Category: Bible thoughts

The Power of Grace – What is it? How do we get it?

Sermon by William E. “Bill” Henry, based on Titus 2:11-14, transcribed from his last Bible by his daughter (me). All scripture is from the NASB1995 on Bible.com.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” https://bible.com/bible/100/tit.2.11-14.NASB1995

Many errors in our world come from one-sided messages. We tend to see one side of a truth and proclaim it as a whole. An interesting illustration concerns one of the most common, and at the same time, most beautiful words in the Christian vocabulary: the word “Grace.” Bishop [Richard] Trench [said] “It is hardly too much to say that the Greek mind has in no word uttered itself and all that is within its heart more distinctly than in the word “Charis” – Grace.

We testify to it – sing about it – write definitions of it, yet too often understand it little.

The word “Grace” has significant and particular beauty.

It is the word “Charis” – it was used in classical Greek to mean “Beauty,” “Charm,” “Attractiveness.” By easy extension it came to mean “Favor,” “Kindness,” and “Gratitude” as felt by the beholder or receiver.

When New Testament writers took over the term, they used it to describe the spontaneous, unearned Love of God at work in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. “Grace” means primarily the “the Free Forgiving Love of God in Christ to sinners and the operation of that Love in the lives of Christians.”

We can learn something about grace by using the letters of the English as an acrostic.

G – stands for GOD, the Source of Grace. 1 Peter 5:10 “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

R – means REDEMPTION, the Purpose of Grace. Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace”

A – is for ABUNDANCE, the Measure of Grace. 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; “

C – points to CHRIST, the Mediator of Grace. 2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

E – speaks for Eternity, the Duration of Grace. Romans 5:20-21 “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Yet with all these truths many still stumble over its meaning because they only see one side.

Grace is usually defined as “the unmerited favor of God.” It is indeed that! Salvation is ALL of Grace and NONE of our works.

But to stop with Justification, as wonderful as that is, is to miss the total thrust of the Gospel. We are justified by God’s Grace in order that we may be Purified in Grace – Full living – Abundant Life.

Grace not only provides Pardon, it also provides Power for Righteousness. It is not only Saving Grace for a Forgiven past, it is Sanctifying Grace for a transformed present and future.

One of the finest Biblical statements of this side of Grace is Paul’s great declaration to Titus (2:11-14). Here is the Whole of Grace:

  1. It is Grace that SOUGHT us when we were far from God – Grace that PURSUED us – “It has appeared to all men,” the Grace that comes to the Heart before the Heart turns to the Saviour.
  2. It is Grace that SAVED us, Grace that PARDONED us from all our sins.
  3. It is Grace that SANCTIFIED us, Grace that PURIFIES us to renounce “ungodliness and worldly lusts,” and enables fallible human beings to “live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.”
  4. It is Grace that SUSTAINS us, Grace that PRESERVES us to be “zealous of good works” and keeps us “looking for that Blessed Hope and Glorious Appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

In Luke 21:33, Jesus said: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words [shall abide forever] will not pass away.”

All His words are eternal, but none more precious than these He spoke to Paul and through Paul to us: 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” “

To GOD be the Glory!

Never Too Far

I’ve said it before. Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, there is no place you can go that He is not there. You can’t run fast enough or far enough to out-distance Him. Turn around. Wherever you are, just turn around. He’s right there with you.

Genesis 28:15 NASB1995 “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Throughout scriptures, the LORD promises to never leave us or forsake us. I know His Word is true. I’ve done lots of running, and inserted myself into plenty of sketchy situations and truly ugly circumstances. I was never alone, despite doing everything I could to drown out that quiet voice in my head. He delivered me out of all the follies I chose for myself, but – and this is important to remember – He did not relieve me of the consequences of my actions.

Pastor Mark Hitchcock said “God destroys His enemies by making them His friends; but those who don’t become friends, will be destroyed by Him.”

