The term "grace" has been defined in many different ways to uncover several of its nuances. Two of the most common definitions I have heard have been the anacronym for G.R.A.C.E (God's Riches At Christ's Expense) and the definition "God giving us what we do not deserve". I reall like both of those definitions.  Maybe you could share some good definitions you have come across for "grace" in the comments section. The point of this post, however, is to bring out the point that while many of us can define the term "grace" or describe it in detailed fashion, few of us actually live in light of it glorious and freeing truths daily. You see it is very easy for a Christian to quote Ephesians 2:8 ("For by grace you have been saved through faith") in regards to salvation. We gladly and bodly affirm that we are saved by grace solely through faith. Our own works or merit have nothing to do with our salvation, a point in which we happily consent and rightly so. Yet what about our daily Christian lives? Does the grace we found at salvation disappear upon entrance into the Christian faith? Are we saved apart from works only to then live a life solely composed of some sort of works based righteousness? 

I think we find the answer to this great dilemma in the words of Paul from Romans 5:1-2. These verses state:

 "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." 

From these verses, we find 4 truths that give us direction as to God's continuing grace in our daily Christian lives:

1. Because God's grace has been imparted to us, we are now, positionally, completely justified/righteous before Him. We cannot, in and of ourselves add or detract from our righteousness which we have in Christ Jesus (see Romans 4:16). No matter how hard we may try!!!

2. God's grace through Christ has brought everlasting peace and favor between us and Himself. There is nothing we can do to diminish this divine relationship which has been established on our behalf. Again, no matter how hard we try!!!

3. God's grace is continual. Notice Paul says "in which we stand" not "in which we stood". This grace is undeserving and never ending. We cannot reach its depth. It is bottomless!

4. As a result of this working of God and His grace, our resultant estate is one of richness, rejoicing, and hope. Therefore, there is absolutely no cause in which any child of God has the excuse to live as a pauper when he is called to be a prince! Only those believers who realize their identity and position in Christ can live a victorious Christian life. Don't put the cart before the horse when it comes to the Christian life!

 

After taking a long break from blogging, I am trying to get back into it. I am not very good, however, at consistency when it comes to blogging! In fact, I'm not that great being consistent in much! That is why I am so thankful to be able to draw on the consistency of Another: Jesus Christ. Where I am weak, He is strong. Where I fail, He has already succeeded. My shortcomings are His opportunities to make Himself real in my life. Too put it in a succinct and simple phrase, "Jesus is our everything." That's right, in Jesus we have all that we need! As I get back to doing some blogging, I am going to begin writing a new series called "Back to Basics". You see, we as Christians must continually strive to "go backwards" in order to "get forwards"!  By saying this, I'm not referring to backsliding but going "backwards" to the basics of our faith. Somewhere along the line, we have forgotten the foundations and replaced them with self imposed standards, expectations, and legalistic demands. Yet, this is not the Christ life. In this series, I want to look at several of the "basics" that we often forget. I hope they will be a blessing to you as we uncover some foundations to the faith!

Acts 2:42-47: "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer....Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they wer taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart...."

This passage is a powerful passage on the importance of genuine Christian community. God has orchestrated His body to need one another! That is why I am so excited for small groups to begin again at our church. After having a long break for the summer, we are ready to get back together for our Fall groups. It has been such a blessing to be able to fellowship, encourage, be encouraged, and share needs with these likeminded friends. Here is a video that we just made in promoting our small group ministry that is coming up. I hope you also will have an opportunity to get connected with a small group from your church. What do you appreciate about your small group ministry?

Hey Everyone! I know it has been a while since I last posted something on my blog. I'm not the greatest at consistency, especially when it comes to blogging! However, I came across another blog post from a pastor in Coral Ridge, Florida that I just had to share! I think it will give you a much needed reminder and encouragement on your spiritual journey. I want to hear about what you think about the post so, after you read, be sure to post a comment here on my blog.

Here is the link: 

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2011/03/26/what-to-preach-to-yourself-everyday/

Enjoy!

My wife, son, and I just got back yesterday from traveling from my grandmother's funeral. She lived a good, long life. The Lord took her home Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 1:45 p.m. She was 91. She was suffering from congestive heart failure and longed to go home with her Lord and the loved ones who had gone on before.

During this time of loss, one thing has really gripped my mind. That thought is the wonder of heaven. I had several talks with my grandma over the years about heaven and what it may be like. Now, I stand in awe at the fact that my grandma no longer just "wonders". I still do, however. Many times I have found myself thinking about what she may be doing right now. Did she see her funeral? Is she with my grandfather who she lost over 20 yrs ago? Is she running and rejoicing with her Lord? It boggles my mind! So many questions yet so little information!! Despite all of the wonder and unknowns, however, one thing I am sure of: I know my grandma is in a better place and she is in the presence of Jesus!!

