Saved By Grace

Text

"It is by grace you have been saved." —Ephesians 2:5

Bible Reading

EPHESIANS 2:1-7

Devotional

We must know if we are saved, and we must also know how we are saved.

When the question "How were you saved?" is asked, we must not give such unimportant answers as, "By meeting that person," or "By undergoing that surgery," or "By listening to that preacher." These details may be important for our personal files and friends, but such answers should not be the topics for speeches, books, or songs.

When the question "How were you saved?" is asked, we should all be able to answer: "By grace!" That's an important answer. And a worthy topic for a speech or a book or an eternal song.

"By grace" means that we did not save ourselves. God saved us through Jesus Christ. With Christ I died, and with Christ I arose. That's how I was saved, and that's how you were saved—or you are not saved at all.

"Grace" is God's unmerited favor. We did not get what we deserved. In fact, we got exactly the opposite of what we deserved.

"By grace" means that salvation is free—not cheap, of course, but a gift nevertheless. God's way of salvation makes a joke of all human efforts and all do-it-yourself religions. We are saved by grace, through faith in Christ—or we are lost.

If you have to explain to someone what you mean by the grace of God, you find yourself talking about Jesus. You can't help it. Why? Because God's "great love for us" (v. 4) has been completely revealed in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

We were saved because Christ represented us in his death and in his resurrection. Grace wiped out our sins on Good Friday, and God's grace "made us alive with Christ" on the first day of the week.

REFLECTIONS

What does it mean for your daily living that you are "saved by grace"?

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Well as you know, I usually sum up what was said in my own way - a response. But I cannot make this make any more sense or make it any more meaningful. Its so easy to get wrapped up in the specific moments and happenings when Christ saved me and try to make the correlation of what was going on at that moment to what God was doing in my heart. In certain cases, its okay to give the gory explanation of what was going on, what was used, who was used - but in the grand scheme of things, they really have no importance to the true story!

It wasn't because I did drugs and slept around that God saved me or that I REALIZED I needed a savior. God saved me and showed me my desperate wickedness because He is sovereign and chose to show me these things. Its so important to give credit where its due and its not due to anything any of us did - its all because God in His sovereign power, showed us our wickedness in light of His holiness and brought us to Himself to cover us in Jesus blood and save us.

To me - Saved by Grace means SO much! Its by grace that I've been reconciled to God, been given a heart of flesh, been regenerated and given a hope that will never fade. I understand how desperately awful I am and was before God wiped my slate clean. I am forever thankful to the Lord for His love and grace that covers my sins. I am not free to go around sinning, but I know that as an imperfect person, God shows me grace each day and its enough to fulfill life and sustain me until I go to be with Him in Glory. Grace&Peace.

The End of Christ's Ministry

Text

"Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet." —1 Corinthians 15:24-25

Bible Reading

1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-28

Devotional

This month we have been reading and thinking about the heavenly ministry of Jesus. Finally we want to observe that this heavenly ministry has a goal. When that goal has been reached, Jesus' ministry will cease.

The goal of Christ's work is the kingdom of God. For that purpose he came to earth, and for that goal he works from heaven. When that kingship of God is fully established, God the Father will receive all honor. He will be "all in all" or everything to everyone. Then Christ himself will cease his royal work like a general who retires after the campaign is over.

When Jesus Christ transfers the kingdom to the Father, he will have destroyed every dominion and every authority and every power; that is to say, he will have destroyed all the forces that are still resisting the sovereignty of God. One of those evil powers is mentioned by name—death. Christ will take care of this enemy as the last item on his agenda.

The Bible does not explain how the different powers in this world ever got into evil hands. But we know that they are in the wrong hands, and we also know how we will get rid of evil. Jesus has done it by his earthly ministry, and he is doing it by his heavenly ministry. Christ is reestablishing God's power throughout the cosmos. The end will be upon us when he says to his Father: "Now all things are yours. The whole cosmos is subject to you."

Then there will be rest—eternal rest. A Sabbath without end. An enjoyment of the goodness of God without boundaries or limitations. No sin, no pain, no battle. At last we will be free, and finally we will have rest.

Christ is in command until the battle is over. Let's be loyal to him. It can't last long anymore.

REFLECTIONS

Reflect on what "an enjoyment of the goodness of God without boundaries or limitations" might be like. Then read 1 Corinthians 2:9 and give thanks.

