The Daily Grace - Once Upon a Time

Some people say that the Bible is just a collection of fairy tales. A boy slaying a giant. A man swallowed by a big fish. Noah's bot-building experience. Even some religious people think that these events are just nice stories with a good moral.

Jesus Himself, however, spoke of Jonah and the giant fish and Noah and the flood as actual events: "As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matt. 24:37-39). His return will happen when we're not expecting it. Jesus compared Jonah's three days inside the big fish to the three days He would experience in the grave before His resurrection (Matt. 12:40). And Peter talked about Noah and the flood when he equated it to a future day when Jesus comes back (2 Pet. 2:4-9).

God gave us His Word. It's a book that is filled with truth - not fairy tales. And one day, we will live happily ever after with Him when Jesus comes again and receives His children to Himself. We have reason for optimism if we're looking for Christ's return.

Today We Pray

Dear God, as I cross the threshold of this day, I commit myself Your care. Mold me in Your image. In everything I say and do, let my mind be on the eternal goodness of heaven rather than the vanities of earth, meaningless pride, or the anger and envy that tear apart my precious soul.

I dedicate myself to Your holiness and pray that You may be with me, to check my tongue before it can speak evil and to stop my hand when it seeks to sin. I come to You as a child. I will look to You for guidance and wisdom.

All through this day, O Lord, by the power of Your quickening Spirit, let me touch the lives of others for good, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I speak, or the life I live. Let me know the joyful feeling of having done something that pleased You; let me never feel the pain of knowing I have disappointed You. And let me live without fear, without confusion, always steady in the certainty of Your forgiveness and ultimate victory, I pray.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Matthew 24:44

Jesus is coming real soon. His coming will be the least expected event in this world. Be prepared and be thrilled for his coming. Be excited to experience His Heavenly Kingdom, where there is no more pain and suffering. Be excited to see His Wonderful Face and worship Him mightily. Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is near!

The Daily Grace - Interruptions

My sister and I were looking forward to our holiday in Taiwan. We had purchased our plane tickets and booked our hotel rooms. But two weeks before the trip, my sister learned she had to stay at home in Singapore to handle an emergency. We were disappointed that our plans were interrupted.

Jesus' disciples were accompanying Him on an urgent mission when their trip was interrupted (Mark 5:21-42). The daughter of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, was dying. Time was of the essence, and Jesus was on His way to their home. Then, suddenly, Jesus stopped and said, "Who touched My clothes?" (v. 30). The disciples seemed irritated by this, and said, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' " (v.31). But Jesus saw it as an opportunity to minister to a suffering woman. Her illness had made her ceremonially unclean and unable to participate in community life for twelve years! (see Lev. 15:25-27).

While Jesus was talking to this woman, Jairus' daughter died. It was too late - or so it seemed. But the delay allowed Jairus to experience an even deeper knowledge of Jesus and His power - even power over death! Sometimes our disappointment can be God's appointment. Look for God's purpose in your next interruption. 

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, You have commanded me to love others as myself. Yet it is so easy to find the faults in others, for I see their outside and compare it against what is inside me. I have inflated my goodness and importance in my own mind, but have judged others for the smallest shortcoming, and I am filled by foolish pride.

I vow by this prayer that I will strive to follow Your Word, to forgive all who have injured me, to turn loose the petty resentments and grudges that poison the world with hatred, and to overlook the faults of others; and I ask to be pardoned wherever I have done injury to my brothers and sisters, who are Your beloved children even though they, like me, are sinners. And I vow, when I fall short of Your commandment, to seek out and confess my wrongdoing. Forgive me, Holy Christ, and help me to ever amend my life with faith in the grace You have promised to the penitent sinner.

May the God of hope fill me and all of us with the joy and peace that comes from believing, so that we may abound in hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Open my eyes to behold Your gracious hand in all your works; that rejoicing in your whole creation, I may learn to serve you with gladness, faithfully managing your bounty; for the sake of him by whom all things were made, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Psalm 33:11

As always, His plans will always prevail. It is as strong as the building's foundation, or more than that. It will not be shaken and moved. It is because God is always there for You, the Mighty One.

His counsel will stand forever. It will not be gone. It is always there. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is always good in your lives.

The Daily Grace - A New Bucket List

A friend told me he had recently accomplished one of the things on his "bucket list" (a list of things to do before you die) when he took his sister to Europe. Although he had traveled there many times, she had never been there. What struck me was the unselfish nature of having that goal on his "bucket list". It caused me to wonder how many of my dreams and goals are focused on others, not on myself.

Romans 12:6-21 speaks of God's gifts to us as members of the body of Christ and how we should use them in everyday life. All of them are outward in focus. Teaching, for example, is not for the teacher's self-fulfillment but for the benefit of others. So too with the other gifts mentioned in verses 6 through 8. Paul summarized this openhanded approach by urging us to "be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves" (v. 10).

Paul exemplified this attitude by including others in his ministry and investing his life in the next generation of believers. Generosity, hospitality, forgiveness and compassion guided his behavior. Our goals in life should include giving away the gifts of God has given to us. For a healthier spiritual life, exercise humility and care for others.