Give us the food we need for each day. Forgive us for our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us.
Matthew 6:11–12
We are sinners in need of grace, strugglers in need of strength. Jesus teaches us to pray, “Forgive our debts … and lead us not into temptation.”
We’ve all made mistakes and we’ll all make some more. The line that separates the best of us from the worst of us is a narrow one, hence we’d be wise to take seriously Paul’s admonition: Why do you judge your brothers or sisters in Christ? And why do you think you are better than they? We will all stand before the Lord to be judged.… (Romans 14:10).
Your sister would like me to remind you that she needs grace. Just like you need forgiveness, so does she. There comes a time in every relationship when it’s damaging to seek justice, when settling the score only stirs the fire. There comes a time when the best thing you can do is accept your brother and offer him the same grace you’ve been given.
The Great House of God
[1]
Today's Scripture in Context
[1]Lucado, Max; Gibbs, Terri A.: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman, 2000, S. 139
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
ONE-OF-A-KIND
You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother’s body.
Psalm 139:13
In my closet hangs a sweater that I seldom wear. It is too small.… I should throw that sweater away.… But love won’t let me.…
It’s the creation of a devoted mother expressing her love.… Each strand was chosen with care. Each thread was selected with affection.… . It is valuable not because of its function, but because of its maker.
That must have been what the psalmist had in mind when he wrote, “you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Think on those words. You were knitted together. You aren’t an accident. You weren’t mass-produced. You aren’t an assemblyline product.
You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth by the Master Crafts-man.… In a system that ranks the value of a human by the figures of his salary or the shape of her legs … let me tell you something: Jesus’ plan is a reason for joy!
The Applause of Heaven
[1]
Today's Scripture in Context
[1]Lucado, Max; Gibbs, Terri A.: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman, 2000, S. 136
Psalm 139:13
In my closet hangs a sweater that I seldom wear. It is too small.… I should throw that sweater away.… But love won’t let me.…
It’s the creation of a devoted mother expressing her love.… Each strand was chosen with care. Each thread was selected with affection.… . It is valuable not because of its function, but because of its maker.
That must have been what the psalmist had in mind when he wrote, “you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Think on those words. You were knitted together. You aren’t an accident. You weren’t mass-produced. You aren’t an assemblyline product.
You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth by the Master Crafts-man.… In a system that ranks the value of a human by the figures of his salary or the shape of her legs … let me tell you something: Jesus’ plan is a reason for joy!
The Applause of Heaven
[1]
Today's Scripture in Context
[1]Lucado, Max; Gibbs, Terri A.: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman, 2000, S. 136
Thursday, April 26, 2007
CHARACTER CREATES COURAGE
All you who put your hope in the Lord be strong and brave.
Psalm 31:24
A legend from India tells about a mouse who was terrified of cats until a magician agreed to transform him into a cat. That resolved his fear … until he met a dog, so the magician changed him into a dog. The mouse-turned-cat-turned-dog was content until he met a tiger—so, once again, the magician changed him into what he feared. But when the tiger came complaining that he had met a hunter, the magician refused to help. “I will make you into a mouse again, for though you have the body of a tiger, you still have the heart of a mouse.”
Sound familiar? How many people do you know who have built a formidable exterior, only to tremble inside with fear? … We face our fears with force … or … we stockpile wealth. We seek security in things. We cultivate fame and seek status.
But do these approaches work?
Courage is an outgrowth of who we are. Exterior supports may temporarily sustain, but only inward character creates courage.
The Applause of Heaven
[1]
Today's Scripture in Context
[1]Lucado, Max; Gibbs, Terri A.: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman, 2000, P. 135
Psalm 31:24
A legend from India tells about a mouse who was terrified of cats until a magician agreed to transform him into a cat. That resolved his fear … until he met a dog, so the magician changed him into a dog. The mouse-turned-cat-turned-dog was content until he met a tiger—so, once again, the magician changed him into what he feared. But when the tiger came complaining that he had met a hunter, the magician refused to help. “I will make you into a mouse again, for though you have the body of a tiger, you still have the heart of a mouse.”
Sound familiar? How many people do you know who have built a formidable exterior, only to tremble inside with fear? … We face our fears with force … or … we stockpile wealth. We seek security in things. We cultivate fame and seek status.
But do these approaches work?
Courage is an outgrowth of who we are. Exterior supports may temporarily sustain, but only inward character creates courage.
The Applause of Heaven
[1]
Today's Scripture in Context
[1]Lucado, Max; Gibbs, Terri A.: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman, 2000, P. 135
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
SOMETHING DEEP WITHIN
There are things about him that people cannot see.… But since the beginning of the world those things have been made easy to understand by what God has made.
Romans 1:20
God’s judgment [on the day Christ returns] is based upon humanity’s response to the message received. He will never hold us accountable for what he doesn’t tell us. At the same time, he will never let us die without telling us something. Even those who never heard of Christ are given a message about the character of God. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1 NIV)…
Nature is God’s first missionary. Where there is no Bible, there are sparkling stars. Where there are no preachers, there are springtimes.… If a person has nothing but nature, then nature is enough to reveal something about God. As Paul says: “…God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within [people] that echoes God’s yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God’s yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman” (Romans 2:15-16 MSG).
When Christ Comes
[1]
Today's Scripture in Context
[1]Lucado, Max; Gibbs, Terri A.: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman, 2000, S. 134
Romans 1:20
God’s judgment [on the day Christ returns] is based upon humanity’s response to the message received. He will never hold us accountable for what he doesn’t tell us. At the same time, he will never let us die without telling us something. Even those who never heard of Christ are given a message about the character of God. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1 NIV)…
Nature is God’s first missionary. Where there is no Bible, there are sparkling stars. Where there are no preachers, there are springtimes.… If a person has nothing but nature, then nature is enough to reveal something about God. As Paul says: “…God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within [people] that echoes God’s yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God’s yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman” (Romans 2:15-16 MSG).
When Christ Comes
[1]
Today's Scripture in Context
[1]Lucado, Max; Gibbs, Terri A.: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman, 2000, S. 134
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