Post by Richard on Feb 24, 2007 10:17:34 GMT -5
THE GIFT OF GRACE
_________________________
Ephesians 2:1-10 (NRSV)
You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
_________________________
It is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (TEV)
_________________________
WHILE going through a stack of mail left unopened during my recent surgery, I found a letter from my denominational office. I opened it, expecting an announcement of upcoming events. Instead, I found a substantial check. A pastoral colleague had donated money to help pay for my surgery.
While thankful for the check and the compassion it represented, my first impulse was to return the money. Others needed it more than I. What could I do to repay my friend's generosity? I felt undeserving of the gift.
Then I laughed. As a pastor, I have often preached about the unmerited love of God; yet I was struggling to accept a friend's gift. I had received a tangible illustration of God's grace. In abundant mercy, God freely offers all of us the gifts of love and salvation.
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for the gift of your love. Teach us to accept your gifts of love and salvation in all their abundance. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Surrender the illusion of self-sufficiency and rejoice in the gift of God's grace.
-- Ray C. Lane, Jr. (Alabama, U.S.A.)
PRAYER FOCUS: Those who do not feel loved by God
_________________________
Ephesians 2:1-10 (NRSV)
You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
_________________________
It is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (TEV)
_________________________
WHILE going through a stack of mail left unopened during my recent surgery, I found a letter from my denominational office. I opened it, expecting an announcement of upcoming events. Instead, I found a substantial check. A pastoral colleague had donated money to help pay for my surgery.
While thankful for the check and the compassion it represented, my first impulse was to return the money. Others needed it more than I. What could I do to repay my friend's generosity? I felt undeserving of the gift.
Then I laughed. As a pastor, I have often preached about the unmerited love of God; yet I was struggling to accept a friend's gift. I had received a tangible illustration of God's grace. In abundant mercy, God freely offers all of us the gifts of love and salvation.
Prayer: Loving God, thank you for the gift of your love. Teach us to accept your gifts of love and salvation in all their abundance. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Surrender the illusion of self-sufficiency and rejoice in the gift of God's grace.
-- Ray C. Lane, Jr. (Alabama, U.S.A.)
PRAYER FOCUS: Those who do not feel loved by God