Devo, Lent

Generosity

Day 15
ENGLISH
ENGLISH

So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."—Luke 19:6-10

We are forever affected by relationships. Men desire them and want them. Such was the case with Zacchaeus. While ignored and isolated from relationships because of his much-hated occupation, this did not mean that he necessarily wanted his life to be this way. Many feel trapped by life situations and perceive there is no way out of their present circumstance. Such are homeless, culturally oppressed men or those who feel branded by the failings of their past.

But what would happen if we helped brothers see past these challenges and failings and acted in love toward them? What if we took the time to see beyond our assumptive ideas ("He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner") and the apparent issues we perceive with our human eyes?

Men are searching and looking for hope beyond their challenges, cultures, circumstances, and sin. What if today we saw men as hopeful brothers and helped them overcome the obstacles of their past? There are men we know out there in need of relationship, acceptance, and love. Remember that God's love, through you, has the power and potential to turn a man's heart from isolation to involvement that leads to benevolence, philanthropy, and generosity.

DO THIS: This week, we are focusing on the discipline of brotherhood.

Your Call To Act (C.T.A.) today is:

  • Pray: for 5-minutes, for someone you know who you know is searching for love and acceptance.
  • Share: below, this man's initials (not his name). "V.L.M." or "V.M"
  • Reach: out to this man in some way, and tell him you prayed for him today by text, email, or a simple phone call.

 

SPANISH
AFRIKAANS
DUTCH
CHINESE

⚡Share That You Prayed For Someone In Today's Challenge ⚡

329 thoughts on “Generosity”

  75. JR says:

    Praying for my friend DL; for more than 20 years encouraging him to see God and His love.

  96. Ryan says:

    JAS. On a similar walk. He knows it, but it’s hard sometime. Pray that he would continue to trust Him.

  137. AZ says:

    Prayed for the men in my family. I know we have all had our moments that we have never talked about. But I prayed they feel the love of Christ, and know that today is a new day!

  141. Lavon says:

    Here I think of the hymn, “Redeemed How I Love to Proclaim It.”
    Confession, Repentance, Forgiveness, Restoration, leads to a generous heart within a man.

  161. Chris Teti says:

    BV! A very good friend of mine and a guy I’ve known for over 20 years! I pray for his peace, health, joy and company in this time we are going through. I also pray that he turns to the Lord.

  166. Al says:

    A.F. Andy is a guy I work with that is struggling right now he just took a voluntary layoff

  176. Ron says:

    Lord, today I pray for Mark & Mattingly that they will increasingly sense your presence and direction in their lives. I pray as well for Joel that you will give him a mission & purpose in his life. Thank you that even in the crisis of the moment, you provide relief from the stress of work. Lord give direction. Draw heart to Michael as he battles the virus. Restore he and his wife to complete health quickly. In the power of Jesus name.

  181. Robert Maixner says:

    Praying for JA and ZS today. They are well on their path to standing close with God, I pray today is another step closer.

  183. Charles says:

    We need to encourage each other and lift up each other. We all have somethings we need to overcome.

  197. Ryan says:

    JF – A great friend for many years who lives alone and doesn’t have many healthy relationships.

  198. Eelco says:

    I can’t really think of a person, so I will pray to God that He will open my eyes.

  206. Kenneth McClatchey says:

    I’ll be calling RW today, an old friend and brother the Lord has put on my heart.

  207. Dale Nerison says:

    My brother in law Steve.
    I also will be talking to my high school friend Mike today. A good opportunity to let him know too that God and I love and accept him.

  216. Sheldon says:

    C M, R G, A N, J D, L J T T, Father my prayer is that you would invade these brothers space and that they would bow their heads and accept you as Lord of their lives in Jesus mighty name Amen.

  219. Lewis Thompson says:

    The Lord put David Marin on my heart to reach out to today. I just sent him a text.

  220. Brad B says:

    J. F. – he’s a buddy of mine who has been through roller coasters of being up then down. Yesterday I received a test from him saying thank you. I pray for this journey and Love him.

  223. Kevin says:

    I confess that I feel branded by the failings of my past. I confess that I’m looking for hope beyond my challenges.
    Please pray that I may find a way out of my present situations. It feels like there is no way out! Take care brothers.

  225. Mike L says:

    I pray every day for my son’s PML and DJL that they are safe and “healthy” and make themselves free of addiction.

  240. Dan says:

    Praying for my good buddy B.M.
    He’s a great man of god and just getting better!

  243. Warren M Campbell Sr says:

    I can’t hold a person’s past against them because I don’t live in the past but the present. I can help you, love you, befriend you today because today is the only day I have. Plus the scriptures states “such were some of you”. Thank The Lord for his mercy and Grace.

  244. Dave Wall says:

    Lord, I pray that my brother would be receptive to your love, your grace, your reality. And that he would know the source of all love, whether from me or others, comes from you, O’ God.

  246. Samuel says:

    Robin

    There are allot of us out here that are praying for you. We hope you are well and not incarcerated and that you desire too and want to find your way back to God. Know that you are loved and that you will always be my brother.

    Sam

  250. Tom says:

    AA has put me in this circumstance often yet I allow my judgement of others worthiness influence me.

  259. Ricky D Brittain says:

    MA
    I want to thank my brothers who have accepted me and showed me love. We all need each other

  270. Stephen Rovezzi says:

    JR…..Very close to me….I reach out now and again…but no response. I will continue, no, I will up my communication with him whether he acknowledges or not…because I love him…. he is family.

  278. Dave Benson says:

    I’m praying for B.B. this morning. Reading about Zacchaeus in the tree reminds me of when we would put our kids up on our shoulders when they were young so they could see over the crowd. Lord, use me as a sycamore-fig tree to lift other men up and let it start today!

  290. Joe says:

    As men we need to be the mom leaders and show the way we care and love our brothers in Christ no matter who they are or where they have come from. Jesus does that to all of us.

  291. Dean Wendler says:

    The man God put on my heart is JH. I have prayed for him and plan to call him later today.

  303. William Adams says:

    We should all be able to relate to the story of Zacheus. Jesus Christ has visited all of us and comes to save . Great reminder in this time of cleansing to be generous and overcome greed. God bless you beyond your wildest imaginations this day.

  305. Nick says:

    That seems like most men I know, some are just more obvious than others. I know I am one of those men. JJ, CA, ND.

    • Art says:

      Brother Nick – I pray that God will bring into your life friends that will surround you with there love and come along side you and lift you up and encourage you – bless you – in Jesus name.

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