DAILY DEVOTION, January 14, 2022

We have been reflecting on God’s grace.  Paul cautions us  in 2 Corinthians 6:1, “not to receive the grace of God in vain.” You receive the grace of God by trusting in Jesus Christ, receiving Him as your Lord and Savior. If you fail to live under the shadow of divine grace, you have received it in vain. Thus, if you wallow in guilt over your sins, refusing to believe in God’s gracious forgiveness, you frustrate His grace. If you live life under a dark cloud of fear, you are not benefitting from God’s grace. If you go through your toils and tribulations and allow them to drag you down into depression or a negative mindset, you have set aside God’s grace. And if you have the mistaken notion that you can do something to earn eternal life, you received the grace of God in vain.

God’s grace is truly amazing.  It does wonderful things in our lives. It guarantees us an eternal future. Remind yourself daily, “I believe in a gracious God. I will live each day trusting in His grace.  Whenever troubles or fears arise, I will not give in to negative human emotions. I will trust in my gracious God.” If you practice living under grace, you will agree with John Newton who wrote the hymn, “Amazing Grace.”  Grace is truly amazing.

Father, I do pray that I will not allow negative experiences to quench Your grace. I do not want to be among those who receive the grace of God in vain. I believe You are a gracious God and I can always count on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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DAILY DEVOTION, January 13, 2022

Eph. 2:4-7.  “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),  and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

God’s grace redeems us, forgiving us of all our sins. God’s grace relieves our fears.  God’s grace reassures us when we face danger. Now we learn that God’s grace rewards us eternally.  What a glorious future awaits those who are the recipients of God’s grace. There is much that is good in this life. However, all of life’s treasures and possessions are temporal. They wear out, and they break, they rust, they decay. And even if they are still viable when life comes to an end, you must leave them all behind.

God’s amazing grace brings us blessings that will last forever. God’s grace is good to live by and good to die by. When we have entered into eternity, God plans to show us the exceeding riches of His grace in the ages to come. He intends to shower us with His kindness for all eternity. The troubles we endure in this life will fade away in the brightness of eternity.

Gracious God, What can I say but “Thank You” for Your amazing grace, which blesses me in this life and will bless me even more in eternity. Praise be unto You for Your great love. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Marie’s daily verse:  May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. Amen (Revelation  22:21).

DAILY DEVOTION, January 12, 2022

“Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7).

When you poke a stick into a fire, the sparks fly upward. Once you are born into this life, trouble will come. You can man-up and try to face it alone, or you can God-up and cast your cares upon Him. We saw yesterday that God has promised to be with us in our times of trouble. I encourage you to take Him up on that offer.

Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned in Acts 16. They were held in place by stocks on their feet. At midnight, what do we see? Are they in despair? Are they crying out, “Why me?” Are they angry with God because He did not deliver them from this trial? Are they feeling sorry for themselves?  Is there a pity party going on? What we read is that they were praying and singing hymns to God ((Acts 16:25). I guess it was kind of a concert because we read that the other prisoners were listening to them. Is that not strange behavior for two men beaten and imprisoned? They are singing to God! Why? Because they knew that whatever happened to them in this life, He was with them. Even if they were killed, they knew heaven was their home. And so in the midst of their trouble, they prayed and sang.  You might want to follow their example when trouble comes into your life.

Holy Father, It does seem that life on this earth is full of trouble. Help me to realize that no matter what happens to me in this life, You are with me. Help me to follow the example of Paul and Silas. In the name of Jesus’ name,  I pray, Amen.

DAILY DEVOTION, 1/11/2022

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. ¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him (Psalm 91:14-15)

The news fills our mind with dangers: murders, rapes, wars, terrorists, accidents, earthquakes, floods, typhoons, tornados, sickness… The list of dangerous things we face is long. Christians are impacted by these dangers, with one difference. God is with us. He often delivers us from danger. Or He gives us the strength to endure danger. I love the promise in Psalm 91. God promises to be with us in times of trouble. Those times come to us all.  Does it make any difference to know that God is with us? It makes all the difference in the world! Does it make any difference to know that God knows what we are going through and that He cares? It makes all the difference in the world! Some go through life without faith. I pity them. I don’t know how they survive. I prefer to hold on to God/s promise, “I will be with (you) in trouble.”

Thank You, Father, for Your promise to be with me when life is hard. Thank You for Your love which is unfailing. I know I can always depend on You when all else fails. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.