Grace: Access Granted

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 

Romans 5:1-2 NIV

Grace is never an access denied message. The grace of God we have access to is because we are justified through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that gives us hope. The grace of God does not wipe us clean and then give us a chance to try to be good enough again. We stand, we live in the grace of God. It's a life of grace. Grace to us, grace through us. 

So, we don't need to spend out time and effort on trying to be good enough or "spiritual" enough. We just need to live by faith in the grace of God. Think about how you treat others. Treating them through grace means remembering that Jesus died for them and acting accordingly. If they know Christ they are in and under his grace. If they don't know Christ they need his grace and you are the instrument that will bring them grace. 

Lord, thank you for the granting us access to your grace and that we can stand in it. Use us as instruments of you grace. May be boast in this hope we have. Praise be to you in us today!

CAUGHT BETWEEN AN ARMY AND AN OCEAN

"By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned." Hebrews 11:29

Remember that the Israelites, who were humanly speaking defenseless, were being pursued by the Egyptian army.Their backs were up against an wall. I guess you could say they were caught between an army and an ocean. God made a way through the waters. It was a way that the Egyptians could not go. 

Sometimes God puts us in a place where we seemingly have no place to go. There is an enemy on one side and something we'll drown in on the other. In Psalm 23:4 David says,

"Even though I walk through the valley of death,     I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." 

So, if you feel caught between an army and an ocean, have faith in God. He will make a way. It may be away that someone who is not a Christian can understand. It may be a way we can not conceive. I am sure no Israelite was saying, "Just cut through the Red Sea Moses!" The Red Sea and the Egyptian army both spelled death for the Israelites. But, God turned death into life. 

Father, help us to call upon you. Make a way. Praise be to you in us today!

GRAB SOME LIFE THAT IS TRULY LIFE: I Timothy 6:19

True story: A general contractor had just finished the foundation on the house he was building and was starting on the first floor. I gentlemen drove up and told him, "That looks real good but that's not where I want my house." The contractor looked at him and asked, "Who are you?" The gentleman said, "The owner of the lot you're building on!" 

"In this way they will lay up for treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." I Timothy 6:19

In the same way that the contractor started to build a house on the wrong lot, many people invest a great deal of their resources in things that will turn out to be off-target at best.

What is essential as far as God is concerned is what should guide our decisions. Taking hold of Christ. Living by faith. Trusting God with all that he has given us and seeking to be a servant of all, that is where life, life that is truly life will be found.  

So, if you find yourself sort of grasping at air, seeking fulfillment for you life, seek it where it is truly found. Life that is life, eternal life is found in Christ. Seek him. 

Father, help us to take hold of life in Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

NOT USED BUT USEFUL: I Timothy 4:14

"Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you." I Timothy 4:14

This is a simple question and answer devotional today. What's your gift? or What are your gifts? Are you using them? You are useful in the kingdom of God!

Everyone is given a responsibility within the church. That means you. What is the need you see? If you think something needs to be done it could be the Holy Spirit prompting you. Be prompted!

The only other word of encouragement is to be willing. Be willing to let God do what he wants in and through you, because, it is not about your abilities it's about his power in you. His grace, again, given to you. Be useful, be blessed!

Father, help us, by faith,  to step into serving. Praise be to you in us today!

WHY WOULDN'T GOD WORK/ II Thessalonians 1:11-12

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." II Thessalonians 1:11-12

Again, Paul shows us how to pray. Keeping in mind that trials are a normal part of Christian living, Paul prays. These are few reminders of what to pray.

First, we should pray to be counted worthy of his calling. And that is the fellowship of his sufferings. Trials prove you are truly a Christian. If you aren't dealing with any trials you might want to check yourself. 

Second, pray that by his power he would fulfill every good purpose and every act prompted by faith. Wow, if I my purpose is good, meaning seeking first the kingdom of God, and I my faith is what is urging me on, then what is to keep me from praying with confidence? I remember once asking God to deal with a situation between me and one of my sons. I basically asked God what good does the friction do and why not remove it. He did. 

I think about it. What does God want? What would bring him glory? I feel pretty sure God wants to bless my marriage, that it would glorify him. I feel pretty sure God wants to bless my fatherhood, that it would glorify him. What are some things you think (Biblically speaking ) God wants to do? Pray.

Father, be glorified in our prayers and our actions. Praise be to you in us today!