Monday, July 31, 2017

See God's Face with Joy (Job 33:26)

Today’s scripture: Job 33:26

The story of Job never fails to amaze me.

This faithful man whom God has abundantly blessed loses everything … just because Satan, the enemy of our souls, challenges God saying Job will curse God if he loses all he has, including his health.

Job receives dubious “counsel” from so-called friends, and even questions and cries out to God himself. Yet, never does he “curse God and die” as his wife claims he should (2:9).

Amazing.

Now, even though his friends’ counsel is not always helpful, one does give a splash of wisdom in today’s verse, and this wisdom is true for us as well.

When we “pray to God” with sincere and repentant hearts, God does “delight” in us. That too amazes me. The God of the universe delights in each of us! Even more, we can “see His face with joy …”

Imagine gazing into your Father’s face. Your Abba, who adores you. Imagine looking at that loving face with joy.

How can you feel anything less?

Friday, July 28, 2017

Fullness of Joy (Psalm 16:11)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 16:11

We serve such an amazing God! I am continually in awe of how He blesses and works even through the darkest times … as long as we keep our eyes on Him and seek His will.

A favorite song of mine (one that I sing almost every time I speak) includes the lines:
Our Father knows what’s best for us, [But] His ways are not our own. So when the pathway grows dim, And you just don’t see Him, Remember, you’re never alone. © Babbie Mason
We’re on a journey—from the cradle to the grave—and as we follow that “path of life,” we can trust that God will always—always—give us “fullness of joy” when we trust Him to do His perfect will.

No, life won’t be easy; we all know that. But when we surrender our lives to Him, we can find joy … we will find joy.

We just have to ask Him.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

A Joyful Prayer (Philippians 1:3-6)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 1:3-6

So far this year, we’ve looked at what the Bible says about faith, peace, hope, and grace. Now we’re going to spend a few weeks looking at a word that is sometimes misinterpreted: joy.

Sometimes joy is synonymous with happiness, but I read a long time ago that happiness is dependent upon circumstances while joy is a state of mind. Therefore, we can find joy even when times are rough.

Let’s begin our journey through joy today with a prayer from one of my favorite books of the Bible. Paul wrote this prayer to the church in Philippi, and I echo its words today:

I truly thank the Lord for each and every one of you. With great joy, I pray that your faith in the gospel will grow as He continues the “good work” He is completing in you.

May you be blessed super-abundantly this day!

Monday, July 24, 2017

A Prayer of Grace (2 John 1:3)

Today’s scripture: 2 John 1:3

We’ve spent a few weeks looking at the word “grace,” and as we move onto “joy” on Wednesday, I leave you with a prayer from the apostle John.

I pray that you too will find grace, mercy, and peace from the triune God.

May you experience His unmerited favor, His abundant mercy, and the peace that is far beyond your understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).

May you revel in His love for you, His never-ending, abundant love.

May you seek His truth through study and meditation of His word, and grow in faith.

Amen.

Friday, July 21, 2017

Representative Grace (Esther 2:17)

Today’s scripture: Esther 2:17

All the other passages we’ve seen over the last few weeks about grace focus on God’s grace to us; however, I couldn’t help but include this one reference to grace because it is from one of my favorite stories.

I love how Esther was so faithful to the God of her people; she truly represented her God as she “obtained grace and favor” from the king.

She was in such a precarious position: a young Jewess living in the palace of her people’s enemy. Yet, she was so humble—a Christ-like quality—that she was chosen to be queen.

And when her people were threatened, she had God-given courage to approach the king even if she lost her life in doing so (Esther 4:16). She knew God would be gracious to her people, and her trust Him led to an overthrowing of the plan to annihilate her people.

May we be both humble and courageous both to represent “grace and favor” to those around us and to do what God calls us to do.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Grace Abused ... (Jude 1:4)

Today’s scripture: Jude 1:4

We’ve talked about this before, how some use grace as a “get out of jail free” card. They live as they like, thinking that they’ll just ask for forgiveness whenever they feel the need.

That’s so not what grace is about.

Grace is a free gift for the one who receives … but it was very expensive gift—a priceless gift—for the Giver.

Jesus, our Lord and Savior, gave everything. Everything.

He suffered betrayal and denial, torture and ridicule … and an excruciating death. All so that we can receive forgiveness and eternal like through God’s grace.

So to take that gift, to treat grace lightly ... well, it’s like slapping Jesus in the face. It’s like saying, “I don’t really care what you did, but I’m going to take advantage that you did it.”

Oh, may this never be!

Let’s never take grace for granted. Instead, let’s fall to our knees in gratitude!

Monday, July 17, 2017

Grow in Grace (2 Peter 3:18)

Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 3:18

Recently, I had the privilege of attending a women’s conference at my church. The theme was being rooted in Christ.

The analogy is sound: When a tree is firmly rooted, it grows; it withstands strong storms; it bears fruit.

We too, when we are firmly rooted in Christ, grow, withstand storms, and bear fruit.

On the other hand, a tree with weak roots doesn’t grow. It may be pulled up when the storms hit. And it is fruitless … and it is the same with faith.

Oh, but by grace, we can grow in our “knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

How? By spending time in His word, studying and meditating. By internalizing its truths. By praying and listening to God’s voice.

