2021-04-13
2 Peter 3:18 NLT
How do we overcome past hurts in relationships? How do two people combine separate and unique perspectives to create a satisfying and loving relationship?
There’s a very special ingredient called “grace” that must be added to the mix. It calls for extending to the other person the same grace that God extends to you. It bandages broken people and permits the defeated to develop winning ways to escape their pasts. It gives strength to those who struggle to be functional in areas where historically they’ve been dysfunctional.
Grace restores the heart and resolves the troubles of a tormented spirit. It is loving-kindness and forgiveness. It’s the Favour of God. And as He bestows it on us, we should extend it to those who need our compassion and love. We are all broken in certain areas, and we need to learn to accept that and help mend the brokenness in others.
Peter didn’t believe he was capable of denying his Lord. He swore he would never do it. But Jesus not only predicted it, He promised to pray for him until he was fully restored (See Luke 22:32). And we are called to do that too; to extend to other imperfect people the same love and grace that has been shown to us.
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other” (2 Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV). Then Peter adds, “You must grow in…grace.” And it’s a process, so you’ve got to work at it!
Soul food: Lev 23:26-25:55; Mark 1:35-39; Ps 50:16-23; Prov 10:4-7
2021-03-30
Job 23:10 NIV
Job lost his family and his fortune in a single day. Yet, looking back he wrote, “When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” It takes much more heat to produce gold than it does to produce tin. So which of the two do you want to be? To enjoy the blessing God has in mind for you, you’ve got to pass life’s tests.
In the early days of television programming, schedules were routinely interrupted by a thirty-second test of “The Emergency Broadcast System.” And those tests are a lot like the ones that come into our lives – unscheduled…unwelcome…and they always seem to come at the worst possible time. But unlike television test patterns, life’s tests don’t last for thirty seconds then go away. No, they can last for weeks, years, and in some cases, for a lifetime. And the reason why may never be completely clear to you.
However, there’s an aspect of the test you can control – how you respond to it. The truth is, tests are an invaluable, integral, and indispensable part of your spiritual growth. Without them you’ll never grow and mature as much as you need to. And it’s how you handle your “tests” that decides your “testimony.”
Paul writes: “Every detail works to your advantage and to God’s glory: more and more grace…more and more praise! So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside…not a day goes by without his unfolding grace” (2 Corinthians 4:15-16 MSG). Bottom line: you’re “graced” for this test.
Soul food: Est 5-10; Matt 26:1-17; Ps 18:1-29; Prov 26:24-27
2021-03-12
1 Peter 1:5 NKJV
If our salvation is assured when we place our trust in Christ, might not some people take advantage of this assurance? Yes, they might, for a time. But as grace goes deep, and as God’s love and kindness sink in, they change.
Grace fosters obedience. “The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say, ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12 NIV). God’s grace does more than comfort you in your troubles; it convicts you in your disobedience. Let it convict you. If you ever catch yourself thinking, “I can do whatever I want because God will forgive me,” then grace isn’t happening to you. Selfishness, perhaps. Arrogance, for sure. But grace? No.
Grace creates a resolve to do good, not permission to do bad. And one more thought. Look to Christ for your beginning and ending. He’s Alpha and Omega. He will hold you, and He will hold on to the ones you love. Do you have a prodigal son or daughter? Do you long for your spouse to come to God? Do you have a friend whose faith has grown cold? God wants them back more than you do. Keep praying, and don’t give up.
The truth is, we don’t always know if someone has trusted God’s grace. A person may have feigned belief but not meant it. It’s not ours to know. But we do know this: where there is genuine conversion, grace never stops working. So today, trust God’s saving and keeping power.
Soul food: Job 1-4; Matt 22:23-33; Ps 24; Prov 7:24-25
1 Peter 1:5 NCV
We might be tempted to think that because our salvation is assured when we put our trust in Christ, we can just carry on living with our old habits and mindset. It might work for a while, but as grace goes deeper and God’s love and kindness sink in, He changes our hearts.
Grace nurtures obedience to God. ‘The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age’ (Titus 2:11-12 NIV).
God’s grace does more than comfort us in our troubles; it convicts us when we stray from God’s path. We need to let it convict us. If we ever start thinking, ‘I can do whatever I want because God will forgive me,’ then grace isn’t happening to us. It doesn’t give us permission to do things God wouldn’t approve of, but instead creates a resolve within us to do good and follow His will.But if we do go wrong, and confess it to God with a repentant heart, His grace means that He’ll welcome us with open arms. He’ll hold us, and He’ll hold on to our loved ones.
Do you have a friend whose faith has grown cold, or a family member who’s turned their back on God? He wants them back more than you do. Keep praying for them, and don’t give up. The truth is, we don’t always know if someone has trusted God’s grace – they may have only pretended to believe. But where someone has truly put their faith in God, grace never stops working. So today, trust God’s saving and keeping power.
Job 1-4; Matt 22:23-33; Ps 24; Prov 7:24-25
2021-02-27
Isaiah 30:15 NKJV
As problems arise in your relationships, you’ll be forced to become a translator, negotiator, diplomat, and peacekeeper. And good communication skills are essential. Nothing is more frustrating than being misunderstood, misheard, ignored, or misconstrued.
But talking isn’t always the answer. Sometimes it empowers the problem. Our mistake is we often give too much verbiage to the issue; in other words, we talk about it when we should be quiet and focus on a solution. God has given you the gifts you need to change the situation. Don’t talk about it; instead, do it! If we misuse words or talk out of hand, it can lead us away from a solution we would otherwise see. James tells us that what we say has immense power for destruction. “The tongue…a little member…boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth” (James 3:5 KJV). Just our tone of voice can escalate a conversation into a raging fire! Don’t be the person with flames coming out of your mouth. Tame your tongue. Grab hold of the situation when it arises and bring light and life to it! Our conversations are to be seasoned with grace (See Colossians 4:6). Speak positively, because God is still on the throne and He has a plan.
Responding appropriately often requires quietness, then careful reflection. And sometimes it’s better just to remain quiet. When you’re anxious, chances are you’ll overtalk. When you’re angry, you’ll make the situation worse. And when you’re too aggressive, you’ll lose instead of winning. The Bible says, “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” And that’s a scriptural principle that always works.
Soul food: Gen 28:1-30:24; Matt 19:1-14; Ps 66:1-12; Prov 6:20-22
