The Daily Grace - City of Refuge

As we entered a town in Australia, we were greeted by a sign that declared: "We welcome all who are seeking refuge and asylum". This kind of welcome seems to resonate with the Old Testament concept of the cities of refuge. In the Old Testament era, cities of refuge (Num. 35:6) were established to be a safe haven for people who had accidentally killed someone and were needing protection. God had the people establish such cities to provide that refuge.

This concept, however, was not intended to be simply a practice for ancient Israel. More than that, cities of refuge reflected the heart of God for all people. He Himself longs to be our safe haven and our city of refuge in the failures, heartaches, and losses of life. We read in Psalm 59:16-17, "I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy".

For the hurting heart of every generation, our "city of refuge" is not a place. Our city of refuge is a Person - the God who loves us with an everlasting love. Refuge can be found in the Rock of Ages. May we find our refuge and rest in Him.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, open up a window of heaven. Lean out far over the battlements of glory. Listen this morning to our cries.

What a miracle it is that You can bring together people of all tribes, tongues, and nations to be like-minded in Christ - to share a bond of love and affection for Jesus. Help us to be united. May you be the center of our lives everywhere we go.

The blessing of the Lord rest and remain upon all his people, in every land, of every tongue. The Lord meets in mercy all that seek Him. The Lord comfort all who suffer and mourn and the Lord hasten his coming and give us, his people, the blessing of peace.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Isaiah 55:6

Seek, inquire for, and require the Lord while He may be found. Call on Him for salvation while He is near. Seek God while He’s here to be found. Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Pray to Him while He’s close at hand. 

Turn to the Lord! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is always near.

The Daily Grace - Just As I Am

Good memories flooded my mind as I sat in a concert. The group's leader had just introduced the song they were about to sing: "Just As I Am". I remembered how at the end of his sermons my pastor would ask people to come forward while we sang that song, indicating they would like to receive the forgiveness Christ offers for their sins. But the leader of the musical group at the concert suggested another occasion when we might sing this song. He commented that he likes to think that when he dies and goes to meet the Lord one day, he will sing in thanks to Him:

Just as I am, without one plea

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come!

Years before writing this song, Charlotte Elliot asked a minister how she might find the Lord. He told her, "Just come to Him as you are". She did, and later during a discouraging time of illness, she wrote this hymn about the day she came to Christ and He forgave her sin. In His Word, the Lord encourages us to seek Him: "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near" (Isa. 55:6). He calls to our hearts: "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. . . . Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live" (vv. 1,3).

Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we can come to Him right now and will one day go into eternity to be with Him forever. Just as I am. . . I come! Let Him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely (Rev. 22:17)

Today We Pray

Dear God, I have tried in vain to reform myself, and I have failed. Only You can truly change my heart. And, I pray that You will do it, by the power of Your Holy Spirit.

Make me Your instrument, Holy God. Replace every prideful thought with a psalm, every angry instinct with a prayer of love and forgiveness. Let the sight of me radiate Your glory, not mine; let every word that comes from my mouth be music from Your harp and every thought in my mind the dove of Your Spirit. 

Inhabit me, infuse me, reform me, that I may live only in Christ, and He in me. May the Almighty and merciful Lord graciously hear me, pardon and deliver me from all my sins, confirm and strengthen me in all goodness, and bring me to everlasting life. Through my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - 1 John 4:7

Love one another. God commanded us countless times in the Bible that we must never stop loving others. Even if they are unlovable, try your best to love them. Ask God for it to help you.

We are also unlovable, human as we are, we sin countless times too. But God still accepted us, who is the Author of Love. So, it is a challenge to have love to others no matter who are they and what they are. Be filled with His love so that you can love others.

The Daily Grace - Family Trademarks

The Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland, are known for their beautiful sweaters. Patterns are woven into the fabric using sheep's wool to craft the garments. Many of them relate to the culture and folklore of these small islands, but some are more personal. Each family on the islands has its own trademark pattern, which is so distinctive that if a fisherman were to drown it is said that he could be identified simply by examining his sweater for the family trademark.

