The Daily Grace - Struggling with Addiction

Erick was struggling with an addiction, and he knew it. His friends and family members encouraged him to stop. He agreed that it would be best for his health and relationships, but he felt helpless. When others told him how they had quit their bad habits, he replied, "I'm happy for you, but I can't seem to stop! I wish I had never been tempted in the first place. I want God to take the desire away right now".

Immediate deliverance may happen for some, but most face a daily battle. While we don't always understand why the temptation doesn't go away, we can turn to God on whatever path we find ourselves. And perhaps that is the most important part of our struggle. We learn to exchange our futile efforts to change for complete dependence on God.

Jesus has tempted also, just as we are, so He understands what we're feeling (Mark 1:13). He sympathizes with our struggles (Heb. 4:15), and we can "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (v. 16). He also uses others, including trained professionals, that we can lean on along the way. Whatever battles we may be facing today, we know this - God loves us much more than we can imagine, and He is faithful to come to our assistance. We are not tempted because we are evil; we are tempted because we are human.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, may I always be aware of your presence, Your power, and your Love, all the days of my life. Give me grace today, so to live that by obedience I may increase in faith and in the understanding of Your Holy Word. Help me each day to seek Your presence more and more.

I am glad that I am free to make choices. And, I thank You for this gift of freedom. Help me to use this gift with integrity. 

Help me to choose to follow You to live in a Christian way by caring for others. Remind me to consider always those less fortunate than myself, the oppressed, the prisoner, those who are not free to worship in public. Guide me always to seek Your holy will in all the events of my life.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Psalm 42:1

This verse talks about longing for God. It is compared to a dear who's thirsty that drinks from the creek. As the deer pants for water, so we long for Him. It is like we wanted to drink in deep draughts of God. And, we thirst for Him.

Like a deer that gets thirsty for streams of water, let us thirst for His presence each and every day. Be totally dependent on God. Like a water, we can't live without Him. Let us long for His presence in our walk with Him.

The Daily Grace - Just the Right Time

The conductor stood on the podium, his eyes scanning the choir and orchestra. The singers arranged the music in their folders, found a comfortable position for standing, and held the folder where they could see the conductor just over the top. Orchestra members positioned their music on the stand, found a comfortable position in their seats, and then sat still. The conductor waited and watched until everyone was ready.Then, with a downbeat of his baton, the sounds of Handel's "Overture to Messiah" filled the cathedral.

With the sound swirling around me, I felt I was immersed in Christmas - when God, at just the right moment, signaled the downbeat and set in motion an overture that started with the birth of the Messiah, the "High Priest of the good things to come" (Heb. 9:11). Every Christmas, as we celebrate Christ's first coming with glorious music, I'm reminded that God's people, like choir and orchestra members, are getting ready for the next downbeat of the conductor when Christ will come again. On that day, we will participate with Him in the final movement of God's symphony of redemption - making all things new (Rev. 21:5). In anticipation, we need to keep our eyes on the Conductor and make sure we are ready. The advent of Christ celebrates His birth and anticipates His return.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, thank You for the work my hand may find this day. May I find gladness in all its toil and difficulty, its pleasure and success, and even in its failure and sorrow. I would look always away from myself, and behold the glory and the need of the world, that I may have the will and the strength to bring the gift of gladness to others; that with them I stand to bear the burden and heat of the day and offer You my work, as well as I, may accomplish it, in Your praise.

I'm thankful that when I experience trouble, You are waiting and wanting to help. Teach me to look to You and to rest in Your kind and loving care until You deliver me safely home. Pour Your love into my heart, that I may love you above all things, and my neighbors as myself.

Inspire me to respect and value each person who comes into my life this day. Let me recognize the duties and responsibilities that come with the gifts You have given me so freely, and inspire me to live in such a way that I always give of my best and be welcoming and generous towards others. In Christ’s name I pray.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Proverbs 15:29

The Lord distances Himself from the wicked. But He consistently hears righteous prayers. That is, those with spiritual integrity and moral courage. He closely attends to the prayers of God-loyal people.

