Stop At Grace (Lu. 4:22)

Read Luke 4:22.

The people heard the gracious words and thought about them.  They could've ended a good service, said amen and gone home edified.  Then it happened.  They started over-thinking things which led to even more talking.  That talking went beyond grace.  The people digressed from grace to criticism. That's how a story that began well (4:16-21) ended so poorly (4:28-29).

Above and Beyond (2 Kin. 8:6)

Talk about exceeding one's expectations! The woman got what she asked for (the house, the land) and what she didn't ask for (7 years' worth of income from the land). The king went above and beyond (Eph. 3:20). What a generous, gracious King we serve! Recount the specific ways God has gone above and beyond for you.

1. He LAVISHED His grace on you (Eph. 1:7-8).
2. He gives you eternal life AND abundant life (Jn. 3:16; 10:10).
3. Upon confession of your sin, He forgives you of your sin AND cleanses you from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:9).
4. He doesn't operate on the philosophy "one and done." He is with you ALWAYS (Mt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5).
5. He didn't leave you without HELP (Psa. 46:1-3; Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:11).
6. You not only have peace with God (Rom. 5:1) but you get to go to HEAVEN (Jn. 14:1-3).

Dinner For The Enemy (2 Kin. 6:20-23)

This is a good illustration of Psa. 23:5 - a banquet in the presence of enemies. The table was set for the victor, except here the victims were given a place as guests. The king extended hospitality to those who didn't deserve it. What a picture of grace!

Death In The Pot (2 Kin. 4:28-31)

Well...if this doesn't teach a story! It is possible to do the right thing with the right heart at the right time and still have it blow up in your face. Good works fall short. Good intentions don't always produce good outcomes.

Man's best intentions can't prevent death. Man's best effort is no substitute for God's touch. Man's work isn't enough. We need God's grace. God adds what man can't produce. Oh, how we need His provision! Lord, "flour" me with grace (Rom. 6:23).

Another point to consider -- What's in your "pot"? What is your life producing?

Death In The Pot (2 Kin. 4:28-31)

Well...if this doesn't teach a story! It is possible to do the right thing with the right heart at the right time and still have it blow up in your face. Good works fall short. Good intentions don't always produce good outcomes.

Man's best intentions can't prevent death. Man's best effort is no substitute for God's touch. Man's work isn't enough. We need God's grace. God adds what man can't produce. Oh, how we need His provision! Lord, "flour" me with grace (Rom. 6:23).

Another point to consider -- What's in your pot? What is your life producing?

Grain and Grace (Gen. 47:13-22)

Grain was always available but costly.  First money, then livestock, land and voluntary slavery.  Grain cost the recipient something.  Grace is always available but costly.  Grace is God's free gift, His unmerited favor.  It is free to you but it cost His Son, Jesus, everything.  While grace is free, it is also demanding.  The demand of grace is voluntary slavery to righteousness.

The grain was worth the cost.  Without grain, who cared about anything else?  Existence came before convenience.  Grace is worth its demand.  Without grace, you don't stand a chance.  Grace brings you new life, eternal life, abundant life.  Without eternal life, any other benefits don't matter.

Grain was stored for seven years to guarantee there would be enough for everyone at a later time.  God has stored up His grace and lavished it upon you (Eph. 1:8).  He hasn't run out of grace.  God gives more grace as it is needed.

The Trash Collector Came

Okay, confession time.  I enjoy watching the workers throw all my junk into the truck on trash day! 

Big, worn-out sofa -- right into the truck -- crushed as if it were a tomato.  Assortment of loose, annoying, unwanted items -- no problem -- heaved effortlessly into the truck.  The usual, "This is the normal, residual garbage from living life" stuff -- that's what the truck is for.  The pattern has been consistent:  Whatever I lug to the street gets taken away.

Is anyone catching the picture of grace and forgiveness here?

Spiritually, every day is trash day.  In fact, you can take out your trash multiple times a day if necessary!  Oh, and then there is the benefit of immediate pickup.  God wants to take your "stuff" more than you want to get rid of it.  He will never fine you for putting out too much "trash."

Jesus and Judas (Jn. 13:1-30)

We're continuing to read through the Gospel of John. Today's reading is John 13:21-38.

Consider the various ways in which Jesus extended Himself to Judas.

Jesus washed Judas' feet (Jn. 13:1-11). Perhaps Jesus' gentleness and humility would get through.

Jesus spoke of the betrayal out loud (Jn. 13:21). Perhaps Judas would realize he'd been caught. Perhaps he'd repent.

Jesus showed favor to Judas (Jn. 13:26). Judas was offered a favored portion. He was given grace.

Jesus could've exposed Judas but didn't (Jn. 13:28-30). Instead, Jesus let him make a choice. At all times Jesus' intention was to rescue and save, not condemn.

When the mob arrived to arrest Jesus, Jesus called Judas "Friend" (Mt. 26:50). Jesus kept reaching out.

Never underestimate the length to which Jesus will go to draw someone to Himself. Keep praying for those unsaved loved ones.

The Skinny on Grace (Jn. 7:53-8:11)

We're continuing to read through the Gospel of John. Today's reading is John 8:2-29. -----

The gift of grace. Grace is God's unmerited favor to man (Eph. 2:8-9).

The gentleness of grace. Jesus was gentle with the woman. He did not shame her any further. Also, Jesus was gentle with the Pharisees. He did not overdo it in His response.

The generosity of grace. Jesus didn't get into the details of the woman's sin or the Pharisees' sins. He gave both the Pharisees and the woman an easier way out than having a trial.

The gravity of grace. Grace is not an excuse to sin (Rom. 6:1-2); it's an empowerment not to sin. Grace is a second (and Nth) chance. That chance comes with a responsibility to change.

The greatness of grace. "Neither do I condemn you." Jesus could've, but He didn't. For those who are in Christ Jesus there is no condemnation (Rom. 8:1, 4).

No wonder John Newton called grace "amazing"!

The Behavior of Grace (Jn 7:53-8:11)

1. The gentleness of grace. Jesus did not shame the woman any more. Also, He didn't over-blast the Pharisees.
2. The generosity of grace. Jesus didn't get into the details of the woman's sin or of the Pharisees' sins. He gave both the woman and the Pharisees an easier way out than having a trial.
3. The gravity of grace. Grace is not an excuse; it's an empowerment. A second chance. That second chance comes with responsibility. Stop sinning. Change. Let's not be guilty of receiving God's grace in vain.
4. The greatness of grace. "Neither do I condemn you." Jesus could've, but didn't. For those who are walking in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation.