The Daily Grace - Praising God throughout Eternity

Some words used to describe the opening ceremony of the 2008 summer Olympics were "awesome", "breathtaking", and "extravagant". One commentator observed, "This shows what happens when you give an artist an unlimited budget". That's what God did at creation! He held nothing back. The resulting universe is stunning in beauty, staggering in complexity, extravagant in all regards.

The Olympic ceremony was perfect in its precision; but if just one drummer or dancer had decided to alter the artist's vision, the whole ceremony would have been flawed. That's what happened shortly after creation. Unlike the Olympic producer, God allowed free choice, and His work of art was marred by Adam and Eve's idea of a better way. In Isaiah's words, "we have turned, every one, to his own way" (53:6).

God's solution to our waywardness was unimaginable: The Artist paid the price to recreate what we ruined. One day, there will be another opening ceremony, and everyone in Heaven and on earth will bow at the name of Jesus (Phil. 2:10). And those from every nation who have accepted God's plan in Christ will worship together in the flawless New Jerusalem (Rev. 15:4). We have all eternity to praise God, begin today.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, 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 and Thy glory in my valley. Help me to yield my will to You and to follow where You lead.

Thank You, Lord, for Your love and care. Thank You for sending Your Son, our Savior, to fulfill Your promise of forgiveness and restoration. Show me how You want me to use my gifts for Your kingdom.

May I be willing to be hidden and unknown today, yet ready to speak a word to those who are weary. May Your Spirit touch my words and make them Your words that enrich and refresh others. Give me grace today, so to live by obedience that I may increase in faith and in the understanding of your Holy Word.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Proverbs 4:23

Watch over your heart with all diligence. For from it, flow the springs of life. In our hearts, it is where our thoughts run. Carefully watch it over, because sometimes we may be like a sheep who will gone astray.

Our hearts are the source of true life. That is why it is put in the center of our body system. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts all the time. Watch over it everyday and pray for it. Most of all, invite God to guard it with you and make Him the King that will sit in the throne of your hearts.

The Daily Grace - God's Promise of Revival

Revival starts with us. God tells us that the problem of backsliding and sluggishness of our spirit begins with His people and ends with His people. If the sin of God's people brought them into this situation, then it is their turning from these same sins that will bring the needed help to deliver them from their situation. In other words, unless we can identify our sins, acknowledge them and take full responsibility for them, then we have no hope. We cannot change this world by political reformation and improved educational funding. A church will only be able to turn back from their spiritual decline by carefully following the principles outlined in 2 Chronicles 7:14. This is not the only place these principles are mentioned, but they are clearly articulated here.

Promises are the backbone of the believer. They are what shapes the whole character of the church. Anytime that the church wants to stand erect, it may. There is no question as if God has once and for all left His people to degenerate. In the bleakest of situations, the church can call out to God, and God will hear. This promise is a golden key to unlock the most stubborn door we might run into and bring courage to our unbelieving hearts.

If you are a believer, then this promise is for you. You and I need only to follow the instructions, and we will find refreshing renewal come to our lives. These people are associated with Yahweh, God their Maker. They have decided to come back to Him. Experiences might differ, but they know the Lord and now desire His tender compassion rather than His judgments. Let us see what these steps of action that we need to take to find this renewal.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, into Your hands and into the hands of Your holy angels. This day I entrust my soul, my relatives, my benefactors, my friends and enemies, and all who confess Your holy name. Make me always dead to sin and alive to God. 

Enlighten my heart with the grace of Your Holy Spirit. Grant that I may ever be obedient to Your commandments. Let me never be separated from You.

Oh God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore, let the whole earth also worship You, all nations obey You, all tongues confess and bless You, and men and women everywhere love you and serve You in peace. Like the seed buried in the ground, You have produced the harvest of eternal life for me. This is all we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Acts 18:10

"For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."

God promised us that He will be with us always, just like He promised to Paul in this verse. He will never leave us nor forsake us. And, we will not be harmed. We will be protected in His loving arms.

Don’t let anyone intimidate or silence you. No matter what happens, He is with us. No one is going to be able to hurt us. Be protected by God.

The Daily Grace - Like a Lamb

In 1602, Italian artist Caravaggio produced a painting called "The Taking of Christ". This work, an early example of the Baroque style, is compelling. Created in dark hues, it allows the viewer to contemplate Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Two main elements of the scene depicted in the painting demand the observer's attention. The first is Judas as he delivers the traitor's kiss. Immediately, however, the viewer's focus is drawn toward Jesus' hands, which are passively clasped together to show that He offered no resistance to this injustice. Although He possessed the power to create a universe, Christ gave Himself up voluntarily to His captors and to the waiting cross.

Long before this scene took place, Jesus told His listeners that no one could take His life from Him - He would lay it down willingly (John 10:18). This heart of voluntary surrender was prophesied by Isaiah, who wrote, "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth" (Isa. 53:7). Christ's lamblike self-sacrifice is a grand indicator of His powerful love. "Greater love has no one than this", He explained, "than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).

Think of it. Jesus loved you that much! The nail-pierced hands of Jesus reveal the love-filled heart of God. Love sent the Savior to die in our stead.