“…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…†Joshua 24:15 NIV
Henry shared a devotion with us on Friday giving five points that I should remember as I come to the Lord in prayer. I am reading Max Lucado’s new book, Every Day Deserves A Chance, and then my pastor as part of his sermon this week spoke about God’s grace. I think God is trying to get a specific point through to me!
Every day I have lots of choices to make. Will I get up on time or hit the snooze button and then rush through my morning preparations? Will I give 100% at work or slide by on 95%? Will I notice and comment on all the things Henry did or nitpick on the item he forgot to do? Will I lay down at night and remember the Believer that God put in my path to allow a time of encouraging each other or will I remember the three “jerks†that were also in my path today?
Every choice comes down to one key element: GOD’S GRACE.
“My grace is sufficient for you…†Jesus said to Paul and to me and to you. (2 Corinthians 12:9) God’s unconditional love is sufficient for all occasions and all situations. God’s love is poured out on me not so I can just wallow in it but to soak it up like a sponge and then squeeze it out on others and on situations that I walk through.
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.†2 Timothy 2:1 NIV
Since God’s grace/love is not just warm and squishy! Yes, it can be. It can be that warm, soft, perfectly-sized blanket on the coldest and loneliest of nights. God’s love doesn’t leave me alone. BUT God’s love is also STRONG. It is armor that protects my heart, my mind, my spirit with God’s truth! It is the strength that lifts my arm to reach out again to someone who isn’t living in the grace of God! Including myself! There’s a good question: Do I allow God’s grace to pour over myself or do I keep beating myself up?
God’s grace is always enough. I need to steep myself in God’s grace. I need to soak in His words and all things that are Him. Worship Him. Listen to Him. CHOOSE (there’s that word again!) to do things that are from God! Do I answer EVERY phone call that rings in my home or on my cell? I LOVE CALLER I.D.! NO! I don’t’ talk to tel-a-marketers and survey takers! Do I let everyone that knocks on my door inside my house? NO! Some people get a small smile and a polite snap of the door SHUT! Neither should I accept every word that comes across a TV or news print or person who spouts their idea of truth or even a joke. Allowing God’s Spirit to put up a “Holy Filter†on my senses and my heart will keep me receiving God’s good grace and filter out the twisted filth of “the other guyâ€.
God’s grace is given in sufficient quantities and available for me any day, any time. It is up to me to open the gates of my heart to Him and allow that grace to come in to me. It is my choice … every day.
In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the RICHES of GOD’S GRACE that he LAVISHED on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7 NIV (my emphasis)
