29 lines
4.5 KiB
HTML
29 lines
4.5 KiB
HTML
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">May 19</div>
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<h2>The Miracle of Our Ministry</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>For it is the God who commanded <b>light</b> to <b>shine</b> out of <b>darkness</b>, who has <b>shone</b> in our <b>hearts</b> to give the <b>light</b> of the <b>knowledge</b> of the <b>glory</b> of God in the <b>face</b> of <b>Jesus Christ</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',4,6);">2 Corinthians 4:6</a>)</div>
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<p>As new covenant servants, we proclaim <i>"the <b>light</b> of the <b>gospel</b> of the <b>glory of Christ</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',4,4);">2 Corinthians 4:4</a>). While holding forth this magnificent message, we earnestly pray that God will prepare darkened hearts to embrace the redeeming light of His grace. Each person who responds will experience a <b>miracle</b> more distinct than when light first shined into the darkness of creation.</p>
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<p>On the first day of creation, the earth was in <b>darkness</b>. <i>"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and <b>darkness</b> was on the face of the deep"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gen',1,'1-2');">Genesis 1:1-2</a>). The Lord spoke light into existence in that darkness. <i>"Then God said, 'Let there be <b>light</b>'; and there was <b>light</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gen',1,3);">Genesis 1:3</a>). By the word of His mouth, He caused light to shine where there had been none. What a majestic miracle!</p>
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<p>When Jesus came to this world, light was penetrating darkness. <i>"The people who sat in <b>darkness</b> saw a <b>great light</b>, and upon those who sat in the region and <b>shadow</b> of death <b>light</b> has <b>dawned</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Mat',4,16);">Matthew 4:16</a>). When the light of the gospel of grace is proclaimed, it is shining upon spiritually darkened hearts. <i>"Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish <b>hearts</b> were <b>darkened</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',1,21);">Romans 1:21</a>). When darkened hearts respond to that light, they are given new life. <i>"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the <b>light of life</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',8,12);">John 8:12</a>).</p>
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<p>This is what has happened to those of us who follow Christ. The God of creation, who spoke forth physical light into physical darkness, has spoken forth spiritual light into our spiritual darkness. <i>"For it is the <b>God</b> who commanded <b>light</b> to shine out of <b>darkness</b> who has <b>shone</b> in <b>our hearts</b>."</i> This light was shining through the gospel. This good news of God's grace painted a portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ. In that portrait of words, we saw the glory of God and His great salvation. We saw by faith <i>"the <b>light</b> of the <b>knowledge</b> of the <b>glory</b> of God in the <b>face</b> of <b>Jesus Christ</b>."</i> Now, we are called to proclaim this gospel of grace, that others also may come out of darkness into His splendid light. <i>"You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you <b>out</b> of <b>darkness</b> into <b>His</b> marvelous <b>light</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,9);">1 Peter 2:9</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord of light, I praise You for bringing me out of darkness into Your gracious light. Grant me grace to proclaim Your excellencies. Shine Your light into the hearts I hope to reach. Grant them the miracle of new birth, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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