Are you His friend? Have you made the ultimate decision? GOD through Christ has given us the opportunity to reconcile with Him. It is our sin that separates us from Him, and it is Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that can reconcile us to Him – IF we choose it. Jesus is The Mediator, The Gospel. He came, He died, He rose from the dead. Simply the most complex and the most simple thing ever to happen.

Be aware though, and don’t fall for an imposter:

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 NASB1995 “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.“

Remember, you can’t run away from the LORD. No matter what you do, no matter where you go, once you are adopted into His family you will never be alone again.

Romans 8:38-39 NASB1995 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Pride

Recently we celebrated 248 years as the United States of America. My little town has a Liberty Festival Parade every year, and this year’s was pretty impressive for such a small town. Floats, horses, mules, tractors, fire trucks and police vehicles, marching bands, princesses for all sorts of organizations, and a mule-drawn wagon. American flags draped everywhere. And one of the best things?

Not. One. Single. Rainbow. Flag.

It was glorious.

There are times when I despair for our country, but not this 4th of July. God, Family, and Country were celebrated all around. I love fireworks, but I have dogs, and they don’t understand why the world seems to explode on the 4th. So, instead of going to see the sky exploding in glorious light displays, I get to hold dogs in my lap and *maybe* watch them on TV. I don’t really mind, though. No crowds to deal with that way.

When we are fortunate, we get to see GOD’S Promise, a rainbow in the sky, highlighting His Glory. Not, that’s a Pride Flag I’ll celebrate anytime.

‭Genesis 9:12-17 NLT‬
[12] Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. [13] I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. [14] When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, [15] and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. [16] When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” [17] Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.” [https://bible.com/bible/116/gen.9.12-17.NLT]

[American flag rainbow by Gene Lower1]

HOW Many Genders???

‭Genesis 1:26-27 NASB1995‬
[26] Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” [27] God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.1.26-27.NASB1995)

Our world is binary and ordered. ONE GOD, Creator of the Universe. One sun, one moon, one earth. ONE Race: Mankind, the HUMAN race. TWO Genders, Man and Woman. We are the caretakers of this planet, and every plant and every living creature is here for us to maintain and use.

Unfortunately for those of us living today, a decision was made by the first two humans to allow Satan and sin into their lives. That’s why we have ugliness and evil in our world. Each of us is born with that sin “gene” within us, and it is up to us through our free will to deny it or embrace it. As the Apostle Paul wrote:

‭Romans 12:2-3 NASB1995‬
[2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. [3] For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. (https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.12.2-3.NASB1995)

Jesus Christ came to earth to save us from the enemy. LITERALLY. Born to a virgin, savagely beaten and hung on a Roman cross till dead, buried in a tomb, and after three days, came forth from the grave the Resurrected Christ. The ultimate blood sacrifice to cover our sins and to redeem us. EVERYONE can receive His salvation. Even those confused, possessed individuals who believe that there are multiple genders and that you can be anything. Doesn’t matter your skin color. Your hair color or style. Tattoos. Piercings. Ethnicity. Personality. (What did I miss?)

All I’m saying is that however misguided we become, GOD is no further away from us than we can simply hold out a hand and He is there. Jesus said “I stand at the door [to your heart] and knock.” Will you let go of the world (and it’s idiotic behaviors) and grasp on to Jesus? He’s patiently waiting, with more love to give than you can imagine.

How Beautiful!

How beautiful is the earth and all her creatures!

Okay, stop right there. I am not an earth worshiper. I don’t ascribe to the whole “Mother Earth” religion. The earth is a beautiful thing, and we humans are her caretakers. Where is your favorite place in nature? If you could spend time outdoors without the irritation of insects like mosquitoes and ticks and fleas and flies, where would that place be? The beach, oceanside? A meadow or prairie? The mountains? Out on the water, whether a river or lake or the vast ocean?

I’m hard pressed to choose a favorite. The mountains impress me with their majestic and soaring peaks. Standing on a beach with waves whispering around my feet soothes my soul. Sitting beside a rushing river makes peace wash over me. Even just being outside during the rain brings an unspeakable feeling of contentment. Being surrounded by flowers or a bountiful garden, the sensation of running my hands over an animals fur gives me an indescribable peace.

