Exodus 16:13-21 – “So it came about at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. 15 When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, ” What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, ” It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. 16 “This is what the LORD has commanded, ‘Gather of it every man as much as he should eat; you shall take an omer apiece according to the number of persons each of you has in his tent.'” 17 The sons of Israel did so, and some gathered much and some little. 18 When they measured it with an omer, he who had gathered much had no excess, and he who had gathered little had no lack; every man gathered as much as he should eat. 19 Moses said to them, ” Let no man leave any of it until morning.” 20 But they did not listen to Moses, and some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul; and Moses was angry with them. 21 They gathered it morning by morning, every man as much as he should eat; but when the sun grew hot, it would melt.”  NASB

It is amazing that the children of Israel, who had been eyewitnesses to the Miracle Working Power of God in their deliverance, could quickly revert to their confidence in the flesh.  That is not unique to them; it is a condition that has been a problem for mankind since the Garden of Eden.  Paul even addressed the Galatians and questioned how soon they had turned back from that which they had received to trusting the flesh.  Mankind has the propensity to trust what we can see rather than trusting the unseen, even though it is God’s Promise.  It is a condition that says, “What have you done for me lately?” 

Israel complained about food, and God provided for them supernaturally.  He gave them manna.  He not only provided food but created a situation that would test the people’s obedience.  This food was unique.  If someone gathered much, there was no excess; if they gathered little, there was no lack.  The directive was that nothing would be left until the morning or the next day. 

You could not horde up a supply for future days.  I see several reasons for that.  The fact that it could not be carried over until the next day was to ensure their continued dependence on God and His supply.  Another is that it required explicit obedience.  It required them to get out early, before the heat of the day, and gather what they needed for that day.  It required Dependence, Obedience, and Diligence!

God is our true source!  That does not mean that we do not walk out what we are praying for and depending on God for.  We depend on Him for the anointing to carry out the objective.  We are dependent on God for His supply of our needs.  God is the source, but if we sit idle in slothfulness and laziness, He will not provide.  We reap what we sow; we do not reap blessings if we Do Not Sow!  Dependence is a necessary ingredient in our pursuit of His purposes and promises.

We must also be Obedient.  Without obedience, we find ourselves in rebellion, which moves us outside God’s protective hand.  Obedience is better than sacrifice.  Obedience opens the door to God’s incredible blessings.  Obedience leads us in the path of righteousness.  Disobedience separates us from God, blocks His supply and anointing flow, and robs from the Body of Christ and the Kingdom of God.  We must also be Diligent and actively pursue the Purposes of God in Dependence and Obedience.  It is as we pass the test of Obedience we move from Glory to Glory and Victory to Victory. 

God, bless you richly as you enjoy this wonderful day in Jesus!

Exodus 15:25-26 – “There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them. 26 And He said, ” If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer.”  NASB

Israel experienced Supernatural Deliverance from Egyptian Bondage.  They repeatedly saw the hand of God move mightily on their behalf. Yet, they often were not content and complained.  How like so many today?  

God, throughout the Bible, offers a conditional promise to His people.  He places something before them that is incredible and wonderful and then says, “IF.”  It is not an If as in maybe but a question but a guarantee.  The Promise is as solid and sure as God Himself.  

They came to water that was not potable.  The waters of Marah were bitter.  The water was undrinkable.  They complained, for without potable water, they would die of thirst in the wilderness. Their concern was legitimate, but their propensity to complain, murmur, and grumble was not.  God showed Moses a tree, and he threw the tree into the water, and the waters became sweet or drinkable.  That is a marvelous miracle, but God was not satisfied with simply being their convenience store and provider; he wanted something from the nation that would bring forth the Seed of Salvation! 

In the statute and regulation that God gave Moses, we read, “IF you give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I WILL put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer.”  The Promise is majestic and nothing short of Awesome! 

However, getting to the Promise required navigating some territory they were not accustomed to and had yet to demonstrate the willingness or ability to do it.  This was God’s way of allowing them to See Their Flaws and Recognize their need for Him in all things and at all times. 

Consider the requirements for receiving this Promise.

• Give Ernest Heed to God.

That is more than mental assent or simply declaring, “We believe.”  It means to carefully examine and follow explicitly, listen to WHAT God is saying WHEN He is saying it, and be Obedient!  It is not hearing only, but it is hearing.

• Do What Is Right in His Sight.

