Good morning!
By:JL
As we examine the power of God’s grace, we must be careful how we handle it. God’s grace is not a free pass to commit sin and then to ask for forgiveness later. Instead, God’s grace gives us the incredible freedom to passionately pursue God without fear of condemnation.
Each day, we are faced with numerous decisions—many of which are honoring to God. If we choose wisely, then we experience the blessings of God. If we choose unwisely, then we will deal with sin’s consequences. However, if we do make the wrong choice, God’s love for us does not waver. He doesn’t cast us aside and break ties with us. This is when God’s grace and mercy shine.
In the same way a coach gives a player a vote of confidence even after he has made a mistake, God gives us a vote of confidence through His grace. All He asks in return is that we try, and that we never stop allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.
In explaining how grace and works are intertwined, James writes,
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does (James1:25).
God knows that we are not perfect. However, He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us make the right decisions in life if we will listen to Him. In giving us this ability to choose for ourselves, we gain tremendous freedom when we choose God’s path. His grace provides us with a sense of freedom like we have never known.
Romans 6:14
14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Compiled by Jeff Lawton:
As Adam and Eve first experienced God’s grace in the Garden of Eden, they came to understand some important aspects of God’s character. In learning about God, they discovered that He would not excuse sin. They also found out that He would not discard the sinner.
When we make a mistake and fall into sin, we begin to wonder what type of punishment God will issue us. Though there are always consequences for sin, there is not an excommunication from God. Instead of zapping us into the stratosphere never to be heard from again, He chases us, seeking us just like He sought Adam and Eve in the garden.
Upon the realization that they had sinned, Adam and Eve hid from God. They knew that He had given them the perfect place to live, yet they botched it by falling for the oldest lie of the enemy: God is withholding His best. So they hid, hoping that God would not find them.
However, God and His grace always find us—not because we are terrible at hiding, but because He is so good at seeking. He does not hunt us down to scold us; rather, He chases our hearts so that we can see how much He loves us.
God’s grace gives us an opportunity to allow Him to change us. It gives us a moment in which we encounter God and His awesome grace, and we surrender. We stop running from God and start running to Him.
It may be painful at times as He roots out some of the strongholds of sin in our lives. But the difference He makes in our lives in the end will be worth it.
John 1:16
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
Compiled by Jeff Lawton:
We all understand the importance of water for survival. In fact, next to air, water is the most important substance for life.
The Bible teaches Jesus is God incarnate and He was also human. He experienced the same feelings and temptations that we encounter each day. However, He never succumbed to even one temptation.
In John 4:4-8, we read how the Savior became tired and stopped to rest beside the well of Jacob. While His disciples were buying food in a nearby town, a Samaritan woman arrived at the well to draw water. Jesus, being thirsty, asked her for a drink of the well’s water. Immediately, she protested and reminded him that she was a Samaritan, and He was a Jew.
Jews believed the Samaritans were unclean. Another fact to consider is that this woman was at the well alone at high noon. More than likely, she also was considered unclean by her own people and came to the well at a time when no one else would see her.
We know her story. She had been married many times and was in need of a Savior, and Jesus met her need. He told her:
Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:13-14).
Christ confronted the deepest need of this woman and offered her a chance to begin life anew. The more you drink from the world’s water, the worse your thirst will become.
Are you restless and discontent? Just as He offered living water to the woman at the well, He offers it to you. When you drink of Him, you will thirst no more.
Revelations 7:17
17 ...‘he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’
Compiled by Jeff Lawton:
In the Middle East, the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep is special. Sheep know their shepherd’s voice, and they follow him when he calls. If a stranger comes along, the sheep shrink back.
It is no surprise that during World War I, when a group of Turkish soldiers decided to steal a flock of sheep from a hillside near Jerusalem, they had to face the fact that the shepherd was the only one who could control the sheep. But even he knew he could not recapture his flock single handedly against all those soldiers.
He did the only thing he could; he put his hand to his mouth and gave his own particular call that he used each day to gather his sheep. When the sheep heard the familiar sound, they stopped, turned, and came back to their shepherd.
The same is true with us—the body of Christ. Those who are children of God will hear His voice through His Word. Jesus says in John 10:27-28, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”
The way to know whether you are one of His sheep is in how you respond to His voice and His Word. Do you recognize the voice of Jesus? He knows you better than you know yourself.
Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14). Jesus is the good shepherd who gave His life for you. However, He longs for you to draw closer to Him. Can you hear His voice? Do you know His special call to you? Be still, listen, and pray, and you will be blessed by the Savior’s intimate care.
Psalms 100:3
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Compiled by Jeff Lawton:
Many Americans will never forget the newscast from Washington, D.C., after an Air Florida plane crashed into the Potomac River in 1982. Millions heard the reports of a courageous young man saving others as he lost his own life.
Each time the helicopter sent the lifeline his way, he would pass it to someone else. No doubt he knew he could not hold on any longer as he passed the line to the last person. This man’s death, as a result of rescuing others instead of saving himself, was heroic—the result of a tragic accident.
Jesus’ sacrifice for others was no accident. He said, “I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15). He came from heaven so He could die for His sheep—every person who calls upon His name.
It was not by chance that Jesus came to earth, took on human form, and gave His life so we might be saved. He says:
No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again (John 10:18).
Give thanks today for Jesus’ perfect sacrifice so the children of God would be rescued from sin and death and may be given eternal life.
1 Peter 5:4
4 When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Compiled by Jeff Lawton:
A few years ago, there were a number of scientific writings dealing with the nova experience (from the Latin word novus or “new”). The nova phenomenon occurs when a medium-sized star suddenly gets brighter and hotter for a period of about a week to two weeks. Then it becomes darker and cooler. Each year, scientists observe about 14 of these nova experiences.
Based on this research, astronomers are now concerned that the previously held theory—that our sun could maintain its present heat or energy output level for at least eight million years—is no longer true. Scientists reached this conclusion because they believed that half of the sun’s hydrogen energy has been used up.
When other stars were observed to “nova out” as soon as half of their hydrogen was exhausted, it became popular to believe that the same could happen to our sun. Should a nova happen, within 40 days, the earth would freeze and disappear into the solar system like a small ball of foil.
Can the sun suddenly cease from warming us and from providing the energy we trust and seek each day? The answer is yes! In Revelation, we read that in the final days the earth will be destroyed. There will be a new earth and a new heaven. And there will be no need for a sun because we will have the Lord Jesus Christ. He will be our source of light, which will be much brighter and warmer than the sun.
Jesus is “the light of the world” (John 8:12), and we do not have to wait until the end to walk in His light. Today, He is the one who brings light to the murky areas of our lives. No darkness is powerful enough to eliminate His light. When you step into the light of His love, your pathway will be lit with heaven’s hope.
John 8:12
12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Compiled by: Jeff Lawton
After Jesus fed the multitude, a crowd gathered and greedily sought His provision. They were both curious and physically hungry. The Savior knew the intent of their hearts. He also knew they had not learned the lesson He had taught the day before as He fed the multitude of people. It was there that He first proclaimed, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35; 6:48).
Instead of focusing on Christ and the spiritual bread He had to offer, their eyes were set on material provision. Instead of focusing on the glory of God, they were anxious to have their stomachs filled.
Many times, we have the same attitude. We tell ourselves, “As long as God meets my needs, then I will give Him a pat on the back and tell Him that He is all right.” In some circles, this is the total depth of Christianity, and it is exactly why there is a lack of sincerity in many churches today.
Satan loves to water down the Gospel message so that we begin to view it as weak and not worth our commitment. However, God demands nothing less than our complete obedience.
He is the bread of life. This means that He satisfies us—He fills us with His Word so that we are no longer hungry or discontent. He wants to elevate our vision and teach us to focus on things that are far more important than food and earthly possessions.
The bread Jesus offers not only will satisfy your physical hunger, but also it will satisfy your soul hunger, your emotional hunger, and your intellectual hunger. When you give your life to Him and seek His heavenly food, you will be fed with food that does not perish—and every hunger you have will be perfectly satisfied.
Luke 9:16-17
16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. ... 17 They all ate and were satisfied."
Compiled by Jeff Lawton:
Today, more than ever, believers have a responsibility to know what they believe and why they believe it. They are being called to sort through subtle deception, which often comes under the guise of Christianity.
In this day of half-truths, it is important to know what Jesus had to say about Himself. When we focus on the truth God provides through His Word, we will be well-equipped to discern the lies of the world.
