What Takes Place After Salvation

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

New International Version (NIV) www.biblegateway.com/

To truly grasp what Jesus did for us on the cross - and to be able to share the gospel effectively - it's essential to have an accurate understanding of the terms we use to describe salvation.

   SAVED (Ephesians 2:8). This is synonym for rescued. Mankind needs rescuing because without Jesus, we are all destined for divine wrath, hell, and eternal separation from God.

  REDEEMED (Ephesians 1:7) Redemption implies a transaction. Our salvation was purchased through the shedding of Jesus Christ's blood.

   JUSTIFIED (Romans 5:1). When someone trusts in Christ, God pardons that person and removes his or her guilt. A saved individual is in right standing with the Lord. 

   RECONCILED (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Salvation results in a relationship with God. We were once separated from Him, but now we are His sons and daughters, and He calls us His friends (John 15:15).

   Using words like redemption, justification, and reconciliation might not be effective when presenting the gospel to someone unfamiliar with the language often used in church. However, it's important for us to understand what the Bible teaches about salvation, and these terms give us a framework for explaining the good news to others.

   We must recognize that we are not saved by our personal works or performance. Salvation is ours by God's grace - His unmerited, undeserved, loving favor toward us - and at the cost of Jesus' own blood. Let us not take for granted how God has rescued us: by sending His Son to die in our place.

Stanley, Charles F. "What Takes Place After Salvation." In Touch: Daily Reading for Devoted Living. February 2019. Atlanta: In Touch Ministries. page 35.

How Grace Changes Everything

1 Timothy 1:12-17

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.   NIV  Bible Gateway.com        

   Our life is hopeless without God. Because every person is born with a bent away from God, we continue to choose wrong paths throughout our days on earth. These unrighteous choices are known as sin, the penalty for which is death and eternal separation from God. No one is exempt from this biblical truth—and none of us can do anything to change the situation.
   Enter God's grace, His unmerited favor toward us. We can do nothing to earn it. He blesses us according to His goodness, apart from anything we've done.
  Consider the apostle Paul, whose original intention was to persecute anyone claiming to follow Jesus. He played a significant role in the unspeakable violence aimed at Christians and, in his own words, was the "chief" of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Nothing he did deserved God's love.
   Divine grace led the Almighty to reach down and forgive this hateful zealot and blasphemer of Jesus' name. God lovingly transformed him into a man who dedicated himself to sharing the gospel message. Paul's life beautifully illustrates grace.
   We are unable to do enough good deeds to earn our way to heaven. Salvation is possible only because by grace, Christ died on the cross. The one who took the punishment for our sin deserves all credit for our redemption.
   Jesus' death covered the sins of the entire world. There is no transgression too great for Him to forgive. We can add nothing to His act of atonement; all we can do is receive this free gift. If we trust in Christ as Savior, God will save us, making us His children forever.
Stanley, Charles F. "How Grace Changes Everything." In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living November 2016. Atlanta: In Touch Ministries. page 24.

What Is the Christian Life?

Titus 3:4-7

⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  NIV  Bible Gateway.com

   The Christian life is just that - a life, not simply a set of rules. Sadly, a lot of churches preach Christianity as a list of dos and don'ts. Then faith looks like a formula: Jesus' saving grace plus doing good things minus doing bad things equal righteousness. Most of us have enough problems without worrying about whether we're following the extra-biblical rules of a church.
   A man-made formula for righteousness runs counter to scriptural teaching. Not only did Jesus condemn the Parisees' heavy-handed religion, but He Himself offered liberty through grace ( Matt. 23:1-4; John 8:36). Neither keeping God's law by self-effort nor adhering to extra rules makes a person free. Legalistic believers are in bondage and growing ever weaker.
   When a person accepts the saving grace of Jesus Christ, he or she receives a new life. (See Rom. 6:4.) This is not an uptight lifestyle of doing good works. A believer is a changed person - the same body but a transformed mind and heart. Christ lives through you. His Holy Spirit flows into your spirit just as sap runs in a grapevine. It's like getting a spiritual blood transfusion! Strength pumps into places where weakness once prevailed. Why rely upon your frail self when the courage and power to follow God's will are available through Christ?
   ... Depend upon Him to change you from the inside out, and trust that He will. Jesus is your life. He will never get tired of transforming you.
Stanley, Charles F. "What Is the Christian Life?" In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living September 2016. Atlanta: In Touch Ministries. page 31.

