John 1:16-17
And of His fullness, we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
"Of His fullness..." He held nothing back. "We have all received..." He gives each of us a free gift whether or not we choose to accept it. "Grace for grace..." Grace x 2. Grace doubled. Grace upon grace.
God's grace... many have written about it, talked about it, sung about it, but few understand it or accept it. In a world where we have learned that nothing is free, grace is a difficult concept for some of us. Grace cannot be earned. It does not evolve over time. It cannot be purchased. Grace is God's favor upon us, undeserved, but freely given. Undeserved because grace is expressed to sinful mankind apart from any human works of worth. Freely given by God through His one and only Son Jesus Christ, who bore the weight of the world's sins by dying on the cross. "Grace and truth" came to us through Jesus, and at what an amazing cost it came! No cost to us; for us, it is free, but oh how Jesus paid the cost!
As per the old hymn:
Jesus paid it all!
All to Him I owe!
Sin had left a crimson stain;
He washed it white as snow.
Oh, Lord, thank You for Your amazing grace!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
His Thoughts, His Ways
Isaiah 55:8-9
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."
When faced with what seems like an unbearable trial, as humans, often we begin to question why God would allow something like this to happen to us. We begin to think that he has forgotten about us, forsaken us. The problem with this type of thinking is that God is not like us in all ways. Yes, we were created in His image, but He sees the big picture of our lives and all the lives ours are intertwined with. We don't think like Him; we don't see the end of the trial like He does and all the good that comes with it.
We cannot even begin to fathom His ways. He sees all, knows all, is all. Our job is to simply trust Him. He will bring you through whatever trial you are facing, and you can trust that no matter how difficult life may seem, He is there right beside you, holding your hand. He wishes that He could make your pain disappear, but He knows if He does, His desired outcome will not take place. My friend, allow God to use your trials for good. He's waiting for you to trust Him.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."
When faced with what seems like an unbearable trial, as humans, often we begin to question why God would allow something like this to happen to us. We begin to think that he has forgotten about us, forsaken us. The problem with this type of thinking is that God is not like us in all ways. Yes, we were created in His image, but He sees the big picture of our lives and all the lives ours are intertwined with. We don't think like Him; we don't see the end of the trial like He does and all the good that comes with it.
We cannot even begin to fathom His ways. He sees all, knows all, is all. Our job is to simply trust Him. He will bring you through whatever trial you are facing, and you can trust that no matter how difficult life may seem, He is there right beside you, holding your hand. He wishes that He could make your pain disappear, but He knows if He does, His desired outcome will not take place. My friend, allow God to use your trials for good. He's waiting for you to trust Him.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Allow Others to Pray for You
James 5:16
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
It has always been difficult for me to ask someone to pray for me. I would internally question if the request was too small or too frivalent or else doing so would make me feel weak and vulnerable. But I can testify to you today that there is power in humbling yourself and asking others to pray for you. God will honor this humble act.
Not only does requesting prayer from others help you, it gives your friends an opportunity to lift you up up and see God working in your life. As someone who has prayed for others and seen the result of God's hand in their lives, it gives me great joy to see prayers answered and strengthens my walk with Him, as well.
So, if there's a prayer request God is placing on your heart to share with others, do it today. He will honor your humility and bless the other person in return.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
It has always been difficult for me to ask someone to pray for me. I would internally question if the request was too small or too frivalent or else doing so would make me feel weak and vulnerable. But I can testify to you today that there is power in humbling yourself and asking others to pray for you. God will honor this humble act.
Not only does requesting prayer from others help you, it gives your friends an opportunity to lift you up up and see God working in your life. As someone who has prayed for others and seen the result of God's hand in their lives, it gives me great joy to see prayers answered and strengthens my walk with Him, as well.
So, if there's a prayer request God is placing on your heart to share with others, do it today. He will honor your humility and bless the other person in return.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Act, Love, Walk
Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
We live in a world full of requirements. We are required to stay within the speed limit. We are required to go to work in order to pay the bills. We are required to keep our dog on a leash, etc. etc. But God's requirements are few and simple (albeit not always easy), but He doesn't give them to us without informing us first of what is good.
As this verse indicates, God requires us to act justly. Not just to think justly, but to act. Sometimes we see things that are unjust, and we sit back and think how wrong it is, but God wants us to apply His Word to our lives, acting on our convictions of what He has shown us to be good.
God requires us to love mercy. We serve a God who delights in mercy. He has demonstrated His mercy time and time again in His Word, ultimately, with mercifully sacrificing His precious Son's blood for our sins, sins that deserve great penalty. Instead, Jesus paid the penalty.
Finally, God requires us to walk humbly with Him. Our world preaches pride and putting self first. For many of us, we have to consciously choose first to be humble and then to practice humility. It doesn't always feel natural to practice humility, but God sent us Jesus to show us a perfect example of living humbly.