Whatever need you have, the "I Am" sayings of Jesus will encourage your heart.
In John 6, He says, "I am the bread of life." In John 8, He says, "I am the light of the world." In John 10, He says, "I am the door." In John 11, He tells us that He is "the resurrection and the life." In John 14, He says He is the "the way and the truth and the life," and in John 15, He says He is "the true vine."
In each of these statements, Jesus reveals something that we need to know about His character. His words to us also reveal certain truths we need for personal spiritual growth.
Do you have a heart that longs to know God? Jesus is the One who will meet your need. Do you struggle with disappointment and frustration? The presence of Christ in your life will fill you up to overflowing with contentment and hope.
Whatever your need, turn it over to Jesus. You will be amazed by His ability to feed and to provide for you.
John 6:35
35 “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
Compiled by Jeff Lawton:
Have you ever known someone who would call you on the telephone, talk what seemed like a thousand words a minute, and then, when he finished telling you what he needed to say, would hang up? Even before you had a chance to say a word, you heard a click.
Sadly, this is how many people treat God. They don’t stay on the line long enough to hear from Him. They pray to Him in a flurry of words, expressing needs and desires, but they miss the most important part of prayer: worship and listening for God’s still, small voice.
Prayer is a two-way form of communication. One of the reasons many avoid spending silent time in prayer is because they are afraid to hear what God has to say to them. They are sure that if they listen, He will say something that they don’t want to hear.
Someone has called American Christianity “decaffeinated Christianity.” If you think about it, decaffeinated Christianity won’t keep you awake at night. It won’t disturb you. It won’t motivate you, and it certainly won’t change you!
God is a gentleman. He will never force you to listen for His voice. He will never coerce you into meditating on His Word or taking time to pray. However, He will continue to draw you to Himself. Sometimes this is pleasant; other times it is not.
Allowing us to experience disappointment and frustration is one of the ways God gets our attention. If you feel as though you have been running away from God and prayer, ask yourself, “Isn’t it time I stop running and avoiding the Lord?” Great things come to us when we stop rushing and begin seeking God with a humble, obedient heart.
Proverbs 15:8
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
Compiled by Jeff Lawton:
There is no power over temptation nor victory over sin without spending time with God in prayer. James Montgomery, who was a great man of prayer, wrote, “Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath. The Christian’s native air; his watchword at the gates of death; he enters heaven with prayer.”
Prayer should be our first option rather than the final effort. When trouble approaches, we need to run to God in prayer. If you are weary and feel heavy-laden, take time to pray. When life is joyful, take time to praise God for His goodness through prayer.
Moses prayed, and water flowed from a rock. Joshua prayed, and the sun stood still. Hannah prayed, and God gave her a son.
David prayed, and Goliath fell. Elijah prayed, and fire rained down from heaven. Daniel prayed, and God closed the lions’ mouths. Jesus prayed, and 5,000 people were fed and satisfied with a little boy’s lunch.
When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, the demons shook with terror. Heaven’s boundless power and strength are ours when we pray and align our will with His perfect plan.
Are you discouraged and despondent? Pray. Do you feel defeated by sin? Pray. Does it seem as if your life and personal relationships are falling apart? Your greatest needs can be met through prayer.
God is not challenged by your sin or difficult circumstances. Prayer is the avenue He uses to restore your soul and to prepare you to live the life He has given you. Therefore, pray, knowing that when you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you.
James 4:8, 10
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you... 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Compiled by Jeff Lawton:
There is no doubt about it: Power is enticing. It also can be intoxicating. But it is the one thing people want more of today. In the 1990s, the trend was not just to have lunch with a colleague—it was to have a “power” lunch.
Even today, this trend continues at a feverish pace. Instead of asking how a person is doing and listening to him or her talk over lunch, laptop computers are opened, cell phones are turned on, and handheld devices are readied to record important data. We don’t just talk; we “power” talk!
Sadly, those who get caught up in this whirlwind usually want those around them to take notice. They want others to think they are powerful. The truth is that if they are not living lives submitted to Jesus Christ, then they are powerless.
A large number of people were drawn to the early church thinking that they would receive a certain degree of power. However, they quickly realized that if they wanted to experience God’s power, then they would have to change by leaving their quest for control and personal gain behind.