A Special People

1 Peter 2:9-10

⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
NIV from www.biblegateway.com

    
 Whenever feelings of low self-worth threaten us with discouragement, we need to rely on the truth of God's Word rather than on our emotions. Today we are going to examine four phrases that describe how the Lord sees every believer.
    A CHOSEN RACE. God chose you and me to be part of His kingdom and family because he wanted us. No one who has been specially selected by almighty God is insignificant.
   A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD. As believer, we are children of God and, therefore, part of a royal family. In other words, we are "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17). Just as Jesus fulfilled the roles of both king and priest, so God has also entrusted us with priestly responsibilities of worship and intercession for others.
   A HOLY NATION. The church - or body of Christ - is a group of people who are holy, which means "set apart" for the purposes of God. Our lives are never meaningless, because living for the Lord is the greatest purpose one can have.
   A PEOPLE FOR GOD'S OWN POSSESSION. You and I are the heavenly Father's personal possessions. (See Deut. 14:2; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9.) Because He sees us a precious, He sent His Son to die on the cross in our place so we could belong to Him.
   Each of these descriptions shows the high value God places on you. Satan may whisper lies of condemnation and criticism, but he can't change who you really are. Begin today to demonstrate the truth of Scripture by remembering your real identity and living out your high calling from the Lord. 

 Stanley, Charles F. "A Special People." In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living. April 2016. page 34.

Thoughtful Living

Psalm 25:8-15

Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
⁹ He guides the humble in what is right
    and teaches them his way.
¹⁰ All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
    toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
¹¹ For the sake of your name, Lord,
    forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

¹² Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
    He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
¹³ They will spend their days in prosperity,
    and their descendants will inherit the land.
¹⁴ The Lord confides in those who fear him;
    he makes his covenant known to them.
¹⁵ My eyes are ever on the Lord,
    for only he will release my feet from the snare.

   Are you living thoughtfully and intentionally - or are you living automatically? It's so easy to get up each morning, do our work, enjoy some relaxation or entertainment, and fall into bed each night without giving any thought to God's involvement in our everyday life. But to be ignorant of how He has blessed, guided, protected, and warned us is a foolish way to live. Just consider the benefits of keeping our spititual eyes and ears open throughout the day.   

   We who are aware of God's presence during daily activities enjoy the peace of knowing He's always in control and working to achieve His good purposes. Day-to-day experiences with Him teach us to know and love Him more.

   When we learn to see God's footprints throughout each week, we will become aware of the scope of His involvement in His children's lives. Maybe He strengthened us for a task or opened a door of opportunity. Perhaps He guided our decisions or helped us respond in a godly way to a difficult person or a challenging situation.

   If our ears are open to the Lord's warnings and instructions, we won't repeat the same mistakes again and again. But if we remain deaf to His voice, we run the risk of continuing in unhealthy thought patterns, negative emotions, and foolish responses.

   Each night before you go to sleep, take some time to reflect on the day's activities. The heavenly Father is constantly with you, guarding and guiding your way. He wants you to see Him in everything and understand life from His perspective as you rely on His wisdom and power to face any challenge.

Stanley, Charles F. "Thoughtful Living." In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living. April 2016. page 25. 

The God Who Forgives

Matthew 6:9-13

⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’ 

 NIV from www.biblegateway.com

   Jesus gave his followers a pattern for prayer that includes seeking forgiveness every day. The invitation to regular repentance is not a means of renewing our salvation, but rather a maintenance plan for our fellowship with the Lord.

