vemos dispuesto a romper las reglas hechas por el hombre para alcanzar a los que sufren. ¿Por qué? Porque estas reglas innecesarias pueden crear tanta culpa y dolor en el proceso que perdemos el verdadero deseo del corazón de Dios. Podemos llegar a estar tan enfocados en obedecer las reglas que empezamos a pensar que podemos ganar nuestra salvación.  O podemos llegar a estar tan heridos y agobiados por las reglas que nos alejamos de todo lo que está remotamente asociado con la Iglesia, la religión, incluso Dios mismo.

Muchos de nosotros hemos sido heridos y decepcionados por personas o instituciones religiosas que dicen reflejar a Dios. Por nuestro dolor nos hemos alejado de todo lo que ellos han defendido, incluso rechazando a Dios en el proceso. Si estás curando viejas heridas producidas por personas e instituciones defectuosas, tráelo ante Cristo Jesús. Después de todo, Él ha estado luchando contra el legalismo desde el principio. Deja que Jesús luche por ti, y que el te revele la verdad sobre cómo vivir.

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“Because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:2 

A lot has changed in our culture, but one thing that hasn’t changed is God’s design for marriage. In the beginning, God created marriage—before government, before culture, before human opinion. In Genesis 1 and 2, God designed marriage as a sacred covenant between one man and one woman. 
 
That’s been the foundation of every stable society throughout history. Marriage was created for companionship and procreation. And since Christ came, it is a reflection of His love. The Bible describes marriage as a picture of Christ’s relationship with His bride, the Church—faithful, self-sacrificing, and lifelong. 
 
In recent years, many have tried to redefine marriage. What was once universally understood as a union between a man and a woman is now being reshaped by modern thinking. But no matter how culture changes, God’s truth remains. Marriage is not something we can reinvent—it’s something we are called to honor. 
 
When a husband and wife commit to loving each other as Christ loves the Church, they create a home where God’s love can be seen and shared. This can bring joy, intimacy, and strength. 
 
So don’t be swayed by cultural trends or political opinions. Go back to the original blueprint—God’s design for marriage. It’s the foundation that holds families and communities together. 

DIG DEEPER
Read “Want A Marriage That Endures?” also by Bryant Wright

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Recuerdo muy claramente el momento en que dejé el mundo de los negocios para dedicarme al ministerio a tiempo completo. Estaba seguro de que Dios me estaba llamando a ir al seminario, pero entregarle mi libro de clientes a mi gerente (esto era en la antigüedad antes de los ordenadores), fue un momento decisivo en mi vida. Cuando el profeta Elías apareció para nombrar a Eliseo como su sucesor, fue un momento decisivo en la vida de Elias.

Era el medio de un día de trabajo y Eliseo estaba en los campos de la granja de sus padres cuando Elías apareció y puso su manto, o capa, sobre sus hombros. Hoy en día, la expresión «pasar el testigo del liderazgo o la responsabilidad» es bastante común. Pocos se dan cuenta de que este concepto en realidad proviene de esta historia bíblica. En la antigüedad, un manto era un manto sin mangas que se llevaba sobre las prendas exteriores para dar calor. Sin embargo, cuando Elías lo colocó sobre los hombros de Eliseo, simbolizó la transferencia del liderazgo espiritual.

Eliseo sabía exactamente lo que estaba pasando en ese momento y corrió a decírselo a sus padres. Luego lo vemos sacrificar sus animales a Dios y partir con Elías. Este fue el momento de Eliseo. Al sacrificar los bueyes, Eliseo estaba esencialmente diciendo que no había vuelta atrás. Su antigua vida como hijo de un agricultor rico y trabajando en los campos había terminado. Él estaba eligiendo aceptar el llamado de Dios y entrar en esta nueva vida como el sucesor de Elías. Esto fue un gran paso de fe y un momento decisivo en la vida de Eliseo.

¿Estás enfrentando un momento decisivo en tu viaje de fe? Tal vez Dios te está pidiendo que confíes en Él haciendo un cambio drástico en tu carrera. Tal vez es una mudanza a otra ciudad donde no conoces a nadie. Tal vez sea finalmente perdonar a la persona que te hizo daño, o es tratar de compartir lo que tienes con un vecino que está luchando.  Pídele a Dios el valor y la fe para dejar lo viejo atrás y entrar en lo que está por venir. No se pierda ni un momento decisivo en su viaje de fe.

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“You have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20

Many people think of taking care of their bodies as a matter of appearance, fitness, or health. The Bible points us to something much deeper. Caring for our bodies is ultimately a spiritual issue.

Paul reminds believers that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been redeemed and purchased at a tremendous price. Because of that, our body is no longer simply our own possession to use however we choose. They have become instruments through which we glorify God.

That truth changes our perspective. Instead of asking, “What do I feel like doing?” we begin asking, “Does this honor God?” We recognize that habits and actions involving food, exercise, rest, work, and yes, sex are not merely physical concerns. They are matters of stewardship.