Here is a fitting song for what has been on my mind so much lately. I hope it blesses your heart today.

Dear Father,

We realize that we are but weak creatures. We realize that were it not for Your grace, we all would fall. We realize we can do nothing without You. For this reason, we ask that You guide us safely through this life. We ask that Your hand would gently lead us and protect us through whatever course we encounter in this world. We ask that, by your grace and strength, we may one day look back on all our days and know that, though not perfect, we lived a worthwhile and faithful life for You. May we have crowns to lay at Your feet in worship. May we see the fruits of our labors harvested in Your timing and in Your proper way. May we never lose our focus and forsake You, the One who has promised never to forsake us. As we dream big dreams, as we plan our futures, as we strive toward the finish line, may we do it all with You in mind and for Your glory. God, this is the prayer of our lives. May it always be the desire of our hearts. May emotions, circumstances, or hard times never let this prayer slip from our mind or from our lips. We are Yours, Father. We were created for You and we want to live each day for Your glory. Hear this prayer of our hearts we pray.

In the name of Your Son,

Amen

Dear Father,

Before the world was framed you knew us. Before we ever took in our very first breath, you saw us with a knowledge that was comparable to none. Before we ever called upon Your name You had a plan for our lives and a destiny for us to fulfill. How marvelous are Your ways, Father! How unsearchable is Your wisdom! Lord, to know that You desire a relationship with us blows our minds! Despite Your countless ways of reaching out to us we still struggle to realize the fact that You love us and desire an intimacy with us like no other relationship can offer. We have bought into Satan's lies that tell us we are just too unloveable for You, that we have failed too many times, that we don't measure up, on and on the list goes. Father, please we pray, break through these self-imposed barriers we have allowed to be set up. Draw near to us as we draw near to You. Father, we desire that relationship with You. May it flourish day by day as we give ourselves to You in every area of our lives--even the ones we have held back from You for years and years because of fear. We love You, Father.

In the loving name of Jesus we pray,

Amen

Father,

LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? (Ps. 8:1, 3-4) Yet You do, Lord, and we come, today, with thankful hearts for all that You have done and all that You mean to us! How often we grumble and complain just like the children of Israel in the Old Testament. How it must grieve Your heart! Father may we gaze at what You have done in our lives both spiritually and circumstantially with awe, wonder, and anticipation knowing what agood God You truly are! May we come before Your throne with thankfulness and grateful hearts. Thank You, Lord, for those things we so often forget to be mindful of. Thank You, Lord, for the many blessings you have bestowed upon us. Thank You, Lord, even for those heartbreaking circumstances You have allowed in our lives as we commit them to Your sovereign hand. Father, we thankfulness we desire to come knowing that in You all goodness dwells.

In Jesus' mighty name we pray,

Amen

Father,

How often we get so consumed with our needs that we forget the deep needs of others. We have so many demands upon us, concerns, needs, and struggles that we so often lose sight of the world around us. Today, however, we come before you on the behalf of others. Lord, there are so many that we know that have such great needs in their lives. We lay them, today, before Your throne. Father, may you shine in the lives of those who are on our hearts. May Your comfort, peace, instruction, and grace be evident in their lives and circumstances. May You work in a way in which only You can. Give wisdom, guidance, and hope. Lord, use us to be a blessing to those we are praying for. Show us how we can be an influence for You in their lives. May we not say we care in word only but also in deed. Father, we present these petitions before You, knowing that You are the "Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, and Prince of Peace". May they rest in that peace today.

In Jesus' Comforting name we pray,

Amen

Father,

Every day we see people pass us by. We have no idea what worries, cares, anxieties, ambitions, delights, etc they carry with them. How often we get caught up with our own agendas, our own cares, our own problems and completely miss out on what You are trying to tell us through them. Lord, though You have commanded us over and over again in Your Word to love others, how often we fail at this. God, worse yet, how often do we simply count this as a tiny sin worth glossing over. How high a standard You have given us by commanding us to love others like Your Son loved. How miserably do we fail at this with even those closest and dearest to our hearts. Father, we pray today, please develop in us a love that can only come from You. Please give us Your eyes to see, Your ears to hear, Your heart to feel, and Your lips to speak. May we be ambassadors of Your love in the environments You have providentially placed us. Lord, help us to love in truth and not just in speech. May others see Christ in us. Today, we pray, do a work in our hearts that we may live outside of ourselves and dwell where Your love abounds. Grant us the blessed grace to love. Help us to see You in others.

In Jesus' loving name we pray,

Amen