Saving Grace

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Jesus is your saving grace…  Salvation is the gift of God.  He is the giver of all

good gifts but, most of all, He is the giver of salvation.  What a wonderful gift He has given.  This gift cannot be purchased.  It is not a wage we earn.  It is not a reward we deserve.  It is a gift that can only be received as we admit our sinfulness.

God’s grace has no strings attached.  Jesus becomes our Savior not because of the good we have done or the good we might do.  Jesus becomes our saving grace as an absolutely free and unmerited gift. 

The gift of salvation is from God.  It was His idea.  He gave it because He “so loved” the world.  The gift of God is wrapped in Jesus.  He is the only way to Heaven.  Everything we need from God is found in Jesus.  

He is our saving grace.  The gift of salvation has eternal value.  It has been purchased by the blood of Jesus.    

Waves of Grace

"And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace." John 1:16

If you’ve ever been backed into a corner by trouble, heartache, and disappointment, I have good news.  Through Jesus, we have a never ending supply of grace.  God's grace is greater than your trouble.  When the Apostle Paul prayed to the Lord about his thorn in the flesh, God spoke these words to him; “My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 

“Grace for grace…” What an interesting thought.  Through Jesus we have received grace for grace.  Grace upon grace.  Grace in the place of grace.  

Imagine standing on a sandy shore watching the waves come in - wave after wave.  Each new wave replaces another.  And, through Christ we experience grace in the place of grace. 

Through Jesus we have all the help and hope we need.  His grace is constantly replacing His grace with more grace.  

If you're going through a storm, sometimes the best thing you can do is be still and trust Him to do what you can't.  I encourage you today to stand still and stand strong in Christ.  And watch, as wave after wave of his sufficient grace comes rolling in.  M

Driven To God

Just this past Sunday morning I heard Charles Stanley say something I have not been able to forget.  He said, "Whatever drives me to God is good."  My initial thought was, "Really?"  Whatever means anything...anything hurtful, anything painful, anything dreadful.  Anything?  Whatever?

Dr. Stanley didn't suggest that I'd enjoy whatever it is that drives me to God...he just said, it would be good.  I immediately began to think about people who had turned to God in the midst of a terrible sickness.  I thought of parents that turned to God when their child was battling drug addiction.  I thought about bad situations that caused people to turn to God.  While I don't like what Dr. Stanley said, I agree with him.

Let's ask the Apostle Paul.  He had a "thorn in the flesh" that he believed God allowed him to have for his own good.  Listen, "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (NKJV)

What about you?  Have you had something happen to you that has driven you to God?  Have you experienced some type of suffering, like Paul, that God did not remove, heal, or change?  ...But, in the end, even though God didn't intervene like you had prayed, the circumstance had driven you to God?

Call it sifting.  Call it pruning.  Call it the refiners fire.  God allows us to go through dark days and troublesome times for a purpose.  You may not understand why for weeks or months or years.  Hold on.  Stay strong.  Believe God.  Don't ask "Why?"  Instead ask, "What?"  What do you need to learn? 

Maybe you feel like your life is taking a train-ride through a tunnel.  A never ending tunnel.  Keep believing.  Keep trusting.  Soon you'll come out of the darkness and you'll know God in a way you never have before.  ...And that will be "good."  "Whatever drives you to God is good."

Be faithful because He is faithful.  M    

Stop The Music

Matthew 5:23–24 “…If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

“Stop the music…”  That’s what she said.  I’ve been preaching in churches large and small for the past thirty-two years and this was a first for me. 

She was singing in a church where I was preaching recently.  She was bringing the special music.  Turned out it was very special.  After a verse and part of the chorus of “I Surrender All” she asked the sound-man to stop the music.  She said she was having a really hard time singing the song because there were things in her heart she was struggling with…things she needed to surrender.  She asked for forgiveness if she had said or done anything that had offended anyone.  Then, after wiping away a few tears, she began the song again and asked the congregation to sing along.  As we sang, several people came forward to kneel and pray and, I imagine…to “surrender all.”

I have a feeling there are many singers who need to stop the music.  …Many preachers who need to stop the sermon.  …Many churches that need to stop the service.  Too much dirt has been swept under the rug.  Too many sins have gone un-confessed.  Churches are divided.  Families are separated.  People are torn, empty, and hopeless. 

Maybe we need to stop the music – and before we live another day, go and make things right with others.  Life is too short to live angry. 

Stop the music - Get right with God and get right with others.

____________________________________________


Now…start the music.  Sing your song.  Live your life.   MM 

Mick - Mike

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

I have a dear friend whose name is Mickey.  Mickey Dalrymple.  What a good guy...What a great pastor... What a good friend!  I call him "Mick."  My pastor from years ago introduced me to Mick.  His name was Jack...Jack Freeman.  Jack would call Mick on the phone and when he answered Jack would say, "Mick...Jack, How'r you doing?"  

Bro. Mickey is sick.  He has been struggling with Leukemia for some time.  I sent an email last week letting him know I was thinking of him and praying for him.  Below is the email he sent me in return:

"Mike, Mick

I am recovering from 2 weeks in hospital where I battled pneumonia, leukemia, vertigo, and irregular heartbeat.  I am getting stronger day by day.

Hope all is well with you.  Life is good because He is good.

Mick"

He said, "Life is good because God is good."  I haven't been able to get his words off my mind.  God's goodness doesn't change.  Life is often bumpy and difficult - but even in the worst of times, life is good because God is good.  

Friend, if you're having a rough week, first of all realize things could be worse...there's probably someone not far down the road who is facing something much greater than you can imagine.  I'm not suggesting Bro. Mickey should thank God for his sickness...be he can sure thank God in his sickness.  And we can can have a good day because God is good.   

Mick - Mike...Thanks for reminding me Life is good because God is good.