38 lines
4.7 KiB
HTML
38 lines
4.7 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 28
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="main-just">
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h1>Jesus' Example of Grace Developing Our Lives</h1>
|
|
<div class="block"><i>And the <b>Child grew</b> and became <b>strong</b> in <b>spirit</b>, <b>filled</b> with <b>wisdom</b>; and the <b>grace</b> of God was <b>upon Him</b>…And <b>Jesus increased</b> in <b>wisdom</b> and <b>stature</b>, and in <b>favor</b> with <b>God</b> and <b>men</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 2, '40-40');">Luke 2:40</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Luk', 2, '52-52');">52</a>)</div>
|
|
<p>In our previous devotional, we looked at how suffering prepares us for God's grace that our lives might be developed spiritually. Jesus is the primary example of this truth. In our present verses, we see <b>Jesus</b> as the <b>example of grace developing our lives</b>.</p>
|
|
<p>When the Son of God came into the world as a man, He laid aside the independent exercise of His deity: <i>"who, <b>being</b> in the <b>form</b> of <b>God</b>, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, <b>made Himself</b> of <b>no reputation</b>, taking the <b>form</b> of a <b>servant</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl', 2, '6-7');">Philippians 2:6-7</a>). He then developed as any man should (except, He was without sin). <i>"And the <b>Child grew</b> and became <b>strong</b> in <b>spirit</b>, <b>filled</b> with <b>wisdom</b>."</i> Jesus grew in spiritual strength, as the Lord wants us to do: <i>"<b>strengthened</b> with all <b>might</b>, according to His glorious power, for all <b>patience</b> and <b>longsuffering</b> with <b>joy</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Col', 1, '11-11');">Colossians 1:11</a>). The wisdom of the Father began to permeate His life, as He also desires for us: <i>"that you may be <b>filled</b> with the knowledge of His will in all <b>wisdom</b> and <b>spiritual understanding</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Col', 1, '9-9');">Colossians 1:9</a>). When Jesus was twelve years old, His spiritual maturity and wisdom were evident, as He discussed the faith with the leaders of Israel. His parents <i>"found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the <b>teachers</b>, both <b>listening</b> to them and <b>asking</b> them questions. And <b>all</b> who heard Him were <b>astonished</b> at His <b>understanding</b> and <b>answers</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 2, '46-47');">Luke 2:46-47</a>).</p>
|
|
<p>Jesus continued to develop in spiritual maturity, pleasing His heavenly Father and impacting the people. <i>"This is <b>My beloved Son</b>, in whom I am <b>well pleased</b>…Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the <b>Jews marveled</b>, saying, 'How does this Man know letters, having never studied?'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Mat', 17, '5-5');">Matthew 17:5</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Jhn', 7, '14-15');">John 7:14-15</a>). The Lord wants our walk with Him and our testimony before others to grow, just as in Jesus' life. <i>"Walk as children of light…<b>proving</b> what is <b>acceptable</b> to the <b>Lord</b>… that you may become <b>blameless</b> and <b>harmless</b>, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, <b>among whom</b> you <b>shine</b> as <b>lights</b> in the <b>world</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph', 5, '8-8');">Ephesians 5:8</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Eph', 5, '10-10');">10</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Phl', 2, '15-15');">Philippians 2:15</a>).</p>
|
|
<p>In Jesus' life, this godly progress was accomplished by the grace of God at work: <i>"and the <b>grace</b> of God was <b>upon Him</b>."</i> So it is to be in our lives.</p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O God of all grace, work in my life, as You did with Your Son, Jesus. Strengthen me spiritually and fill me with Your wisdom. Deepen my walk with You and increase the spiritual impact that I have on others, for Your pleasure and glory, Amen.</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center">
|
|
<div class="pad2020">
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/11/1127.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/11/1129.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>
|