In John's first letter, the apostle describes things that are to be trademarks of those who are members of God's family. In 1 John 3:1, John affirms that we are indeed part of God's family by saying, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" He then describes the trademarks of those who are the children of God, including, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (4:7).

Because "love is of God", the chief way to reflect the heart of the Father is by displaying the love that characterizes Him. May we allow His love to reach out to others through us - for love is one of our family trademarks. Love is the family resemblance to the world should see in followers of Christ.

Today We Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, You know my weakness and failings, and that without Your help I can accomplish nothing for the good of souls, my own and others'. Grant me, therefore, the help of Your grace, according to my particular needs this day. Enable me to see the tasks you will set before me in the daily routine of my life, and let me set my hand to these tasks with the vigor and joy of one with whom You abide.

Teach me to love with the love of Christ that others might see Your love reflected in my care and concern for them. May Your love drive and dominate my responses to life and to others. Bless all Your people and all Your flock.

Give Your peace, Your help, and Your love unto us Your servants, the sheep of your fold, that we may be united in the bond of peace and love, one body and one spirit, in one hope of our calling, in Your divine and boundless love. And if I should face trials, suffering or failure, I pray that Your hand will lift me up, and I may be refreshed. In the name of Christ, I pray.

Amen

Todays Godly Reminder - Psalm 16:11

He got our feet on the life path. He is all radiant from the shining of His face. Ever since He took our hand, we will always be on the right way. There is indeed a fullness of joy when we are always in His presence. 

He will show us the path of life. In His right hand, there are pleasures forevermore. When we let God guide our steps, He will always show us the right way. Let Him guide you and walk you to the right direction. Delight yourself in Him.

Today's Godly Reminder - Psalm 90:17

Let the gracious favor of the Lord our God be on us. And, confirm for us the work of our hands.

The Daily Grace - Looking for Zacchaeus

Alf Clark walks the city streets looking for Zacchaeus. Well, not the actual one in the Bible - Jesus already found him. Alf and some friends who serve with an urban ministry do what Jesus did in Luke 19. They go purposefully through town to meet with and help those in need. Alf walks house to house in his neighborhood, knocking on doors and saying to whoever peeks out, "Hi, I'm Alf. Do you have any needs I can pray for?" It's his way of opening up communication and - like Jesus did with tax-collector Zacchaeus - seeking to supply needed counsel and spiritual life and hope.

Notice what Jesus did. Luke simply says that Jesus "passed through" Jericho (Luke 19:1). Of course, a crowd gathered, as usually occurred when Jesus came to town. Zacchaeus, being "height challenged", climbed a tree. Jesus, while passing through, walked right over to his tree and told him He had to visit at his house. That day salvation came to Zacchaeus' house. Jesus had "come to seek and to save that which was lost" (v. 10).

Do we look for Zacchaeus? He is everywhere, needing Jesus. In what ways can we share Christ's love with people who need the Savior? God's good news is too good to keep to ourselves.

Today We Pray

Dear God, who has created all things, seen and unseen, this day is Your creation and I give thanks to live in it. I pray that I will not shut You out of the day You have made, blinded by the petty concerns of life. Help me to be always open to Your presence.

Guide our steps toward ant not away from those who need You. Then, guide our words and our actions. Help us to be purposeful in our encounters with others.

Bring my sins to my remembrance and grant me light to see them and find them out. Strengthen me also with the courage to confess them truly, hiding nothing, keeping nothing back in my heart; that I may, by Your mercy, obtain pardon and entire absolution; and thus healed, may rise to newness of life, humbly and worthily receiving the wondrous gift of Your love. Through the merits and for the sake of Jesus Christ, my Lord, and Savior.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Luke 19:10

There are still lost people in the world. But let us not lose hope. God sent Jesus to save them. There's still hope because Jesus is there.

Introduce your friends to Jesus. Take courage. Share them the hope in this world, which is Jesus. Ask the Lord to bless your heart to reach out to them.