   The Lord's substitutionary payment for our transgressions means that we can look forward to an eternity spent in God's presence instead of getting the punishment we deserve. When we trust Jesus as our Savior, our sins are forgiven forever - the stains from our past, present, and future wrongs are wiped from our record. The tendency to sin, however, remains part of the human experience, though its influence decreases the more we're conformed to Christ's image.

   With the exception of Jesus Christ no person is perfect, so while on earth, we will all continue to deal with sin and its consequences. The Lord's admonition to seek daily forgiveness is a reminder to confess our sins and turn away from them because we are forgiven.

   God's grace is not a license to sin; instead, it's a reason to continuously pursue righteousness.  Bad attitudes, thoughtless actions, and unkind speech do not fit who we are as children of God. We're new creatures in Christ; we were bought for a price and set free to live as partakers of His grace.

   Salvation makes a way for us to enter God's presence, while regular confession and repentance keep the pathway well maintained and free of obstruction (1John 1:9). The 'sinner's prayer" need be said only once, but a saint will tap into God's forgiveness every day of his or her life. 

 

Stanley, Charles F. "The God Who Forgives." In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living. April 2016. page 14.

Our Relationship With God

Psalm 119:33-40

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep thy law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of thy commandments,
    for I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to thy testimonies,
    and not to gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
    and give me life in thy ways.
38 Confirm to thy servant thy promise,
    which is for those who fear thee.
39 Turn away the reproach which I dread;
    for thy ordinances are good.
40 Behold, I long for thy precepts;
    in thy righteousness give me life!
https://www.biblegateway.com RSV

   By trusting in Jesus Christ, a person enters into a lifelong relationship with the heavenly Father. As believers, we have a responsibility to keep that connection healthy.

   First, we must learn about our new family. As essential and ongoing part of family life involves knowing and being known by he other members. In the Bible, God gave a detailed description of His attributes, values, and thinking. And since Jesus came to earth, we can better understand His Father's divine character, which was demonstrated in a human life. As we meditate on Scripture, our sense of connectedness to God will grow.

   Second, we should stay in close contact with the Lord through prayer and study of His Word - and resist the temptation to put people, work or pleasures ahead of Him. Remember: Relationships thrive with consistent interaction but wither if they are neglected.

   Third, we must respond to what He has communicated to us. He provided instructions for living and explained what pleases Him. In healthy families, people pay attention to each other. We are to heed our Father's warnings and obey His commands.

   Finally, we're to grow in likeness to God. Relatives can resemble each other in subtle and obvious ways. As we cooperate with the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, we will start to think and act like our heavenly Father.

   The Father provided salvation through His Son, who died so we could be spiritually alive. Jesus set an example of loving, obedient service, and God's Spirit sanctifies us (1 Peter 1:2). Do your part to keep the relationship healthy.

Stanley, Charles F. In Touch: Daily Readings for Devoted Living. March 2016. Atlanta. page 40.

What is"surrendering" your life to God mean?

THE CONFUSED BUTTERFLY

By Judy L. Poe

I thought I was an ugly worm,

For I was taught this was the case;

And I always felt defeated,

But just assumed this was my place.

I used to watch the butterfly,

As she soared among the trees;

Her brilliant colors flashing bright,

As she floated about with ease.

But a worm, alas, was I it seemed,

That crawled upon the ground;

And there appeared no hope for me,

Till new life in Heaven I found.

But in the meantime, here on earth,

I was told to do the best I could;

And not to do the things I shouldn't,

And try to do the things I should.

So for many years I worked real hard,

To be the best worm I could be;

I worked and planned and served and studied,

To "help" God work His plan for me.

But my load became too heavy,

And failure darkened every door;

I said, "God, I just can't do it",

He said, "That's what I've waited for."

An then, through the Holy Spirit,

And His precious truths confirmed;

He said, "My child, you are a butterfly,

Stop acting like a worm.

