Grace

November 2nd – Ephesians 2:8-9

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Ephesians 2:8-9

I am thankful for the gift of God’s grace

Throughout the Bible we learn in no uncertain terms that there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. Instead it comes only through the unmerited favor of God and the work of Jesus on the Cross. Such a simple message. But even the most devout Christian isn’t immune to struggling with it’s simplicity. Because in our fallen minds it seems too easy and too good to be true. And so we can find ourselves adding to the gospel. Falling into the wrong thinking that salvation comes both through faith, and….. There is no and. There is only grace. Such an awesome love our Father shows us in that we who are guilty of breaking His law and owing a debt of death, Himself laid down His own life in payment. That is God’s amazing, saving grace. A grace that frees us from bondage, one that is offered freely to all, for our good and His glory!

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October 30th – Hebrews 12:28

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Hebrews 12:28

God’s Promise – “I am giving you a kingdom that can never be shaken.”

The most important part of any building is the foundation. A strong foundation not only protects the outside from nature and its calamities, it also provides safety for the people dwelling inside. As Christians, the best foundation we can have is one built around God. For He gives us unshakable strength and security no matter the severity of the storm raging around us. In the last days, the foundation of the earth will be shaken like never before. Nothing made by the hands of man will be able to stand against the power of God. And sadly, many will lose their lives. That’s why if you haven’t received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, now is the time. For the days grow short until the Lord’s return. Yet believers never have to fear. Because no matter how hard the ground shakes, no crack or break will ever be found in the foundation of the Lord’s love, grace, and faithfulness!

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October 29th – 1 Peter 5:10

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1 Peter 5:10

God’s Promise – “I have called you to My eternal glory in Jesus Christ.”

Peter makes it clear that there are no ifs, ands, or buts. As long as we are here on this earth, we will experience suffering. While Christians aren’t immune to trials and pain, we can find peace knowing God is always in control. And from His unending grace, our loving Father never lets us suffer in vain. For there is always a purpose for our pain, with no storm lasting longer than God allows. About suffering pastor Paul Chappell says, “Suffering is painful for us to endure or to see those we love endure. While our instinct is to flee trials, remember that even in the midst of suffering, God’s will is being done.” Although we must suffer a little while, one day soon God will call us home. And never again will we know anything but joy, gladness, and peace. But until that glorious day we can trust that with each trial, God establishes, strengthens, perfects, and matures us. Walking side by side with His children until they dwell with Him in eternity!

 

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October 24th – 1 Peter 4:8

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1 Peter 4:8

God’s Promise -“My love covers a multitude of sins.”

When Peter tells us that love covers sin, he doesn’t mean that loving others earns God’s forgiveness. We know that our sins are paid for by Jesus’ death on the cross. And forgiveness for sin comes only through trusting in Him. Instead, Peter is reminding us that even Christians are sinners who fail and need forgiveness daily. And in remembering the grace God generously gives to us, we can love each other when hurt, forgive each other when wronged, and build each other up when we fall. Because love makes it possible for us to be, “hospitable to one another without complaint.”  (1 Pet. 4:8) And to use our God given gifts and talents to serve one another. Doing so with the goal of lovingly leading others to the Lord. So, “in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)

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October 21st – 2 Corinthians 9:8

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2 Corinthians 9:8

God’s Promise – “I will meet all your needs so you can overflow with good works.”

There is a Chinese saying that goes, “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” In Luke 22:26-27 Jesus makes it abundantly clear that the greatest in God’s sight are those who humbly serve others. And so important is helping one another, that God equips us with everything we need to carry out His work. 1 Peter 4:10 tells us that each of us has received a special gift. And we are to, “employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Jesus performed the ultimate good work with His death on the Cross. And now because of His sacrifice, we receive the grace of God. So out of thankfulness for our Lord, how could we not take every opportunity of every day to share God’s grace through a good work for another!