Lord, today, I confess to You that I have not met Your requirements. I often fail to stand up for what it just, and I do not always show mercy to others as You have led by example through Your Son Jesus Christ. But, I pray that You will continue to teach me to walk humbly alongside You, drawing closer to You and learning Your ways each and every day. Amen.
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
We live in a world full of requirements. We are required to stay within the speed limit. We are required to go to work in order to pay the bills. We are required to keep our dog on a leash, etc. etc. But God's requirements are few and simple (albeit not always easy), but He doesn't give them to us without informing us first of what is good.
As this verse indicates, God requires us to act justly. Not just to think justly, but to act. Sometimes we see things that are unjust, and we sit back and think how wrong it is, but God wants us to apply His Word to our lives, acting on our convictions of what He has shown us to be good.
God requires us to love mercy. We serve a God who delights in mercy. He has demonstrated His mercy time and time again in His Word, ultimately, with mercifully sacrificing His precious Son's blood for our sins, sins that deserve great penalty. Instead, Jesus paid the penalty.
Finally, God requires us to walk humbly with Him. Our world preaches pride and putting self first. For many of us, we have to consciously choose first to be humble and then to practice humility. It doesn't always feel natural to practice humility, but God sent us Jesus to show us a perfect example of living humbly.
Lord, today, I confess to You that I have not met Your requirements. I often fail to stand up for what it just, and I do not always show mercy to others as You have led by example through Your Son Jesus Christ. But, I pray that You will continue to teach me to walk humbly alongside You, drawing closer to You and learning Your ways each and every day. Amen.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Be Doers
James 1:22
But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
The Bible is filled with instructions on how to lead a godly life. We can read it, understand it, and know it to be true, but unless we apply it, really live it out, it is useless. If we hear the Word but don't apply it, we are truly deceiving ourselves if we believe ourselves to be good and righteous. For hearing only does not make us righteous. Anyone can read the Word, but that act alone does not fill us. Only when we act on God's Word can we begin to draw closer to Him. Today, I pray that I will live out God's Word and that He will be glorified in my walk with Him.
But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
The Bible is filled with instructions on how to lead a godly life. We can read it, understand it, and know it to be true, but unless we apply it, really live it out, it is useless. If we hear the Word but don't apply it, we are truly deceiving ourselves if we believe ourselves to be good and righteous. For hearing only does not make us righteous. Anyone can read the Word, but that act alone does not fill us. Only when we act on God's Word can we begin to draw closer to Him. Today, I pray that I will live out God's Word and that He will be glorified in my walk with Him.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Count it ALL Joy!
James 1:3-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
I have faced trials in my life. Do I count them as events that led to joy? Hmmm... maybe some of them, but none of them I counted as anything but heartache while enduring them.
It goes against human nature to be joyful during a trial. We're so easily led by emotions. But according to Scripture, we can make a conscious decision as to how we react to our trials. But... it has to be intentional. It's not easy, and it may feel completely unnatural, but if we count it all joy, God will not only deliver us, but reward us with His blessings. I pray today that God will allow me to treasure my trials in my heart, so that He can make His work perfect, whole, and complete in my life.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
I have faced trials in my life. Do I count them as events that led to joy? Hmmm... maybe some of them, but none of them I counted as anything but heartache while enduring them.
It goes against human nature to be joyful during a trial. We're so easily led by emotions. But according to Scripture, we can make a conscious decision as to how we react to our trials. But... it has to be intentional. It's not easy, and it may feel completely unnatural, but if we count it all joy, God will not only deliver us, but reward us with His blessings. I pray today that God will allow me to treasure my trials in my heart, so that He can make His work perfect, whole, and complete in my life.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Walk Worthy!
Ephesians 4:1-3
Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Dear Lord, Thank You for calling me to be Your child. Thank you for allowing me to be a representative of Christ while I live on this earth. Please help me to walk worthy of this calling today. Help me to be humble, gentle, and patient with all those I come in contact with today. Allow me to bear someone's burden today in love so that they may see Your mighty hand. Help me strive towards unity within my own self, my family, and the family of God, so that we may be bonded together in peace. Amen.
Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Dear Lord, Thank You for calling me to be Your child. Thank you for allowing me to be a representative of Christ while I live on this earth. Please help me to walk worthy of this calling today. Help me to be humble, gentle, and patient with all those I come in contact with today. Allow me to bear someone's burden today in love so that they may see Your mighty hand. Help me strive towards unity within my own self, my family, and the family of God, so that we may be bonded together in peace. Amen.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
How Precious are His Thoughts
Psalm 139:17-18
How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand...
God's thoughts are about me! In my lifetime, God will have thought about me billions of times! Who am I that He would choose to spend so much time thinking of me?! I am His precious child, the one He sent His only Son to this earth to die for. Yes, Jesus was thinking of me as He was beaten, bruised, struck, whipped, pierced, and nailed to the cross. With that, He carried my sins away... yes, He was thinking of me! Lord, thank You so much for loving me, a sinner unworthy of Your grace. Thank You for forever keeping me in Your precious thoughts!
