20 Minutes to Victory
The daily devotional of Victory Baptist church
April 9, 2015
Blended Bible Program:
Deuteronomy 33:1 - 29
Luke 13:1-21
Psalms 78:65-72
Proverbs 12:25
Devotion Luke 13:1-5
1There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had
mingled with their sacrifices. 2And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these
Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you,
Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in
Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I
tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
One would think that, after 30 years in pastoral ministry, I would be virtually impossible to
shock. I will grant you I have heard about everything there is to hear about the human condition and
the horrible choices people make, but a few things still get to me. Generally I find that these are the
things people say that just do not make good sense. “I had no choice” or “God understands my
situation” are two that come to mind.
I also continue to be surprised at how little understanding people have when it comes to
life and how we should react to it. That is at the very heart of Jesus’ teaching here in Luke 13. Three
groups of people are pictured in the Master’s story. One group had been slaughtered by a Roman
official, their troubles were external. Another group seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong
time. Their troubles were accidental. The third group is made up of those listening to Jesus warning:
their troubles are impending.
The warning is to those in the third group because only they could still change their
situation. The Bible is clear that, once we die, there is not an opportunity for decision making.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. The solution
for their situation is as simple as can be – REPENT!
To repent is to change the mind and turn around. To repent is to admit that we are wrong
and God is right and then to live accordingly. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Notice that our part is to “confess”
admit our wrong and agree with God. That is all that we can do – God will do the rest. God does the
forgiving and the cleansing once we get honest with Him.
The victory you so desperately want is waiting for you just as soon as you talk to God
and agree with His analysis of you sinful situation. Do not make excuses, or offer any explanations.
Just confess. Trust God to do his part and watch the change that will certainly follow.
Please send your Bible questions, comments or testimonies to donwhitecotton@gmail.com
dlw