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Not really much I can say can top this devo. It rocks my mind when I think about being able to worship and enjoy the goodness and splendor of our King. To be in heaven and have no boundaries set before us, knowing that all the trials and worldly challenges will cease to exist! Having a full understanding that once Jesus is done His work there will then be almost like a change in commands! How amazing it will be. I cannot comprehend that day when this journey has ended and we begin the never ending worship and enjoyment of our Father. To be completely enveloped by Him without limitations and boundaries. Awesome! Grace&Peace.

He Has the Keys

Text

"When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: 'Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.' " — Revelation 1:17-18

Bible Reading

REVELATION 1:9-18

Devotional

We are all going to die. Unless Christ returns within the next hundred years, all the readers of this page will have died. Perhaps you find this thought appalling. Maybe it is an unnecessary reminder. But nobody can deny that it is realistic.

Death is our constant companion, although we never get used to him. When people speak of death as their friend, they are not quite healthy anymore. Death is our enemy (1 Cor. 15:26), whatever else we Christians have to say about him. Thank God, we can say more.

Death is a dark curtain, and nobody can see through it. It is a high wall, and nobody can look over it. The older we get, the greater the number of people we used to know who have vanished behind that curtain. Nobody has returned.

Only one man went that way and returned. His name is Jesus. He now crosses our paths because he is in the land of the living. He comes to us while we are still on our way. And he laid his hand on John's head, an infinitely gentle gesture. "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. You have to die, but I was dead and I live. When you have to go through the gate, do not be afraid. I have been there. And I have the keys."

Jesus speaks as the One who has conquered death in death's own realm. And he has every right to speak that way. He is forever beyond the dominion of death, but death is not outside Christ's dominion. That's what he means when he says: "I hold the keys." His authority extends behind the dark curtain.

As far as we can see, the righteous and the unrighteous leave this life through the same gate. They disappear behind the same wall. But we have heard the Word and received the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Therefore we walk our way with confidence. Even when we have to take that last step, we hear his voice: "Do not be afraid. I hold the keys."

REFLECTIONS

Reflect on your own attitude toward death. What are you afraid of? What comforts you?

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Death. What a topic to speak about, especially during Memorial weekend while we remember those who have served our country in the armed forces. Some have lived to tell the tale and others are fallen soldiers who died, brave, defending their country. But to echo what was already said - death is in all of our futures. All doctors can agree that 10 out of 10 patients will die at some point. It may be randomly, it may be expected, it may be 40 years from now, but the day will come where we will come face to face with our maker. There is no escaping it.

I know this probably seems a bit morbid and maybe to some of you, its hard to think about death because it may seem scary or sad. Death is incredibly sad to me and its even worse when you know that person was not a believer. But its a reality that I think we should all discuss openly and honestly. I know you all have heard the saying "live life as if it were your last" - so even the secular world subtly reminds us that we are not immortal beings. The encouraging part about this is, as Christ's child, we don't have to look at death as something permanent. As part of Christ's universal church, our physical bodies may die, but our soul will then go on to be with Jesus in Glory. How amazing is that? Just as Christ died and resurrected and ascended into heaven, when we are His child, we have hope that death may sting, but we can rest that it is only for a moment, followed by eternal joy and peace.

"He is forever beyond the dominion of death, but death is not outside Christ's dominion. That's what he means when he says: "I hold the keys." His authority extends behind the dark curtain." Christ conquered death and by doing that He "holds the key" of dominion over that looming reality we call death. The remarkable thing is to see what Christ ruling over death means to His children. It means that God no longer sees us for what we truly are, He sees us through Christ, and sees us as covered by the blood of the Lamb! It means that death will seem like seconds as we are then united with our Heavenly Father for all eternity! Its a new life, a new beginning that will never end! Heaven - Amazing. If you can, I recommend reading the book, Heaven by Randy Alcorn. It is a beautiful book about the glories of Heaven and the life waiting for us with our Father!!

Don't get me wrong, there are things about death that I am not comfortable with, that make me uneasy. I selfishly do not want to die in pain and I also do not want to leave loved ones behind to have deal with grief and suffering. Unfortunately, my life has not been shy of death and the loss of loved ones. Actually, a friend of mine just passed away a month ago from Cystic Fibrosis. He was only 24. It just goes to show we never know when our time on earth is up and when we will go to meet our maker.