At the same time, Scripture warns us against extremes. Some people abuse their bodies through indulgence. Others become consumed with appearance, control, or performance. Neither path honors the Lord. God calls us to balance. He wants us to enjoy the freedom He provides while refusing to be mastered by anything other than Christ.

The goal is not perfection. The goal is faithful stewardship. As we care for the body God has entrusted to us, we remember that we are responding to His grace, not trying to earn His favor.

Today, thank God for the gift of your body. Ask Him to help you develop habits that strengthen your ability to serve Him, love others, and fulfill His purpose for your life.

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Read “The Temple of the Living God” also by Bryant Wright

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¿Cómo podemos ser buenos administradores de nuestros recursos financieros? Comienza con un presupuesto. Todo buen presupuesto tiene ciertos principios bíblicos a tener en cuenta.

1. Primero, dale a Dios. La Escritura es muy clara que debemos dar a Dios un diezmo, o el 10% de nuestros ingresos. En las Escrituras se le conoce como el “almacén” (Malaquías 3:8-10) o donde usted adora y es alimentado espiritualmente – su iglesia local. Tenemos que hacer esto antes que nada. Así reconocemos que todo lo que tenemos viene de Él y que confiamos en Él para satisfacer nuestras necesidades. Es una manera de decir, “Dios, todo esto es tuyo” (Proverbios 3: 9-10).
2. Ahorre e Invierta. Cualquier planificador financiero le dirá que por lo menos el 10% de sus ingresos deben ir a ahorros e inversiones. Las Escrituras proveen la analogía de las hormigas para enfatizar la importancia de este principio. Las hormigas trabajan duro durante los meses de verano para prepararse para el invierno. Cuando se trata de ahorro e inversiones, debemos ser planificadores sabios (Proverbios 6:6-11).
3. Pagar Impuestos. Nadie ha estado nunca entusiasmado con el pago de impuestos, pero las Escrituras son muy claras en cuanto a que debemos pagar los impuestos que debemos. Después de todo, esos fondos no sólo pagan los salarios de nuestros funcionarios públicos, sino que también financian y mantienen nuestras carreteras, el agua, las escuelas, los tribunales e incluso nuestra protección policial y militar. (Romanos 13: 6-7).
4. Plan de gastos fijos. Estos son gastos regulares tales como su hipoteca, el pago de su automóvil, los gastos de alimentación mensuales y cualquier pago de deudas. Estos pagos deben ser hechos o hay multas; son gastos fijos.
5. Administrar los gastos opcionales. Esta categoría cubre todas las cosas divertidas como entretenimiento, vacaciones, compras y pasatiempos. Estas cosas son bonitas, pero no son necesarias.

La conclusión es que todos nosotros estamos llamados a ser buenos administradores de los recursos específicos que Dios nos ha confiado, cada uno de acuerdo a nuestra propia habilidad. Aunque no debe haber comparación en el reino de Dios, debemos aprovechar al máximo la capacidad y oportunidad que Dios nos ha dado. Entonces, ¿cómo te va como administrador de los recursos financieros de Dios? Un día, todos debemos dar cuenta de cómo manejamos “Sus” recursos.  ¿Qué dirá Dios? “Bien hecho; te daré más para que lo administres.” O escucharas un «Lo siento, irresponsable, estoy tomando lo que te di y con lo que no hiciste nada y se lo daré a otro para que lo use para mi gloria.

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“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8a

Have you ever noticed that the most miserable people are not always those far from God? Often, the most miserable person is the believer who is trying to live with divided loyalties.

James describes this struggle as “double-mindedness” (James 4:8). It is the battle between wanting to follow Christ while also wanting to hold on to the values and desires of the world. Every Christian knows something about that war within. We want God’s will, yet we are tempted to pursue our own. We want Christ to lead us, yet we resist surrendering control.

The Apostle Paul understood this struggle when he wrote, “For the good that I want, I do not do.” (Romans 7:18-19) The presence of that conflict does not mean you are a failure. In fact, it is evidence that God’s Spirit is at work in your life. But when we continually choose our own way over God’s way, we find ourselves frustrated, restless, and spiritually exhausted.

The good news is that God does not abandon us in our double-mindedness. James reminds us that God gives “greater grace.” (James 4:6) When we humble ourselves before Him, confess our sin, and draw near to Him, He responds with forgiveness and restoration.

Perhaps today you are carrying the weight of divided affections. Maybe you have been trying to follow Christ while still clinging to something that has taken His rightful place in your heart. Bring it before the Lord. Confess it honestly. Surrender it completely.

God’s desire is not that you live in spiritual turmoil. He desires that you experience the joy and peace that come from wholehearted devotion to Him.

DIG DEEPER
Read “Surrender – What Does it Mean?” also by Bryant Wright

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