When you trusted Christ as Savior,

You were changed and made brand new;

And those years you've acted like a worm,

Christ has longed to live through you."

So my "place" I found at last was grace,

And I thanked God for what I'd learned;

For when I surrendered all to Him,

I knew, at last, the worm had turned.

SURRENDERING RIGHTS

    A lot of misunderstanding surrounds the concept of Total Commitment. If one desires the best that God offers then Total Commitment is required. The more one gives and surrenders in Total Commitment the more one will understand and know of God.

    Understanding Christ's Life in you (The Exchanged Life) is understanding and experiencing what Christ can do in you and through you. It is what He can do in you and through you that He desires, not what you can do, accomplish or achieve.

    Another name for Total Commitment is Total Surrender or a personal Gethsemane expressed this way, "I want what You want more than anything else in life. Work on my case, and I will accept whatever You do." Many times we can give Him permission to do anything He wants to do in us, to us, with us and through us, but then complain because He doesn't do what we want Him to do and then we become angry.

    Total Commitment involves the surrender and release of that which I believe to be rightfully mine. But I really do not have that right. These are not rights. These are things I have been made to believe are mine, and that God owes me this. God does not owe me anything. He gave me His own Son. There is a large difference between what God chooses to give and what He owes.

We tend to cling to or hang on to each of the following as rights in an effort to meet our own felt needs:

MIND, EMOTION, WILL: I want to function from my soul. My mind and emotions are programmed with a world system philosophy and this get in the way of my relationship with God. The enemy wants me to function from my feelings and thoughts with no guidelines or limitations.

HEALTHY BODY:  People will like me better if I have an attractive body. I could have done a better job on me than God did. But God does not demonstrate His power in creating attractive bodies. He is more interested in re-creating Himself within us. Jesus "had no form or comeliness in His looks." There was nothing outstanding in His looks.

FUTURE PLANS:  My Heavenly Father does not owe me anything. He is working to form desires within my heart. Scripture says my first desire should be to know Him in His fullness.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION:  My attitude should be a willingness to live where He directs. I desire the best, and the best is to be where He wants me to be at any time (state, city, street, block, house on the block).

MARRIAGE: The tendency is to demand of God a spouse. If I believe God owes me a mate and I do not have one, I can become bitter and angry toward God. I will want to know when He is going to finish the job of completing me with a mate. My identity is not wrapped up in whether I am married or not. My identity in God is who I am individually. But I tend to see my identity in another form because this is the way society sees it.

RECREATION: I have no right to choose an activity that would not be honoring to God. My tendency is to function as if this is MY LIFE! But Scripture says that I have been bought with a price. I am not my own.

SUCCESS:  I feel that I belong on top, because I am His child and God desires that I prosper. But the Lord Jesus stressed the spiritual, not the physical. I want to take all those things and put them in a physical realm saying that this is what God wants for me. But I cannot measure in a physical way that which God desires for my life. By all earthly standards Christ's ministry was a flop! But it accomplished all that God intended. The prospering that God wants for me is that I mature and grow spiritually not that I measure up to some earthly standard that says that I acquired all this because I am His.

CLING TO THE PAST: I like to remember what he, she or they did to me. It gives me reason to complain. But this becomes a cop-out for my present attitude. I want to be angry and I want others to know all about what happened to me.

HABITS: I buy into a belief system which says that I am only human and that no one is perfect and that a man has to have one vice. But the Scripture says that I am indwelt by the Spirit of the Living God, therefore I am not just human. The Spirit of God lives in Me. That makes me more than just human.

POSSESSIONS: Everything I perceive to be a possession will ultimately begin to possess me. It is easy to say, "Heavenly Father, I give you my car," but what if He tells me to give it away tomorrow? I am a steward. God has given me possessions as a trust. I am to take care of God's trust they are not really mine. But I will cling to anything I think I own, and if someone violates MY STUFF, I will react in anger. "How dare they do this to my house, to me, to my car, etc.!!!?"