God’s power is something He gives to those whose lives are submitted to Him. The power we experience as believers is not a power that takes advantage of others, rules over individuals, or seeks to be well-known. It is a power born of humility and sacrifice.
Are you living life with the goal of gaining more power, money, or influence? Remember, the Resurrection was the single most powerful event in history. Yet, it could not have taken place apart from the Crucifixion. If you want to experience true power, begin your quest at the foot of the Cross.
2 Corinthians 12:9
9 “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Compiled by Jeff Lawton:
Perhaps you have struggled with a certain sin or temptation for a long time. Each time you yield to it, you find yourself crying out to God, asking for strength to overcome it. It could be a temptation to gossip, to deceive, or to misuse your power in order to exalt yourself.
Temptation leads to sin, and sin creates within our hearts and minds an emotional and mental wall between God and us. However, sin does not change God’s eternal love for us. But if we fail to make the necessary corrections needed to restore our fellowship with Him, then we will reap the consequences of our sin, which can include disappointment, stress, sorrow, defeat, and broken relationships.
In fact, in times of sin, the greatest loss is our fellowship with the Lord. Knowing that we have grieved God through our sinful actions should be enough to turn us back to Him in sincere repentance, but sometimes we stubbornly press on to sin again and again. Finally, when the circumstances of our lives are unbearable, we fall to our knees in desperation.
Though God does not promise to erase all the damage caused by our sin, He certainly promises to restore the joy of our salvation when we turn back to Him. When we practice humble confession and repentance, we can experience God’s mercy and grace. Through temptation, God allows us to confront the wickedness of our hearts. If we trust God, we can turn away from the sins that prevent us from living victorious lives.
Remember, God allows you to be tested so that you will be refined and readied for use in His Kingdom. Therefore, say no to temptation and sin and yes to the Lord your God.
John 1:29
29 “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Compiled by Jeff Lawton:
During the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, builders had to construct an elaborate trestle across a deep canyon. After it was built, the chief engineer wanted to test it. A train loaded with double the normal train cars and supplies was driven to the middle of the bridge, where it stayed for an entire day.
Someone asked the builder, “Are you trying to break the bridge?” The answer was no. “I am trying to prove that the bridge will not break,” was his reply.
In the same way, God allows us to be tempted by the enemy. There is a spiritual hedge of protection around the life of the believer that can only be penetrated with God’s approval.
In times of testing, God wants to strengthen us through the trials so that we will be made ready for His service.
Prayer is the most powerful form of communication that we have. By teaching the disciples to pray, “Lead us not into temptation,” Jesus was preparing them to face life’s trials and temptations correctly.
The Lord knew the disciples would face many trials and temptations. Their only source of wisdom and help was found in God—“Lead us not.” But the sense of the Greek words used here also implies that there must be necessary training.
God does not allow us to face needless trials. Most of what we face comes as a result of living life in a fallen world. However, we must learn to say no to anything that would prevent us from living holy lives before a holy God.
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Compiled by Jeff Lawton:
God wants you to be wise and surefooted in your daily walk with Him, not allowing anything to come into your life that would cause you to doubt His goodness. He also knows there will be times when the enemy will tempt you to feel fearful and out of control. When this happens, you need to remember that you serve a sovereign God who has good things in mind for your life.
Even when troubles come, we may begin to wonder if we will ever realize the hopes and dreams that God has given us. Joseph, Daniel, Moses, David, and the disciples probably faced the same temptation to doubt God’s blessing and goodness. However, these men of faith remained steadfast in their belief in the Lord’s ability. They had to come to a point of faith where they boldly confronted their fears—and we do, too.
The English word worry comes from a German word meaning “to strangle or choke.” This is exactly what worry does. It chokes and prevents us from living victorious lives by stifling our godly potential.
Solomon, however, admonishes us to “catch ... the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom” (Song of Songs 2:15). The “little foxes” of sin have the ability to derail our Christian faith and sense of virtue.
On the surface, few of us would think that a little worry, doubt, or fear is enough to harm our devotion to God. However, they can steal our joy and create within our hearts and minds a sense of distrust for the things of God.
God is merciful. He has the power to conquer doubt, fear, and worry. When our lives are surrendered to Him, we don’t have to be anxious about tomorrow. He provides all that we need perfectly and on time.
Luke 6:21
21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
