Series: Grace In Times Of Trouble (Part IV)

The Transforming Grace of God – Read: Ephesians 4:17-24   17) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18) Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19) Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20) But ye have not so learned Christ; 21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

     Have you ever been misunderstood by friends or family members who haven’t accepted Jesus as their Savior? They may have accosted you with a statement such as: “You’re different somehow. You don’t think like everyone else.” 

     That is absolutely true. The moment Jesus enters your life, you are never the same. “You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord . . .” (Ephesians 5:8). He changes your outlook, your actions, and even your thought patterns as you study His Word and absorb His truth. (Romans 12:2).

     As you become more like Jesus, you develop attitudes and characteristics that mark you as His.

·        Humility – You recognize that God alone forgives your sin and makes you a new person (Ephesians 2:8-9). You know you don’t deserve His mercy, and nothing you do can earn His love, a free gift of grace.

·        Dependence – You don’t rely solely on your own capabilities or intelligence but desire to do God’s Will and serve others.

·        Confidence – You don’t fear failure or the unknown. God has a plan for your life, and He works all things together for your good. (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28)

Don't Quit

     I was reading scripture in the book of Hebrews and noted the following: ("...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus...." Hebrews 12:1-2), and a poem (Author Unknown) I had recently read came to mind. I wanted to share it with you in hopes due to all the unrest [political, financial, unemployment] in our nation today, that it might instill in each of you; Encouragement, Hope and Faith in God, Nation and Family. Remember Don’t Give Up – Don’t Quit!

Don't Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You might succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far.

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worse, that you must not quit.

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).