Posts Tagged ‘ Grace ’

Advent 2022 – Day 15: Matthew 2:1-2

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-2, ESV

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

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

But God was not willing to leave us mired in our sin.

God came to us, born as an infant, weak, physically powerless, yet without sin.

And wise men came to see this miracle, to give honor and gifts.

Most people miss that our Lord has come to be with us as one of us.

We often still ignore Him.

Yet, God came to us, showing us that even in our ignorance He comes after us.

We may not have much to offer but our sin, and maybe we have great wealth and/or skills to give, but only the wisest seek God who has come.

May we seek the Lord who grants wisdom to the lowly and grace to the humble.

2022
12/11
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Advent 2022 – Day 14: Isaiah 40:21-22

Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in

Isaiah 40:21-22, ESV

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

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

We think that our sin will go unnoticed by God, that there isn’t really anything He can do against us.

We think that God is impotent, powerless, and unable to hold us accountable for our sin. This is evidenced in the way we live, how we talk, what we do, ignoring His ways, saying “He’ll forgive me” or “I can do what I want.”

But this is the God who can create everything from nothing, hold everything together and within His hands, and stretches out the univers with those same hands.

Yes, we are basically nothing compared to Him, but God intimately knows every part of His Creation, from the farthest flung stars to our innermost thoughts.

He knows how the cosmos work, and He knows our every sin, our every rebellion against Him.

Yet, God came to us, showing usthat He is a personal and loving Creator, becoming like one of us to show His might over even our rebellion and sin.

We therefore prepare ourselves by admitting we don’t understand as much as we think we do, turning to our Creator and Savior who became our example and demonstrated His vast power over our own vast stubbornness.

May we seek the Lord who has no reason to consider us, yet He still lavishes His love and grace on and in us.

2022
12/10
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Advent 2022 – Day 13: Isaiah 40:15-17

Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

Isaiah 40:15-17, ESV

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

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

We think that our sin is basically nothing, but we are so good and important.

Our sin is greater than we think, having separated us from the God of the universe.

Even our scientists can see and admit that on our little planet in this vast universe we are insignificant, our planet comparable to an electron in an atom.

Compared to God, we are even smaller, still thinking we can do anything that can appease His wrath for our sin.

Our planet barely registers as dust on the scales of God’s justice.

We are like nothing.

Yet, God came to us, showing us the depth of His grace and love, becoming like one of us on this dust mite of a planet.

We therefore prepare ourselves by admitting we don’t understand as much as we think we do, turning to our Creator and Savior who makes us worthy.

May we seek the Lord who has no reason to consider us, yet He still loves us and saves us.

2022
12/09
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VerseD: Ephesians 2:8-9

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!

2022
12/03
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Advent 2022 – Day 7: Isaiah 9:6-7

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.

Yet, God came to show us His kindness, the depths of His justice and love, using our horribleness and injustice to redeem us as our Savior and King.

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.

2022
12/03
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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.

2022
12/02
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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.

2022
12/02
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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.

2022
12/01
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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.

2022
11/30
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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.

2022
11/27
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