The Lord never even hears the prayers of the wicked, but He answers the prayers of all who obey Him. Avoid being wicked by doing right in His eyes. Have a sincere heart in praying to Him. Confessing your sins, adoring Him, giving thanks and asking for your requests. Check your hearts. Let it not be wicked.

The Daily Grace - Generous God

When our family lived in Chicago several years ago, we enjoyed many benefits. Near the top of my list were the amazing restaurants that seemed to try to outdo each other, not only in great cuisine but also in portion sizes. At one Italian eatery, my wife and I would order a half portion of our favorite pasta dish and still have enough to bring home for dinner the next night! The generous portions made us feel like we were at Grandma's house when she poured on the love through her cooking.

I also feel an outpouring of love when I read that my heavenly Father has lavished on us the riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7-8) and that He is able to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). I'm so grateful that our God is not a stingy God who begrudgingly dishes out His blessings in small portions. He is the God who pours out forgiveness for the prodigal (Luke 15), and He daily crowns us "with loving kindness and tender mercies" (Ps. 103:4).

At times we think God hasn't provided for us as we would like. But if He never did anything more than forgive our sins and guarantee heaven for us, He has already been abundantly generous! So today, let's rejoice in our generous God. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, I bless You for the day You have made and pray that I may spend this day rejoicing in Your creation. I pray for Your Holy Spirit to fill me with the joy of my salvation, so that Your light may shine through me into the world, that Your honor and glory may be known to all people. Remind me of Your blessings, I pray, with every tribulation I may face, so that I may act with energy, forgiveness, and love, ever mindful of the grace You have shown to me.

Remind me often that You have been exceedingly generous to me. Help me to extend that generosity of spirit toward those around me. So that, they may know who You are and rejoice in You.

Now to Him who has given me grace in accordance with His gospel, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for many ages past, but now revealed and made known by the command of the eternal God, so that all mankind might find the obedience that comes from faith; to the only God, the God of wisdom and truth, be glory forever through His only son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Matthew 6:19-20

Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Don’t store up treasures here on earth where they can erode away or may be stolen. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. Store them in heaven where they will never lose their value and are safe from thieves.

How to store up treasures in Heaven? It is by giving your best for the Lord. In everything you do, you do it for the Lord. It is when you acknowledge your resources and time for Him. Do not forget to store up treasures in Heaven today.

The Daily Grace - A Collector's Heaven

People love to collect things - from baseball cards to stamps to coins. And while collecting can be a fun hobby, it is sobering to think that once we leave this earth, everything we own becomes part of someone else's collection. What value would it be to have collected much on earth but little or nothing for eternity?

Jesus had something to say about this. Speaking to His disciples, He said: "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matt. 6:20). Eternal treasures never lose their worth. They can never be spoiled or stolen. And just think - we can actually stockpile them! How? Through acts of service. Through leading others to Jesus. By being compassionate to those in need. By living according to the will and ways of Jesus. 

In the gospel of Mark, it is written that the Lord tested the rich young ruler's heart when He asked him to sell all that he had, give it to the poor, and follow Him. The ruler's response revealed what he really valued (10:21-22). It's easy to become enamored with earthside stuff, but when you make the choice to follow Jesus. He'll show you the joy of collecting eternal treasures. Nothing on earth can compare! Hold tightly to what is eternal and loosely to what is temporal.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, give us a lively faith, a firm hope, a fervent charity, a love of You. Take from us all lukewarmness in meditation, dullness in prayer. Give us fervor and delight in thinking of You and Your grace, Your tender compassion towards me.

Help me to do Your work. I promise to try, but I cannot do this without Your help. Fill me with the fire of Your Holy Spirit and give me the words and the strength, if only to witness how much You have meant to me in my own life. 

Pour Your love into my heart, that I may love You above all things, and my neighbors as myself. The things we pray for, good Lord, give us the grace to labor for. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Psalm 118:1

Thank God because He’s good. And also, because His love never quits. His loving-kindness is forever. Tell the Lord how thankful you are, because He is kind and always merciful.

