Grace

The Bible tells us we are born sinners (Psalms 51:5).  Through the disobedience of Adam, in the Garden of Eden, generation after generation have entered the world shaped in iniquity.  Please do not blame Adam, because even in our sinful nature, we have a choice whether to obey God, whether to follow our passionate desires of our sinful nature (Ephesians 2:3).  If you think, it is not fair to face God’s judgment because Adam started the sin cycle, ask yourself if you have always obeyed God when faced with a choice.  Now that we understand no one is righteous (Romans 3:10), we should be able to fully appreciate God’s gracious gift.

There is a great difference between Adam’s sin (our sin) and God’s gracious gift.  Adam’s sin brought death to all of us, and without the intervention of someone greater than sin, the path leads to eternal death.  However, God’s wonderful grace is even greater and His gift of forgiveness is available to all through one man, Jesus Christ!  If you really want to know what is not fair consider this, Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world (sinful choices we make), so that the world might have life through faith in His sacrifice.  That is not “fair”—that is grace!

God’s grace forgives us when we disobey Him.  God’s grace keeps us when we make the wrong decisions.  God’s grace covers us in the blood of Christ.  God’s grace gives us another chance.  God’s grace will pursue us all the days of our lives.  It is God’s gracious gift that is available to all and give us eternal life despite our sinful entry into the world.  God’s grace.

Scriptural Challenge: Take a moment to reflect on the grace of God and thank Him through prayer for His wonderful grace.

Written by Shad Comeaux

How God Uses Trials

 

Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. Daniel 6:23 (NKJV)

 

When God does something, it usually has more than one purpose. Such was the case with Daniel’s deliverance from the lions’ den. This miracle not only saved Daniel’s life, but it also served to accomplish something in King Darius, who had been a bystander to the entire event.

 

Darius found himself in an awkward position. He loved and respected Daniel but was also the one who approved the very law that condemned the prophet. According to his own law, Darius was unable to overturn the decree that would send his friend to the lions’ den. He was bound by law to punish Daniel, but he was also bound by guilt for having played a part in his apparent death.

 

The king was restless that entire night and went down to the den early in the morning. Is it possible…could it be… was Daniel’s God able to save him? His questions were answered by the prophet’s heartfelt greeting. “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me…” (Daniel 6:21–22 NKJV). Now notice how Darius responded to Daniel’s deliverance:

 

Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. (Daniel 6:25–27 NKJV)

 

Most Bible scholars believe this proves that Darius came to a saving faith in the true and living God! Here’s the point: A lot of our trials are being used in other people’s lives. Bystanders are watching us every day as we go through difficulties. They want to see how our God delivers us—and when He does, it might be the very thing that brings them into His kingdom.

 

Think About It…

Answai White

Where Can You Turn?

Life can be tough, causing you to feel a range of emotions.  Many times the trial or situation is so bad, that the reality of a brighter future seems non-existent.  There are other times when decisions need to be made and the anxiety of making the right choice becomes overwhelming.  What does the future hold for me?  Where am I headed in life? Am I making the right decision?  These and many other questions plague the minds of people daily, and if we are not careful, fear of the unknown can mentally consume us.  Where do you turn when you need direction?  Who can you trust in times of uncertainty?

The psalmist experienced fear of his enemies, but his peace came when he made this acknowledgement, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”  Although it seemed as if his persecution would never end, he found comfort in placing His trust in God.  What did he trust God to do?  He trusted God to remove his fear.  He trusted God to give him peace.  He trusted his entire life in the hands of God, knowing that no matter what was going on, God would deliver him.  Where can you turn?

God never promised life would be easy, but throughout history He has shown Himself to be trustworthy.  It is very easy for us to become wrapped up in our circumstances while being blind to God’s outstretched arms, open to receive whatever burdens us.  Place your trust in 

God for everything.  There is never anything too small or large for God, and as soon as we realize He welcomes us to trust Him with all things, life can be peaceful.  You should never worry all night, if you have trusted the Lord.  You should never be afraid, if you trusted God.  You never need to wonder where you can turn, turn to God and place your trust in Him.   

Scriptural Challenge: Take this moment to think of at least one thing, recently, you have not trusted God with, and give it to Him through prayer right now. 

Written by Shad Comeaux

"Give Me You"

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires... ~ Ephesians 4:22

That's a challenging verse, isn't it?! We each surrendered our heart to God and our old self was crucified with Christ when we became Christians (Romans 6:6). Jesus reminds us that this surrender is something each of us should do daily (Luke 9:23). We need to put the old sinful life aside every day and choose to live for Jesus in response to God's grace. As we begin this fast, let's make it our spiritual habit to consciously offer ourselves to the Lord and joyously live under his lordship of Jesus each day.

"He is able to do exceedingly abundantly, Above all we ask or think"

I sometimes we forget how big GOD is.  I have spent so must time focusing on a situation, problem,  etc. that I've actually put limitations on God, saying "I can figure this out on my own",  "This is too big", and "Nobody can help with this one" and have made it even bigger than what is originally was or worried about it until I made myself a wreck.  Today's post is just reminder "He is able to do exceedingly abundantly, Above all we ask or think" 

"So take all your burdens and lay them at His feet
And watch Him meet the need
We have the victory
Because You are"

"I Come To You More Than I Give"

In this season of transition, even the way we approach GOD must different.  Not always with our hand out, asking for something.  Yet, with an open ear listening surrendering ourselves  to what GOD has planned for our lives, families, communities, and the kingdom. 

I come to You more than I give
I come to You more than I give

When the time comes for us to pray
We find other things to say instead of giving thanks
For what God has already done we're asking for more

But with a grateful heart we ought to pray
"Lord let Your will be done and if you never give me
Another thing I'll just thank You for forgiving me"

I come to You more than I give
Always with my hands out instead of lifting them up
I come to you give, oh Lord will You give me another chance

Always with my hands out instead of giving myself
Enough to say, "Lord I know that I'm in Your perfect will
Realizing as ungrateful as I've been
The giving you has removed all sin, I vow to never be the same"

I come to You more than I give
Always with my hands out instead of me lifting them up
I come to you more than I give, oh, I'm sorry

I give You my heart, my mind, my soul, my praise, Hallelujah

Romans 12:1 says, "I beseech you therefore brethren
By the mercies of God that ye present your bodies
A living sacrifice, holy, which is your job unto God
It is your job to give him everything, every part of you”

I give You my heart, my mind, my soul, my praise, my money
It all belongs to the Father, I give it all to You

"Love"

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Interestingly, the Bible doesn't ever just say that God loves us. Instead, it says: "God demonstrated his love..." "In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us and gave..." "For God so loved the world that he gave..." Love is more than emotion or intention. True love, redemptive love, God-styled love is active; it does something. For us, Jesus did more than something; he sacrificed everything. What's more, he did it when we most needed it. He demonstrated his love when we were sinners! ~ PW

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