(G)Leaning on Grace

  25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss [ d ] your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (NIV) Can you imagine waiting many, many years for something that was promised to you? Waiting day after day for that life-changing offer to show itself? The very thought of being that patient seems foreign and impossible to many of us beca...

  Most people, when they consider the life of royalty, either by birth or popularity, think of posh surroundings with pampered spoiled individuals who look out for themselves first.  The media of today as well as recorded history for that matter, portray the privileged aristocracy as oblivious to the plight of the average. They seem to have the easy life with few cares or concerns. They do not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, whether they can pay the mortgage, get to work in a broken car or if indeed they will still have utilities when they get home from a long day at work. There is one King that did not live the “royal” life on earth. He did not have the creature comforts afforded by his title, for that matter, he was not even recognized by most as the true king. That king was Jesus; Lord of Lords, King of Kings, ruler of all nations. Jesus’ birth was foretold centuries prior by prophets and anticipated by the masses yet when he was born to a lowly...

  John 1:12-13 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.   How does knowing you are God’s child affect your day-to-day choices?   What does is mean to be a child of God? How does this truth change the lives of those who accept His gift of salvation, adoption into the Holy family of the Most High? The moment that we receive the truth in our hearts and minds and confess that we believe that Jesus is the Savior, our Savior, then we are accepting the gift of adoption and eternal life by faith. It is not by virtue of good deeds or even a well intentioned heart that we receive salvation, but entirely by the act of faith. All the good intentions we could muster would not inherit the relationship being offered. Being a good person and believing there is a God does not earn a place in glory. It is by the simp...

  John 1:10-13 10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. I was asked a question this morning in my devotional time. “What convinced me to put my faith and trust in God?” Honestly, I do not know that there is a simple answer to that. I know some have a life changing moment at salvation while with others it’s a more gradual process. For me, it was a need to be restored, put back together. I felt like my life was falling apart piece by fleshy piece. I lost control of all that mattered to me in what seemed like a very short period of time and I was desperate for an answer. Now, you might think that sounds pathetic and that desperation makes for bad decisions. The truth is during th...

Luke 1:30-38 tells the story of Gabriel’s visit to Mary announcing the future birth of Jesus and Mary’s faithful response. Luke 1:37-38 “For nothing is impossible with God.” Mary responded, “ I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And the angel left her. When is submission to God’s will the hardest? For me it is when it is not what I am want or am hoping for. It is when life get’s harder or great sacrifices are required. When following God, trusting God, brings a loss of something I hold dear it is always most difficult to submit to His will not mine. However, in those instances, life is what it is. When I lose a loved one because it is their time it is out of my control but I have to look for purpose or comfort in knowing that those who have given their hearts to God do not experience death, but life everlasting with Him. Sometimes I may be asked to give up something else or to sacrifice a dream or desire for the greater good. I cannot see it a...

John 1:1-5 (NLT) Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word 1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.   As I begin this new year of 2013, I plunge into a new devotional book. This one is called the Life Application Study Bible Devotional. A one year study of the Gospels and Daily wisdom from the life of Jesus. With the focus each week on a different aspect of the life of Christ, or the character of Jesus, it is an opportunity to focus wholly on who Jesus is and what that means in the life of a Christian, in my life. Today’s verse sets the stage for a great start not only for this year, but for a continually devoted life in Christ. No, I am not claim...