His love has no beginning and end. It is infinite. Even though we're not born yet, He already loved us and thought of us. That is how vast His love is.

The Daily Grace - A Lesson in Praise

Psalm 150 is not only a beautiful expression of praise, but it's also a lesson in praising the Lord. It tells us where to praise, why we're to praise, how we're to praise, and who should offer praise. 

• Where do we praise? In God's "sanctuary" and "mighty firmament" (v. 1). Wherever we are in the world is a proper place to praise the One who created all things.
• Why do we praise? First, because of what God does. He performs "mighty acts". Second, because of who God is. The psalmist praised Him for "His excellent greatness" (v. 2). The all-powerful Creator is the Sustainer of the universe.
• How should we praise? Loudly. Softly. Soothingly. Enthusiastically. Rhythmically. Boldly. Unexpectedly. Fearlessly. In other words, we can praise God in many ways and on many occasions (vv. 3-5).
• Who should we praise? "Everything that has breath" (v. 6). Young and old. Rich and poor. Weak and strong. Every living creature. God's will is for everyone to whom He gave the breath of life to use that breath to acknowledge His power and greatness.

Praise is our enthusiastic expression of gratitude to God for reigning in glory forever. Praise is the overflow of a joyful heart. Let every creature rise and bring peculiar honors to our King. Angels descend with songs again and earth repeat the loud amen! 

Today We Pray

Dear God, I confess with faith and adore You, O Light indivisible, Holy Trinity and single Godhead, creator of light and dispeller of darkness. Dispel from my soul the darkness of sin and ignorance. And at this hour enlighten my mind, that I may pray to You according to Your will, and receive from You the fulfillment of my supplications. 

Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner. In the daytime, stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine. Let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley. 

Eternal God, heavenly Father, You have graciously accepted me as a living member of Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and You have blessed me with the grace of forgiveness through the sacrifice He made for me and for all people. Send me now into the world in peace, and grant me strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart. Through Christ our Lord and Savior.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Psalm 150:1

Let God know that He is good. Shout praises to the Lord! Yes, praise the Lord! Praise him in His Temple and in the heavens He made with mighty power.

Do not forget to praise the Lord today. Start your day praising the Lord. And, end it too by praising His name for He has sustained us throughout the day. Praise God in his holy house of worship. Praise him under the open skies.

The Daily Grace - Advanced School

We tend to compartmentalize our lives. We fill our days with activities such as work, errands, chores, caring for children. And then we try to carve out time for "spiritual" activities such as church, small groups, personal devotions. I don't see that separation in the Psalms. Somehow David and the other poets managed to make God the gravitational center of their lives so that everything was related to God. To them, worship was the central activity in life, not something to get through so other activities could be resumed. The process of letting God in on every detail of life is one we need.

For me, the Psalms have become a step in the process of recognizing God's true place at the center. The psalmist has an urgency, a desire, and a hunger for God that makes my own look anemic by contrast. They panted for God with their tongues hanging out, as an exhausted deer pants for water (42:1-2). They lay awake at night dreaming of "the beauty of the Lord" (27:4). They would rather spend one day in God's presence than a thousand years elsewhere (84:10).

It was "the advanced school of faith" that these poets were enrolled in. Maybe as we read the Psalms, some of it will rub off on us. To have a heart for God, give your heart totally to God.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, have mercy upon me, a miserable sinner. Spare all those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to Your promises declared to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am just beginning to realize how much You love me. I ask You for the desire to become more humble so that my own life might also bear witness to You. I want to use the small sufferings I have in this world to give You glory.

Guide my mind with Your truth. Strengthen my life through the example of Jesus. Help me to be with Jesus in this week as he demonstrates again his total love for me. 

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Psalm 27:1

Light, space, zest—that’s God! So, with him on our side, we're fearless. We are afraid of no one and nothing.

The Daily Grace - Resting in God

It was our last holiday together as a family before our eldest son went off to college. As we filled the back pew in the little seaside church, my heart filled with love as I glanced along the row of my five reasonably tidy children. "Please protect them spiritually and keep them close to You, Lord". I prayed silently, thinking of the pressures and challenges each of them faced. The final hymn had a rousing chorus based on the words of 2 Timothy 1:12. "I know whom I believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him". It brought a sense of peace as I was assured that God would keep their souls.

Years have passed since then. There have been times of wandering for some of my children, and outright rebellion for others. Sometimes I've wondered about God's faithfulness. Then I remember Abraham. He stumbled but never failed in his trust in the promise he'd received (Gen. 15:5-6; Rom. 4:20-21). Through years of waiting and mistaken attempts to help things along, Abraham hung on to God's promise until Isaac was born.

I find this reminder to trust encouraging. We tell God our request. We remember that He cares. We know He is powerful. We thank Him for His faithfulness. Some lessons of patience take a long time to learn.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, who decreed that we should take one day of rest, one special day in remembrance of You, today I celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the moment of His glorious victory over death. I add my voice to countless millions of others in thanks, in praise, and in awe of Your sacrifice for us. Help me to dedicate these few moments to You completely. 

You have taught us that we may dwell with You, even while we are caught in this difficult world, and I pray to dwell with You fully now. Guard me against wandering of mind and the intrusion of mundane thought, so that I may be fully present with You, through the power of Your Holy Spirit. And in the coming week, I pray that my mind may constantly turn to You, so that I may always remember You when I am tempted to anger, to selfishness, to lust for power and the vanities of this world or any of the myriad temptations that might assail me in the course of life. 

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep me from falling away and will bring me with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - 2 Timothy 1:12

Paul's suffering under persecution was due to his work as a preacher, apostle, and teacher. Yet, he was "not ashamed". Paul provides two reasons to explain why he was not reluctant to suffer for Christ. First, he could suffer for the sake of Jesus, because he knew Jesus, and Jesus' suffering gave Paul power to endure all things. Second, Paul said he was not ashamed to suffer because he trusted Christ to be the ultimate foundation, not his own efforts. 

In the darkest times, God is prepared to accomplish great things to the praise of His glory. The One we've trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted us to do right to the end. Be sure that He is able to safely guard all that we have given Him until the day of His return. Be positively persuaded about God that He will be able to guide you until the end.

The Daily Grace - Hope in Suffering

When I opened my Bible to read Jeremiah 1-4, the subhead ascribed to the book startled me: "Hope in Time of Weeping". I almost cried. The timing was perfect, as I was walking through a season of weeping over the death of my grandma. I felt much the same way after hearing my pastor's sermon the day before. The title was "Joy in Suffering", taken from 1 Peter 1:3-9. He gave us an illustration fro his own life: the one-year anniversary of his father's death. The sermon was meaningful for many, but for me, it was a gift from God. These and other events were indications backed up by His Word that God would not leave me alone in my grief.

Even though the way of sorrow is hard, God sends reminders of His enduring presence. To the Israelites expelled from the Promised Land due to disobedience, God made His presence known by sending prophets like Jeremiah to offer them hope - hope for reconciliation through repentance. And to those He leads through times of testing, He shows His presence through a community of believers who "love one another fervently with a pure heart" (1 Peter 1:22). These indications of God's presence during trials on earth affirm God's promise of the living hope awaiting us at the resurrection. We need never be ashamed of our tears.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain the wisdom of the heart. Help me do today the things that matter, not to waste the time I have. The moments I have are precious, Lord, see that I count them dear.

I pray that You will fill my heart with the blessing of Your Holy Spirit. Grant me this day the strength to be temperate in all things, diligent in my duties, and patient under my afflictions. Direct me in all my ways. 

Enlighten the darkness of my mind. Give me a right faith, a firm hope, and a perfect charity, so that I may always and in all things act according to Your Holy Will. Fill me this day with Your kindness, that I may be glad and rejoice all the days of my life. 

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - 1 Peter 1:22

Always unselfishly seeking the best for one another. See that you love one another from the heart. Since by your obedience to the truth, you have purified yourselves for a sincere love of the believers. You can have real love for everyone because your souls have been cleansed from selfishness and hatred when you trusted Christ to save you. So, see to it that you really do love each other warmly, with all your hearts.

