The Daily Grace - We're Safe

The United States Bullion Depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky, is a fortified building that stores 5,000 tons of gold bullion and other precious items entrusted to the federal government. Fort Knox is protected by a 22-ton door and layers of physical security: alarms, video cameras, minefields, barbed razor wire, electric fences, armed guards, and unmarked Apache helicopters. Based on the level of security, Fort Knox is considered one of the safest places on earth.

As safe as Fort Knox is, there's another place that's safer, and it's filled with something more precious than gold: Heaven holds our gift of eternal life. The apostle Peter encouraged believers in Christ to praise God because we have "a living hope" - a confident expectation that grows and gains strength the more we learn about Jesus (1 Peter 1:3). And our hope is based on the resurrected Christ. His gift of eternal life will never come to ruin as a result of hostile forces. It will never lose its glory or freshness because God has been keeping and will continue to keep it safe in heaven.

No matter what harm may come to us in our life on earth, God is guarding our souls. Our inheritance is safe. Like a safe within a safe, our salvation is protected by God and we're secure. An inheritance in heaven is the safest possible place.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, I seek You, my soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary, beholding Your power and glory. Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips praise You.

Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any grievous way in me, and if there be any, return me to Your path, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Help me to be constantly aware that Your power and presence are with me even in ordinary times in my life. Thank You for Your amazing work on my behalf that I know nothing about. All glory and praise be Yours, now and forever.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Even if you are already immune to temptations, like you always surpass them with the help of our Lord, still be careful not to fall. Make sure that you don't also fall into sin and condemnation. No matter how strong you are, we are still at risk for fall. Every one of us! Stand on guard always.

Regardless of the source of temptation, it will not be overtaken beyond human resistance. God will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. Every temptation has its way out. That is how God is faithful to us, He knows every detail. He knows what's for your good. You just have to come boldly into His presence for help and guidance in everything that you do.

The Daily Grace - Repeat After Me

When Rebecca stood on stage to speak at a conference, her first sentence into the microphone echoed around the room. It was a bit unsettling for her to hear her own words come back at her, and she had to adjust to the faulty sound system and try to ignore the echo of every word she spoke. Imagine what it would be like to hear everything we say repeated! It wouldn't be so bad to hear ourselves repeat "I love you" or "I was wrong" or "Thank You, Lord" or "I'm praying for you". But not all of our words are beautiful or gentle or kind. What about those angry outbursts or demanding comments that no one wants to hear once, let alone twice - those words that we would really rather take back?

Like the psalmist David, we long to have the Lord's control over our words. He prayed, "Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips" (Ps. 141:3, NLT). And thankfully, the Lord wants to do that. He can help us control what we say. He can guard our lips.

As we learn to adjust to our own sound system by paying careful attention to what we say and praying about the words we speak, the Lord will patiently teach us and even empower us to have self-control. And best of all, He forgives us when we fail and is pleased with our desire for His help. Can you think of something you said recently that you would like to take back? Ask the Lord to help you become aware of careless words. Part of self-control is mouth-control.

Today We Pray

Dear God, the night has passed, the sun shines its light upon us, and the day lies open before me. As I rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of Your presence fill me with love for You. Abide with me, I pray, now and forever.

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. 

Give me the strength to plunge straight through feelings of awkwardness or potential hostility, and to offer to You just the simplest witness before others. I know that if I help only one person to find You, it is worth ten thousand rejections. Bless me to remember, that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Psalm 141:3

Let the Lord guard our mouths to keep us from speaking thoughtlessly. Ask for help from Him to keep it shut and seal it so that no foul words will come out. Our Lord is a good God. If we let Him guard it, goodness will come out instead of ungodly ones.

Whenever we say something, think if it is for good or not. Let your words be a blessing, not a stumbling block to others. God will take control of our mouth if we let Him. Be a blessing through your words today!

The Daily Grace - Don't Lose Heart

Cooking can become tedious work when I do it three times a day, week after week. I get tired of peeling, cutting, slicing, mixing, and then waiting for food to bake, grill, or boil. But eating is never tedious! It's actually something we truly enjoy even though we do it day after day.

Paul used the illustration of sowing and reaping because he knew that doing good can be tiring (Gal. 6:7-10). He wrote, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (v. 9). It's difficult to love our enemies, discipline our children, or pray without ceasing. However, reaping the good we have sown isn't tedious! What a joy when we do get to see love conquering strife, or children following God's ways, or answers to prayer.

While the cooking process can take hours, my family usually finishes a meal in 20 minutes or less. But the reaping that Paul talks about will be eternal. As we have the opportunity, let's do what is good and wait for the blessings in God's timing. Don't lose heart today as you go about following God's ways. Remember that joy is guaranteed for more than a lifetime. Keep running the race with eternity in view.