The comforting thing for me is that I know that I am sealed in the hand of the one who holds the key of dominion over death. He has me and will not let go. The hope of heaven allows me to rest assured that no matter if my death is scary, sad, expected, unexpected, painful or painless - once I'm in heaven with my Father, He will wipe away any tears from eyes, there will be no more pain and I can worship at His feet and love Him perfectly for eternity! Its so exciting!! What do you all think? Agape.

Total Warfare

Text

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." —2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Bible Reading

2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-6

Devotional

Here is a description of the nature and power of preaching. The word of the gospel is in the first place a call to repentance and an announcement of salvation in Christ. That word has the power to bring about conversion and salvation because it is the Word of God.

But the gospel is more than the call for repentance and faith. It is also the power to prick the balloons of human reasoning and the artillery that wrecks the forts of human pride. In fact, the gospel will not only expose the folly of human-centered thought, it will take these thoughts captive to obey Christ.

Christians have not always paid attention to the wider implications of the gospel. Too often they have regarded the gospel as a message through which peace was restored between the soul and God. They have not always sensed its power to affect the thought patterns that rule the university and the ideas that shape the struggle in the field of labor relations. We must be aware that our attitudes towards sex and money, science and warfare, have everything to do with our faith in Jesus Christ as the beginning of a new order of things. And this reordering of thoughts and attitudes is brought about by our listening to the gospel.

When Christian warriors enter these different fields and areas, they must not switch weapons. In academic life they will be tempted to rely on logic; to lean on oratory when they turn to politics; to think in terms of worldly power when in business. But "the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world." The reordering of thoughts and attitudes is brought about by the Word of God.

Just as the original creation was made by God's speech, so the new order is called into being by the Word of Christ. This gospel must be proclaimed by God's people—not just extensively, that is, over the whole earth, but also intensively, to every part of life.

REFLECTIONS

Pick an area of your life such as working or parenting or studying or using your leisure time. How could the transforming power of the gospel be more evident in that part of your life?

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I love it when God orchestrates things perfectly. It seems the past two devotionals not only aligned together nicely, but my thoughts on both seem to fit as well. When asked to think upon Jesus and reflect upon WHO He is, I was brought to the beauty, the simplicity and deep truth of the Gospel. Now we will be talking about the Gospel some more! If this isn't an obvious implication that we are to take the Gospel everywhere we go and every day of our lives, I'm not sure what is.

When we are fighting a daily spiritual battle against the ruler of this world, we need to be guarded by the Gospel of God. The Gospel is transforming and it is also your main weapon in the fight against evil. I'm sure that sounded a bit medieval but its true. When talking to unbelievers about God, a lot of times, conversation can become a bit heady. That is, it turns into more of a debate, a bate and switch, a let me tell you all these facts and prove to you that your god is not real. Many people like to say that these people are searching and maybe in some instances that is true, maybe they want to know what all of this is about. But I've seen many times its people who want to argue, who want to prove God wrong, who have no true idea or real desire to understand the things of God.

This is where the Gospel comes in as our true weapon on this battle field of life. The Gospel is truth, it is love, it is conviction, it is transforming - for all those whom God has called to Himself. We have no idea who those people are, but it is our job to tell them the Gospel. The Gospel disarms people, it breaks barriers, it binds Satan and it is the truth of Salvation by Grace through Faith. Many times when put in a bind or confronted by someone who demands answers, we are quick to want to answer them exactly what they asked rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to do a work of regeneration on someones heart, by simply preaching the Gospel to them. We forget really quickly how powerful the Gospel is, we forget how powerful God is. If He wants someone saved, they will be saved. It will not be by anything any of us did. We may be used as a conduit to help further Christ's kingdom, but in the grand scheme of things, God is in control of it all!

How can the transforming power of the Gospel be more evident in my life? I know that I need to be more open about it at work. I'm open about it in every other area of my life. My employers know that I go to church, that I've done missionary work to China and France. They know that I sing church songs to the girls. But I need to be more open with what God has done for me, what He has saved me from (He saved me from myself!), how He works in my life and how its all because of The Gospel. I need to show them more of Christ. I'm convicted even now that I don't pray for them enough, to cover the entire family in prayer - that God would save them and if He chooses to use me to do it, Praise God. If He uses someone else, Praise God. Now I know what I need to commit to doing everyday. What about you? Where can The Gospel be more evident in your life? Grace&Peace.