Now that you’ve cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it. You obeyed the truth, and your souls were made pure. Now you sincerely love each other. But you must keep on loving with all your heart. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

The Daily Grace - Unlimited Access

In November 2009, a shocking breach of security occurred when a couple brazenly walked into a White House state dinner - even getting close enough to have their picture taken with the President of the United States. Usually, extensive background checks and careful scrutiny of the guest list screens out the uninvited. It's a rare day for any of us that our access is not restricted in some way. Signs warn us: EMPLOYEES ONLY, DO NOT ENTER, AUTHORIZED VEHICLES ONLY, NO TRESPASSING. None of us want to be told that we are not welcome. But the fact is that there will always be some places from which we will be barred. It makes me grateful that God sets no restriction on who may come to Him.

Those who come to God encounter no "Keep Out" signs. Through prayer, God the Father allows us immediate and unlimited access to Him because His Son Jesus Christ has opened the way to all who receive Him (Eph. 2:18). "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden" (Matt. 11:28). "The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37). "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink" (7:37). Once you come to Christ for salvation, you can enjoy unrestricted fellowship. The door is always open. God's throne is always accessible to His children.

Today We Pray

Dear God, who has been the refuge of my fathers through many generations, be my refuge today in every time and circumstance of need. Be my guide through all that is dark and doubtful. Be my guard against all that threatens my spirit's welfare.

Be my strength in time of testing. Gladden my heart with Your peace. Let me be the thing I meant.

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep me from falling away and will bring me with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time.

Amen

Todays Godly Reminder - Matthew 5:16

We are the light of the world. We are a city on a hill. Let the light shine on us. Jesus is our light and source of light. We should let Him shine everywhere we go.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence. And, they may recognize, honor and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Once they will see the light in us, people will follow through it and can see Jesus in it. Let's make Jesus famous wherever we will go. He deserves all the praises and adoration.

The Daily Grace - Game of Thanks

Every autumn we throw a scrumptious Thanksgiving feast on campus at Cornerstone University. Our students love it! Last year, a group of students played a game at their table. They challenged each other to name something they were thankful for - in three seconds or less - without repeating what someone else had said. Anyone who hesitated was out of the game.

There are all kinds of things that students might gripe about - tests, deadlines, rules, and a host of other college-type complaints. But these students had chosen to be thankful. And my guess is that they all felt a lot better after the game than they would have if they had chosen to complain. While there will always be things to complain about, if we look carefully there are always blessings to be thankful for.

When Paul describes our newness in Christ, "thankfulness" is the only characteristic mentioned more than once. In fact, it is mentioned three times. "Be thankful", he says in Colossians 3:15. Sing to God "with gratitude in your hearts" (v. 16). And whatever you do, be sure to be "giving thanks to God the Father" (v. 17). Paul's instruction to be thankful is astonishing when we consider that he wrote this letter from prison! Today, let's make the choice to have an attitude of thankfulness. Choose the attitude of gratitude.

Today We Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, I give You thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make me and all of my brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray, faithful stewards of Your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of Your Name. I humbly pray that we may always prove ourselves a people who remember Your favor and are glad to do Your will. 

Teach me the liberating joy of being thankful! Help me to find the blessings that are locked up in the things I complain about and to regularly express my gratitude to You and others. May our lives pass on the blessings, none can give to us, but Thou.

The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up his countenance upon us and give us peace, this day and evermore.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Colossians 3:17

In everything you do, whatever it is, give God the glory. It is because He is the one who gave you life. We are here on earth, alive and kicking, because of Him. He is the reason why we are still breathing and seeing His lovely creations.

Be dependent in the Lord. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your ways (Prov. 3:5-6). Do everything in His Name. And in everything, give thanks! (1 Thess. 5:18).

The Daily Grace - What About You?

