Posts Tagged ‘ Grace ’

Advent 2022 – Day 6: Isaiah 9:17

Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men, and has no compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is godless and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.

Isaiah 9:17, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

We do horrible things to ourselves, to each other, and against God.

We don’t seek God, but instead we think we know better than He does.

We even accuse Him of evil and being a moral monster for not doing things the way we think He should.

As a whole, we have turned from God and chosen to do our own thing far more than we have chosen Him and His ways.

Look at history and see how much we have rebelled against God and hurt each other, through cults, tyranny, bullying, murder, war, and so many other horrible things.

Because “we know better.”

If we are ignoring God and His commands, why should He care for us? If we want nothing to do with Him, why should He be kind to us?

Yet, God came to show us His kindness, mercy, and grace, forgiving us for our rebellion if we believe in the work of the cross of Christ.

May we seek the Lord who has given us kindness and grace because of His great love for us.

VerseD: 1 Peter 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

1 Peter 1:3, ESV

The Father draws us to the Son. By His grace, we seek Him and find everlasting hope.

Advent 2022 – Day 5: Isaiah 9:16

for those who guide this people have been leading them astray, and those who are guided by them are swallowed up.

Isaiah 9:16, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

We do horrible things to ourselves, to each other, and against God.

We want to hear about the good things in this world and that good things will come to us.

We want to surround ourselves with people who will tell is what we want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

And there are people who are willing to tell us those happy things, saying many of the right things while also ignoring or omitting the things that don’t sound as good.

In other words, there are teachers willing to teach what others want to benefit themselves. (1 Timothy 6:3-10; 2 Timothy 3:1-9)

But this is not new. Many of the prophets and priests of Israel had done that for centuries (which is something Isaiah is talking about), and it clearly stretches throughout history.

The religious leadership added rules to or new interpretations of God’s Word. Balaam accepted money to speak and fight against Israel (even if he still only spoke blessings). All the way back to the beginning, the serpent twisted God’s Word to “help” people be more like God.

And we have allowed ourselves to be consumed with selfish lies.

Yet, God came to give us the truth and lead us back from false teachings by revealing Himself as the Truth.

May we seek the Lord who has given us truth through His Word (The Bible) and His life, death, and resurrection.

VerseD: Matthew 6:3

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing

Matthew 6:3, ESV

Seeking God will lead us to want to help others the same way Christ helped us, not so much to bring attention to ourselves but to glorify God, to bring others to faith and salvation.

VerseD: Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24‭-‬26, ESV

Seek the Lord, and He will bless You with His presence, His grace, and His peace.

VerseD: Psalm 23:1-2

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:1‭-‬2, ESV

God’s grace and mercy are in full effect on our lives when we put our faith in Him. Only then do we find His peace.

VerseD: Isaiah 54:10

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10, ESV

Even knowing nothing in this world is eternal, we still live like certain things will always be. Even when the world crashes down around us, we can know God is eternal and His love, peace, and compassion will always be with us, those who call on Him.

VerseD: Psalm 107:1

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 107:1, ESV

Love naturally expresses gratitude. Give thanks to God for His love an and grace.

VerseD: Micah 7:18

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

Micah 7:18, ESV

We must get over our ideas of a God who loves completely unconditionally or lets all people “in”.

Our God forgives and loves, but it came at a great price. And what other god has ever done that? Only our great God!

VerseD: Matthew 6:14

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you

Matthew 6:14, ESV

We must change our thinking.

If we are unwilling to forgive others, why should God be willing to forgive us?

Evidence of our forgiveness will be the grace given to us that we share with others.