TIME: I do need to get away from things occasionally, however my attitude should never be one of demanding MY time. The Lord Jesus took ten specific breaks from His ministry in three years.

REPUTATION: I want people to think well of me. But what did people think and say about the Lord Jesus? What kind of reputation did He have?

DEFY AUTHORITY: This covers every area of life - parent/child, law, boss, head, God.

ACCEPTANCE: inside of me I tend to say, “Don't I have a right to get my acceptance needs met in others?” I have spent much of my life trying to milk acceptance from others. "Oh! PLEASE accept me!" But I am not to look to the world or to others for my acceptance. There is a big difference between WANTING other's acceptance and NEEDING it. I am accepted by God totally and completely in the Lord Jesus. If I spend my time trying to get my acceptance needs met in others, I will not look to God as my need-meeter.

WILL OF GOD: At times I tend to believe that God has shown me His will, and I come to believe I know exactly what God wants, but it all falls apart. I have presumed to know precisely what God wants. Often the enemy will give a stone and will try to convince me that it is bread and I conclude, "Look what God has given me!" But God did not give it. It came from the enemy. It is not the real thing. When I find out it is a stone and not bread, I become angry with God, but God did not do it.

HAPPY HOME: I NEED a neat, clean orderly home to be happy. Therefore, kids make your beds, clean your rooms, put your toys away.

PROBLEMS, DIFFICULTIES: I tend to think bad things happen to others. I believe good things mean God is blessing me, and bad things mean He is angry with me. As long as I am in this world I am potentially subject to every tragedy and difficulty that could happen. The difference is how I respond. Sometimes that is the only witness I will have to the world.

TAKING OFFENSE: I cannot offend a humble person. If I am humble I cannot be offended. A humble person can never be told anything about himself that he does not already know. When offenses come I need to keep short accounts by forgiving.

REAPING WHAT I SOW: I will reap what I sow. I want to do what I want to do, but I do not want to reap what I have sown. I may even confess my actions as sin. Many times God has kept me from reaping what I have sown, but He does not have to do so.

BE RIGHT: I must have the last word to verify my position. I need to admit that I do and can make wrong decisions, instead of functioning as if everything I do is right.

BE LOVED: Do I want love? Yes! Do I have a right to be loved? No! However, God does love me.

VISIBLE SECURITY: Land, possessions, money, stocks, bonds. It may be necessary for God to withhold any visible security so I will have to trust Him totally. It is too easy to trust what He has given instead of Him.

USED OF GOD: I want to be used of God, but I do not see Him using me. Why He does not use me is not the real issue, which is why should He use me? Who am I that He should use me? God does not have to use anybody. If I did not praise Him, the rocks would! I may not be ready for His use.

SEE RESULTS: God may lead me to do something and I want to see the results of my labors. The Word says that some plant the seed, some water, but the harvest is the Lord's. But I want to be in on the harvest.

DEMAND FROM GOD: The only right I have is the right to the Lord Jesus and all that He is. This has been given to me. It is not a right I earned. It is not a right I deserve. It is a right that was given to me through the act of salvation, through receiving the Lord Jesus as my Lord. And in that salvation I got Him and all that He is. Therefore, I function in the strength of Christ - - all that He is in me.

Abundant Life in Jesus Christ

“I have come that they might have LIFE, and might have it abundantly.”

John 10:10

   “An English minister describing his inner city outreach in Bristol, England once commented, ‘I minister to the lost, the least, the lonely and the last.’

   Perhaps you have felt like you would fall into any or all of these categories: lost, least, lonely, last. Well, be encouraged! Our Lord Jesus came just for YOU!”

Luke 5:31; 4:18-19; John 10:10; 8:32

   Or are you saying, “What about me?” “I’ve been a Christian for some time now and my life is still a mess. What’s wrong with the foundation of my house?”

