Free to Run with Grace

We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. - 2 Corinthians 6:3

A thought made in the post “Build Each Other Up” is that there is no need to flaunt our knowledge to the detriment of someone else. Instead build up others. Be interested in finding their strengths and thinking of ways for them to receive the power God wants them to have.

Jesus came to earth and made the complex simple. Our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The Gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never lets us down.  The complexities in life are made more user friendly so we can find greater efficiency in our daily walk.

Take inspiration from the song Control by Tenth Avenue North. God has the power to lift the weight that holds us down so we are free to run with grace.

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Growing in Grace

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The post “Married or Single” has some thoughts and reasons for marriage. Either single or married, God thinks you are AWESOME! You can use the skills you have, be happy with who you are, and continue to grow in grace for His glory. 

In life, we have to be able to make adjustments because things change. A person can go from being single to being married to being single again. We need a life plan that allows for adjustments along the journey. It’s important to have a cushion that softens change so we can go towards new ideas and strategies that may be hard at first but provides possibilities for a better future.

The Good News is that the principles taught in the Bible provide us with the life plan we need. Take inspiration from the song The Way by Jeremy Camp and continue to grow in grace today.

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Chipping Away

But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. – Job 23:10

As brought out in the post “Lighten the Load”, we need to get rid of that extra baggage in order to be all that God want us to be. We need to get rid of negative qualities that weigh us down like anger, pride, fear, and dishonesty. We need to trust in the Lord and lighten the load by being disciplined in His ways.

This day with God, celebrate the truth because God has started something good in you. As in this song Unfinished by Mandisa points out, His work in you is unfinished but day by day you are chipping away producing a masterpiece for God’s glory.

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Stand Firm in Faith

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. - 1 Peter 5:8-9

The post “Iron Sharpens Iron” gave some ideas for ways we can have right relationships with others. We all have certain God given personality strengths and weaknesses. With our strengths, we should refine them and share with others. With our weaknesses, we should be humble, listen, and be sharpened by others.

Sometimes we learn by observing what not to do. Maybe a brother, sister, parent, or some other person struggled with an addiction and you saw what it did to their life. Their negatives taught about the importance of creating positives in life. To stand firm in faith.

To create positives that heal and inspire us to do what we should, let the scars from life be completely understood. Let Grace be ushered in as pointed out in this song The Hurt & The Healer - MercyMe.

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Grace for the Humble

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. - James 4:6

The post “Removing Bad Traits” gave some ideas to fix broken things in our life. To take the mistakes of the past and give them to God. He offers grace to the humble so admit mistakes and live with confidence in what God can do for the future. 

Like the song Live Like You’re Loved – Hawk Nelson, we don’t have to live with perfection. It’s just energy wasted. Instead, live like you’ve been set free with no more guilt. Be who God made you to be; a very valuable person to take on big challenges. He can change our character to do amazing things to fulfill His purpose.

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Directed Steps

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? – Proverbs 20:24

The post “Details of Your Steps” discussed how to plan your course. The Lord provides the detailed steps needed for victory.

God is the truthful, faithful, and His grace is sufficient. We give praise as we sing along this song: Your Grace is Enough By Matt Maher.

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The Great Gift of Grace

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. - Ephesians 2:8

The post “Wisdom’s Call“ highlights the difference between wisdom and folly. One way leads to much despair and the other way leads us to God’s blessings.

Many may say that God’s Word is outdated and not useful in today’s world but it’s a lie. Insight is gained from reading the Bible and God’s plan for us is revealed. By accepting what Jesus did for us on the Cross, we receive the greatest gift of all and we can step out in faith.

Like the song Holy Spirit – Francesca Battistelli gives attention to, by accepting Christ as Savior we also welcome the guidance of the Holy Spirit to fill every aspect of our life. We accept the great reward of God’s presence and guidance.

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More Blessed to Give than to Receive

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ - Acts 20:35

Generosity is the best way to find joy and meaning. Paul gave his time to proclaim the gospel of Christ. Jesus gave everything; even His life. Receive inspiration from today’s song When Love Sees You by Mac Powell.

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Forgiven and Given

If you have anything against anyone, forgive them, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. - Mark 11:25-26

In the post “The Door is Opened with Grace”, pointed out is that there is a way to be forgiven and given the key to the kingdom. One of God’s qualities is that the door is open to all with eyes ready to see Him. The door is open to anyone with ears that listen to the Gospel message and receive the gift of God’s mercy.

So accept, appreciate, and affirm all who are willing to receive grace. Remember … the cross meant to kill brings the victory and as pointed out in the song Forgiven by Crowder, there is freedom in His amazing grace. His arms are open to receive those who believe.

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Flourish with His Grace

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. - 2 Peter 3:18

When we grow in the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we receive the nourishment needed to flourish. It’s really just that simple. The Gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never lets us down.

Take inspiration from today’s song Grace Wins by Matthew West and gain confidence in continuing to flourish with His grace.

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Gain Wisdom

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. - Proverbs 2:6

The main point of the post “The Way to Righteousness” is that what is most important is not following some law or restriction but just accepting God’s grace and doing things that make a lot of sense. Everyone needs God's grace. Once received, one can gain wisdom to live the way life is meant to be lived.

The best way is God’s Way and we can enroll in God’s school of wisdom. The Bible is the text book to the course. Here’s a video to inspire us today as we follow the best way and apply the wisdom gained in our life: The Way by Jeremy Camp.