Only then can we be firmly rooted in Christ.

So … how strong are your roots?

Friday, July 14, 2017

Hope Upon Grace (1 Peter 1:13)

Today’s scripture: 1 Peter 1:13

Rest …

This seems to be a sadly-lacking commodity in our world today. Everyone is just so tired.

Physical rest. But also spiritual rest.

So many people are busy trying to find salvation or work for grace. They go, go, go and push, push, push … so much that they’re spiritually exhausted.

Salvation is not about us and what we can do. Salvation is about God and what He has already done. We are invited to “rest [our] hope fully upon … grace …”

Did you see that? “Fully on grace.”

Grace has paid the penalty. Grace has covered the sin.

Remember Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-29? He invites us all:
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (NASB)
All you have to do is “come”; Jesus is waiting.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

The Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16)

Today’s scripture: Hebrews 4:16

When I’m feeling down, I imagine myself crawling onto my Abba’s lap. I feel His loving arms around me, and I know I’m going to make it through one more day.

Our God is the King of kings, and He sits on His throne. And yet, He also invites us to call Him Abba—Daddy. Because we are children of the King, we are princes and princesses, and we are welcome to “come boldly to the throne of grace …”

We don’t have to be shy. We don’t have to wait to be invited. We don’t have to fear.

No, we can be bold and confident.

And we can know that the King will listen to our pleas, and He will shower us with mercy through His grace.

Monday, July 10, 2017

Justified by Grace (Titus 3:7)

Today’s scripture: Titus 3:7

Seekers often comment about all the difficult terms in the Bible: salvation, redemption, sanctification, justification … And yes, it can be confusing.

Today’s verse says we’re “justified by His grace …”

Justified. Justification.

What does it all mean? From my meager understanding (and as I’ve said before, I am not a theologian), justification means that God declares us as righteous and holy. Only He can justify. When we accept the gift of salvation through belief in and acceptance of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection, we are redeemed and justified.

These are one-time events. Sanctification is an on-going process by which we become more and more like Christ Himself.

And it all comes through the incredible grace given by our Lord God.

Friday, July 07, 2017

Sufficient Grace (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9

I love today’s verse. And I think that those of us who deal with chronic health issues find hope in it.

In context, Paul was writing about a “thorn” that he suffered with. He’d asked the Lord to remove the thorn, but He, in His infinite wisdom, chose not to. Paul realized that this thorn was meant to bring him closer to God and to know where true strength comes from.

Being physically weak makes me spiritually strong. What? you ask. That seems counter-intuitive.

I know. But it’s true.

I wake up every morning in pain. Some days are better than others, but pain just the same. And I wake up every morning and seek God’s strength without which I wouldn’t be able to handle the pain.

In His grace, I find strength.

But why doesn’t He just take away the pain? you ask.

I’m honestly not sure. He certainly could heal me completely. But since I’ve dealt with chronic health issues for almost 40 years, I don’t think He will.

What I do know is that my pain brings me closer to Him. I’m confident He has a purpose for the pain, and I know He gives me strength to deal with it.

His “grace is sufficient.”

Wednesday, July 05, 2017

Exceedingly Abundant Grace (1 Timothy 1:14)

Today’s scripture: 1 Timothy 1:14

I went through a Bible study a couple of years ago, and the author of the study wrote about “superabundant grace.” Not just abundant. Superabundant.

That’s what this verse says: “the grace of our Lord [is] exceedingly abundant.”

His grace is so far beyond what we can imagine. It is so far beyond what we deserve.

We’ve talked about this a lot over the last few weeks: We do not deserve grace. We just don’t. We are sinful, willful, prideful; we are flawed and broken. And we deserve eternal separation from God.

Yet, God loves us so very much that He offers grace. It would be enough if He offered just enough grace for salvation. But He lavishes grace upon us. He showers us with superabundant grace. Exceedingly abundant grace.

Think about it: How are you blessed? What has God given you?

A home? A family? Friends? A job? Food? All of the above?

Those are just the tangible things. What about forgiveness? Mercy? Comfort? Everlasting love? His never-leaving presence?

Exceedingly abundant grace.

Monday, July 03, 2017

Hope by Grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

Today’s scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:16

I’ve written before how grace and hope and faith and peace all seem to go together. Today’s verse focuses on how Jesus Christ’s love for us brings “everlasting consolation and good hope by grace.”

Good hope …

Hope is an anticipation of good things to come. We hope for good weather. We hope for a good job. We hope for a good vacation.

We hope for the best outcome to any situation.

This verse, though, mentions another “hope” Jesus brings: “everlasting consolation …”

Consolation is comforting someone who is dealing with sorrow, pain, or loneliness. And we’ve all been there.

We’ve all suffered loss. We’ve all experienced pain. We’ve all been lonely.

And we’ve all sought comfort … or consolation.

The only real source of true comfort is the Lord Jesus Christ. Only He can sooth a wounded soul. Only He can cover the pain and give strength when we have none of our own. Only He can offer a port in the storm.

Are you sad? Hurting? Lonely? Go to the Comforter. Let Him console you … wherever you are and whatever you’re experiencing.

Find hope in Him.