This is important because it is not doing what we think is doctrinally correct or what is right in our own eyes but GOD’s.  It is earnestly listening to His Word and Will and then Doing It!  It is walking out what they heard in Obedience. 

• Give Ear to His Commandments.

It is difficult to imagine anyone being obedient in ignorance.  How can I do what is right in God’s sight if I do not know what God is saying or desiring?  They were required to Know the commandments, hear them in detail, understand their literal meaning, and grasp their spiritual impact.  We need to know not only God’s acts but His ways.

• Keep ALL His Statutes.

He did not say to keep some of His statutes but All His Statutes.  That is impossible without the help of the Spirit of God and the direct involvement of God in our lives.  God was giving them a lesson that would conclude in Total Dependence if they were earnest and serious in their pursuit of Him. 

The Promise was – “I WILL put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer.”  That is Amazing!  Imagine living in a world filled with disease, death, and destruction and having God’s Promise that you will be exempt from it. 

This would be an excellent time to read Psalm 91 and meditate on it.  This would be a perfect time to read Psalm 103:1-5.  This would be an excellent time to remember the words of Peter in 1 Peter 2 as He remembered Isaiah 53 telling them that Jesus was their healer.  However, this promise suggests they would not need a Healer because He was giving them Health!

There is a Place of Promise in God where we can stand on the proclamation that, according to Hebrews, we have a Better Covenant established on Better Promises than the Old Covenant, and promises like the one in this text is incredible.  We should set our hearts to become nestled in the center of God’s will and obedient to His every word.

God, bless you richly as you enjoy this day in Him!

Genesis 24:63 – “Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening; and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, camels were coming.”  NASB

Any designation given to any person is only as powerful and impactful as the reality of it in their lives.  I can call myself anything, but if the fruit and evidence of that claim are not a natural and normal part of my life, my claim falters.  I have met many people in ministry identifying themselves as ‘this or that’ and even putting it on their business cards, letterhead, and websites.  I am not blasting acknowledging a particular call or gift, but a designation must be accompanied by fruit and evidence that supports that.  It must be visible and verifiable, not simply proclaimed. 

I could claim to be a ‘brain surgeon,’ and although attempting to practice medicine without a license is illegal, that claim would not make me a surgeon.  I could claim to be an ‘Ace Pilot,’ and anyone willing to fly on an airplane with me would be foolish without examining the evidence and verifying my credentials and training.  I could claim to be a ‘Financial Expert,’ and some would likely allow me to manage their money, but they would be misguided without the evidence and fruit of my claim. 

We can claim to be a ‘Christian,’ but unless there are fruit and evidence of that claim, without the fruit and evidence, will not place our name in the Book of Life.  Whether I make the claim or others identify me in a particular way, it is meaningless, deceptive, and destructive without the fruit and evidence backing up that claim or designation.

Here in Genesis 24, we find an interesting statement regarding Isaac as he was awaiting the return of Eliezer, Abraham’s eldest servant’s return with Isaac’s bride.  It says that Isaac went out to meditate in the evening.  That alone would not be enough to identify him as a ‘Man of Prayer,’ so what other evidence can we find that identifies him thusly? 

When virtually everyone was leaving for Egypt due to a famine in the land, Isaac prayed, and God instructed him not to follow the crowd but stay where he was. (Genesis 26).  The Bible tells us that Isaac sowed in that land and received in the same year a hundredfold, and the Lord blessed him (Genesis 26:12). 

Let me suggest that his secret was prayer and faith.  He would ‘sow’ his seeds in the morning and in the evening to pray, water, and anchor what he had done.  Ecclesiastes 11:6 informs us, “In the morning sow thy seeds, and in the evening, withhold not thine hand…”  There is work to be done in the morning and work to be done in the evening.  

Prayer is not a passing infatuation but a lifestyle.  Isaac would dig his wells in the morning and in the evening, go out to pray, and by morning the wells would be full of water. When the Philistines took his wells, he did not have to fight in the natural; he went to prayer and repeated the process and had water.

But those are insufficient to earn him the label “A Man of Prayer.”  Is there more?  I’m so glad you asked.  In Genesis 25:21, the Bible tells us that Isaac’s wife could not have children, and “Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

Isaac was a man that knew how to get results on his knees.  His life provides evidence and fruit that makes the designation valid.  If we learn to do nothing else in this life, we must learn to pray and become men and women of prayer.  It is through Prayer that we are enabled and empowered to engage in Spiritual Warfare. 

