A Life Worthy

Tag: grace

  • One-a-Day Monday 6/9/14

    number 1Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:2).

    I know we have talked about this before, but I think it bears repeating.  The phrase grace and peace appears in nearly every New Testament letter.  Paul used it.  John used it.  Here we see Peter using the phrase.  It is always used as a blessing to believers.  It is always used at the beginning of the letter, kind of a launching pad.  It is always used in the same order.

    Grace

    and

    Peace.

    Which reminds us that grace must come first.  Without grace—the completely undeserved blessing we have received from God—how can we ever know peace?  His grace sent his Son to the cross to purchase our peace with his blood.

    Peter goes another step, pointing out that this grace and peace come through “The knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”  God’s grace is not an anonymous gift left on our doorstep.  Jesus stands and holds it out to you; you must come and take it.  You must learn what it cost, and why.

    To appreciate the gift, you must know the giver.

    Spend time with him today, Beloved.  Take hold of the grace and peace he offers you.

    The gift cost him more than you can ever fully know.

    And you are worth it.

  • One-a-Day Thursday, 10/17/13

    So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you number 1must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.  They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. (Ephesians 4:17-18)

    It’s amazing how often I catch myself thinking, acting, behaving, “As the Gentiles do.”  Remember, Beloved of God, that you have been freed from all that.  You have a whole new frame of reference for living. Let’s work this verse backwards…

    He has given you a new heart,

    So you are free of the ignorance which separated you from God.

    God has enlightened you and made your plans and thoughts fruitful.

    Go and live your Thursday—in the world, yet free from it.

  • One-a-Day Monday 10/7/13

    number 1note: This is the first in a series of daily posts designed to encourage you to live the life to which you have been called.  For more information on this new direction, click here.

    Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:2).

    Have you ever considered the relationship between the words grace and peace? The second truly depends upon the first.  It is only through God’s grace that we can have peace.

    Think about it—apart from God’s grace, why should you have peace?  You are a hopeless, pathetic lump, destined for destruction—me too, for that matter. (Feeling encouraged yet?)

    Ahh, but you are not apart from God’s grace.  If you belong to Him, you have his grace, sufficient to all your needs.  Your pathetic lumpiness has been forgiven, atoned for.  You, my friend, are complete, you are whole, you are loved.  You are His.

    Embrace his grace, beloved of the Father.  Know his peace today.