'grace' Tagged Posts (Page 5)
Daily Devotions
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.’” vss. 8-9 1 Kings 17:8-12 Elijah lived in Israel during the time of King Ahab, and had announced that, because of Israel’s great idolatry, there would be a three-year drought. Because the king saw him, not as a prophet, but as an enemy, Elijah had to spend the period…
Daily Devotions
For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.” vs. 28 Romans 3:19-23 Paul believed that all people had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But he also held that they had all been justified by God’s grace as a gift, through the redemption that had occurred in Christ Jesus. He further adds that the benefits of this great gift are made effective in faith. Paul’s add-on has frequently…
Daily Devotions
Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” vs. 16 Hebrews 4:12-16 Through the centuries humans have come to believe that there will be a final judgment. And though some now disparage that notion, they need to recognize that eliminating judgment will also pretty much do away with any sense of accountability for how we live our lives. In fact, the major reason…
Daily Devotions
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.” vs. 13 Mark 10:2-12 It’s hard to know what the disciples were thinking. We do know that Jesus was heavily involved in teaching and perhaps they considered the children to be a distraction. Perhaps they were like ushers in our worship services who advise mothers to take their crying babies to the nursery so the preacher’s every word can…
Daily Devotions
Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” vss. 40-41 Mark 9:38-41 Jesus wasn’t nearly so fussy about boundaries as his disciples seem to have been. John had gotten all bent out of shape because he had seen an outsider casting out demons in Jesus’ name. It was as though this interloper was…
Daily Devotions
He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’” vs. 35 Mark 9:33-37 We can only imagine how disheartening it must have been for Jesus to pour out his heart to his disciples about the cost of discipleship, and then have them engage in a great debate about which of them was the greatest. They had completely missed the point of his teaching! The only…
Daily Devotions
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” vs. 51 Ephesians 4:25-29 There are a number of passages in scripture that tell stories about miraculous feedings. Obviously there was the experience of the Israelites with manna in the wilderness, and everyone knows about the feeding of the 5000 at the hands of Jesus. But…
Daily Devotions
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” vss. 1-2 Proverbs 9:1-3 Those who wonder how they shall relate to others in these cantankerous times have an abundance of guidance from scripture. These words from Ephesians capture perfectly the actions and attitudes that will govern our words and behavior. Paul says, “Be imitators of God…and live in love, as Christ…
Daily Devotions
Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” vs. 29 Ephesians 4:25-29 During the election cycle it’s interesting to see how many politicians clamber to paint themselves with a Christian veneer. They make campaign speeches from the pulpits of churches, talk about their love for the bible, and claim that by their policies they will return…
Daily Devotions
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.” vs. 4 Psalm 23:4-6 There is a lot to be troubled about in our good but broken world. Even if we don’t believe in climate change, global warming cannot be denied, and we’re feeling its effects in a myriad of ways. The war in Gaza continues with little prospect of even a ceasefire agreement to…
Daily Devotions
As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.” vs. 1 2 Corinthians 6:1-5 Paul loved the Corinthians. He had lived among them for many months and he knew many of them personally, and now as he writes to them, we can see his passion in his words. He believes that they are his brothers and sisters in Christ, and that in Christ they are a new creation. But he…
Daily Devotions
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?’” vss. 1-2 Job 38:1-3 According to the book bearing his name Job is a righteous man who loses his health, property, and family as the result of an inexplicable test prompted by Satan and approved by God. In spite of his blameless life he endures horrible suffering, and then to top it off, his friends suggest that he has brought all…