Emily listened as a group of friends talked about their Thanksgiving traditions with family. "We go around the room and each one tells what he or she is thankful to God for", Gary said. Another friend mentioned his family's Thanksgiving meal and prayer time. He recalled time with his dad had dementia, his prayer of thanks to the Lord was clear". Randy shared, "My family has a special time of singing together on the holiday. My grandma goes on and on and on!" Emily's sadness and jealousy grew as she thought of her own family, and she complained: "Our traditions are to eat turkey, watch television, and never mention anything about God or giving thanks".

Right away Emily felt uneasy with her attitude. "You are part of that family. What would you like to do differently to change the day?", she asked herself. She decided she wanted to privately tell each person she was thankful to the Lord that they were her sister, niece, brother, or great-niece. When the day arrived, she expressed her thankfulness for them one by one, and they all felt loved. It wasn't easy because it wasn't a normal conversation in her family, but she experienced joy as she shared her love for each of them.

"Let everything you say be good and helpful", wrote the apostle Paul, "so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them" (Eph. 4:29, NLT). Our words of thanks can remind others of their value to us and to God. The human spirit fills with hope at the sound of an encouraging word. Speak life today. Be a blessing!

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, take from me idleness of spirit, which destroys time. And vanity of thought, which hinders Your presence and distracts my attention to prayer. And if, while in prayer, I turn away from You in my thoughts, help me to return to my purpose, so that I might not avert my heart from You, during the few precious moments I dedicate to talking with You.

Show me how I can be an encouragement to others with my words. Give me strength and wisdom so that whatever happens honors my fellow humans and You. Thank You for hearing me and answering my prayer.

And grant me this day, dear Lord, that You may never be completely out of my thoughts. Let me carry you as a voice to guide my every step as I slip down the path of this precious day, that I might always remember Your will, and lighten the world around me. Help me to make every moment of my day, every word from my mouth, a prayer, that I might live in Your presence.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. Words kill, words give life. They’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

Those who love to talk will suffer the consequences. Men have died for saying the wrong thing! Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

The Daily Grace - Misapplied Learning

After a 4-year-old got into trouble at preschool, his mom asked him what he had done wrong. He explained, "I was angry with a playmate. But you told me that I should not hit anyone, so I asked my friend to do it for me!" Where does someone so young learn that? The Bible tells us he did not have to be taught - he was born with it! It is part of the fallen nature that all of us have at birth.

But the Christian does not have to respond according to his fallen nature. Paul reminds us that "our old man was crucified with [Christ], . . . that we should no longer be slaves of sin" (Rom. 6:6). We are "a new creation" (2 Cor. 5:17) and have been set free and have become "slaves of God" (Rom. 6:22). Yet, as Christians, we do still struggle with our flesh and its sinful desires (Rom. 7:18-19). But now that "we are alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord", we can respond in a God-honoring way (Rom. 6:11).

Instead of being like the young boy who tried to get revenge, we can obey the instructions of Romans 6:13, "Do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God. . . as instruments of righteousness. We gain the victory when we give up sin's pleasure in exchange of Christ's power. Be dead to sin. Be alive in Christ!

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, You are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; You have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is Your lovingkindness toward those who fear You. As far as the east is from the west, so far have You removed our transgressions from us.

I pray that You will accept my thanks for all the little things that make my life possible, and pleasant. The necessary things, and the beautiful things, and the things that smell good, and the things that make me laugh. Everything that I will never remember to thank You for specifically, great Lord, I thank You for now.

All glory, all thanks be to You, wonderful God, who has by Your Son put away our sin, and cleansed us, that we might dwell with You forever. Now, to God the Father, who first loved us, and made us accepted in the Beloved; to God the Son, who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood; to God the Holy Ghost, who sheddeth the love of God abroad in our hearts, be all love and all glory in time and to all eternity. This I pray, in Christ's name.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Romans 6:11

Consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken. But alive to God, living in unbroken fellowship with Him in Christ Jesus. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you. God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That’s what Jesus did.

So, look upon your old sin nature as dead and unresponsive to sin. And instead, be alive to God, alert to him, through Jesus Christ our Lord. In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God. 