I would encourage you to remember the words of our LORD in Mark 11:24, “WHATEVER it is that you desire WHEN YOU PRAY, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.”  In a sense, that is a blank check, but a blank check that is rooted in obedience and commitment to God.  The believer has the same secret weapon that Isaac utilized and enjoyed the blessings of God – PRAYER!

May the LORD bless you richly as you move forward into this day!

Matthew 6

Over the past two days, we have addressed some things from this powerful chapter in the Bible.  We have considered some of the warnings and instructions of our LORD for our daily and godly living.  I want to continue that a bit because there are some additional things here that will resonate with your hearts.

FASTING

Something that is talked about little and practiced even less in the 21^st-century church is Fasting.  In studying the Bible, I am amazed at how often the light will come on, and I realize that a particular passage is directly linked to another passage that seems completely void of connection. That is the case in Matthew 6:15-24, and I will try to connect the dots as the Holy Spirit enables me.  If it resonates with you, I encourage you to act as a good Berean and seek to verify my teaching in its scriptural consistency and validity.  If you find it is in harmony with the overall teaching of God’s Word, then allow it to benefit your life and your walk. 

The instruction of the LORD regarding Fasting was ‘outward show.’  Again, that is consistent with verse one and remains consistent throughout the teaching of our LORD in the New Testament.  Fasting is not for personal recognition but to align our hearts with God’s will and purpose.  It is often more about our hearts than anything else and is not for public recognition.

That would be how the Pharisees did it.  Don’t look like death warmed over and have a sour expression of suffering on your face when you fast.  NO, NO, wash your face, put on your smile, and do it in secret before God, and He will take note of that fast, and the desired objective is far more like to be achieved.

Notice that the following few verses, although seemingly unrelated, are deeply related.  You are storing up treasures in your prayer, living, giving, and being.  If you do what you do for human recognition, you are ‘storing up treasures on earth,’ but if you do it in God’s prescribed way, you are ‘storing up treasures in heaven.’ 

On earth, the moths can eat away at the treasure as public opinion changes, and thieves can break in and steal as the enemy brings dissatisfaction or seeks to discredit you. But if your treasures are being stored up in heaven, Man Cannot Touch them, and Neither Can the Devil!  Consider the word of our LORD, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.”  It is a heart matter!

Next, we find that difficult passage about the ‘eyes’ or what we see, how we see, and where we see.  If we are looking for the recognition of men, our lives will be lived in the shadows and in darkness, dependent on public opinion.  If we live according to God’s prescribed method, then we are in the light, and our entire being will be filled with light.  We will impact others, and the abundance of God’s blessings will flow freely into and through our lives.

Jesus concluded those remarks with a word that should be received as being far more than Money.   In verse 24, He says, “No one can serve two masters….”  You cannot serve public opinion and God.  You cannot be controlled by human ego but must be directed by the Holy Spirit and live your life to please God because you love God. 

We cannot serve two masters, for, as our LORD warned, we will love one and despise the other.  We will be devoted to one or the other.  We cannot serve God and the flesh at the same time.   It would be like trying to mix oil and water.  Of course, this passage is talking about money, possessions, and wealth, but it is talking about much, much more!

That is why we have verses 25-34, and if we connect them to the teachings of Matthew Six, as a whole, we will find them even more powerful in their impact and importance in our lives. They will give us a greater sense of peace and purpose in our daily walk.  You have nothing to worry about because your source is not public opinion but GOD.  If we understand how He cares for His creation, we have incredible peace about His ability and willingness to care for us.  Let’s set our hearts to make Matthew 6:33 a cornerstone in our lives and SEEK HIM FIRST, and in so doing, we will banish fear from our lives.

God, bless you richly is my prayer!

Matthew 6

Yesterday we talked about verse one of this chapter, but the entire chapter is filled with guidance on how to live, think, and deal with our public and private lives.  It is quite an involved and powerful passage filled with incredible benefits if we incorporate the instructions into our lives.

He said in verse one that we are to guard against practicing our righteousness publicly for recognition and to elicit personal praise and human flattery.  According to our Lord, God finds this offensive and turns His back on it.  You will fail to heed the warning or instruction if you value men’s opinion more than God’s.   However, if you value God’s opinion more than anything else, you will heed the warning and follow the instructions.  It will not be easy, and you will find times you must resist the temptation to ‘toot your own horn’ or get someone to ‘toot it for you’ to bring you recognition.