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Great Value in Starting New

But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. - Philippians 3:7-8

Grace received because of Christ and the Holy Spirit in you adds great value to your life. It is worth more than anything in the world because you then start new with freedom, peace, and the courage needed to face any challenge as you step ahead.

This day will be amazing because with God, we can sincerely believe that each obstacle will be overcome and enthusiastically act upon each task until completion; celebrating progress throughout each day by praising Him.

As the song Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli recommends, welcome God’s Spirit inside. Be aware of God’s presence and experience the glory of His goodness.

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Will is More Important than Skill

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:13-14

The post “Instrument of Righteousness” was about yielding to God and using this as the catalyst to ultimate victory in life.  On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate yourself in yielding to God’s will and being used as an instrument of righteousness?

You have a role to play because you have will and will is more important than skill. Choose to be on God’s side for He is always right.

In the song My Victory by Crowder, one point made is how the Cross which was meant to kill was used to bring victory for you and me. To step ahead, let us think about what the enemy uses to attack us with. Let us think about ways to turn it against the enemy and use as a means to bring victory to many lives today.

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Free Indeed

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. - 2 Peter 3:18

Explained in the post “From Death to Life” is how the pattern of sin and death was broken by the free gift of Christ. The grace of God and the gift of righteousness reigns in life eternal. There’s no better deal in the world. To me, it makes good sense to take it.

Everyone needs God’s grace. Once received, one can gain wisdom to live the way life is meant to be lived. As the main point given to us in the song Dear Younger Me by MercyMe, our tomorrows can be better than our yesterdays and today can be amazing because our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The Gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never let us down.

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Kingdom Wealth

Teach us to number our days aright. That we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Psalms 90:12

Explained by Paul in the post “Right Standing”, Abraham could not boast before God or claim his due because it was by faith and not by works that God did amazing things through him. The priority was more faith because it is etched eternally into God’s account. What if instead of working at building up an account like a bank account or a 401K account, we used more of our time to build up kingdom wealth.  

Faith is like uncut diamonds that are improved and made into bright gems for a useful life. One way to build up this eternal faith account is to capture thoughts from sermons or Bible Study, and from experiences that we go through or those we know go through. Another way to build up eternal faith is gathering inspiration from music or photos just like this one: Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) – Hillsong United.

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Live by Faith in the Son of God

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

As pointed out in the post “Way to Righteousness”, legal obedience does not make one acceptable to God but faith in Jesus Christ does and this is God’s way of righteousness.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God but can be justified freely by grace. Not by works but by faith in Christ. As in this song Embrace the Cross by Steve Green, let us replace every doubt or fear with a deep abiding trust in Jesus.

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Decide to Dive

Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. - Hebrews 4:16

In the post “Purpose of the Law”, brought out is the fact that it is impossible to be justified before God by our own efforts because no one is perfect. I remember from a sermon at the church I worship at the following point:

The Journey with Jesus begins with a decision (MK 1:16-17), with leaving the familiar (MK 1:12-20), with Jesus saying lets go, with a change in view (MK 1:17) and in following the real Jesus (Ac 9:10-11).*

The things that hinder us many times are self-inflicted. There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called “Dive” that inspires us to take some risk when it comes to finding what’s important in life. The Journey with Jesus requires that we dive right in and start the continual change process by following His Way.

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*"Sermons." FUMC Waco. Web. <http://fumcwaco.org>.

Celebrate Differences

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. - Romans 15:7

God has made us all for a purpose and we need to celebrate differences. According to Guinness World Records, the tallest man living is 8 ft. 3 inches. The shortest man living is 2 feet tall. A startling comparison is that if humans varied as much in height as dogs do, the smallest person would be 2 feet tall and the tallest person would stand 31 feet tall!

The picture we get from the post “Always Remains the Same” is that we all are different. Some are skilled in teaching, some are skilled in administration, and others may be skilled in encouragement. We all also have some weaknesses but let us be thankful that God always remains faithful, true, righteous, and just. 

Rather than expecting perfection from others, we can accept each other as a child of God and work in unity using our specific gifts God has given us. Then we are not competing against each other but against our enemies like doubt, bondage, and hate.

As the scripture above says, we should approach each day with the attitude of accepting one another. Take inspiration from today’s song: Come As You Are by Crowder.

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Living the Way He Teaches

Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to Your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor You. - Psalm 86:11

The post “Integrate Faith with Actions” is about Paul pointing out that what we know in our mind needs to lead into the heart. It’s all about receiving God’s mercy and grace by accepting Christ first. Then, our hearts are transformed into committed followers of His Way.   

Every day can be amazing because we are putting the guidance of the Holy Spirit into practice. We can’t work hard enough to be saved but we can accept Christ in our heart and give it our best effort to daily show that we are saved.

Like the song Back to God by Reba McEntire, let us inspire others to begin today to integrate our faith with our actions because knowing God and accepting His grace makes our burdens lighter. Before long, the world will be changed for the better.

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Doers of the Word

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. - James 1:22

Explained in the post “The Power of the Gospel” is that Paul wanted to share the Gospel with the Roman Christians because he knew the Gospel would meet their needs and the Gospel message would spread faster to all parts of the world.

 Today, we look around us in this world and see poverty, sickness, and pain. We may ask God why He doesn’t do something. The thing is, He did by giving us the power of the Gospel to be His hands and feet to the world.

The Gospel message is so powerful because it continues to grow and can never be taken away or depleted. It has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never lets us down. It is like our fuel to energize us to do good works.

Maybe today it’s time for us to take to heart the song Do Something by Matthew West and be doers of the Word.  As the song says, if not us then who?

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