OCTOBER 21 - Don’t Go Back to the Vomit
3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 26:10–11; John 21
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3-Year Bible Devotional Book Available on Amazon
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“Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” — Proverbs 26:11
“Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ … Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.” — John 21:3–4
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Sometimes we go back to old habits, even when we know they’re bad for us. It's like binge-watching that show that always leaves you drained, or hanging out with that group that pulls you down. In Proverbs 26:11, God compares going back to foolish ways to a dog eating its own vomit—gross, but it makes the point.
In John 21, Peter returns to fishing after denying Jesus, like he’s falling back into the life he had before Jesus changed everything. But Jesus doesn’t leave him there. He meets Peter right where he is—tired, disappointed, and probably feeling like a failure—and invites him back into purpose.
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THINK ABOUT IT
1. The Cycle of Old Habits: What’s one “vomit” (bad habit, toxic thought, unwise decision) you tend to return to, even though you know it's harmful?
2. Jesus Meets You in the Middle: Jesus found Peter in the middle of his return to the old life—not to shame him, but to restore him. Are you open to letting Jesus speak to you, even in your lowest or most disappointing moments?
3. God’s Calling Stays the Same: Even when Peter messed up, Jesus still had plans for him. What is one area where you need to believe that God’s calling on your life hasn’t changed, even after failure?
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BOTTOM LINE
Jesus doesn’t define you by your worst mistake. He calls you forward, not backward—into grace, purpose, and real change.
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PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me even when I fall back into old patterns. Help me to recognize the things that pull me away from You and give me the courage to walk forward instead of turning back. Remind me that Your grace is bigger than my mistakes, and that You still have a purpose for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
