Psalm 103:8 - The great example

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
     slow to anger, abounding in love.

The Lord is a great example for us. God loves us and is compassionate and gracious towards us. He is so patient and is slow to anger. The other day at Wal-mart my son and I were making a large purchase of Christmas gifts for a family in need. While we were patting ourselves on the back for helping others, the cashier was really not helpful regarding a few pricing issues. While I ran through the store to get another item with the correct bar code, I had to remind myself to be kind and not get angry. In our interactions with family, fellow Christians, co-workers, store clerks, waiters, and any others we come across as we go about our lives, lets remember to be compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love.

Lord, thank you for leading by example and treating us as we should treat others. Please help us to follow through treat others with the love you show us. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:28 - A blessing

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Amen.

Romans 11:5-6 - Grace

So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

Grace...there is nothing a person can do to earn salvation. It is only a gift they can accept and be thankful for. Thankfulness is shown through our obedience and service.

Lord, thank you for the gift of salivation. Help us to accept it and show our thankfulness. Amen.

Romans 6:22 - Leads to holiness

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

I don't have to sin. I have been set free from sin. This doesn't mean I am perfect, but I am on the path to holiness and righteousness. This verse doesn't say it leads to perfection, Yea grace!!

Lord, thank you for leading us to holiness, Please help us to stay on your path. Amen.

Philippians 3:9

And be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Paul is talking about Judaism vs following Christ, but I think it is so relevant right now to so many of us who try to gain our salvation by following all the rules. Yesterday at church we talked about doubt and Grace. One of the thoughts was about being self righteous, that checklist Christianity where we feel like we are saved because we have done all the right things, but when doubt enters that kind of Christianity one brick of our faith may fall and the whole house falls. If we put our faith in God and not in our own obedience and understanding the house will not fall.

Lord, I place my faith in you, not in my understanding and not in my obedience. Amen