The Daily Grace - Sphere of Influence

The book The Preacher and the Presidents chronicles the ministry of evangelist Billy Graham. Spanning presidents from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush, Graham often had an open door to the White House. Yet despite his unusual sphere of influence, Graham repeatedly credited the grace of God working through him for his influence = not any personal talent he might possess. 

The apostle Paul was another believer who was called to witness to people in high authority. Christ said of Paul, "He is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15). In Acts, Paul's sphere of influence included rulers such as Felix, Festus, Herod Agrippa, and perhaps Caesar himself (Acts 24 - 26). But as Billy Graham would do centuries later, Paul pointed to the grace of God working through him: "Not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1 Cor. 15:10).

You may not be called to proclaim the gospel to heads of state, but God has placed people in your life with whom He wants you to share His message of hope. Why not pray for opportunities for God's grace to flow through you as a witness to someone in your sphere of influence? The best place to witness is where God has placed you. Share the gospel. Spread the Good News.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, help me to be good and happy all this day. Make me faithful in my work and fair in my play. Show me how to do some kind act today. 

Help me make my witness clear and labor faithfully. So, friends and neighbors turn to Christ through what they hear from me. Let me be a role model of Your kindness and grace to them.

Bless my relatives, friends, and minister. Help me to show my love for them, and for all I encounter, and especially for You, this and every day of my life. This I pray, in Christ's name.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - 1 Corinthians 15:10

This is Paul's words of praise to God because of His unmerited favor and blessing in His life. Without God, He would not become what He is after His conversion. Paul sees God’s grace in his past, and in his future. The grace of God and the wisdom of God allowed him to commit the sins he did because it would make him a more useful minister of the gospel. His grace toward him was not found to be for fruitless and without effect.

This is amazing grace. Even though we are sinful, He will pour out favors and blessings in our lives if we will do everything for His glory. Do not let His grace go to waste. When we feel strong in times of weakness, it is not us, but it is God who is working in us. He made us what we are, and His wonderful kindness wasn’t wasted. Whatever we are now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on us.

The Daily Grace - Confidence In What?

While walking through a home-improvement store, I saw a man wearing a bright red T-shirt bearing this melancholy message: "Confidence: The feeling you have just before you understand the situation". I laughed at this humorous concept, but I also realized that the shirt carried a sane and sound warning. It's a reminder to all of us who try to get things done through confidence in our own ability or credentials but without consciously trusting in the strength of God. If we think we can accomplish life's tasks in our own strength, that false confidence will inevitably become our undoing - and we'll collapse under the weight of our own feelings.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians about this by recalling ancient Israel's penchant for self-confidence and self-sufficiency. He described everything the Israelites thought they had going for them; then he told how they had turned those benefits into a license to sin and an almost arrogant confidence that would prove to be their undoing. Paul said their self-confidence should warn us. His conclusion? "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12). Psalm 118:8 shows us the best way: "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man", or in ourselves. Where is your confidence? Confidence in Christ is the right kind of confidence.

Today We Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, may I love You in all things and above all things. May I reach the joy which You have prepared for me in Heaven. Nothing is good that is against Your will, and all that is good comes from Your hand.

Place in my heart a desire to please You. Fill my mind with thoughts of Your Love. So that, I may grow in Your wisdom and enjoy Your peace.

Now the God of patience and consolation grant to me, and to all who pray in the name of Christ, to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. That we may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. You, who alone are able to do these and even greater good things for us, we praise through the high priest and guardian of our souls, through whom be the glory and the majesty to You both now and for all generations and forever and ever.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Reject evilness. Throw out anything tainted with evil. Withdraw and keep away from it. Do things that don’t have anything to do it. Stay away from every kind of evil.

The Daily Grace - Don't Just Retire

The first people to climb Mt. Everest, the world's highest mountain, were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Hillary was just 33 years old. His feat afforded him fame, wealth, and the realization that he had already lived a remarkable life. So, what did Hillary do for the next 55 years? Did he retire and rest on his laurels? Absolutely not. Although Hillary had no higher mountains to climb, that didn't stop him. He achieved other notable goals, including a concerted effort to improve the welfare of the Nepalese people living near Mt. Everest - a task he carried on until his death in 2008.

