“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:2-8
Your nine o’clock meeting is scheduled to begin in thirty minutes, and you are late to work. Traffic reports warn commuters to take an alternate route - the interstate is blocked with a stalled car. Pulling out into the roadway, you tell yourself to relax. But a red sports car decides you are occupying his lane of traffic and cuts in front of you. The damage from the collision is minor, but you’ll have to wait for the police to come and make a report. You arrive at work only to learn the meeting was canceled due to your absence, and the boss wants to see you in his office immediately.
Trials and hardships are a part of life. Each of us experiences them. Many times they arrive without warning and leave us feeling out of control. But God has a design for troubled times. He uses each trial to draw us into a greater dependence on Him.
Hannah Whitall Smith writes, “In order really to know God, inward stillness is absolutely necessary.” When God is the anchor of your soul, His faithfulness and strength always overshadow life’s pressures. Stillness and trust in Him are our strength (Isaiah 30:15). Draw close to Jesus Christ, and He will calm the winds of adversity in your life.
“It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent.” -Jeremy Taylor
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Grace Distributors
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
None of us comes to know Christ apart from grace. Even those who receive Him as a child had to come to grips with His wooing in their hearts. The apostle Paul writes: “...(by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him...so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:5-7).
In the book of Romans, Paul tells us that we “have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).
The mission of grace doesn’t end at the Cross. It continues in our lives on a daily basis. Grace should be evident in all that we do and say. We were given new life so we might become grace distributors. As Christians, God calls us to live by grace, view others through eyes of grace, and share His grace to those who are lost as we once were before we heard the message of His love and affection toward us. God’s grace is a marvelous gift to receive and then give away. Praise Him that you are not saved by human effort, but by grace that is forever free.
Trials test our faith in God’s faithfulness.
None of us comes to know Christ apart from grace. Even those who receive Him as a child had to come to grips with His wooing in their hearts. The apostle Paul writes: “...(by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him...so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:5-7).
In the book of Romans, Paul tells us that we “have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).
The mission of grace doesn’t end at the Cross. It continues in our lives on a daily basis. Grace should be evident in all that we do and say. We were given new life so we might become grace distributors. As Christians, God calls us to live by grace, view others through eyes of grace, and share His grace to those who are lost as we once were before we heard the message of His love and affection toward us. God’s grace is a marvelous gift to receive and then give away. Praise Him that you are not saved by human effort, but by grace that is forever free.
Trials test our faith in God’s faithfulness.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
It’s Grace Alone
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:1-7
Her mother worked for days making her a new school dress. Finally, it was finished and ready to be worn. Giggling with excitement, she asked if she could wear it the next day. “Yes,” was the answer, “but stay of the sliding board during play time. You already have torn one dress. Let’s keep this one nice.”
However, play time proved tempting. And despite her mother’s instruction, she climbed to the top of the slide and began a fast descent. It was then she heard a loud, tearing noise. Later that evening, tears filled her mother’s eyes as she studied the gaping hole. “It will take some effort, but I believe it can be fixed.”
Even as a child, she was shocked at her mother’s response. She expected punishment but received grace instead. While climbing into bed the next evening, she noticed the dress, mended and hanging in her closet. An attached note read: “Honey, I love you. Mom.”
Maybe you have torn a gaping hole in the side of your life and you think nothing can mend it. God can and will. He has already attached His note of love to your heart through the death of His Son. If you will listen, you will hear His voice: “(your name), I love you. Come to Me and I will mend your life and make you whole again.”
Before the foundation of the world, God chose to love you.
Her mother worked for days making her a new school dress. Finally, it was finished and ready to be worn. Giggling with excitement, she asked if she could wear it the next day. “Yes,” was the answer, “but stay of the sliding board during play time. You already have torn one dress. Let’s keep this one nice.”
However, play time proved tempting. And despite her mother’s instruction, she climbed to the top of the slide and began a fast descent. It was then she heard a loud, tearing noise. Later that evening, tears filled her mother’s eyes as she studied the gaping hole. “It will take some effort, but I believe it can be fixed.”
Even as a child, she was shocked at her mother’s response. She expected punishment but received grace instead. While climbing into bed the next evening, she noticed the dress, mended and hanging in her closet. An attached note read: “Honey, I love you. Mom.”
Maybe you have torn a gaping hole in the side of your life and you think nothing can mend it. God can and will. He has already attached His note of love to your heart through the death of His Son. If you will listen, you will hear His voice: “(your name), I love you. Come to Me and I will mend your life and make you whole again.”
Before the foundation of the world, God chose to love you.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Did You Hear What He Wrote?
“But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?’
They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’
Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you, either. Go from now on sin no more.’” John 8:1-11
No one knows what Jesus wrote in the dirt the morning the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him. Some say He wrote the Ten Commandments. Others think He simply wrote the word forgiven. Regardless of the written message, the principle was clear - grace would abound.
We can’t earn God’s grace. It is a gift He gives to all who come to Him. Scantily clothed and lying at the Savior’s feet, this woman probably thought her fate was sealed. The punishment for adultery was stoning. Yet suddenly and unpredictably, Jesus offered her a second chance. Warren Wiersbe writes: “For Jesus to forgive this woman meant that He had to one day die for her sins. Forgiveness is free but it is not cheap...”
Jesus was not soft on sin. “Nor is Christ’s gracious forgiveness an excuse to sin,” continues Wiersbe. “‘Go and sin no more!’ was our Lord’s counsel. ...Certainly the experience of gracious forgiveness would motivate the penitent sinner to live a holy and obedient life to the glory of God.” Grace is given so we may know and accept what Jesus Christ did for us at Calvary. Forgiven and blessed by His matchless grace are those who call Him Savior.
