Unmerited Grace

June 14th – Ephesians 4:7

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Ephesians 4:7

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

In her book “Forgiving What You Can’t Forget”, Lysa Terkeurst writes, “Left to my own deep, deep, woundedness, forgiveness can seem offensive, impossible, and one of the quickest ways to compound the unfairness of being wronged. I cry for fairness. I want blessings for those who follow the rules of life and love. I want correction for those who break them. Is that too much to ask?” When someone hurts us it’s natural to want to see them hurt in return. After all it is “an eye for an eye” right? Not for followers of Jesus. Everyone wants justice. To see the good rewarded and the wicked punished. But who gets to decide who deserves what? God. That’s who. Only He doles out perfect justice. And speaking of justice, it do us well to remember our own guilt and the abundance of unmerited favor and mercy made available to us daily through Christ. And just as God has generously forgiven us, He calls us to extend that same grace and forgiveness to others.

June 14th – Ephesians 4:7 Read More »

January 7th – Psalm 41:12

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Psalm 41:12

There is a quote that warns, “not everyone you fight is your enemy. And not everyone who helps you is your friend.” Throughout our lives we will experience hurt, betrayal, and disappointment at the hands of others. And in those moments we have a choice to make. Will that pain make us better or bitter? Better is using the hurt to grow closer to the Lord, and softening our hearts to the pain and needs of others. But bitter takes glee in retribution and seeing others misfortune. And it turns a blind eye to the suffering of another because its focus is only on self pity. We all fall short and sin daily against God. Yet from His wonderful love, He extends to us His unmerited grace and mercy. And He calls us to show that same grace and mercy. To repay evil with kindness, curses with blessings, and mistreatment with prayer. (Luke 6:27-28) And most importantly of all, if we see a need to meet that need. The way God meets all of ours.

January 7th – Psalm 41:12 Read More »

December 17th – Romans 5:8

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Romans 5:8

The word “wretch” can be traced back to the Old English word “wrecca”, meaning one who is despicable, or contemptible. An outcast or an exile. A perfect description for each of us when it comes to our standing before a holy and perfect God. But because of His grace and mercy, through the blood of Christ, our Father in heaven takes us once wretched, and makes us His beloved. What does this mean? This means that even though I am a sinner and fail daily, God wants me. All of me; the good, the bad, and the ugly. And not because of my great love for Him, but because of His great love for me. Richard Sibbes is quoted as saying, “there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.” As I continue to have good and bad days, successes and failures, I will be forever grateful for God’s grace and mercy that no matter what will remain the same. And most of all, I will rejoice in God’s amazing grace that saved a wretch like me!

December 17th – Romans 5:8 Read More »

November 26th – Galatians 1:8

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Galatians 1:8

I am thankful for the true Gospel of Jesus Christ

The adding and taking away from God’s Word is pretty serious business. So serious Paul doesn’t just tell us to stay away from those who teach a distorted gospel, he calls for a curse upon them. As fallen people with fallen hearts, we cannot fathom such a pure, perfect, and unconditional love as is God’s love. A love whose height knows no limits, and whose depth knows no end. And most wonderful of all a love not earned, but offered freely to everyone who receives Jesus as their Savior. That’s why in our human frailty people twist and turn the gospel to fit their narrative. But the true Good News is this. Once we were dead in sin, separated from our Father in heaven. But through the grace of God and the blood of His only begotten Son, we can be reconciled back to our Father in heaven forever.  Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation. This is unmerited grace. This is unmerited love. And this is the one and only true gospel!

November 26th – Galatians 1:8 Read More »

November 11th – Acts 4:12

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Acts 4:12

I am thankful for name of Jesus Christ by which I am offered salvation

When the apostle Peter healed a lame man, he was asked what power he used to perform this miracle. In response Peter said he did it through the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The only name that has the power to save. The word salvation comes from the the Greek word, sōtēria. It means “deliverance and preservation.” To be rescued from enemies, or spiritual rescue. And that’s exactly what Jesus does. From His unmerited love and grace, He reaches down to pull us up from death and destruction. The only begotten Son of God, Jesus took the form of a man to pay a debt that we owed. And it is by His glorious name alone, can we have the gift of eternal life. Satan and his minions try to tell us there are many paths to God, and many ways to be saved. But he is father of lies. Christ who was born without sin and lived a sinless life, sacrificed His precious blood to save us. And there is no other that can offer us salvation than our perfect Savior!

November 11th – Acts 4:12 Read More »

November 7th – 1 John 4:10

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1 John 4:10

I am thankful for God’s unmerited grace and love

Author Lee Wallace wrote, “Riches take wings, comforts vanish, hope withers away, but love stays with us. Love is God.” Our Father doesn’t love us because we are good, special, or worthy. In fact He knows we aren’t deserving in any way. He loves us because He is love. And it’s out of that amazing, unmerited love, that God sent His only Son to pay the sin debt that we owe. All He asks in return is that we open our hearts to Him and receive His free gift of grace. That’s it. No strings attached, no conditions to meet, no standards to reach. God loves us, and no matter how dirty, broken, or sinful we are, He wants to call us His own. He longs to pick up us, dust off the dirt, wipe away our tears, replace our sorrow with joy, and make us royalty in His kingdom forever!

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September 10th – Romans 5:8

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Romans 5:8

The attacks of the Enemy have been coming at me fast and furious. Each day he’s been putting to the test my thoughts, tongue, and actions. And although some days I pass that test with flying colors, more often than not I fail miserably. But you know what? I don’t have to fear, because it doesn’t matter to God. His love for me isn’t based on anything I do but on everything He does. Whether I succeed or fail, God’s love never waivers! So when I’m feeling particularly discouraged, I read the words of Paul who tells me, “Newsflash! God knows your failings and loves you anyway!” The Lord knew from the beginning how we would rebel, reject, and disappoint Him. And so what did God do? Far from doling out the punishment of death we all deserve, He gives to us the precious gift of His unmerited grace and mercy. Sparing no expense, not even His only begotten Son, God Himself provides the path of reconciliation to Him, declaring us justified through faith in Jesus!

September 10th – Romans 5:8 Read More »

May 28th – Isaiah 40:29

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Isaiah 40:29

One of the greatest qualities of God is His long suffering kindness. No matter how we May fail Him, He never withholds His goodness and love. And as Christians we need to reflect that same goodness and love to the world around us. But to be able to do this takes daily work on our part. Work to cast aside the pull of worldly desires, and put on the righteousness of Jesus. Hard to do on our own. Thankfully, we never need worry about accomplishing our goals in our own power. For God in His unmerited love, gives to us all we need to perform any task set before us. He gives strength to the weary, and power to the powerless. So put your trust in Him. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (2 Cor. 1:25)

May 28th – Isaiah 40:29 Read More »

June 28th – Matthew 24:22

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Matthew 24:22

At the end of the age, before Jesus comes to set up His earthly kingdom, evil will reign. Sadly, hearts will be hardened and rebellion and lawlessness will rule. God says this will be the most terrible and bloody time the world has ever known. Imagine that! The wars, famines, plagues, genocides, and natural disasters that have happened in the past are nothing compared to the devastation to come. The wicked and their lust for blood and destruction, cause so many deaths, that unless God intervenes, not one single person will survive. But even up until the very end, God demonstrates His great love and mercy. For in His unmerited grace, God has numbered the days of destruction. Because of His devotion to His elect on the earth, He cuts those terrible days short and gathers them unto Himself for eternity!

June 28th – Matthew 24:22 Read More »