The Stature of Christ

Text

"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the first born from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." —Colossians 1:17-18

Bible Reading

COLOSSIANS 1:15-20

Devotional

It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of Jesus of Nazareth. In our process of getting to know him, we usually begin with his earthly ministry. Then we must learn to make the connection between his earthly ministry and his heavenly ministry. The same Jesus who was robbed of his clothes and executed on a cross is the One who broke the dictatorship of the prince of this world. We must learn to know him as the One who is now in charge of God's armories. We must believe and experience that he can supply every need of ours, far above what we can pray or desire.

But when we have said this, we have not yet said enough. We must learn to make a connection between Jesus and the world as it existed long before he entered it as a baby. He was "before all things." He existed with God long before his earthly ministry. When the almighty speech of God created the universe, Christ was the heart and harmony of that order. Apart from Christ, the harmony of the created order disintegrates, loses coherence, is void of meaning. For "in him all things hold together." The implications are far-reaching: Jesus, who is the heart of the cosmos, is also the head of the church.

Christ, this divine person, entered into creation when it was falling apart. From the side of the Creator he came to the side of the creature. In his earthly ministry, he allowed the disintegrating forces of sin and death to spend themselves on him. By his death he turned the tide. And he emerged as the new "beginning." He gave the whole world a new direction. Leaving the tomb and entering glory, he represented a new creation, a whole reordering of life in which Christ has supremacy.

Please don't say this is too difficult. It is so tremendously profound that it's worth an hour's meditation, a life of devotion, an eternity of praise.

REFLECTIONS

Perhaps this Scripture and reading opened some new windows for you on who Jesus is and what he did. Meditate on it for a while—you don't have to put in a whole hour, but let its far-reaching truths sink in. Then praise God.

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I apologize again for not updating yesterday. I will update again later this evening - but I'm very glad I didn't try to comment on this devotional entry. Its taken me 20 minutes just to read the entire thing and be able to formulate some thoughts.

The truth of Jesus is more than I can comprehend. As I was at the gym today, I was watching a movie where people stopped to pray over their meal. It struck a chord in me because sometimes I wonder if people are able to comprehend the depth and meaning of "Who Christ is?" The scriptures above do very well at explaining. He was, is and forever will be, Lord of lords and King of kings! When you read in the scriptures about the remarkable life that Jesus lived - it can paint a picture in our minds at how beautiful His earthly ministry was. You can also try to think about what He was doing before He even entered the scene that day when He was born the virgin birth and laid to rest in a manger. He has been watching, intervening and providing over/for His elect this whole time and will continue to so until we, His children are called up to sing praises to Him in the Heavens.

Christ humbled Himself and became man and laid His life on the Cross. Can you imagine? A Holy God who humbled Himself to come and provide a way for us lowly sinners to have a hope of Glory. This is the Gospel and while it is simple, it is also quite weighty when looking and digging deep into the whole situation. Another thought I was thinking while at the gym was I wonder how many Christians have really ventured to look past just the physical aspects of Christ's crucifixion. Its actually quite funny how these thoughts came to my mind. A movie came on that starred the man who played Jesus in the well known movie "Passion of the Christ" and while I was staring at him, my mind played back to the gruesome yet still not wholly accurate scenes of the beatings Christ took.

Now, don't get me wrong, I think it is important to understand the physical pain that Christ endured on His children's behalf. We are, by culture, a very visual and physical society and when we see things like that, it gives a bit of shock value and gives a certain level of perspective. BUT - I think it would be well worth every believer and any other person who is wondering about this Jesus guy - to try and comprehend the pain that Christ felt, within His Spirit. Can you even imagine - Christ, holy and pure - not only being physically beaten, but bearing the full, unadulterated wrath of God! The first time I actually looked past the physical beatings and took a look at that truth, it rocked my world.

But lets look at the definition of the word

Wrath: 1 : strong vengeful anger or indignation 2 : retributory punishment for an offense or a crime : divine chastisement.

Now we have all been yelled at or punished for something in our lifetime. But what weight did that hold? Yes we may have done something horrible: did drugs, drank and drove, spit on someone, got in a fight, lied, cheated - but the punishment that we get here on this earthly planet - is NOTHING in the grand scheme of things. What if God, who is Holy and can not partake of anything that is sin, placed his "divine chastisement" on you, for all the wrong that you had done? What if God had made me carry my own sins and die with His back turned and His wrath on me? Now what if He made me carry my own sins and the sins of all His elect... Knowing the person I am is enough to know that I could not take on that task. I could not carry that cup.