The Daily Grace - National Pride

My wife, Martie, and I have grown to love England - its history, culture, and people. One of our favorite activities, when we visit, is going to outdoor concerts (also known as proms) on the sloping lawns of ancient estates. "The Last Night of the Proms" event is the best, with fireworks and hundreds of nationals waving little British flags to rousing patriotic tunes.

We loved joining the celebration - until the summer our children came with us. When we started waving our flags with all the enthusiastic Brits, our kids were aghast. I can still hear them shouting over the music, "What are you doing?! You're Americans!"

God must often feel like that when we blend in and live like the "locals" around us. I can almost hear Him saying, "What are you doing living like that?! You belong to My nation!" Peter reminds us that we are different from the locals - we are a "holy nation" (1 Pet. 2:9). Being holy means that we are unique, set apart for Jesus, becoming like Him, and reflecting His countercultural ways of living. It means that we are forgiving in the face of cruel offenses; and merciful, gracious, truthful, and loyal to our promises. It means being just like Him. So, let's start waving the flag of holiness as members of the "Jesus nation"! Our loyalty toJesus should be seen and heard in our lives.

Today We Pray

Dear Christ, I thank You and love You for seeing who I really am. You know things about me that I don't even know myself, for You see with the clear eye of God, and not through the psychological tangle of human emotion and self-deception as others see me and I see myself. I most especially thank You, I fall upon my knees in gratitude, that You love me despite all of the sin and ugliness You see in me.

I give myself to You wholly, freely; every part of me blesses You. Take me to Your bosom, holy Christ. Let me live Your love and reflect Your light, that others may see a dim reflection of Your magnificence in my lowly life, and that despite my many grievous faults, I might please You by doing better today, and every day. 

In utter humility, I thank You and glorify You, that You might hear the prayer of one so small as myself, amidst the billions of souls among billions of stars in one of the billions of galaxies in Your universe. Let me go forth in Your peace, keeping Your Spirit always in my mind. And bless me, I pray, that I might always follow Your will and live in the radiance of Your blessing.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - 1 Peter 2:9-10

We are precious in His sight. We are the chosen generation. We are the chosen race. And, we are the special people for God's own possession.

Proclaim His wonderful deeds, virtues and perfections today. For you are called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were lost, but now you were found. Now, you are God's people. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

The Daily Grace - Spiritual Junk Food

In many countries, childhood obesity is at an all-time high. A major culprit in such unhealthy weight gain is poor eating habits and junk food. The term junk food refers to items that taste good but lack nutritional value and are often very high in calories and fat. Chips, soft drinks, candy bars, cookies, and many meals purchased at fast-food restaurants fit these criteria.

To be spiritually healthy, we have to avoid "spiritual junk food" as well. Some religious teachers proclaim "a different gospel" (Gal. 1:6), ranging from health-and-wealth to a counterfeit spirituality. And some Christian music and books also contain false teaching. Taking in this kind of "food" may seem to satisfy spiritual hunger, but it will not lead to spiritual health.

Hebrews warns us: "Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace" (Heb. 13:9). False teaching is detrimental to our health and is not profitable, because it cannot cleanse from sin nor give power for spiritual growth. But biblical content that is based upon grace and truth does both. Avoid "spiritual junk food" and instead feast on God's Word to promote your spiritual health. Feeding on God's truth will help us avoid swallowing lies.

Today We Pray

Dear God, on this day I give special thanks to You for the resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord, and Savior. By His resurrection from the dead, You gave us a sign of Your promise to rescue us from death, Your power to do it, and Your intention to accomplish it. I remember today that You took upon Yourself to suffer the terrible pain and fear all people face, voluntarily, for no reason except Your love for us; and I thank You with every ounce of my being for Your extraordinary love and mercy. 

Rebuke me not in Your anger, nor chasten me in Your wrath! Holy You have called us to come to You. Have mercy on me and my fellow believers, O God.

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make me perfect in every good work to do Your will, working in me that which is well pleasing in Your sight. All glory be to You, wonderful God. Through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.

Amen