   “Christ not only died for your sins, He came to give His life to you. Why? First, because He desires to have fellowship with you. Secondly, He wants to be able to live His life through you.

   …You don’t have to wait until you die to experience all of the benefits of life in Christ. They are yours NOW! God says that He has given you a whole new identity. He has made you a new creation. He has made you His precious child. What’s more, God says that He has seated you with Him in His presence already.

   And that’s only the beginning of the good news.”

   The Grace Life Handbook thoroughly explains the concepts of the Exchanged Life. This study guide offers diagrams and hands on Bible study in chapters titled When God Ran, Rejection, Understanding Flesh, Uniquely Designed, Victorious In Christ to name a few. Barry Grecu, Scott Brittin, Tom Grady, Ray Alton and Mike Quarles collaborated on the writing and editing of this handbook. For additional information:

Grace Ministries International

131 Village Parkway, NE

Marietta GA 30067

770-690-0433

www.gmint.org

   Another resource, Be Transformed offers Biblical solutions to life’s problems. This workbook is designed to help you address the root causes of the problems you face everyday.

  

   Scope uses the tree to represent man’s three-part nature: spirit, soul, and body.

Ø  The roots represent the spirit of man, which is the means of knowing and worshipping God.

Ø  The trunk represents man’s soul, the means of expressing the mind, will, and emotions.

Ø  The leaves represent the body, the most noticeable and changing aspect.

Ø  The sky depicts the wind of God’s Spirit at work in the world.

Ø  The river of living water is the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer’s spirit (roots), filling the soul (trunk) and producing fruit in the body (leaves).

Ø  The roots of the tree are rooted in God’s love and are one with Christ’s Spirit.

Ø  The believer is drinking from the river of life and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Ø  The leaves of the tree pointed upward are depicting a life of worship and praise.

Ø  Jesus is visible in the tree, reproducing His life in the soul (trunk) and expressing Himself through the body (leaves).

Scope Ministries International

700 NE 63^rd Street

Oklahoma City OK 73105

405-843-7778

www.scopeministries.org

Blackmon, Selma, editor. The Exchanged Life Ministry News.

"Grace Works" by Dudley Hall

Grace Works by Dudley Hall

   “God has offered a lifestyle in Jesus that actually allows you to do what you want. But first he instructs you as to who you really are-a chosen child of the living God. Forgiven totally, accepted fully, a living container of marvelous grace!.. Life is a discovery!.. It only happens as we live in relationship with the Father. And the choice is ours… Life means being free to go where God directs without fear and without guilt…

   The problem is, a relationship is not a formula. The gift of grace is not a combination of requirements that gets results, but an invitation for full fellowship. The solution to sin is mercy, not sacrifice; life, not legalism; relationship, not religion…

   Jesus didn’t come to judge you. In fact, he loves you enough to change you…”

John 16
   ⁸And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment:
⁹About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me]; Amplified Bible

   “Notice that Jesus was speaking of sin as the violation of a trust relationship, not the breaking of legal standards. The heart of all sin is unbelief, mistrust, or neglect of a faith relationship…”

   “…The essence of our religion is not external performance but internal relationship… If we have experienced the joy of God’s unconditional love, we will want to express that love to the needy around us. As a general rule, we become people who are fun to be with-neither judgmental nor self-conscious. We are able to listen to anyone’s perspective, believing that difference is good and not evil. We resist the temptation of trying to conform everyone to our own image, and we dare to believe that righteousness is stronger than wickedness. As a result, we enjoy the confidence to enter into any realm of life without fear… ‘His living kindness is everlasting.’ Ps. 100:5”

   Would you like to read more about Grace and the Life of Liberty, Better than New, Beyond Condemnation, Married and Miserable, Ministry without Manipulation or Grace the Simple Life?

   All of these chapters and more are included in Grace Works by Dudley Hall.

   “God desires not only to free you from the penalty of sin but to free you from the power of sin. That’s why it is foolish to believe you can be a partaker of grace and continue on nonchalantly in a life of ungodliness.”