BENEVOLENCE

Next, he addresses benevolence.  This is particularly personal for me both in my own life and the experiences I have had in leading congregations through the years.  I have had, more than once, someone come to me and say, “I’m going to buy this or that for the church or give this or that, but I do not want any personal recognition.”  

That sounded wonderful, but when I allowed the gift to remain anonymous, I soon became aware that what they said and what they wanted were not the same.  They wanted recognition but made the apparent ‘self-effacing’ statement, hoping I would violate their confidence and publicly praise them.  I considered doing so an ethical violation that I could not participate in.

It has always been my desire to do acts of benevolence anonymously.  What I do in secret, God will reward openly, but even if He did not, my gift or act was not for personal recognition.  My gift is because I Love God and want to help those; He directs me to help.  Whenever I have decided to give a gift or engage in an act of benevolence, I ask myself, “Why are you doing this?  Is it because God has directed you, and are you doing it out of a pure motive to bring honor and glory to Him?” 

I fully understand that the benefit to the person to whom we act in benevolence will be positive, even if we are doing it for the wrong motive. Still, the greater blessing and benefit will be if we do it according to God’s prescribed method.  Is your life about you or Him?

PRAYER

Then, Jesus addressed praying.  This is troubling in some ways because I have found that in order to inspire others to pray, I have felt the need to be visible in prayer and thereby call attention to my praying.  That can be done discreetly without making a fanfare in the public arena and do as the Pharisees say, “Look at me and see how pious I am and how much I pray.”  Jesus said, “When you pray….”  Do not do so to be seen and do not use vain repetitions, but find a place to be alone with God and follow the guidelines of what we call the Lord’s Prayer:

“Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name.  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Yours is the kingdom and power and glory forever. Amen.”

If this is our prayer, in our closet, and we recognize God and His Majesty, then when we are in public, we can offer that recognition and praise with a pure heart.  We are to pray for God’s kingdom, purpose, will, and harvest and seek to fully align with His purposes, plan, and will.

We follow the directive to Forgive in recognition that our forgiveness is much greater than any offense we may have endured.  We know that God does not tempt, and the prayer to not be led into temptation can be linked to the revelation that if we face something beyond our ability to endure, God provides a door of escape. 

We pray that God will build a hedge of protection around us, and when the enemy comes in like a flood, He will raise up a standard against the enemy.  We are to learn to take on the Whole Armor of God so that we can withstand.  We praise God, and we offer thanksgiving to Him.  If we begin our day in that mindset and practice, I am fully confident that He will guide our lives, and what we do will not flow from a wrong motive but for the righteous purpose of LIFTING HIM UP!

God, bless you greatly is my prayer as you fulfill your assignment for this day!

Matthew 6:1 – “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise, you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”  NASB

The whole of Matthew Chapter Six can be viewed as a basic guide for ‘Godly Living.’  It covers a wide gamut of topics and areas of life, and there is a tendency and temptation to allow a motive other than godliness to reign.  I begin with verse one because it opens the door and deals with the human ego and reveals how easily we can allow something other than service for service to determine what we do in life. 

I am sure all of us are aware of people who take great pains to ensure everyone notices what they do.  Their acts of benevolence are done in such a manner as to call attention to them.  I have witnessed church splits and ministry divisions in which the roots were directly connected to ‘human ego’ and ‘jealousy.’  One of the reasons that many local churches do not achieve the prominence and effectiveness that God desires is rooted in this human frailty and flaw. 

I have known men and women in the lead position congregations who were unable to allow the gifts in others to function fully and effectively because it diverted attention from themselves.  They needed to be noticed, and anything or anyone that detracted from that notice became a thorn in the side and, at times, an enemy. 

If it is God’s church and He is the builder and owner, then we are managers or stewards of that which is His. If He has placed gifts and talents in the church, it is vital that we recognize the benefits of those and utilize them fully without fear of our being diminished.  We need to remind ourselves of the words of John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” 

If we do what we do for recognition and notice, we seek ‘fulfillment’ from the wrong source.  It is not the praise of men that gives us significance; it is the Hand of God upon us. It is Who we are in Him.  We are members of the Body of Christ, and He has chosen our position and function; as in the human body, all the parts must work in harmony for health and life. 

I am reminded of the analogy of Paul in 1 Corinthians 12.  He reminded the Corinthians that the human and spiritual body is not any individual or individual part but many parts linked to producing life and health. 