Did you know that God told the Levites to retire from their regular duties at age 50? (Num. 8:24-25). But He did not want them to stop helping others. He said that they should "minister with their brethren. . . to attend to needs" (v. 26). We cannot take this incident as a complete teaching on retirement, but we can see a godly implication that continuing to serve others after our working days are over is a good idea. Many people find that when they retire they have nothing meaningful to do with their time. But as the Levites and Sir Edmund Hillary did, we can refocus when we retire - giving our time to help others. Life takes on new meaning when we invest ourselves in others.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, who has created all things, seen and unseen, this day is Your creation and I give thanks to live in it. I pray that I will not shut You out of the day you have made, blinded by the petty concerns of life, but that I may be always open to Your presence. I open my body to You and give thanks for Your life that fills and warms every cell of it.

We need Your touch on our lives. Work in our hearts in whatever areas need a fresh start. Help us to do our part and to trust You to do what only You can do.

Make me and all who confess Your holy name people of this light. Make me faithful to Your Word that I may bring Your life to the waiting world. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Philippians 4:7

God will give us peace that reassures our hearts. Once we receive that peace, our hearts will stay calm and be still. 'Coz we are already consumed by the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, we will be blessed a thousand folds. It will stand over our hearts and minds.

Once we belong to Jesus Christ, God will bless us with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. Trust God that He will be in control always. Be surprised with His amazing love to you.

The Daily Grace - Bridging the Gap

When my kids were young, I thought they would be impressed with what few accomplishments I may have had - that they would read my books and be impressed by my speaking engagements. But then I discovered that they hadn't read any of my books and had no idea where I had been on a speaking gig. When my oldest son finally read one of my books, he told me that the only reason he read it was so that I would stop telling people that my children have never read my books! Let's face it - for the most part, kids are not impressed with our accomplishments. So the only way to bridge the gap is to meet them where they are, to get into their world - like getting into a game of Chutes and Ladders or playing catch in the backyard.

Jesus did this with us. John said of Jesus, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory" (John 1:14). In other words, He stooped down to our level when He came to this earth, which led to His greatest accomplishment of all: bridging the gap between His world and ours once and for all. Only then could we begin to understand how worthy He is of our utmost adoration and praise! Jesus bridged the gap between the infinite God and finite man.

Today We Pray

Dear Jesus, who returned from this world to the Father and loved those who were here in this world, make my mind turn from worldly preoccupations to the contemplation of heaven. To despise everything transitory and to yearn only for celestial things, and to burn with the glowing fire of Your love. Cleanse also my heart by pouring in the radiance of the Holy Spirit, so that I may be able to love You.

Come to me, Holy Spirit, and drive away my apathy. Forgive me for the smallness and selfishness of my mind. Take away this sense of tedium with Your Word, Your love, the wondrous gift of eternal life. 

Almighty God, who does freely pardon all who repent and turn to Him, now fulfill in my contrite heart the promise of redeeming grace; forgiving all my sins, and cleansing me from an evil conscience; through the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus our Lord. Fill me with zeal and hope, knowing that Your plans for me are glorious, and all that I have or will ever have comes from You. And turn my heart to Your will at every moment, I pray. 

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - John 1:14

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory. Like Father, like Son, who is generous inside and out. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. True from start to finish.

The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him, all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us. May everything we do, by word or deed or story, be done to please the Lord.

The Daily Grace - Grace, Mercy and Peace

The words grace and peace are found in all of Paul's greetings in his New Testament letters to the churches. And in his letters to Timothy and Titus, he also includes mercy: "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord" (2 Tim. 1:2). Let's examine each of these words.

Grace is what our holy God gives that we, as sinful people, don't deserve. In Acts 17:25, we learn that "He gives to all life, breath, and all things". His gifts include our very next breath. Even in our darkest hour, strength is given by God so that we can endure. Mercy is what God withholds that we do deserve. In Lamentations 3:22, we read, "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed". Even when we're wayward, God gives time and help for us to turn back to Him. Peace is what God brings to His people. Jesus said: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you" (John 14:27). Even in the worst of times, we have inner tranquility because our God is in control.