But Christ. Christ not only lived a human yes sinless life, was 100% man and 100% God, but He drank the cup of wrath and died in my place. What's even more remarkable is that He not only drank the cup and died the sinner's death. He rose again, conquered death and sin and provided a way for us to come to the Father! He ascended into Heaven where He continues to watch over His children and provide for them. He sent us the Holy Spirit as our companion, our friend, our guidance while we are still on this earth. And He is preparing a place for us in Heaven where we can stay with Him forever and ever and sing praises to God who is worthy of our praise.

Wow. The Stature of Christ. May we praise Him all of our days and remember what the Gospel is and what it isn't. It is not simply "God made you for a purpose". Lets dive in and learn about the life of Christ, on earth and in heaven. Lets learn and walk in His footsteps. We have the Holy Spirit, we can do it through Him. Wow... Praise God. Amen! Grace&Peace.

real quick.

hey ladies. i worked 13 hours today and i'm so exhausted i don't have the brain capacity to write up the blog this evening. i apologize. i will update with 2 tomorrow like i did the other day. much love to you all. keep in the word and lets get some conversation going, so i don't feel like i'm doing this and no one is reading it. we're learning some great stuff! agape.

Abiding Gifts

Text

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." —1 Corinthians 13:13

Bible Reading

1 CORINTHIANS 13

Devotional

The Lord Jesus gives many special gifts to his people. These gifts are richly varied and sovereignly bestowed. Yesterday we read about them.

However, next to these special gifts of the Holy Spirit there are also certain abiding gifts the Spirit gives to every Christian. These are faith and hope and love, sometimes called the three gifts that "abide" ("So faith, hope, love abide," RSV). Abiding gifts are gifts that endure, that remain.

The special gifts may never be used as a criterion for being Christian. Nobody may say, "Since you do not speak as I speak or teach as I teach, you are not a Christian." But of the abiding gifts it may be said, "If you don't have these, you aren't a Christian." A Christian has faith and hope and love—these three.

Faith is the means through which we receive Christ and all his benefits. Although it is a human activity, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit. That's what makes us so grateful and so humble about having faith in Christ.

Hope is the same thing as faith—but with a view to the future. It is the expectation of things to come—the kingdom, the great change, the completion, Christ himself. A church that does not live in expectation is no church.

"But the greatest of these is love." By faith we receive him, and by hope we stretch ourselves out to him, but in love Christ himself is present among us. Wherever there is Christian love, the presence of God has become a reality.

The value of all gifts must be measured by their usefulness for church-building. No wonder, then, that love is the greatest. Love is the cement that unites the members. Love is the Spirit of Christ putting us in his service for the glory of God and the benefit of others.

Next to these three gifts, a church and a person may possess other gifts. That is not only common but necessary. But faith, hope, and love— these three abide; and the greatest of these is love.

REFLECTIONS

Pick one of the three abiding gifts and reflect on its meaning for your life as a Christian.

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Let me start off by saying a big AMEN to this devotional. Understanding the three ESSENTIAL gifts is something every Christian must do. We have been given faith, given hope and the love of Christ is how we know He is with us. The reflection note says to pick one of the three abiding gifts and reflect on its meaning in your life as a Christian. I think I will choose Love. We'll see - you know me, I have a tendency to not pick one, I like to discuss the whole thing. But we'll see what happens!

Love. Without love, I am but a broken vessel unable to be filled. Without love, I am bruised and beaten without any hope of going on. Without love, I cannot serve God. Without love, I am not pleasing God. BUT - with love, I am a cup that runs over, I may be bruised and beaten but I have a hope of Glory, I am able to serve and please God. I think its imperative to understand what this love is. Have you ever noticed that I sometimes end my entries with the word, Agape. Its a greek word that means unconditional love. Its the love of Christ. Its not the hearts and flowers, romantic love that we tend to think of first. Its a love that sees all our wrongs and pardons us. Its a love that breaks bounds and provides us with joy and peace. "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 That's real love.

I used to ask myself, if a person is not a Christian, is it possible for them to love someone else? I know that may sound like a strange question and you may even think - why in the world would you think something like that. But when you come to an understanding of the depth of love that Christ showed His beloved children, its enough to make you think something like that. The answer is yes. They can - but its a different love. Its a love that can only go so deep. I'm not trying to sound harsh, but you can only love so much and so deep without the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. It only goes so far.

I guess I will stop here, hoping that you all will start some conversation. Sorry this is a bit short. Let me know what you think and lets talk about one of the abiding gifts and its meaning in YOUR life! I love you, all. Grace&Peace.