• The hand is part of the body, not the primary focus. 
• The ear is part of the body and contributes significantly to the overall function, but it is not the primary focus. 
• The eye is very beneficial in the operation of the body, but even the eye is not the primary focus, nor does it stand alone. 
• The head, which houses our brain, is vital to life. 

If we understand that we are not the Head, Jesus is, we will find it much easier to function as a unified body working in harmony and utilizing all the parts and functions.  Your title does not make you important; God’s purpose does.

I do not call myself anything but a Child of God because I have never wanted people to notice me and extend flattery to me.  I am human and battle human ego like others, so I guard my life desiring what I do will call attention to God, not me.  Paul dealt with the Corinthians in another place as they divided into sects and cliques, saying, “I’m of Paul, I’m of Apollos, I’m of Cephas, or I’m of Christ” which only called attention to themselves, not the Kingdom of God. 

The identifier, Christian, is the only identifier we need.  If you see me functioning in a gift, know that God chose to use me in that gift for that time and for that purpose.  I have instructed congregations that I have led, “Do not look at me; look at Jesus.  If you find what I’m teaching and preaching is consistent with God’s word, embrace it; if not, bring it to me, and let’s come to a clearer understanding together.” 

When I departed churches, I usually pleaded with people, “Do not refer to Roy Beaird in the future as some benchmark or guide. Refer to the Word of God and work with the new leadership to fulfill the purposes of God in this community.”  I said and meant it wholeheartedly, “I do not care if people remember who I am if they will remember the truth that I presented and allow that to transform and guide their lives.”  I am not the focus; God is!

Any sense of significance we gain from the recognition of others is fleeting.  The fulfillment in serving God from a pure heart produces contentment beyond human understanding is what is important.  Whatever we do, we need to guard against doing what we do for the recognition of others.  My prayer is, “Lord make the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart pleasing in your site.  Guard and guide my steps and help me to decrease that you might increase in my life.”  

God, bless you as you empty yourself of yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with His fullness.   Walk in abundant blessings today!

Romans 5:1-5 – “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  NASU

Once we have become members of the Body of Christ and the Family of God, we will experience difficulties or tribulations.  We will experience them before our conversion, but once converted, we will experience them in direct connection to our faith and our walk with God.  The apostle Paul informs us that we are to exult or rejoice as did James regarding tribulations, difficulties, and trials.  He tells us that some specific benefits will result from these encounters.

• Tribulation brings about Perseverance.
• Perseverance brings about Proven Character.
• Proven Character brings about Hope. 
• Hope does not Disappoint because the Love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

If we do not persevere, we will be like the seed sown in rocky soil, and while it may spring up quickly because it has no root, it will wither and die.  But if we persevere, we will find that the result is Proven Character, and we will be anchored in Hope! 

Character is important to God, and much is said in the Bible regarding it.  People look for character in Christians and are motivated and drawn to what we have to offer in Christ when they see it.  When they do not see it or see a deficiency in It, they are repulsed and repelled.  We have all been told, “Christians are no different from the world.  They do the same things and live with no higher standard.”  However, we should! 

It is incumbent upon us to present a life to the world that is above reproach.  It is important to demonstrate Proven Character in every situation because we are children of the Most High God.  We are not just representing ourselves. We are representatives of God and should manifest Him in our character.

It has been said, “You are the only Bible some people will ever read; what is the Gospel according to you?”  That is a sobering thought.  The fact that my life, actions, and character can be a motivation or a stumbling block for another person challenges me constantly to strive to demonstrate godly character.  Do I fail?  Yes!  Do I keep trying?  Absolutely!  It is not whether I fail or not from time to time. Do I keep Pressing Toward the Mark of the Prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus?

May God enable you to present a living example to those within your sphere of influence that draws to Him. 

Blessings as you go through your day!

2 Corinthians 12:6-10 – “But even if I would desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will tell the truth: but now I refrain, lest anyone should think more of me than what he sees me to be and what he hears from me.⁷ And lest I should be exalted through the abundance of the revelations, there was delivered to me a thorn in my flesh, the angel of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted.⁸ Three times I besought my LORD concerning this thing, that it might depart from me.⁹ And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I would rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.¹⁰ Therefore, I am content with infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, and imprisonments for Christ’s sake: for when I am physically weak, then I am mentally strong.”