Blackmon, Selma, editor. The Exchanged Life News. Volume 2 Issue 51. December 22, 2002.

Andrew Murray author of devotional books

The Secret of…………………………………

the Abiding Presence

Adoration

Brotherly Love

Christ Our Life

the Cross

the Faith Life

Fellowship

Inspiration

Intercession

Power from on High

the Throne of Grace

United Prayer

   Andrew Murray wrote the pocket companion books over a period of five years. Brief and to the point, each devotional book can be read in one month.

   “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.” Gal. 3:13

   “Scripture teaches us that there are two points of view from which we may regard Christ’s death upon the cross. The one is the redemption of the cross: Christ dying for us as our complete deliverance from the curse of sin. The other, the fellowship of the cross: Christ taking us up to die with Him and making us partakers of the fellowship of His death in our own experience…”

  

   “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Gal. 6:14

   “One of the blessings of the cross consists in this, that it teaches us to know the worthlessness of our efforts and the utter corruption of our own nature. The cross does not offer to improve human nature or to supplement what man is able to do… the old garment, our old man, must be laid aside and given over to the death of the cross. For the cross causes all that is of the lost nature of man to die the accursed death, and the ‘I’ is revealed as a malefactor. The cross breaks the staff over all that is of the old nature… What we possess by nature must be nailed to the cross and we must put on the new man…”

   “All Judah rejoiced, for they had sought Him with their whole desire; and He was found by them.” 2 Chronicles 15:15

   “The will is the royal faculty of the soul; it rules over the whole man. Many people become the slaves of sin because they do not decide with a firm will to listen to the voice of conscience…”

   “The inner man is renewed from day to day.” 2 Cor. 4:16

   “There is one lesson that all young Christians should learn, namely this: the absolute necessity of fellowship with Jesus each day…”

 

   “And Jesus said unto them, ‘Because of your unbelief [you were unable]. However this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.’” Matt. 17:20-21

   “…That is, prayer grasps the power of heaven, fasting loosens the hold on earthly pleasure…”

 

   “Christ is all and in all.” Col. 3:11

   “…Every day and every hour it affords comfort and strength to the child of God who accepts it in faith: Christ is all…”

   “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun.” Eccles. 3:1

   “…Is not the most important matter for which we must find time fellowship with God, in which we may experience His love and His power? Give God time, I beseech you.

   You need time to feed upon the Word of God and to draw from it life for your soul. Through His Word, His thoughts and His grace enter our hearts and lives. Take time each day to read the Bible, even if it be only a few verses; meditate upon what you have read, and thus assimilate the bread of life. If you do not take the trouble to let God speak to you through His Word, how can you expect to be led by the Spirit?.. Let the Word of God teach you what God promises, what you need, and in what manner God wishes you to pray. Thus by prayer and the Word your heart will be prepared to have fellowship with God through faith in Christ Jesus… The life and love and holiness of God cannot be ours amidst the distractions and temptations of the world unless we give God time to reveal Himself to us and to make possession of our hearts…”

Blackmon, Selma, editor. The Exchanged Life News. Volume 2 Issue 49. December 8, 2002.

The Power of Grace

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV

   One of the most humbling aspects of the Lord's love is His desire for everyone to know Him personally. The same God who created the universe - and who interacted with Abraham, Moses, and Paul - wants us to know Him intimately.
   How tragic it is that so many ignore Him or look the other way, distracted by friends, family, celebrities, sports,c careers, and the endless details of day-to-day life. But the good news is, no matter how distant we may have been until now, the door is open to a relationship with the Father.
   First Timothy 2:4 says that the Lord "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Notice the writer doesn't say God wants "some" or a certain number to know Him. Rather, He wants everyone on earth to be saved. It's not His desire that any perish; rather, He longs for all mankind to know Him (2 Peter 3:9). And that includes you.
   Unbelievers sometimes look at their sins and assume there's no way God could grant them forgiveness. But the moment a person is willing to acknowledge his wrongdoing, the Lord is there to accept the sinner as His child. Regardless of what you've done, whom you've hurt, or where you've been in life, God is ready and willing to forgive you.
   Even for those of us who have been Christians a long time, it's humbling to reflect on God's goodness. The same grace that saved us is available on every step of our faith journey. Each day, we can move forward, safe in the knowledge that no mistake can ever put us beyond the reach of God's love for His children.
Stanley, Charles F. "The Power of Grace." In Touch: A Publication of In Touch Ministries. Atlanta, Georgia. March 2015. page 51.