We can be encouraged that throughout our lives the Lord will give us the grace, mercy, and peace we need to live for Him. God's grace is immeasurable, His mercy is inexhaustible, His peace is inexpressible. He gives more grace when the burdens grow greater. He sends more strength when the labors increase, to added affliction He adds His mercy, and to multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

Today We Pray

Dear God, You know every blade of grass that grows, every sparrow that dies, every act and thought of the seven billion people here on earth. The hundred billion stars are Yours and You made them, and you watch them, and the vastness of space and the countless galaxies, you know. You know my coming in and my going out, my thoughts and dreams and schemes, my countless little sins and lies, my kindnesses and my cruelties, my prayers and my curses.

Your knowledge is utterly beyond my comprehension. And yet, despite all of this, You have promised to know me, to be with me, to listen to me and help me. If I only ask for it in the name of Your Son, to forgive me when I offend You.

I praise You above all else, Mighty God; for the wonderment of Your existence and the unfathomable size and complexity of Your creation. And above all, my love and obedience are Yours. I give them to You now and forever, in gratitude for Your greatest gift, the sacrifice of Your blessed Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - 2 John 1:3

Let inner calm, a sense of spiritual well-being will be with us, from our Heavenly Father. So, with spiritual blessing and soul peace, in all truth and love. God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son will bless us with great mercy and much peace, and with truth and love. And, that's for sure if we will just put our faith in Him and acknowledge Him in our lives.

Let us pray that God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son will be kind and merciful to us! May they give us peace and truth and love. It will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. Receive it today!

The Daily Grace - Whoppers or Adventures?

My grandfather loved to tell stories, and I loved to listen. Papaw had two kinds of tales. "Whoppers" were stories with a whiff of truth, but which changed with each new telling. "Adventures" were stories that really happened, and the facts never changed when retold. One day my grandfather told a story that just seemed too far-fetched to be true. "Whopper", I declared, but my grandfather insisted it was true. Although his telling never varied, I simply couldn't believe it, it was that unusual. 

Then one day, while I was listening to a radio program, I heard the announcer tell a story that confirmed the truth of my grandfather's tale. My grandfather's "whopper" suddenly became an "adventure". It was a moving moment of remembrance that made him even more trustworthy in my eyes. 

When the psalmist wrote about the unchanging nature of God (102:27), he was offering this same comfort - the trustworthiness of God - to us. The idea is repeated in Hebrews 13:8 with these words, "Jesus Chris is the same yesterday, today, and forever". This can lift our hearts above our daily trials to remind us that an unchanging, trustworthy God rules over even the chaos of a changing world. Let the sameness of God waft over your heart with His peace in your storms.

Today We Pray

Dear God, I come before You in a humble sense of my own unworthiness, confessing my many transgressions of Your righteous laws. I beseech You, in mercy, and forgive me for all my transgressions. Make me deeply sensible of the great evil of them. 

Help us to proclaim the good news of Your love. Let all who hear it may be drawn to You; through him who was lifted up on the cross. And, reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

Work in me a hearty repentance. Let me obtain forgiveness at Your hands, who is ever ready to receive humble and penitent sinners. For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, my only Savior, and Redeemer.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Psalm 102:27

God Himself never grow old. His years never end. Year after year He's as good as new. He lives forever.

He is always the same. Years cannot change Him. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5).

The Daily Grace - Living Bridges

People who live in Cherrapunji, India, have developed a unique way to get across the many rivers and streams in their land. They grow bridges from the roots of rubber trees. These "living bridges" take between 10 to 15 years to mature, but once they are established, they are extremely stable and last for hundreds of years. 

The Bible compares a person who trusts in God to "a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river" (Jer. 17:8). Because its roots are well-nourished, this tree survives soaring temperatures. And during drought, it continues to yield fruit. Like a firmly rooted tree, people who rely on God have a sense of stability and vitality despite the worst circumstances. In contrast, people who place their trust in other humans often live with a sense of instability. The Bible compares them to desert shrubs that are frequently malnourished and standalone (v. 6). So it is with the spiritual lives of people who forsake God.