GOD’S Creation.

Created for our pleasure and our use.

Psalms 29:1-11 NASB1995
[1] Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD Glory and Strength. [2] Ascribe to the LORD the Glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array. [3] The Voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of Glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters. [4] The Voice of the LORD is powerful, The Voice of the LORD is majestic. [5] The Voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. [6] He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild ox. [7] The Voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire. [8] The Voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. [9] The Voice of the LORD makes the deer to calve And strips the forests bare; And in His Temple everything says, “Glory!” [10] The LORD sat as King at the flood; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever. [11] The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.29.1-11.NASB1995

The Glory of the LORD is all around us. We worship HIM, not the creation. AMEN.

TO AN UNKNOWN GOD

Acts 17:23-31 NASB1995
[23] For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. [24] The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; [25] nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; [26] and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, [27] that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; [28] for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ [29] Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. [30] Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, [31] because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” [https://bible.com/bible/100/act.17.23-31.NASB1995]

People say they don’t believe in GOD. They might try to fool themselves into believing that, but we all believe. They will elevate something, or someone, into the place that belongs to the Creator. Just as the Romans had a shrine to the “Unknown God” in their city, we each have a place in our hearts for Him. The question is, who or what replaces the LORD in your heart, or is your heart filled by the Holy Spirit of GOD?

Hebrews 11:1 NASB1995
[1] Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. [https://bible.com/bible/100/heb.11.1.NASB1995]

I Have Been Renewed

Psalms 40:2-17 NASB1995
[2] He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. [3] He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord. [4] How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. [5] Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count. [6] Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. [7] Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. [8] I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.” [9] I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O Lord, You know. [10] I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation. [11] You, O Lord, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me. [12] For evils beyond number have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, And my heart has failed me. [13] Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; Make haste, O Lord, to help me. [14] Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt. [15] Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, “Aha, aha!” [16] Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, “The Lord be magnified!” [17] Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God. [https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.40.2-17.NASB1995]

My life has been hard. As a child, we didn’t have many material things, and there wasn’t excess food. I wore hand-me-down or homemade clothes, but we were loved. As an adult, I experienced abuse, was trafficked, abandoned. But there are many who have endured much worse! Psalm 40 was written by King David. He was a shepherd as a boy, a menial, labor intensive job. He went on to become the king, but his life was full of danger, from both those on his ‘side’ and the enemy. He loved the LORD, and still made terrible decisions, among them having an affair with the wife of his general and having that general murdered. Yet he loved the LORD. He broke every commandment. Yet he loved the LORD.

I haven’t murdered anyone, although I have wished them dead. Jesus said that if we thnk it, it’s the same as doing it. The rest of the commandments? All broken. The beautiful thing about our Creator is that He love me, warts and all. No matter how badly we mess up, He still loves us and wants to be in fellowship with us. Thank GOD for His Mercy and Forgiveness! I’m still a sinner, and a mess. So what’s the difference between me and anyone else? I’m forgiven. Are you? He’s just a heartbeat away, waiting patiently for you to ask for His Forgiveness. It is freely given.

ASK.

Ms. Fix-It

That’s me. My identity for years. It’s where I found my worth. It was an unusual vocation 30+ years ago for a woman, and that’s probably at least part of the reason I did it. At one point, I purchased an old home and replaced all 22 windows on my own (I had “help” for one and promptly fired him!). I replaced and added cabinets, added electrical, and replaced porch columns. There were countless little things to fix, including repairing plaster walls (yes, plaster, NOT sheetrock). Painting the interior. Replacing sinks and fixtures.

I was proud of the work I did.

I’m in another old house now. A 1915 farmhouse that was remodeled out of all it’s charm before I bought it. I’m frustrated with myself because my 72 yo body won’t cooperate with my mind and do the things I want done.

What does any of this have to do with anything?

