Love

I am actually looking forward to the new year. I'm starting a new Bible reading plan that will hopefully keep me on track with reading and staying plugged in to God's Word. I need that. This past year has been a good and fulfilling year, but not without it's hard times. Thankfully God has used the tough times to bring me closer to Him, and the significant steps of maturity in faith that God has allowed me to take has far outweighed the sorrow.

One of the biggest things that Jesus has shown me is patience in love. John M. Perkins has said, "Love is the final fight." and I believe it. To love my enemies is a fight. To love those that annoy me, that don't fit in, that don't like me, that lie about me, and that frustrate me is a fight. I don't want to love those kind of people, and it's a constant battle to do so. That is a wonderful and hard earned truth. Though it's not an easy fight it is satisfying, because we are fighting for something pure. Tolerance just allows evil to do its deeds, and you can't use evil to conquer evil. That doesn't even make sense. Love indeed is the final fight, for if we fight for love then evil has been defeated.

Love in the midst of evil is the only thing that will make a difference. Active love.

I pray that everyone has a wonderful New Year's Eve, and that we will continue to press the fight for the love of Jesus into 2010 and though eternity.

Love God. Love others.
Clint

This Grace is Yours

Scripture Reading: John 1:19-29

Key Verse: John 1:29 - The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

One of the most encouraging things you can receive from God is the hope that comes from being given a second chance. This is especially important when you have yielded to temptation or feel that you have fallen short of His plan and purpose for your life. The truth is that God never limit’s the opportunity for forgiveness. Second chances encourage us to go on and not give up even when the whispers of the world around us seem to say the opposite. After his denial of Christ, Peter was in need of a second chance, and Jesus, through His grace, provided this (John 21:15-17). How many of us have longed for God’s cleansing touch when we become trapped by our wrongful actions? The only cure for sin or failure of any kind is God’s grace applied to our lives. This is what changes the stumbling sinner into a person living victoriously for Jesus Christ.Even before you knew Him, Jesus knew and loved you. It was His love that saved you, and it is His love that will keep you throughout eternity. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Are you struggling with the idea of grace and how it applies to your life? Realize that God loves you. He stands beside you and is pleased to call you His own. This grace is yours.

Lord, thank You for Your grace - Your love and kindness toward me even though I don’t deserve it. I accept Your extended grace.