Trusting In God’s Grace

 

In the Book of Romans, it says:

 

"So how do we fit what we know of Abraham, our first father in the faith, into this new way of looking at things? If Abraham, by what he did for God, got God to approve him, he could certainly have taken credit for it. But the story we’re given is a God-story, not an Abraham-story. What we read in Scripture is, “Abraham entered into what God was doing for him, and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to be right on his own. If you’re a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don’t call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it’s something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift."

(Romans 4:1-5)(MSG)

 

The 'Doctrine of Grace' is not just a doctrine. It's clearly, "The Way." Jesus is Grace. In Old Testament and New Testament both, it's all about accepting God's grace.

 

Today's Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for being an Almighty God who, for unfathomable reasons, loves us and pays attention to our details. Please, bless us with your Godly wisdom on all this. Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord. We thank You for Jesus, Father -- and in his name we both praise you and pray to you. Amen.

 

Get Out While You Can

"Peter said, 'Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away--whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.' He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, 'Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!'”

(From the Book of Acts, Chapter 2, Verses 38-40)(MSG)

 

Even the Pharaoh Was Put There By God

 

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)(NIV)

That's an interesting verse that showed up in my inbox this morning. Considering that many Christians, myself included, are griping and moaning -- and being way too typical -- simply because the person God allowed to be put in office was not our personal choice.

But as He always seems to do, He’s humbled me with a gentle tap upside my noggin, bringing me back to Him (Thank You, Lord). You may think your leaders & politicians are not God's servants, but, consider that even the Pharaoh was put there by God, for His glory ultimately.

 

Romans 13:6-7 --

"This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

Lastly, consider the Apostle Paul's words, and how they might be relevant to you each day. He said:

 

"I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish." (Romans 1: 14)

We have an obligation to God, to be lights -- not to be typical of the world. Now, please, my brothers and sisters who strive to, and say they want to, be Christ followers -- let's get back to being lights for Christ rather than candles under a bucket. ;-)

 

Thank You, Father, for being the One, true, Almighty God. Thank You, Jesus, for being part of the Trinity -- for being One with God. Please, strengthen your people in the coming days and coming years. Be in the middle of it all in our lives, Lord. Thank you for loving us. We love you, Lord. Amen.

Loving Reminders In Our Moments of Ignorance

When I think I've got it bad, that life stinks, in those moments when I again find myself whining, 'Why, God?' ... God always answers. Though sometimes I try not to listen because in those moments of selfishness, of 'me me me,' I often want a different answer.

But thanks I believe to so often asking for God's grace, wisdom, and help... He reminds me of the simple truth of it all: that Christ is the Messiah, and our God is a sovereign God.

He reminds me that, "God is in charge."

God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and in all places. Nothing is hidden from Him. This has been shown again and again over the ages.

Paul...

When I find myself wishing I had a different life, had it 'better,' or had what others have... in those moments I'm usually reminded that the Apostle Paul was put in prison for God's reasons.

Paul was beaten, carried out of the city, dumped and left for dead, prayed over, rose again, and re-entered the city to continue sharing Christ -- all for God's glory.

I'm reminded, too, that Paul did not have all of his sinful ways taken away from him miraculously, and that God said His grace was sufficient.

Peter...

I'm reminded in my moments of self-pity and worry that Peter failed Christ in a time of fear and worry -- and Christ knew it would happen and still loved him.

I'm reminded, too, that life was not all fun and joy for any of the people given as examples in the Holy Bible, God's Inspired word.

Job...

Job had multiple children taken forcefully from him, lost all his possessions, and was made sick to the point of questioning God.

Yet God was always aware, always in charge -- and the devil could not touch Job without God's permission.

Lucifer, 'Satan,' 'the devil'...

Call him what you want -- I call him creation.

I'm reminded the devil is not equal with God, but is merely another creation of the Almighty God. As are angels, as are demons, as are all things in heaven and on this earth.

David...

When I am feeling sorry for myself again, God reminds me that King David had his moments of weakness, and failed God more than once. Yet he was 'a man after God's own heart.'

I remember again that not all of David's days were great and glorious. He had his normal, boring days as we all must, too.

I'm reminded that 'King David' started out as a boy, just like me. Even as a boy, though he did great, glorious things. Because even as a boy he had been a lover of God, a follower of God -- and that's what made the difference.

I'm reminded that despite being 'only' a boy, God used him.

David was used many times by God, for God's glory. To lead the people, to fight a giant, to lead armies in battle. To serve the people, and to lead the people to God.

It's a spiritual battle...

Yes, when this battle in our lives even today, this battle that is spiritual far more than physical, gets me down again, I'm thankfully reminded of and recognize -- sooner or later -- the truth.

The truth that it is a spiritual battle more than a physical battle, every day.

The truth that God lets us fail sometimes, yes.

But He is always there to dust us off again when we're ready to stand up again, and walk on again -- with Him leading the way.

Jesus Christ, the Messiah...

Thank You, Jesus, for showing us that You are The One, and one with the Father.

One with the Almighty God who holds the waters of the earth in the palm of His hand, yet knows the hairs on our head better than we do.

with the Almighty God who is in charge of all things. Of the earth, wind, waters, and fires of the earth. In charge of nature and all natural things, supernaturally.

The Almighty God who knows the inmost, hidden desires and thoughts of our hearts, better than we do of ourselves.

Prayer for Today

Please, Father, help us. Enlighten us. Open the eyes of our hearts Lord, so that we may no longer ignore you. No longer be able to deny You.

Give us your Godly wisdom in ways only You can. So that we no longer want to fight against You, but rather, choose to fight, to stand, to walk... with You.

Then, always, when we are feeling down spiritually, when we are being attacked, when we are being forgetful once again, remind us of your truth.

Thank You, Father, for Jesus. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the Holy Spirit to lead us here on earth, until we can be with You in heaven.

Amen.