It’s a strong reminder that this world is not permanent. We humans grow old and die. The earth and the heavens are not permanent, either. “Climate change” is a scam the enemy of mankind, Satan, is perpetuating to pull people’s attention away from the reason earth will cease to exist. It’s not because of humans or animals or even manufacturing. It all goes down to sin and the evil unleashed by the enemy. God tells us in His Word that the earthwill cease to exist.

Hebrews 1:10-12 NASB1995
[10] And, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; [11] They will perish, but You remain; And they all will become old like a garment, [12] And like a mantle You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.” (https://bible.com/bible/100/heb.1.10-12.NASB1995)

I might have the ability through the gifts GOD gave me to envision and fix things, but it is only in Jesus Christ that my spirit can be “fixed,” changed through His Blood. My work here is temporary. No matter how good of a job I do, it will perish along with this world. Nothing I can possibly do is good enough to last forever.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB1995
[8] For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; [9] not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (https://bible.com/bible/100/eph.2.8-9.NASB1995)

For years I tried to convince myself that what I did defined me. I still struggle with that. The majority of humanity is the same. Our work and our appearance is the most important thing ….. But it’s not. Almost everyone has heard of John 3:16, but read the following verses.

John 3:14-21 NASB1995
[14] As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; [15] so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. [16] “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. [18] He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. [20] For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. [21] But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.3.14-21.NASB1995)

I’m not religious. My job in life doesn’t matter. What I AM does matter. The only identity we need is that of Believer. Christ follower. It doesn’t matter how good, ethical, decent, righteous, honest, moral, or just we are. If you/I haven’t accepted Jesus Christ, the Son of God Who died on a cross and was resurrected on the third day, and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of GOD AMIGHTY, as your personal Savior, acknowledging your sinful being …. you and I are lost, looking at an eternity in hell.

It’s that simple. I believe it. Do you?

1 Peter 1:3 NASB1995
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.1.3.NASB1995)

Oh, Love again?

‭Luke 6:27-31 NLT‬
[27] “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. [28] Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. [29] If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. [30] Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. [31] Do to others as you would like them to do to you. https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.6.27-31.NLT

I don’t like these verses. I don’t want to listen to them! “Love your enemies.” “Bless those who hate you.” “Give, and don’t try to get things back.”

“Be nice. Play nice. Share. Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

We are taught these things when we are little – and if we aren’t teaching it to our children, well, shame on us! If you watch any news, on whatever media you use, we aren’t doing a very good job of teaching tolerance and kindness. The American Democratic Party of love and tolerance is leading the way with violence and hate. The religion of love, Islam, produces the most vitriolic hate and horrific acts I’ve ever seen or heard of. Christians, who should be leading the way in promoting Christ and being the example of the greatest love ever experienced by man, are among the most vocal liars and cheaters (just look in Washington DC and the White House).

What to do, what to do.

Well, what would Jesus do?

Don’t ask me! I am a horrible example to follow. Love my enemies? Pray for those who have hurt me? Don’t try to get back the money I was scammed out of, or the things that were taken from me? Turn my other cheek to the boss who lied to get me fired? What about the husband who cheated? Am I just supposed to forgive them all?

FORGIVE. That’s not a suggestion, it’s a command. I rely on Matthew 6, the Lord’s Prayer, especially this:

‭Matthew 6:14-15 NLT‬
[14] “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. [15] But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.14-15.NLT

Forgive. It’s not an emotion or a feeling, it’s a conscious act that will probably have to be repeated multiple times. When those familiar feelings of betrayal and anger and hurt start to rise up within me, it’s up to me to make that decision – again! – to forgive that person or persons. Don’t think it’s going to be easy, because it isn’t. The only way it is possible for me to do it, is to pray and rely on the strength that can only come from the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Try it. It’s amazingly freeing. Thank You, Jesus, for Your sacrifice that makes it possible. Left up to me, I’d just be a ball of seething frustration and hate.

And there we have it, the reason our world is in such bad shape. To use a well-known phrase, “No Jesus, No peace.” Do you have Jesus? If not, He’s just waiting for you to ask Him. He loves you. He doesn’t turn anyone away.

It’s good to be back.