Where are our roots? Are we rooted in Jesus? (Col. 2:7). Are we a bridge that leads others to Him? If we know Christ, we can testify to this truth: Blessed are those who trust in the Lord (Jer. 17:7). Even strong trials cannot blow down a person who is rooted in God.

Today We Pray

Dear God, I come before You today in reverence and awe. I am filled with humility in the face of Your greatness, Your Majesty, Your holiness, and Your power. And to acknowledge my sinfulness in the face of Your pure and holy presence fills me with fear.

Yet I pray boldly, for You have called me and adopted me as Your rightful heir, through the sacrifice of your Son, my Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ. I give You thanks for your mercy with every ounce of my being, and pray that Your Holy Spirit might be with me, that I might do Your will in every thought and action this day. And that the work of my hands and the words of my tongue might seek Your glory, and not my own.

And I promise, with Your help and grace, to be fearless in the world. Let me not hesitate to call upon You, for Your power and love will see me through anything this world can bring against me. All thanks and praise be to You, almighty God.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Jeremiah 17:7

 The man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord is granted with spiritual security. It is because he hopes and his confident expectation is the Lord. He will bless those who will trust in Him. You will be secured if you put your trust in Him.

Stick with God. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. Be confident that He will lead you all the way. Don't let your faith in Him lose.

The Daily Grace - Judge Not!

When Jesus commanded, "Judge not", He was not implying that we should be naive or imprudent. Of course, we need to think critically and analytically in this world where we are often confronted with error and wrongdoing. Instead, He meant that we should not be condemning or accusing, a point Paul made eloquently: "Judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts" (1 Cor. 4:5).

Poet Robert Burns made a similar point, writing of those whose actions are in doubt: "One point must still be greatly dark - the [motive]. Why they do it". No one knows another's motives. God alone can bring to light what is hidden in darkness; He alone can expose the intentions of the heart.

Jesus knows the latent forces that motivate others: the cruel beginnings, the fear, the disappointment, the broken heart, the sin that is resisted. Moreover, He is working in every submissive heart to bring it to maturity. Thus in the end - quite often contrary to our expectations - He will bring praise to those He has brought to completion. The Lord alone can try the heart. Until He returns, let's ask Him to help us examine our own. Be slow to judge others, but quick to judge yourself.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, this day, give me not the spirit of laziness, despair, the lust for power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of sobriety, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages.

Teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve. Teach me to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not heed the wounds, to toil and not seek for rest, to labor and not to seek reward, save that of knowing that I do Your will.

May the God of peace, who declared victory over death by the resurrection of His only Son, Jesus Christ, make me perfect in every thought and act through His grace. Let my life might be pleasing in His sight. And that, I might share the perfect peace that is only possible through Him, to whom be glory forever and ever.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Hebrews 10:24

Let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another. Studying how we may stir up or stimulate and incite to love and do helpful deeds and noble activities. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on. In response to all he has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good. We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

The Daily Grace - Lookin' Good!

After trying on my new sunglasses in the car one day, my daughter handed them back and said, "These are not sunglasses, Mom. They're just fashion lenses. Let me guess", she teased, "you bought them because you look cute in them". Okay, I have to admit - my daughter knows me. I hadn't given a passing thought to UV rays or even whether those glasses would actually block the sun. I just really liked the way they looked on me.

Most of us like to look good. We want to appear that we "have it all together" - with no struggles or fears or temptations or heartaches. Trying to maintain a facade of perfection on our spiritual journey doesn't help us or our fellow travelers. But sharing our lives with others in the body of Christ benefits us as well as others. When we are a bit more transparent, we may find people who are struggling in a similar situation. And as we enjoy a growing fellowship with God and become more aware of our own brokenness and inadequacy, God is able to use us more fully to help others.