How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand...
God's thoughts are about me! In my lifetime, God will have thought about me billions of times! Who am I that He would choose to spend so much time thinking of me?! I am His precious child, the one He sent His only Son to this earth to die for. Yes, Jesus was thinking of me as He was beaten, bruised, struck, whipped, pierced, and nailed to the cross. With that, He carried my sins away... yes, He was thinking of me! Lord, thank You so much for loving me, a sinner unworthy of Your grace. Thank You for forever keeping me in Your precious thoughts!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Where Can I Go?
Psalm 139:7
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
God is in all places at all times. It is not possible to go where He is not. He is with me during the valleys of my life, my trials, frustrations, sadness, loneliness. He is with me during the mountaintop moments of my life and every place in between. His Spirit remains in me, resides within me. He is there always and will never leave me. Thank You, Lord, for Your never-ending presence!
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
God is in all places at all times. It is not possible to go where He is not. He is with me during the valleys of my life, my trials, frustrations, sadness, loneliness. He is with me during the mountaintop moments of my life and every place in between. His Spirit remains in me, resides within me. He is there always and will never leave me. Thank You, Lord, for Your never-ending presence!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
A Reflection of Glory
Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
If the job of the heavens is to declare God's glory and the job of the skies is to proclaim the work of His hands, what is it my job to do? I believe the answer comes in this next verse:
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
So we are to simply reflect God's glory! What a privilege that He chose us for that job! Lord, please help me to reflect Your light today. Enable me to shine Your glory to those I come in contact with today so that only You are seen. Amen
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
If the job of the heavens is to declare God's glory and the job of the skies is to proclaim the work of His hands, what is it my job to do? I believe the answer comes in this next verse:
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
So we are to simply reflect God's glory! What a privilege that He chose us for that job! Lord, please help me to reflect Your light today. Enable me to shine Your glory to those I come in contact with today so that only You are seen. Amen
Friday, June 4, 2010
Consider it Joy
James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.
I have to admit that it always troubles me a little when God puts this verse in my path. I secretly think to myself, is God showing me this verse because He's about to bring a trial my way? So, as you can imagine, I tend to avoid it on most occasions.
But God did bring me this verse this morning for me to at least contemplate it. When I close my eyes and visualize what it means to me, I can picture myself literally faced with many trials in front of me, to the left and to the right. I immediately become frightened and despaired as I look around me. But before fear can engulf me, the Lord Jesus Christ steps up beside me and drapes His loving arm across my shoulders. As I feel His presence and gaze into His eyes, a sense of total joy comes over me as my view of the trials ahead of me transforms from the fear that could've overpowered me. With the Lord at my side, I can see the trials as learning experiences that allow me to grow in my faith, strengthen my character, and share my testimony with others. At this, I can only smile and perhaps even laugh outloud with great pleasure knowing that the outcome will prove worthy of the trial it was born out of.
My prayer today is that I would consider it pure joy when faced with the trials the Lord brings my way, to consider each trial as one step closer to pure peace and joy.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.
I have to admit that it always troubles me a little when God puts this verse in my path. I secretly think to myself, is God showing me this verse because He's about to bring a trial my way? So, as you can imagine, I tend to avoid it on most occasions.
But God did bring me this verse this morning for me to at least contemplate it. When I close my eyes and visualize what it means to me, I can picture myself literally faced with many trials in front of me, to the left and to the right. I immediately become frightened and despaired as I look around me. But before fear can engulf me, the Lord Jesus Christ steps up beside me and drapes His loving arm across my shoulders. As I feel His presence and gaze into His eyes, a sense of total joy comes over me as my view of the trials ahead of me transforms from the fear that could've overpowered me. With the Lord at my side, I can see the trials as learning experiences that allow me to grow in my faith, strengthen my character, and share my testimony with others. At this, I can only smile and perhaps even laugh outloud with great pleasure knowing that the outcome will prove worthy of the trial it was born out of.
My prayer today is that I would consider it pure joy when faced with the trials the Lord brings my way, to consider each trial as one step closer to pure peace and joy.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
His Way is Perfect
Psalm 18:30
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
I just want to share a very simple message this morning. As for God, His way is perfect. His way is perfect. Not our way or the way that we think His way should be. His way is perfect. He sees the big picture. He knows the ending to our story, and His way is perfect. His way will lead us where He desires for us to go. His way is perfect.
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
I just want to share a very simple message this morning. As for God, His way is perfect. His way is perfect. Not our way or the way that we think His way should be. His way is perfect. He sees the big picture. He knows the ending to our story, and His way is perfect. His way will lead us where He desires for us to go. His way is perfect.
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