August 2, 2009
GRACE IN ACTION
Sometimes it’s hard to understand what Grace is and we often take it for granted. In this week’s readings we get to see and hear GRACE IN ACTION loud and clear. Listen!!!
“The whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron…. Exodus 16:2
It had been 15 days since God had provided the miraculous rescue for the people of Israel. They witnessed the miracles of the 10 plagues, the angel of death passing over, their children spared, the Red Sea being split in two and all their enemies destroyed. Yet here they were; only 15 days later and they’re complaining “Why did you take us away, at least there we had food to eat – we would have been better dying in Egypt.” What ungrateful spoiled children. God had every right to send them straight back to Egypt – they certainly deserved it. But what did God do? He gave them what they DIDN’T deserve – Grace. “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you.” Exodus 16:4. There it is - GRACE IN ACTION!!!
But before we get all huffy about what THEY did, we had better look at what WE do. Our actions are no different. God has provided a miraculous rescue from sin, death and the power of the Devil. Every time we open God’s Word, we witness again and again the work Jesus did on the cross and the miracle of the empty tomb. Every time we see a baptism, we witness the miracle of faith God gives to His child. Yet what do we do? WE COMPLAIN. We complain about each other, we complain about the world, we complain about ourselves, WE COMPLAIN and by doing so we are complaining against God. “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Psalm 51:4. What ungrateful spoiled children we are. God has every right to judge us, declare us guilty and send us directly to hell – do not pass go, do not collect anything, no second chance, no hope.
Yet what does God do? He give us what we DON’T deserve – GRACE. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 There it is - GRACE IN ACTION!!!
And everywhere we look in God’s Holy Scriptures, in God’s world, in our lives, and in our salvation, we see God giving us what we don’t deserve. Everywhere we look we see GRACE IN ACTION!!!
“The LORD always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The LORD helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.” Psalm 145: 13-17 There it is - GRACE IN ACTION
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 There it is -GRACE IN ACTION
So what should our response to this wonderful undeserved Grace be? STOP COMPLAINING! Do the work that God has called us to do: BELIEVE “Jesus told them, ‘This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.’ for you have been called by God. John 6:29 and LOVE “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3. There it is. That is the result of God working for and in us to put HIS GRACE IN ACTION!!!
“I will praise the LORD, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.” Psalm 145:21
Father, thank you that you don’t give us as our sins deserve. Thank you for putting your GRACE IN ACTION for us through the cross, the empty tomb, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection from the dead and for life eternal. Empower us with Your spirit Lord. Help us to do the work you have given us. Help us to BELIEVE and to LOVE. Put your GRACE IN ACTION in and through us. In JESUS name - AMEN
Week ending: August 2, 2009
Monday – (Old Testament)
Exodus 16:2-15
Notice how God’s Grace came at just the right time and was enough to sustain them for TODAY
Tuesday – Psalm 145:10-21
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound – listen to God’s Grace in this psalm
Wednesday –(Epistle)
Ephesians 4:1-16
The benefits of God’s Grace is unity with HIM and unity with others. Let God’s Grace work in your heart to bring peace to all your relationships
Thursday – (Gospel)
John 6:22-35
To BELIEVE means to entrust our spiritual well being to Jesus Christ – the ONE who is our bread for eternal life.
Friday –Next time your stomach growls, think of how JESUS feeds you with GRACE
Saturday – SHARE God’s Grace with someone who you may be in conflict with. Put GRACE IN ACTION!!
Sunday – Experience God’s Grace in worship today!!!
