Wikipedia defines grace as a term Christians use for "the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it." Read that again. Isn't it amazing! I used to think that if I could will myself to just be good, if I could muster up some kind of determination, I would be able to change my life and make it perfect. I would be able to "get" salvation because I would be focused enough. While it sounds silly to me now, I realize still that I have not grasped the full meaning of grace. There are still times when I catch myself thinking, "Focus. You can do this." When in reality, I can do nothing by myself. I deserve nothing but punishment. All of us deserve nothing but punishment. We have sinned against God, and no amount of focusing can earn us salvation! To some of us, that statement is one we have heard over and over again. But let it challenge you today. Go word by word and think about that sentence. We have sinned against God, and no amount of focusing can earn us salvation! It is only by God's grace that we are saved.
One man defined grace in an acronymn:
God's
Riches
At
Christ's
Expense.
Christ died for us because of the unmerited favor God bestowed on His creation. He loved us so much that He decided to send His only Son to Earth to eventually be killed in our place. He paid the price--but only because of the grace of God. If you find this hard to comprehend (as I sometimes do), I would encourage you to do a study on it sometime. Look up all the different meanings of grace--and let your astonishment grow! God gave up His SON for YOU! That is beyond incredible, in my opinion. Thank Him today for the grace He has given to us. And then have a wonderful day!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Seasick?
You have probably heard the saying that if you are seasick, you should fix your eyes on something solid and unmoving. I was challenged by this simple thought this week. Living by the ocean, there has been more than one time that as I stood on the shore, and a big wave came in over my feet, I would get a little dizzy with all that swirling water! I can only imagine how it would be in a boat in the middle of the ocean.
Matthew 14 tells the familiar story of Jesus walking on water. It was nighttime, and the Bible says that the "wind was contrary" which probably means that there would have been a lot of waves. When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought it was a ghost. Jesus, to calm their fears, called out, "It is I, be not afraid." Peter, typically impulsive, called back, "Lord if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Jesus then answered, "Come." I attempted to put myself into Peter's shoes as he stepped out onto the water in my imagination. What if it isn't Jesus? What if this is some kind of trick? I wonder how deep this thing really is. What if I drown?
As Peter stepped out onto the water that day, he had faith. The water held him as his gaze was fixed on Jesus. He took one step forward, then began to look around. The waves were high and swelling underneath him. The clouds and fog were thick and foreboding. Surely this water wouldn't hold him. It couldn't! It didn't. The water gave way underneath Peter's feet as he looked around, because he had let his fears override his original faith. Frantically he cried out, "Lord help me!" and Jesus reached out his hand. Peter took hold of his hand, and made it back to the ship.
Peter had begun to get seasick and nervous as he took that step forward on the water. Who among us wouldn't have? In our regular day-to-day life, when a storm of life comes up, we suddenly start looking at the things around us and get overwhelmed--seasick. We see the waves coming toward us, and feel the waves swelling under us. We feel as if we are going to go down. But if we fix our eyes then on Someone solid and unmoving, our Rock of Ages, suddenly "the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace"! :)
May God bless your week!
Matthew 14 tells the familiar story of Jesus walking on water. It was nighttime, and the Bible says that the "wind was contrary" which probably means that there would have been a lot of waves. When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought it was a ghost. Jesus, to calm their fears, called out, "It is I, be not afraid." Peter, typically impulsive, called back, "Lord if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Jesus then answered, "Come." I attempted to put myself into Peter's shoes as he stepped out onto the water in my imagination. What if it isn't Jesus? What if this is some kind of trick? I wonder how deep this thing really is. What if I drown?
As Peter stepped out onto the water that day, he had faith. The water held him as his gaze was fixed on Jesus. He took one step forward, then began to look around. The waves were high and swelling underneath him. The clouds and fog were thick and foreboding. Surely this water wouldn't hold him. It couldn't! It didn't. The water gave way underneath Peter's feet as he looked around, because he had let his fears override his original faith. Frantically he cried out, "Lord help me!" and Jesus reached out his hand. Peter took hold of his hand, and made it back to the ship.
Peter had begun to get seasick and nervous as he took that step forward on the water. Who among us wouldn't have? In our regular day-to-day life, when a storm of life comes up, we suddenly start looking at the things around us and get overwhelmed--seasick. We see the waves coming toward us, and feel the waves swelling under us. We feel as if we are going to go down. But if we fix our eyes then on Someone solid and unmoving, our Rock of Ages, suddenly "the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace"! :)
May God bless your week!
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