Posts Tagged ‘ Grace ’
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV
We seek God because He has giving us the gift of grace through faith, saving us from ourselves.
May we share the news of this gift with others!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9:6-7, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
We may do horrible things to ourselves, to each other, and against God.
We tend to commit so many injustices against each other, to seek manufactured kindness and perceived justice that still harms others, even intentionally.
His Kingdom is growing in this world, but there is still much work to be done.
Our mighty God is destroying strongholds and bringing peace to individuals and groups.
He became one of us here onthe earth, being born in the natural way, but He is currently reigning from Heaven. He has sent His Counselor to live in and through us to spread His rule across the globe and time.
We have failed time and again, yet He works in and through us – the redeemed of the Lord – to bring about righteousness.
So we do not lose heart in this broken and wicked world, rather we join with our Lord in zealously seeking those whom will be saved and ushering in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
May we seek the Lord who works in us to spread His kindness and grace and justice.
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?
May we seek the Lord who has given us kindness and grace because of His great love for us.
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.
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.
May we seek the Lord who has given us truth through His Word (The Bible) and His life, death, and resurrection.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
a simple man of God 