CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2017
GOD’S HEART
READ JOHN 3:16-21
MEMORISE: For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17)

Judging people, solely by actions can lead to inaccurate conclusions. Have you ever longed to look inside someone’s heart to understand what he is really like, and what his motivations and beliefs are? Of course, we need never question God’s motives; divine righteousness requires that He does the right thing in every circumstance. Yet, the Lord wants us to have an ever-deepening personal relationship with Him, which necessitates our knowing His heart. To make that possible, our Father has revealed Himself in His Word. But not everyone reads the Bible. As a result, we live in an age of misinformation about who God is, and confusion over His character, forgiveness, and gift of life. This leads many to disregard Him.
If you want to understand God’s heart, look at the cross, where both His justice and mercy are demonstrated. The Father is perfectly holy; therefore, His just and fitting sentence for sin is eternal separation from Him (Matt 25:41). However, He desires fellowship with man. So, how does a holy, just God interact with sinful, rebellious human beings? He prepares a perfect, sinless substitute to bear not only mankind’s guilt but also the punishment each one of us deserves. Christ’s death makes it possible for us to be declared no longer guilty; our sin (debt) has been paid in full, and that payment is applied on our behalf, when we receive Jesus as our Saviour.
God’s justice demanded that His Son underwent the worst punishment possible—separation from the Father. Jesus’ sacrifice led to the greatest blessing—that God’s mercy could be poured out on us. Has God taken over your heart?

PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord Jesus, endow me with the grace to have an ever-deepening personal relationship with You.
2. Lord, give me the grace to always look on the Cross.
3. Lord, take control of my heart and dwell there permanently.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 1 Timothy 3 - 5