Let's allow God to strip away any pretense and "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Heb. 10:24). Believers stand strong when they don't stand alone. Wearing a mask that shows everything's fine says that life's struggles are not God's design. But when we're open, transparent, and true, people will trust God to meet their needs to.

The Daily Grace - Promoting Unity

The language of Proverbs 6:16-19 is strong. In the citing of seven things the Lord hates, sowing "discord among brethren" makes the list. The reason for naming this sin is that it spoils the unity that Christ desires for His followers (John 17:21-22). Those who sow discord may not initially set out to create divisions. They may be preoccupied instead with their personal needs or the interests of a group they belong to (James 4:1-10).

Consider how Lot's herdsmen argued with those of Abraham (Gen. 13:1-18); Christ's disciples argued about personal preeminence (Luke 9:46); and divisive groups in the church at Corinth elevated party factions above the unity of the Spirit (1 Cor. 3:1-7). So what is the best way to promote unity? It begins with the transformation of the heart. When we adopt the mind of Christ, we develop an attitude of humility and we focus on service toward others (Phil. 2:5-11).

Only in Him can we access the power to "look out not only for [our] own interests, but also for the interests of others" (v. 4). Soon the needs and hopes of others become more important to us than our own. With growing bonds of love among us, we find discord replaced with joy and unity (Ps. 133:1). We can accomplish more together than we can alone.

Today We Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. O Lord my God, I praise You for Your gifts to me.

The culture around us can seem so harsh and hard on people when they fail. Help me to show grace and patience. Because You have been gracious to me and have forgiven my sin.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within me all this day. And whatever I do in word or deed, may I do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. All praise to Thee, Eternal Lord, clothed in a garb of flesh and blood; choosing a manger for a throne, while worlds on worlds are Thine alone.

Amen

Todays Godly Reminder - 1 Thessalonians 6:11

Always practice in building each other up. Don't acquire that crab mentality, it doesn't pleases the Lord. Encouraging one another pleases Him because it is His commandment also in Hebrews 11:25. God talked several times in the Bible about encouraging one another. Discover those words more by studying deeply in His Word, by yourself or with your accountability partners.

Keep doing good things around you. Be kind to others and show the love of Christ to them. When they are sad, comfort them. When they are happy, rejoice with them. Let us help one another as the day comes.

The Daily Grace - "No Grace"

I have nicknamed our car "No Grace". Sunday mornings are the worst. I load the car with all the stuff I need for church, get myself in my seat, close the door, and Jay starts backing out of the garage. While I am still getting settled, the seat belt warning starts buzzing. "Please", I say to it, "all I need is another minute". The answer, apparently, is no, because it continues buzzing until I am buckled in.

This minor annoyance is a good reminder of what life would be like if indeed there were no grace. Each of us would immediately be called to account for every indiscretion. There would be no time for repentance or change of behavior. There would be no forgiveness. No mercy. No hope.

Living in this world sometimes feels like falling into a no-grace sinkhole. When minor flaws are blown up into major indiscretions or when people refuse to overlook the faults and offenses of others, we end up burdened by the weight of guilt that we were never meant to carry. God, in His grace, sent Jesus to carry the burden for us. Those who receive God's gift of grace have the privilege of offering it to others on Christ's behalf: "Above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins' "(1 Peter 4:8). When we gratefully acknowledge the grace we've received, we joyfully give it to those in need.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, in the morning, when I rise, I give praise to You, who shows His glory in the sun. O Lord God, You are the source of all warmth, all light, all sustenance. Let me remember You when I rise and all the day, my God, every waking moment; and let me sleep each night in peace, confident that I will rise with Your sun once again, in the time you have chosen for me.

Remind us that Your names reveal Your character. Help us to remember them in our times of need and distress. Thank You for the assurance that You are faithful to Your name.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip me with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in me what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Proverbs 19:11

Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger. He is able to restrain it. It is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense, without seeking revenge and harboring resentment. Smart people know how to hold their tongue. Their grandeur is to forgive and forget. 

A wise man restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is to his credit. It’s wise to be patient and show what you are like by forgiving others. Sensible people control their temper. They earn respect by overlooking wrongs.