God's Grace

Mar

2024

Breathing In God’s Grace

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” – Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NIV)

Focus on What Truly Matters

Our hectic lives often leave us feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from what truly matters.

In the busyness of our days, we can lose sight of the essential things God desires from us: reverence, obedience, love, and wholeheartedness.

Yet, these requirements are not oppressive burdens but invitations to breathe in God’s grace and find fulfillment in aligning our lives with His purposes.

Reverence

To fear the Lord does not mean to cower in terror but to stand in awe of His majesty and power.

When we recognize our own smallness in comparison to His greatness, our perspective shifts. Reverence helps us realize that our lives are not our own, but gifts from the One who created us.

This humble acknowledgment opens the door to true obedience.

Obedience: Following God’s Path

Obedience is not mere rule-following but a response of love and trust. When we walk in obedience, we allow God’s wisdom to guide our steps.

His commands and decrees are not arbitrary restrictions but signposts pointing us toward the abundant life He desires for us.

As we follow His path, we discover that His ways are indeed for our good.

Embracing the Giver

Love is the heartbeat of our relationship with God.

It is more than an emotion; it is a deep commitment to embrace the One who first loved us. When we love God with our whole being, our priorities align, and our actions flow from a place of genuine devotion.

Love transforms obedience from a duty to a delight.

Living with Undivided Devotion

To serve God with our entire heart and soul is to live with undivided devotion.

It means bringing every aspect of our lives – our thoughts, desires, decisions, and actions – under the Lordship of Christ. When we do this, we experience a profound sense of purpose and unity, no longer fragmented by competing allegiances or divided affections.

As we breathe in God’s grace and align our lives with His desires, we discover the true freedom and fullness that come from walking in reverence, obedience, love, and wholeheartedness.

Let go of lesser things and cling to the essentials, finding our deepest satisfaction in the One who asks us to give Him our all.

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“One Minute with God”

Feb

2024

Secret Things Belong to the Lord

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29, NIV)

Context

This verse comes from a book that records the words and deeds of Moses, the leader and lawgiver of Israel. In this book, he reviews the history and the covenant of God with His people, as they prepare to enter the promised land.

He reminds them of the blessings and curses that will follow their obedience or disobedience to God’s commands.

In chapter 29, he renews the covenant with them, and warns them of the consequences of breaking it. He also acknowledges that there are some things that only God knows, and some things that He has revealed to them.

The Message

What can we learn from this verse and its context? First, we can learn that God is sovereign and mysterious. He has the secret things, meaning that He has the knowledge and the power that are hidden from us.

He knows the end from the beginning, and He controls all things according to His will. He is the one who makes and keeps the covenant, and He is the one who judges and saves.

He is the one who reveals and conceals, and He is the one who speaks and acts.

Second, we can learn that God is gracious and faithful. He has the things revealed, meaning that He has the knowledge and the power that are given to us.

He has revealed Himself to us, and He has revealed His will to us. He has given us His law, His promises, His warnings, and His instructions. He has given us His presence, His guidance, His protection, and His provision.

He has given us His Son, His Spirit, His Word, and His Church.

Third, we can learn that God is holy and righteous. He has the words of this law, meaning that He has the standard and the expectation that are required of us.

He has given us His commands, His statutes, His decrees, and His ordinances. He has shown us His ways, His works, His wonders, and His signs.

He has called us to love Him, to obey Him, to trust Him, and to serve Him.

How can we apply this verse and its message to our lives? Here are some suggestions:

Revere God

Acknowledge that God is sovereign and mysterious, and that He deserves our awe and respect.

Do not try to manipulate God, but accept His wisdom and authority. Do not doubt or question God, but worship and praise Him.

Do not ignore or neglect God, but seek and honor Him.

Receive God

Recognize that God is gracious and faithful, and that He offers us His love and mercy.

Do not reject or resist God, but welcome His revelation and gift. Do not take for granted or abuse God, but appreciate and cherish Him.

Do not forget or betray God, but remember and thank Him.

Respond to God

Realize that God is holy and righteous, and that He expects us to be His obedient and faithful people.

Do not disobey or rebel against God, but follow His commands and instructions. Do not disregard or compromise with God, but heed His warnings and promises.

Do not disappoint or dishonor God, but please and glorify Him.

The secret things belong to the Lord, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children. This is the message of Deuteronomy 29:29, and this is the message of the covenant. Let us heed it and live by it.

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“One Minute with God”

Jul

2023

First Fruits

Every good thing we experience in life comes from a source of unwavering goodness. James 1:18 reminds us of this truth, saying,

“He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created.”

This verse speaks to the generous nature of God, who desires to bring forth new life within us and bless us with every good and perfect gift.

When James speaks of being “born through the word of truth,” he is highlighting the transformative power of God’s Word in our lives.

It is through the message of truth found in the Scriptures that we encounter the life-giving power of Jesus, leading to a new birth and a transformed existence.

God’s Word has the ability to bring forth spiritual life within us, enabling us to become a reflection of His goodness and a testimony of His grace.

As we reflect on James 1:18, we are reminded of the faithfulness of God to create and sustain us. He is the source of all life, both physical and spiritual, and every good thing we enjoy is a reflection of His loving provision.

We are called to recognize and acknowledge the source of these blessings, offering gratitude and praise to the One who has given us new life and showered us with His abundant grace.