Without the Cross, even God couldn’t give us a second chance.
They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’
Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you, either. Go from now on sin no more.’” John 8:1-11
No one knows what Jesus wrote in the dirt the morning the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him. Some say He wrote the Ten Commandments. Others think He simply wrote the word forgiven. Regardless of the written message, the principle was clear - grace would abound.
We can’t earn God’s grace. It is a gift He gives to all who come to Him. Scantily clothed and lying at the Savior’s feet, this woman probably thought her fate was sealed. The punishment for adultery was stoning. Yet suddenly and unpredictably, Jesus offered her a second chance. Warren Wiersbe writes: “For Jesus to forgive this woman meant that He had to one day die for her sins. Forgiveness is free but it is not cheap...”
Jesus was not soft on sin. “Nor is Christ’s gracious forgiveness an excuse to sin,” continues Wiersbe. “‘Go and sin no more!’ was our Lord’s counsel. ...Certainly the experience of gracious forgiveness would motivate the penitent sinner to live a holy and obedient life to the glory of God.” Grace is given so we may know and accept what Jesus Christ did for us at Calvary. Forgiven and blessed by His matchless grace are those who call Him Savior.
Without the Cross, even God couldn’t give us a second chance.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Our Hope for a Second Chance
“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” Romans 5:6-11
Each of us wants to know there is hope for a second chance when we fail to reach a goal, yield to sin, or fall short of what we’ve been instructed to do. Second chances are particularly important when sin is involved and feelings of guilt mount. How many of us have not longed for God’s cleansing touch when convicted of wrongful actions?
W.E. Vine defines sin as “a missing of the mark.” Think of it as shooting an arrow at a target and missing it completely. Sin always falls short of God’s best for your life. Even before you knew Christ, He knew you and loved you so much that He came to earth so you might have a second chance at life. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection was God’s supreme brush stroke of grace across the canvas of creation. He is the embodiment of all hope and grace. If you have accepted Him as your Savior, His life is alive within you and His grace is sufficient to meet and remove every hint of sin’s stain. Praise Him for He is worthy of all your love and praise.
Grace is God’s kindness toward us even when we don’t deserve it.
Each of us wants to know there is hope for a second chance when we fail to reach a goal, yield to sin, or fall short of what we’ve been instructed to do. Second chances are particularly important when sin is involved and feelings of guilt mount. How many of us have not longed for God’s cleansing touch when convicted of wrongful actions?
W.E. Vine defines sin as “a missing of the mark.” Think of it as shooting an arrow at a target and missing it completely. Sin always falls short of God’s best for your life. Even before you knew Christ, He knew you and loved you so much that He came to earth so you might have a second chance at life. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection was God’s supreme brush stroke of grace across the canvas of creation. He is the embodiment of all hope and grace. If you have accepted Him as your Savior, His life is alive within you and His grace is sufficient to meet and remove every hint of sin’s stain. Praise Him for He is worthy of all your love and praise.
Grace is God’s kindness toward us even when we don’t deserve it.
Monday, January 3, 2011
I Desire Compassion
“When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it. But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry. He prayed to the LORD and said, ‘Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life.’” Jonah 3:10-4:3
Nineveh - the very name filled hearts with terror. Nineveh was one of the capitals of the ancient Assyrian empire, and Assyrians were fierce and cruel idol-worshipers. Yet when they responded to Jonah’s message with immediate and humble repentance, God had mercy on them and spared their city. Incredibly, Jonah was angry. He complained, “Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life” (Jonah 4:3).
Jonah could accept God’s mercy for himself but could not understand His pardon of the Ninevites. Though he knew God’s character and had a relationship with Him, he was not excited about sharing the truth with Israel’s most feared enemy.
Has God’s truth penetrated your thinking and emotions and given you His passionate concern for those who oppose you? For those you dislike? It’s important to gain God’s perspective. He has given you the responsibility of telling His good news to everyone - even your enemies.
Why not begin this year with a new mindset. Ask God right now how many people you know who need Christ, and set your heart this year to share with them the good news of the grace of God.
Nineveh - the very name filled hearts with terror. Nineveh was one of the capitals of the ancient Assyrian empire, and Assyrians were fierce and cruel idol-worshipers. Yet when they responded to Jonah’s message with immediate and humble repentance, God had mercy on them and spared their city. Incredibly, Jonah was angry. He complained, “Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life” (Jonah 4:3).
Jonah could accept God’s mercy for himself but could not understand His pardon of the Ninevites. Though he knew God’s character and had a relationship with Him, he was not excited about sharing the truth with Israel’s most feared enemy.
Has God’s truth penetrated your thinking and emotions and given you His passionate concern for those who oppose you? For those you dislike? It’s important to gain God’s perspective. He has given you the responsibility of telling His good news to everyone - even your enemies.
Why not begin this year with a new mindset. Ask God right now how many people you know who need Christ, and set your heart this year to share with them the good news of the grace of God.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Encouraging Predictions for 2011
“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11
With all the problems the world is facing, it can be unsettling to the mind. Today, I will share with you ten predictions that are true!
Top Ten Predictions for 2011:
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still honor the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
Isn’t it great to remember Who is really in control, and that “the Word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25). I hope you found this encouraging! I sure did. Sometimes we need the reminder of just Who is really in control.
With all the problems the world is facing, it can be unsettling to the mind. Today, I will share with you ten predictions that are true!
Top Ten Predictions for 2011:
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still honor the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
Isn’t it great to remember Who is really in control, and that “the Word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25). I hope you found this encouraging! I sure did. Sometimes we need the reminder of just Who is really in control.
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