Grace

   Dr. Steve McVey has written several books. The following article will give glimpses into two of them.

   Nothing you have ever done, nothing you could ever do, will match the incomparable joy of letting Jesus live His life through you. It is what makes the fire of passion burn so brightly in new believers. And it is what causes the light of contentment to dance in the eyes of mature believers who have learned the secret of the

GRACE WALK

   In this book, Steve tells about his life, his struggles, and his tears.

   “And I had done my best. God, what more do You want from me…There must be more than this!…If at first you don’t succeed…You know the rules…Why can’t I be successful?…Thanks, but I can do it myself.”

   All of this is too familiar, we can identify with what he is writing. Next, Dr. McVey writes about our being dead to sin and the old life is taken away. We can now choose to live each moment allowing Christ to live His life through us.

   We are now free from the law. Many Christians focus on the laws of God. Their concept of victorious Christian living is to avoid wrong actions and do right ones. They believe that if they can only do the right things, they will grow spiritually and enjoy a victorious Christian walk… God’s concern with you isn't about rules but relationship… Intimacy develops between those who share themselves with each other.

   Are you “living by the rules,” or are you letting God’s grace rule you? Wouldn't you like to rest in God’s grace, and let Him live through you?

GRACE RULES

   “Opening his eyes, Jesus could see the early morning light beginning to filter in through the window of the small guest bedroom where He had spent the night. He could hear His friend already in the kitchen preparing breakfast. No doubt about it-the mother of all buffets was being prepared. Martha always put out a great spread of food. He loved being in the home of these two sisters and their brother. For a moment He wished He could take the day off and spend some time with them. It would be nice, He thought, but the devil never takes a day off. And besides, My Father is counting on me.

   Arising from the comfort of the bed, Jesus began to mentally organize His day. What shall I do for My Father today? He pondered. I know that I’ll preach a sermon this afternoon. That’s one thing that would cause Father to really be happy with Me. As He washed His face with a wet cloth, He continued, There are many sick people in the area. I’ll heal some of them. My Father would certainly be pleased with that. Maybe I’ll even cast out some demons today. That’s always a big ministry event. When He finished dressing, He thought, Maybe if all goes will, I can even find a funeral service and raise somebody from the dead. Yes, That’s what I’ll do. Father will be thrilled when He sees Me take on that ministry project. Those things should pretty much fill My day. Slipping on His sandals just before walking out of the bedroom to face the new day, He prayed, ‘Help Me, Father, as I live for You today. Use what I do for You to bring glory to Yourself.’”

   Reality Check! What are your thoughts on that scenario describing how Jesus might have begun a new day?.. Nobody would imagine Jesus living His life in such a way. Jesus trying to score brownie points with His Father? There’s no way. Then how come I start my day this way? God does not need us to serve Him. Acts 17:25

   Jesus chose at every moment to live in total dependence on His heavenly Father… We are to abide in Christ, allowing Him to express His life through us. Abiding in Christ simply means living each moment totally depending on His life within us to cause us to be all that He has called us to be and to do all that He purposes for us to do.

   How about the joy of reading and understanding material in chapters titled:

• Say Goodbye to Mr. Law
•  Sin’s Secret Weapon
• A Smiling God
• Let’s Party!
• Grace Rules!

   This is just the beginning! Have a blessed time reading and learning to abide in Jesus Christ.