Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy and find grace
to help in time of need.
As I read this Scripture I couldn't help but consider the word "boldly." So often the word "boldly" refers to someone who is overconfident. They convey a sense of arrogance, as if they deserve what it is they desire.
As children of God we have received more than any of us deserve. Only because of the gracious love of our Father do we have the privilege of coming before His throne.
As it is written:
There is none righteous, no not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one. __ Romans 3:10-12
This Scripture is not referring to arrogance, nor is it telling us to demand what it is we desire. It is teaching us to approach the throne of grace with confidence in Whom it is we are approaching. We are to come to the throne of grace in humility and meekness, but also with boldness, knowing our Father hears our prayers.
I LOVE the Lord, because he has heard
My voice and my supplications
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
__Psalm 116:1-2
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
Whose confidence is in Him. __Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
We can rest in the assurance that as we approach the throne of grace with boldness in Whom it is we come, our Father sees our heart and hears our prayers. He alone is able to help in time of need.
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears. __Psalm 34:4
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Grace in Action
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
We give thanks to God always for you all,
mentioning of you in our prayers, remembering
without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love,
and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
in the sight of our God and Father
Paul wrote a letter of thanksgiving and prayer to the church at Thessalonica commending them for their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. He recognized how they worshipped and worked together, building each other up in faith, becoming a church of community.
As I read this Scripture I couldn't help but wonder if this would describe my church. Do we gather to grow in our faith, showing one another unconditional love, encouraging one another and building each other up in the faith? Do we grow in confidence in who we are in Christ because we have been with our community of sisters and brothers?
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love
and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another,
and so much more as you see the Day approaching.
__Hebrews 10:23-25
When we feel genuinely loved we are free to be ourselves. There is no need to be self conscious or timid in our faith, but rather we are free to express our love for the Lord and for each other. In a community such as this there is no room for judging. We realize we have all sinned and are in need of a Savior. If we should stumble in our walk we have the assurance that those with whom we worship will gather us to themselves in love and assurance, giving us the confidence we need to walk once again in the grace of Christ. This is grace in action; loving others as we have been loved.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all
will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.
__John 13:24-35
The church of Thessalonica set an example for us all to follow. May we be willing to live a life of grace in action, encouraging one another in our community of believers, as together we grow in our love and faith in Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
We give thanks to God always for you all,
mentioning of you in our prayers, remembering
without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love,
and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
in the sight of our God and Father
Paul wrote a letter of thanksgiving and prayer to the church at Thessalonica commending them for their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. He recognized how they worshipped and worked together, building each other up in faith, becoming a church of community.
As I read this Scripture I couldn't help but wonder if this would describe my church. Do we gather to grow in our faith, showing one another unconditional love, encouraging one another and building each other up in the faith? Do we grow in confidence in who we are in Christ because we have been with our community of sisters and brothers?
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love
and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another,
and so much more as you see the Day approaching.
__Hebrews 10:23-25
When we feel genuinely loved we are free to be ourselves. There is no need to be self conscious or timid in our faith, but rather we are free to express our love for the Lord and for each other. In a community such as this there is no room for judging. We realize we have all sinned and are in need of a Savior. If we should stumble in our walk we have the assurance that those with whom we worship will gather us to themselves in love and assurance, giving us the confidence we need to walk once again in the grace of Christ. This is grace in action; loving others as we have been loved.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all
will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.
__John 13:24-35
The church of Thessalonica set an example for us all to follow. May we be willing to live a life of grace in action, encouraging one another in our community of believers, as together we grow in our love and faith in Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
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