Tag Archives: God’s grace

September 2
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“For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. . .” (I Corinthians 15:9-10, NIV)

What effect has the grace of God had in you?

Has it made you more humble? Has it made you more gracious?  Has it made you more compassionate? Has it made you more obedient to the will of our heavenly Father?

Like Paul, we’ve all come into the light of the truth of God from some very dark places. In Paul’s case, he was a former enemy and persecutor of the disciples of Jesus. He took no credit for what he had become: An apostle of the same church that he had previously tried to destroy!

Paul knew that God’s grace had given him another chance to change for the better. He knew that repentance is the desired effect of God’s mercies: To turn from darkness to the light; from death to life; from the faraway or foreign places to our true home.  – Luther

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August 26
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“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” (Psalm 113:1-3, NIV)

Today’s psalm reminds us that there is not a moment, nor a situation, within the day where God’s praise is out of place. 

To “praise,” as we often hear in today’s vernacular, is to give “props” (which is derived from “proper respect”) to someone.  When we praise the Lord, we are rendering the honor, glory, gratitude, respect, authority that He is due. 

In the course of a day, we can — as Oswald Chambers often wrote — be a “practical atheist.” We receive a blessing, but we act as if it is a random occurrence instead of a gift from God. We reflect on our successes, despite obstacles and resistance from others, and we conclude that it is due to our own intelligence, persistence, and creativity. 

Today, as you see the hand of God, give Him praise for His assistance.  As you see the work of God in others, give Him praise for His faithfulness. As you see the grace of God in difficult circumstances, give Him praise for His mercy. 

“Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.” – Luther

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August 19
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“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn.” (Psalm 89:15-17, NIV)

Learning to “acclaim” the Lord requires both discipline and practice. 

Discipline, because it is something that is contrary to our ego-centric selves.  Practice, because it is only through repetition that it becomes our nature to give God the glory that is rightfully His.

In life, we take so much for granted. If we only thought for 60 seconds of all of the things that God gives us as a matter of His grace: The air we breathe; the water we drink; the food we eat; longevity; the love of our family members; the fidelity of our friends. . ., we would rejoice in His “name all day long.” 

As it is, these simple gifts are seldom noticed, until we are at risk of losing them; or, until we have begun to “walk in the light of [His] presence.” 

As large as the blessing may be in the receipt of God’s gifts; a larger blessing is knowing that God’s reservoir of grace is inexhaustible.  – Luther

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