“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;”–1 Cor. 1:4

For the Christian, grace is something we simply can’t get enough of. The more we hear about it the more we want to hear. We can’t think of God without thinking of grace. If I want to speak of God’s beauty I use the word “holy”. If I speak of God’s banner I use the word “love”. If I want to speak of God’s benevolence I can use the word “mercy”. But if I want to speak of God’s blessings I use the word “grace”. In describing God’s attributes, what He is, many words might be employed. But when describing God’s actions man-ward there is no word better than “grace”. If there is any one word that captures the essence of God as related to man it is “grace”.

“For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure ; but he for our profit , that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby .” Heb. 12:10-11

We are not in this world merely to do a certain work — but to be fashioned into beauty of Christly character. If we would always remember this, we would not be so perplexed by the mysteries of our lives.

If joy is ours — it is to make us a greater blessing to others.

If sorrow is ours — it is to bring out Christ’s image in us more clearly.

If our hopes are disappointed — it is because God has some better thing for us than that which we so earnestly desire.

If we are called to endure pain — it is because the best in us can be called out only by pain.

If bereavement comes and we are left without the human arm we have leaned upon — it is because there are elements of strength in our life which never could be developed unless the human support were removed.

If our burdens are heavy — it is because we grow best under burdens.

If we suffer wrong — it is to teach us better the great lessons of meekness, patience and sweet temper.

Always the Master is making us into the beauty of the holy pattern He has set for us, and preparing us for greater usefulness and better service.–J R Miller, 1907

Not knowing what we might have to face each day, we would do well to start each morning reflecting on this promise–“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.(Rom. 8:28)

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines…yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation – Habakkuk 3:17-18

Those who know me know that I refer to these verses often and that they are among my favorite. That’s why the following devotion had my complete attention as soon as I began to read:

“What a wonderful encouragement from such a dark and discouraging prophecy!

While the prophet Habakkuk struggled with the fact that God was going to send a terrible and decimating judgment on rebellious Israel, he eventually came to realize that God is sovereign. Although God’s chastening may not feel good, or yield immediate fruit, it is always right and good and it is always his prerogative to allow it.

Habakkuk ends the record of his struggles with this great declaration: although suffering may come, although pleasures and provision may run dry, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. The Lord, not my surroundings, is my salvation!

Habakkuk’s profound response to the horror he and his people are about to face is, quite simply, faith in God. It is faith which does not depend on circumstances to be sustained. It is faith which does not require prosperity or mental/emotional acuity to persist. It is faith which is able to say when the storm clouds gather, “Thy will be done.”

Habakkuk had come to know that God was beautiful. And he could see that whatever God had for him was the very best. Only true faith can say that. Only true faith can see God as “the God of my salvation” when joyful deliverance seems so elusive and God himself so distant. May that faith be yours today.” ( Baptist Bible Hour)

“For all have sinned , and come short of the glory of God;”–Rom. 3:23
No one is saved until they first realize they are lost, but they can’t do that until they first realize they are a sinner in need of salvation. Although that ought to be easy, many folks have a difficult time admitting it is true. If you are one of those people, what would it take to convince you that you are indeed a sinner? Here’s a suggestion.

Let’s suppose that God gave you a special revelation wherein He asked you what it would take for you to become a follower of Christ. Suppose He offered you perfect health for the rest of your life. Or suppose He added to that a promise that you would live until you are 120 years old. Still not interested? Suppose He offered you one million dollars a year for the rest of your life. Or suppose He said, “Just fill in the blank,_______ and I’ll give you whatever you want.

I suspect at some point a good number of people would take the offer and make “Christianity” their religion of choice. Of course this would never happen, because a person with that attitude could never be saved, but don’t miss the point. Would this not reveal the sinfulness of man? Think about how selfish such a person would be to do that. To know that God loved us enough to give His Son, who loved us so much that He gave His life for us, and then reject Him until He gave us what we wanted would be as sinful as anything could be. That would be an awful insult to God. Would that not prove that you are a sinner? And is it not true that for most people religion is all about what they get from it? Can you imagine how many would adopt Christianity as their religion if in doing so they could get whatever they wanted? This is what makes Romans 7:7 so important–“…. I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said , Thou shalt not covet.” Covetousness condemns us and who deny their guilt in this?

Now let’s look at this in another way. Rather than seeing yourself as sinful, picture yourself as perfect. Where there is sin there there must be some standard, a means to determine right for wrong, or a law that has been violated. So, put yourself in God’s place— pretend that you are holy and just. Now suppose someone did to you what was done to Jesus. Would that not be an offense? Would you not call that person a wrong-doer, a sinner? Would you not demand justice? Of course you would. It’s easy to see the guilt of others when the offense is against you—but you claim you don’t see it when you are the offending party. Really? To claim that you can’t see yourself as a sinner is dishonest. It goes beyond the pale of ignorance. It is sinful stubborn pride that causes you to deny your sinfulness, pretend you don’t need forgiveness, and reject the sacrifice of Christ.

Admit it or not, you are a sinner. You have broken God’s righteous law and, because God is just, your sin must be paid for. The good news is that Christ suffered and died to pay for your sins. Through Him you can be forgiven and delivered from the wrath of God, but you must receive Him as your Lord and Savior. To do that you must first recognize that you are indeed a sinner in the sight of God. That ought to be easy.

“God, even our own God, shall bless us.” Psalms 67:6
We live in tough times so we can expect difficult days, perplexing problems, and physical pain. At times it seems that everything is against us and nobody is for us. It is for this very reason that we must focus on God and His exceeding great and precious promises—doing so increases our faith and lifts our spirit. It helps us focus on the facts rather than our feelings. Our text this morning is one such example of what we to remember. Of this verse James Smith wrote:

“He has pledged Himself to do so in His word, and He delights to make good His promise. He is our God by covenant, by a spiritual birth, through Christ Jesus, and at our own desire, request, and consent. He is the great God who fills heaven and earth; the all-sufficient God, who has all resources in Himself; the unchanging God, who is eternally the same. He espouseth the quarrel of His people, He dignifies and ennobles them, and proves Himself gracious and merciful unto them. He blesseth them indeed; and if others curse, He turneth the curse into a blessing. We may rest fully assured of this pleasing fact, “God, even our own God, will bless us.” He has done so in Christ before time, He has promised to do so through time, and when time shall be no more. He will bless us in temporals and spirituals, He will bless us wherever we are. Let us believe the fact, and plead for its realization in our experience; this will embolden us in danger, fortify us against fear, and keep us in perfect peace. Let us trust in Him, and He will bless us, and so shall we rejoice in Him.”

Rise, my soul, with ardour rise!
Breathe thy wishes to the skies;
Freely pour out all thy mind,
Seek, and thou art sure to find;
Ready art thou to receive,
Readier is thy God to give.