Today is the two-year anniversary of my Bonnie’s homegoing to heaven.  I miss her deeply, and the thought of God’s Sufficient Grace is powerfully relevant to me today!  Without His incredible Grace, I would not have survived, but through Him, by Him, with Him, and for Him, I can.  With God’s help of Grace, wonderful family, and dear friends, I am learning to live without her daily presence, but she will always live in my heart!  Thank You, LORD, for Your Incredibly Sufficient Grace!

Saul of Tarsus was a terror to the Church prior to his Damascus Road encounter with Jesus.  He became as dedicated to spreading the gospel as he was to stamping it out before his conversion.  He persecuted believers without fear, thinking he was doing the work of God.  He became even more zealous for God than he had been as a tool of the devil.

He had an experience that he would relate to from time to time as he presented the gospel of Christ.  I was on the road, and I saw the light!  Paul discovered the All-Sufficient Grace of God. 

THIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR SALVATION…

As we consider the sufficiency of God’s Grace through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, we must remind ourselves of the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden.  God gave the Law, but the Law could not save; it simply reminded man that he was sinful.  A Sacrifice of Pure, Innocent Blood had to be offered to satisfy the demands of divine justice.  Man, without Jesus, was hellbound and eternally lost.  John 3:16 brings us the good news of salvation.

The incredible Love of God brought us the Grace of God, enabling us to be born-again and, through that new birth, become children of the Living God.  We deserved hell, but Grace rescued us.  Because of this incredible Love, we can sing Amazing Grace; how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost, but now I’m found, blind, but now I see.  If one truly sees what transpired at the Cross, the question, “How can you refuse Him now?  How can you turn away from His love?”

This Grace is sufficient for Salvation.  It is the only provision whereby man (human beings) can live eternally.  Jesus is the only road to heaven.  It is by Grace through Faith that we are saved.  In all of Paul’s sufferings, the theme of his life was “His Grace is Sufficient.” 

THIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT IN TRIBULATION…

I cannot imagine any sane person desiring to be persecuted, but Jesus and the writers of the Bible told us that if we live godly in Christ, we will encounter persecution.  It is not just the super saints that endure hardships; it is every child of God.  The devil hates you and me because we deserted his kingdom and turned to God, his archenemy.

Paul suffered persecution because of His faith in and commitment to Jesus.  The world demands compromise, tolerance, and acceptance of everything.  There is no compromise of the truth that we can be saved only through the Blood and Grace of God.   Only through Jesus.  We cannot dabble in the world’s offerings and have one foot in Christianity and one foot in the world.  If you seek to live a life separate from sin, the world will hate you and often attack you.

Today’s society demands that we accept a new definition of morality.  There is the demand that we compromise our biblical principles and precepts and accept their new ambiguous definition.  Too many are trying to be like the world, thinking it will enable them to win it. Instead, the world is not looking for itself; the heart is crying for something real.  They want to see the demonstration of the Grace of God that is sufficient and life-changing. 

The only time an army strikes its colors is when it is retreating or defeated; we are neither!  No matter what the temptation, God has provided a doorway of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13).  We will have difficulties.  Sickness may come, grief may strike, poverty may rule, and spiritual darkness may try to encompass us, but His Grace is Sufficient!  Paul never lost sight of that reality, and neither should we.

THIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT TO CARRY US HOME…

Paul spoke of the mystery of change and eternal life in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.  Our Lord has promised to return for us, and He is coming for the faithful who are watching for Him.  Hebrews 9:8 tells us that He will appear to those looking for Him.  If we are looking for Him, that implies we are living for Him.  1 John 3:3 tells us that if we have the Hope of His return in our hearts and minds, we will purify ourselves, even as Jesus is pure. 

This is a race, a marathon, not a sprint!  We have begun well and must finish the course to receive the prize of eternal life.  Jesus is coming soon!  In the meantime, it is vital that we remain confident that His Grace is Sufficient!  No matter what we face, His Grace is Sufficient.  Hebrews 13:8 empowers us with the truth and hope that Jesus is the same eternally.  He does not change and will not fail.  His Grace is Sufficient!

God bless you as you live in the sufficiency of that Grace!   Have a wonderful day and a great life! 

2 Corinthians 12:6-10 – “But even if I would desire to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I will tell the truth: but now I refrain, lest anyone should think more of me than what he sees me to be and what he hears from me.⁷ And lest I should be exalted through the abundance of the revelations, there was delivered to me a thorn in my flesh, the angel of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted.⁸ Three times I besought my LORD concerning this thing, that it might depart from me.⁹ And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I would rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.¹⁰ Therefore, I am content with infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, and imprisonments for Christ’s sake: for when I am physically weak, then I am mentally strong.”

