Grace to Keep Going
As believers, we readily attribute our salvation to God’s grace, but what does “this grace in which we stand” mean to us now (Rom. 5:2)? How does it work out in everyday life, especially when we’re going through periods of trial or suffering?
- The Lord’s grace releases His supernatural power within us so we can endure life’s hardships with a godly attitude. In fact, we’ll even be able to rejoice in what He is doing in us through the adversity.
- Grace builds our confidence in the sovereign Lord. Nothing looks hopeless when we focus on Him instead of on our problems.
- We discover the assurance of God’s sustaining presence as He walks with us every step of the way.
- Because we’ve experienced His care for us, we are able to show empathy and love to others facing hard times.
- During fiery trials, grace works to transform our character so that others can see Jesus reflected in us.
Difficulties in life are unavoidable. So we need a daily dose of God’s grace if we are to walk through trials with confidence that there is great reward on the other side. If we rely on our own strength, however, obstacles will appear insurmountable, leaving us discouraged and ready to give up.
Too often believers rely on Christ for their salvation but then try to go solo. If God’s grace was needed to save us, then logic says we would also need it for the rest of our days. Only through a continuous infusion of His sustaining power can we live a victorious Christian life.
~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~
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Where Have You Pitched Your Tent?
Genesis 13:12 (KJV) says,
Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Notice that Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. Every day his attention was placed on that city. Here is what the Bible says about those that lived there.
But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly (Genesis 13:13, KJV).
What we focus our attention on will influence us. It will try to draw us in like a magnet. The next time we read about Lot he is living in Sodom.
And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed (Genesis 14:12, KJV).
Next we find him even further entrenched among the people of Sodom. Genesis 19:1 declares that Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.
In Eastern cities, the "gate" was a place devoted to business transactions, the administration of justice, and the enjoyment of social discourse and amusement. Lot was right "in the thick of things"—but it happened by degrees. It was a process.
What you view and listen to, and the company you keep, will influence you—sometimes in very subtle ways—and will play a role in shaping your values and character.
So be careful where you pitch your tent!
~Bayless Conley~
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For him hath God the Father sealed - John 6:27
The seal is the mark of authentication. The Book of Esther often refers to the importance of the royal seal as giving validity and authenticity to documents to which it was appended. So at the waters of Jordan God authenticated our Lord; first by the voice that spoke from heaven, and secondly by the holy anointing that came upon His head, setting Him apart for holy service. What the Father did for His Son, He does for His sons. "He that stablisheth us with you into Christ, and anointed us, is God, who also sealed us." In other words, God waits to authenticate us to ourselves and to the world, as His beloved children, in whom He is well pleased.
The conditions of sealing. - In the case of our Lord there was entire subjection to the Father's will, although it involved His leaving the blessed home of Nazareth and identifying Himself with the sins and sorrows of men, by baptism in waters where they had confessed their sins. We, too, must be prepared to obey utterly, even to death.
The agent of sealing. - The Spirit descended and abode upon Him; He was filled with the Spirit, and returned in His power to Galilee. We, too, are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise; who stamps us with the die of our Saviour's image and superscription. Simultaneously with His gracious work upon us, we may detect His loving voice within us, witnessing with our spirits that we are children of God.
The effect of sealing. - Secrecy, safety, and assurance. Secrecy, Son 4:12. Safely, Mat 27:65-66. Assurance, Rom 8:15, Rom 8:16, Rom 8:17. There is also a daily assimilation, though we know it not, to the glorious likeness of our Lord; so that those who see us bear witness that His name is on us.
~F. B. Meyer~
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BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” 1 Corinthians 9:24
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I have a race to run. God has given you a race to run as well. Every man runs his own race. We’re not racing against each other to win the victor’s crown. We are in a pilgrimage together. I’m not trying to outrun you. And you’re not trying to outrun me. That is good news!
God has a plan for your life with particular speed bumps, detours, and hurdles to cross. And you are to stay in the race until it is over. But you are not running alone!
ACTION POINT:
Though we are not in the same race, we are in the journey together, so we encourage one another to win. And I want you to win the victor’s crown today! Run, my friend, run!
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” 1 Corinthians 9:24
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I have a race to run. God has given you a race to run as well. Every man runs his own race. We’re not racing against each other to win the victor’s crown. We are in a pilgrimage together. I’m not trying to outrun you. And you’re not trying to outrun me. That is good news!
God has a plan for your life with particular speed bumps, detours, and hurdles to cross. And you are to stay in the race until it is over. But you are not running alone!
ACTION POINT:
Though we are not in the same race, we are in the journey together, so we encourage one another to win. And I want you to win the victor’s crown today! Run, my friend, run!
~Adrian Rogers~
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Today's reading: 1 Kings 12-22
Today we're looking back and considering the lessons we learned from the second half of 1 Kings, chapters 12-22. I decided to focus on Ahab (although I was tempted to focus on Elijah, but held off since we'll see a little more of him in 2 Kings).
As with Solomon, quite a few chapters deal with the rule of king Ahab. Ahab, however, was pretty much the polar opposite of Solomon with regard to his attitude and heart toward God. What stood out to prominently to me was his unwillingness to fully acknowledge and submit to God's ways and leading. Ahab's life portrays a sad but accurate picture of how many people choose to live their lives today. They are aware of and believe in God, yet they refuse to fully surrender their lives to Him, and as a result, they experience avoidable difficulties and miss out on much of what God has for them.
What person's life example impacted you the most from 1 Kings? What's one important lesson you learned from this Book?
~Tami~
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Would you see what sin is?
(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings")
"He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
"He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
There is a picture which represents the after-scenes on that day of the crucifixion.
It is all over. The crowds have gone away. The evening sun is shining out again on Calvary. The body of the Savior has been borne to the sepulcher. The cross has been taken down, and lies on the ground. Acompany of little children, bright with the glow of childhood's innocence, led to the place by accident or curiosity, are seen bending over the signs of the day's terrible work. One of the children holds in his hand a nail, which a little time before, had pierced a hand or a foot of the patient Sufferer, and stands spellbound with horror as he gazes at it. His gentle heart is shocked at sin's dreadful work! On all the children's faces, the same expression of horror is depicted.
No one with pure and gentle heart, can ever look at the death of Christ on the cross--with any but feelings of amazement and horror at sin's awfulness!
It was sin that nailed Jesus on the cross!
It was sin that wreathed the circlet of thorns for His brow!
We say the Jews crucified Christ; yes--but WE helped to do it!
Our sins drove the nails!
Would you see what sin is? Stand by the cross and ponder its terrible work, there in the death of the Redeemer. See what it cost the Lamb of God, to take away sin!
It is all over. The crowds have gone away. The evening sun is shining out again on Calvary. The body of the Savior has been borne to the sepulcher. The cross has been taken down, and lies on the ground. Acompany of little children, bright with the glow of childhood's innocence, led to the place by accident or curiosity, are seen bending over the signs of the day's terrible work. One of the children holds in his hand a nail, which a little time before, had pierced a hand or a foot of the patient Sufferer, and stands spellbound with horror as he gazes at it. His gentle heart is shocked at sin's dreadful work! On all the children's faces, the same expression of horror is depicted.
No one with pure and gentle heart, can ever look at the death of Christ on the cross--with any but feelings of amazement and horror at sin's awfulness!
It was sin that nailed Jesus on the cross!
It was sin that wreathed the circlet of thorns for His brow!
We say the Jews crucified Christ; yes--but WE helped to do it!
Our sins drove the nails!
Would you see what sin is? Stand by the cross and ponder its terrible work, there in the death of the Redeemer. See what it cost the Lamb of God, to take away sin!
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