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October 19th – Psalm 91:4

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Psalm 91:4

God’s Promises – “I will cover you with My feathers and protect you with My wings.”

We all need a refuge. But sadly, in times of trouble, some seek comfort through alcohol, drugs, food, relationships, or money. But these worldly sanctuaries are nothing more than paper houses that crumble at the first sign of an approaching storm. Yet those who take shelter in Jesus, have an unshakable refuge which can withstand even the greatest typhoon. Isaiah 40:31 compares God’s loving care to that of an eagle. Mighty warriors who protect their young, eagles carry their eaglets away from danger. They fly high above the clouds where the sun shines and no storm rages. Just like that eagle, God carries us on His wings providing all we need to soar through even the toughest of times. And from His unending faithfulness, when we abide in God, we are completely protected under His shelter of strength, love, and grace. And I can think of no safer place to be!

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October 8th – John 1:16

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John 1:16

God’s Promise – “I have blessed you in Christ with one outpouring of grace after another.”

One of greatest ways in which God’s love is exampled, is in the grace He offers. Grace can be described as being given what we don’t deserve. (As opposed to mercy which is not receiving what we do deserve.) And because our Heavenly Father is, “the God of all grace,” (1 Peter 5:10)  the outpouring of grace Gods gives, is a constant, overflowing gift. He take us, who are forever and painfully undeserving, and bestows upon us His gift of love and Salvation. A gift He freely gives through no work of our own. Instead God counts the work of His only Son on the Cross as our payment in full. Once were like tarnished pieces of silver, eternally separated from God. But when we receive Jesus as our Savior, God polishes away the grime and pollution of sin until we become shining reflections of His light. And because of His unmerited grace, we now stand before God as finished, perfect, and wrapped in clothes of righteousness.

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August 6th – 2 Chronicles 10:14

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2 Chronicles 10:14 

After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam traveled to Shechem to meet with Israel and be crowned king. The people took the change of power as an opportunity to plead for kindness and mercy from their new ruler. In return for lower work loads and taxes, they would give to Rehoboam their loyalty and servitude. But the king, after listening to bad advice, sent back an answer not of grace and mercy, but of threats and violence. And the result? The people killed the new taskmaster. A rebellion arose, the kingdom of Israel was split in two, and Rehoboam fled for his life. Our decisions and actions can have long lasting and tragic consequences. Had Rehoboam chosen kindness, not only would he have glorified God, but brought peace throughout the land.

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June 12th – John 16:33

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John 16:33
I love the quote by preacher John Bunyan which says, “Temptations, when we meet them at first, are as the lion that roared upon Samson; but if we overcome them, the next time we see them we shall find a nest of honey within them.” The world is full of temptations and trials. And life for Christians has been promised by Jesus to be anything but easy. (John 16:1-4) Yet because the Lord has overcome the world, through Him, we can face anything. And the things that once tripped us up, we can overcome. To overcome means “to carry off the victory.” And that’s exactly what Jesus has done. He is the great Overcomer. And by the grace of God, He let’s us participate in that victory. So no matter what we face, if we remember the promises of the Lord, we can win every test and overcome every scheme of the Enemy.

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June 11th – Nehemiah 8:10

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Nehemiah 8:10

After a 70 year exile in Babylon, the Israelites triumphantly returned to their beloved Jerusalem. The people stood behind the newly rebuilt walls and listened as the priest Ezra read aloud from the Book of the Law of Moses. And as they realized how horribly they had rejected and sinned against God, the people began to weep. Have you ever wept because of sin? Had times where you have rejected the Word of God? I have. And my heart has been broken knowing the hurt I have caused my Lord. But we serve a God of unending mercy and love. And like Nehemiah told the downhearted Israelites, instead of weeping over past sin we should rejoice! Because when we truly repent and return to God, He welcomes us back joyfully, and with open arms. And to experience such unmerited grace not only heals our hearts, but renews our strength!

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