Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- December 2, 2013
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
The grace of God strengthens a child of God. Like a B1 vitamin gives energy to the body, so God’s grace energizes the inner being of believers. This is why in the face of human weakness, grace flourishes. Fear weakens, but faith strengthens. Anger weakens, but forgiveness strengthens. Busyness weakens, but prayer strengthens. Noise weakens, but quiet strengthens. Stress weakens, but rest strengthens. Yes, the love of God strengthens His servants by grace!
Has your patience been tested to your very last nerve? Are you exhausted and depleted by the demands of others? Look for the way of grace to give you what you need in your emotional emptiness. Your heart yearns for what only the Lord can provide through the fullness of His Spirit. So, Christ consoles your soul with His eternal encouragement, the good hope you have in Him. Gladly and gratefully receive God’s grace like at salvation, abandon yourself to His care. Because of the disgrace Jesus experienced on the cross, you enjoy His grace when you bear a cross of pain.
It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace. Hebrews 13:9
Furthermore, the inner energy we receive by God’s grace is supplied for our service. This is why it is remarkable when a man or woman on their sickbed become a blessing to those who serve them. Nurses, nutritionists and neurologists go away scratching their heads having been in the presence of heaven’s emissary, a grace filled follower of Jesus. Indeed, our adverse condition is not about us, but about how we can graciously exhibit what we believe for God’s glory. Grace strengthens!
Grace gives you stamina to serve a needy child or an aging parent. Grace engages your empathetic heart with a friend’s hurting heart. Grace is the fortitude you need to remain steadfast in a relationship that is not life giving right now. So, whether strength of character or mental toughness is required, God’s grace is available as your supply chain. Grace does carry Christ’s expectations, but with it HIs power to execute. Grace is a sweet, soothing sound that is music to your soul.
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:7-8
Prayer: Heavenly Father, strengthen me by Your grace, so I can serve others in Your power.
Related Readings: Acts 15:39-41, 18:27; Romans 5:2, 15; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Galatians 5:4
Post/Tweet this today: Grace does carry Christ’s expectations, but with it His power to execute. #strengthenedbygrace
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As a young nurse, I took care of a woman who had cancer, and who had lost the love of her life, her second husband, just before finding out. Her prognosis was not good and she knew it. She was still grieving his death, but I was so amazed by her strength and by her giving nature –not money, but her warm personality, her SELF. She talked to me about herdelf for easily an hour, just talking non-stop. She laughed and cried. I was 20. She amazed me. I still think of her really often, and it has been many years. I don’know if she was a believer, but if that wasn’t Gods grace, I don’t know what was. I can still picture her and hear her. She was so lost, so afraid, so grieving —but so full of grace.
Dear Jane~
Thank you so much for sharing that story. In my busy morning, I took a few moments out to read the Wisdom Hunters blog and was blessed by your story. What a gift this woman was with her life and the GRACE that she showed. Such an amazing story of strength in the midst of loss. Thank you ao much for sharing that~ I have been blessed today by her.
We are so thankful you are a fellow wisdom hunter. Enjoy this season of celebrating our Savior’s birth!
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne