Grace

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Troubled at the saying

I study the Bible a lot – every day I have my nose in it. And I know there are times I can get teach and preach and get over the heads of those listening.

This is especially true of new things – things the listeners have not studied or heard before.

I try to explain everything but sometimes it just takes time to sink in.

The same thing happened to Mary.

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:28-30

Mary was troubled at his saying.
Why? Because it was new to her.

She lived in a society that followed the Law of Moses. It was a society where the religious leaders would emphasize that she wasn’t good enough and because her family wasn’t rich, they weren’t considered to be blessed.

Now an angel tells her she is highly favored and she has found favor with God.

The angel told her of grace, something she just didn’t understand. Grace and following the Law had little in common. Then again, they have everything in common. But there I go again – getting in deep.

Mary is not alone when it comes to not understanding grace. There are many people that don’t. I can’t swear that I fully comprehend it but I fully accept it.

I know I am saved by God’s grace.

There are many things in God’s word that are difficult to understand. Like grace, they need to be accepted and allowed to accomplish their purpose in you.

Abba, Your grace is more than sufficient for me. I love Your grace. Thank You for giving it to me through my Savior, Jesus. YES&AMEN

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Grace is Greater

Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel — he was indeed the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not listed according to the birthright; 1 Chron 5:1

Man’s sin is an epidemic but God’s grace is pandemic!

Reuben sinned against his dad, Israel. The firstborn right and blessing was taken away from him.

But he showed some redemptive qualities when he sought to spare the life of Joseph and was willing to sacrifice his own children to assure the safety of his younger brother, Benjamin.

God’s grace wipes out any sin you can commit.

And even though he has been dead for thousands of years, Reuben’s family is given redemption.

And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
…of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; Rev 7:4, 5

God’s grace out does anything you can do!

Abba, Your grace and mercy through Jesus are more than sufficient for me. YES&AMEN

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Know the Future

Sometimes it would be nice to know the future.

Abraham and Sarah had that knowledge.

Gen 17:19 God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac;

Gen 18:10 And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.”

Abraham and Sarah are told they will have a son. They will call him Isaac. And they even knew the time he would be born.

Often the desire for futuristic knowledge isn’t about having a baby. More likely it’s for next weeks $250 million lotto numbers, the final score for the next Superbowl, or penny stocks that will increase in value 500%!

Such knowledge is selfish, greedy, and temporary.

There is one future you can know.

God has said;

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord; Jer 29:11-14

God’s future for you is one full of hope and promises. It’s full of love, forgiveness, and grace. It’s also eternal.

The future belongs to God. Join in.

Abba, my future is in You. I trust you with it. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN