37 lines
4.5 KiB
HTML
37 lines
4.5 KiB
HTML
|
|
<html>
|
|
<head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="head">
|
|
Day By Day By Grace
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="subhead">
|
|
Bob Hoekstra
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center">
|
|
<div class="pad2020">
|
|
November 22
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="main-just">
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h1>Exceedingly Abundant Grace for Transformation</h1>
|
|
<div class="block"><i>And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has <b>enabled</b> me, because He <b>counted</b> me faithful, <b>putting</b> me into the <b>ministry</b>…And the <b>grace</b> of our Lord was <b>exceedingly abundant</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Ti', 1, '12-12');">1 Timothy 1:12</a>, <a onClick="return mV('1Ti', 1, '14-14');">14</a>)</div>
|
|
<p>The grace of God is "much more" than our sin and our failure. It is "much more" than our personal inadequacy. It is "much more" than our comprehension of it. God's grace is "much more" than necessary to radically change our lives. In the limitless resources of God, there is <b>exceedingly abundant grace for transformation</b>. The Apostle Paul is a distinctive example of this transforming grace of God. The Lord took him from religious enmity into spiritual service.</p>
|
|
<p>Paul was grateful for this work of grace. <i>"And I <b>thank</b> Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the <b>ministry</b>."</i> God is the one who puts us into ministry. Consequently, for every arena of service we are given, it is appropriate to express thanksgiving to God. Paul knew his ministry was anchored in God's will, not man's. <i>"Paul, an apostle (<b>not</b> from <b>men</b> nor through <b>man</b>, <b>but</b> through <b>Jesus Christ</b> and <b>God</b> the <b>Father</b>…)"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal', 1, '1-1');">Galatians 1:1</a>). Certainly, man can recognize and confirm our callings from God. <i>"When James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, <b>perceived</b> the <b>grace</b> that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the <b>right hand</b> of <b>fellowship</b>, that we should go to the Gentiles"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal', 2, '9-9');">Galatians 2:9</a>). Still, our appointment is from the Lord: <i>"to which I was <b>appointed</b> a <b>preacher</b>, an <b>apostle</b>, and a <b>teacher</b> of the Gentiles"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti', 1, '11-11');">2 Timothy 1:11</a>). Unlike many of us, Paul was told of his calling at the very beginning of his walk with the Lord. <i>"Rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to <b>make you a minister</b> and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act', 26, '16-16');">Acts 26:16</a>). Such calling to service becomes a stewardship from, and unto, the Lord: <i>"of which I became a <b>minister</b> according to the <b>stewardship from God</b> which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God…if indeed you have heard of the <b>dispensation</b></i> [same term, <b>stewardship</b>] <i>of the <b>grace</b> of God which was given to me for you"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Col', 1, '25-25');">Colossians 1:25</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Eph', 3, '2-2');">Ephesians 3:2</a>).</p>
|
|
<p>To put Paul into effective ministry, God Himself had to do the necessary strengthening work in making him a man of faith. <i>"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has <b>enabled</b> me, because He <b>counted</b> me <b>faithful</b>."</i> God's grace is the bountiful resource that brings about such transformation for ministry. <i>"And the <b>grace</b> of our Lord was <b>exceedingly abundant</b>."</i></p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord, I know Your word teaches that all of Your children are called to serve You. Work by Your grace in my heart, enabling me, building my faith, and confirming my calling. I want to be a faithful steward of Your exceedingly abundant grace, Amen.</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center">
|
|
<div class="pad2020">
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/11/1121.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/11/1123.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/index.html">Return to Day By Day By Grace Page</a>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|