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Grace Greater Than All My Sin

Romans 3:23-24 (NASB)

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus."

Anecdote:

Jack grew up in a loving home, but he always felt the pressure to be perfect. Whether it was in school, sports, or relationships, he strived for excellence. However, no matter how hard he tried, he often fell short. This struggle left him feeling unworthy and disconnected from others, and even from God. Jack knew the truth about God's love, but deep down, he felt that his mistakes and failures disqualified him from fully receiving it.

One evening, after yet another disappointment, Jack confided in his grandfather, who was a man of deep faith. His grandfather gently reminded him of Romans 3:23-24, explaining that no one is perfect, and that’s why we need Jesus. "God’s grace," his grandfather said, "isn’t something you earn by being perfect. It’s a gift given to you because God loves you, flaws and all." For the first time, Jack began to understand that grace was about receiving what he could never achieve on his own.

Application:

Romans 3:23-24 presents both the problem and the solution for humanity. We all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory—there's no denying our imperfections and failures. But the beauty of this passage lies in the second part: we are "justified as a gift by His grace."

This justification is not something we can earn through good deeds or perfect behavior. It's a gift, freely given through the redemption found in Christ Jesus. It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to earn God’s favor, thinking that our mistakes and sins disqualify us from His love. But God’s grace is greater than our shortcomings. His love reaches out to us, not because we deserve it, but because He is merciful.

In our daily lives, we should embrace this grace, letting go of the pressure to be perfect. When we fall, we can come to God, confident in His forgiveness and love. And as we receive this grace, we are called to extend it to others, reflecting the unconditional love of Christ.

Further Scripture:

Ephesians 2:8-9; "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Titus 3:5-7; "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Psalm 103:12; "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your incredible grace that covers all our sins and shortcomings. We acknowledge that we have all fallen short of Your glory, but we rejoice in the gift of justification through Christ Jesus. Help us to live each day in the freedom and assurance that Your grace provides, and empower us to extend that same grace to those around us. May we always remember that we are loved and accepted by You, not because of our own efforts, but because of what Jesus has done for us. In His precious name we pray, Amen. 

The Blessing of Obedience

Read:

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and put Me to the test now in this,” says the Lord of armies, “if I do not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruit of your ground; nor will the vine in the field prove fruitless to you,” says the Lord of armies. “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the Lord of armies." 

Malachi 3:10-12 (NASB)

Reflection:

In Malachi 3:10-12, God issues a profound challenge to His people: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse." The tithe, representing the first ten percent of their produce, was a tangible act of worship, symbolizing trust in God's provision. God calls His people to bring the full tithe, not withholding anything, and He attaches a remarkable promise to their obedience.

God invites His people to "put Me to the test." This is one of the few places in Scripture where God encourages His people to test Him, specifically in the area of giving. He promises to open the "windows of heaven" and pour out blessings until they overflow. The imagery here is powerful: God's blessings will be abundant, so much so that they cannot be contained.

Furthermore, God promises to protect what belongs to His people. He will "rebuke the devourer," ensuring that the fruit of their labor is not destroyed. This is a promise of divine protection and prosperity. When we honor God with our resources, He not only blesses us, but He also safeguards the work of our hands.

The result of this obedience is not just personal blessing, but a testimony to the nations. "All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land," God declares. Our obedience in giving not only brings us closer to God's heart, but it also becomes a witness to others of His goodness and faithfulness.

Application:

Consider how you are stewarding what God has entrusted to you. Are you bringing the "whole tithe" into God's storehouse? This could mean your financial resources, your time, your talents—anything that God has given you. Test God in this area, as He invites you to do. See how He responds with blessings that overflow, both in your life and in your ability to be a blessing to others.

This Scripture is a promise of Provision, Protection, and Peace. 

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

6 Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]. 7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].

It's the law of sowing and reaping and my friend, it works.  God is generous with those who are generous with what He has given them. 

Our joy in giving also delights the Lord.  Not only are proving your obedience, you are revealing your trust in God's Promise.

Ask God to help you trust Him more deeply with your resources. Reflect on how you can be a testimony of God's goodness to those around you by faithfully giving and trusting in His provision.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to trust You with all that You have given me. I want to bring the whole tithe into Your storehouse, knowing that You are faithful to Your promises. Open the windows of heaven and pour out Your blessings, not just for my sake, but so that I may be a testimony of Your goodness to those around me. Protect the work of my hands, and let my life be a delightful land that reflects Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Scripture: ‭2 Chronicles 7:13-14

[13] If I shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence and plague among My people, [14] and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land. 

"Reflection: This passage captures a profound promise from God, emphasizing the power of humility, prayer, and repentance. In times of distress and calamity, whether due to natural disasters, economic hardships, or health crises, God extends an invitation to His people: a call to return to Him. The context here is significant.

After Solomon dedicated the temple, God appeared to him, offering these words as a response to potential future crises. This reveals God's heart: He desires relationship and restoration, not punishment and destruction. 

The conditions set forth—humility, prayer, seeking His face, and turning from wickedness—are not merely ritualistic acts but are about genuine relationship and a transformation and alignment with God's will.

1. Humility: 

Humility is the first step. Acknowledging our dependence on God and our inability to control everything is crucial. When we humble ourselves, we recognize that our strength, wisdom, and resources are insufficient without God. Humility allows us to approach God with a contrite heart, open to His guidance and correction.

2. Prayer: 

Prayer is our communication with God. It is through prayer that we express our needs, seek His guidance, and intercede for others. Prayer is not a one-sided monologue but a dialogue where we also listen to God's voice. Persistent, heartfelt prayer reflects our trust in God's power to change circumstances and our willingness to align with His purposes.

3. Seeking His Face: 

To seek God's face means to pursue an intimate relationship with Him, desiring His presence above all else. It goes beyond merely asking for things; it is about knowing God more deeply and allowing His character to transform ours. Seeking God’s face is about prioritizing His presence in our lives.

4. Turning from Wicked Ways: Repentance involves a sincere turning away from sin. It is an acknowledgment of our wrongdoings and a commitment to change our behavior.

True repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sins but taking deliberate steps to live according to God's standards.God's

Response:

When these conditions are met, God promises to hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land.

This assurance is profound. It speaks of God's readiness to restore, renew, revive, and to bring healing and forgiveness. 

His promise to respond to our humility, prayer, and repentance; is rooted in His love and faithfulness to those who believe in and are committed to Him in Christ.

Application:

In our personal lives and communities, we face challenges that can feel overwhelming. This passage invites us to respond by turning to God with humble hearts.

Let us commit to:

A. Approaching God with humility, acknowledging our need for Him.

B. Praying earnestly, not just in times of need but as a continual practice.

C. Seeking a deeper relationship with God, prioritizing His presence in our daily lives.

D. Repenting from our sins, making conscious efforts to live righteously.

As we do, we can trust in God's promise to hear, forgive, and heal.  Our God has, is, and will always honor and answer His promises to His people. 

This devotion is not just a call to personal renewal and revival but a collective invitation to see transformation in our communities and nations. May we be a people known by God’s name, marked by humility, prayer, and righteousness, experiencing the fullness of His healing and restoration.

Prayer:

Father God, we admit and confess that our church, community, nation, and we ourselves need you to touch us with hand and renew, refresh, restore, and revive.

We cannot serve or worship you as we should without your help.

With all humility we seek your face, confess our sin and ask for your forgiveness.

Please Father, bring healing to our souls, healing to your church, and healing to our nation.

We love you and we love your Son, Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, AMEN