Today is the two-year anniversary of my Bonnie’s homegoing to heaven.  I miss her deeply, and the thought of God’s Sufficient Grace is powerfully relevant to me today!  Without His incredible Grace, I would not have survived, but through Him, by Him, with Him, and for Him, I can.  With the help of the Grace of God, Family, and Friends, I am learning to live without her daily presence, but she will always live in my heart!  Thank You, LORD, for Your Incredibly Sufficient Grace!

Saul of Tarsus was a terror to the Church prior to his Damascus Road encounter with Jesus.  He became as dedicated to spreading the gospel as he was to stamping it out before his conversion.  He persecuted believers without fear, thinking he was doing the work of God.  He became even more zealous for God than he had been as a tool of the devil.

He had an experience that he would relate to from time to time as he presented the gospel of Christ.  I was on the road, and I saw the light!  Paul discovered the All-Sufficient Grace of God. 

THIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR SALVATION…

As we consider the sufficiency of God’s Grace through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, we must remind ourselves of the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden.  God gave the Law, but the Law could not save; it simply reminded man that he was sinful.  A Sacrifice of Pure, Innocent Blood had to be offered to satisfy the demands of divine justice.  Man, without Jesus, was hellbound and eternally lost.  John 3:16 brings us the good news of salvation.

The incredible Love of God brought us the Grace of God, enabling us to be born-again and, through that new birth, become children of the Living God.  We deserved hell, but Grace rescued us.  Because of this incredible Love, we can sing Amazing Grace; how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost, but now I’m found, blind, but now I see.  If one truly sees what transpired at the Cross, the question, “How can you refuse Him now?  How can you turn away from His love?”

This Grace is sufficient for Salvation!  It is the only provision whereby man (human beings) can live eternally.  Jesus is the only road to heaven.  It is by Grace through Faith that we are saved.  In all of Paul’s sufferings, the theme of his life was “His Grace is Sufficient.” 

THIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT IN TRIBULATION…

I cannot imagine any sane person desiring to be persecuted, but Jesus and the writers of the Bible told us that if we live godly in Christ, we will encounter persecution.  It is not just the super saints that endure hardships; it is every child of God.  The devil hates you and me because we deserted his kingdom and turned to God, his archenemy.

Paul suffered persecution because of His faith in and commitment to Jesus.  The world demands compromise, tolerance, and acceptance of everything.  There is no compromise of the truth, and we must never forget that we can be saved only through the Blood and Grace of God.   Only through Jesus.  We cannot dabble in the world’s offerings and have one foot in Christianity and one foot in the world.  If you seek to live a life separate from sin, the world will hate you and often attack you.

Today’s society demands that we accept a new definition of morality.  There is the demand that we compromise our biblical principles and precepts and accept their new ambiguous definitions.  Too many are trying to be like the world, thinking it will enable them to win it. Instead, the world is not looking for itself; the heart is crying for something real.  They want to see the demonstration of the Grace of God that is sufficient and life-changing. 

The only time an army strikes its colors is when it is retreating or defeated; we are neither!  No matter what the temptation, God has provided a doorway of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13).  We will have difficulties.  Sickness may come, grief may strike, poverty may rule, and spiritual darkness may try to encompass us, but His Grace is Sufficient!  Paul never lost sight of that reality, and neither should we.

THIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT TO CARRY US HOME…

Paul spoke of the mystery of change and eternal life in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.  Our Lord has promised to return for us, and He is coming for the faithful who are watching for Him.  Hebrews 9:8 tells us that He will appear to those looking for Him.  If we are looking for Him, that implies we are living for Him.  1 John 3:3 tells us that if we have the Hope of His return in our hearts and minds, we will purify ourselves, even as Jesus is pure. 

This is a race, a marathon, not a sprint!  We have begun well and must finish the course to receive the prize of eternal life.  Jesus is coming soon!  In the meantime, it is vital that we remain confident that His Grace is Sufficient!  No matter what we face, His Grace is Sufficient.  Hebrews 13:8 empowers us with the truth and hope that Jesus is the same eternally.  He does not change and will not fail.  His Grace is Sufficient!

God bless you as you live in the sufficiency of that Grace!   Have a wonderful day and a great life!