Series: Grace For Times Of Trouble (Part III)

The Transforming Grace of God - Read: 1 Timothy 1:9-17 – 9) Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10) For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11) According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.  12) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13) Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14) And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16) Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17) Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.

     Concern about her salvation, the woman met with her pastor. “I don’t know how Jesus can accept me,” she cried. “I want to give my life to Him, but I’m not ready. You don’t know what I’ve done. Jesus can’t possibly forgive me.”

     Feeling guilty about past wrongs is understandable. Sin is ugly in God’s eyes, but He took care of the problem on the Cross. When you agree with God that your sin is wrong and accept Jesus’ payment in your place, you are freed by His blood – clean and righteous in God’s sight. No one is too wicked, too horrible, too unlovable, and too vile for Jesus to love.

     Paul, the missionary and apostle, said: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience. . .” (v. 15-16) One of the greatest evangelists of all time was once a vicious persecutor of Christians.

     No matter what you have said or done, you can hold fast to this promise: “In [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

Series: Grace For Times Of Trouble (Part II)

Read: Philippians 3:7-9 – (7 “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. 9) And be found in Him, not having my own Righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the Faith of Christ, the Righteousness which is of God by Faith:

     You probably have a childhood memory of being sick and having to take some awful medicine. It was a disgusting color and smelled horrible, and you just know it would taste worse than it looked. Still, your mother said, “It’s good for you – really. You’ll feel better.” It was hard to imagine how something that seemed so bad could actually be for your good.

     Paul endured beating after beating, rejection, mockery, shipwreck. Yet with rejoicing and confidence, he made this statement of conquering faith while in a Roman prison: “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. . .” (vv. 8).

     The events that many people would consider a curse or a punishment, Paul considered trivialities, unimportant when compared to the outcome of following Christ. As a result, Paul not only found deep and abiding fellowship with Jesus, but he was God’s key instrument for reaching much of the world with the gospel.

     Do you view your problems in light of God’s purpose? Even when it’s difficult to see what lies ahead, you can rely on His grace to make every trouble a channel of His blessing. The flow of His grace is swiftest when the need is greatest.

Series: Grace For Times Of Trouble

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – (7 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the Revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8) For this thing I be sought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me. 9) And He said unto me, My Grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakens. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rests upon me. (10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

     True or false: If you have enough faith, pray regularly, and obey God, He will change or remove the negative circumstances in your life?

     Anyone who tells you the answer to this statement is “true” isn’t being honest. The message of Jesus Christ is not a “name it and claim it” gospel that says if you want a certain blessing badly enough God will give it to you on your conditions.

     As your loving Father, He has your best interest at heart. If something you ask for doesn’t fit His perfect plan for your work and wellbeing, He may say no. His care goes beyond the pleasure of the moment. He is always at work preparing you for the future, sometimes at the expense of temporary pain.

     Paul learned this lesson well, after petitioning God three times to remove a problem, he began to understand why God didn’t taken his trouble away. “And He has said to me, My Grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakens. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rests upon me.”(vs.9).

Stay tuned for another installment shortly of:  “Grace For Times Of Trouble”