salvation – Page 10 – Be Still…

Romans 11:13-24 – Are You Connected?

We are branches. How glorious that we have been grafted in as part of God’s family. It’s an honor we often take for granted I think. We are now able to receive the nourishment God intended for Abraham’s descendants. It’s still waiting for them, but it is available to us who are connected now.

One thing is certain, we shouldn’t take this gift for granted. We should not flaunt it in an unhealthy way. If we live our lives in reverence to God, trusting him, and striving to become more like Jesus, people will notice. We don’t need to “brag” about our inheritance. That’s not being attractive. Instead, we live our faith.

1 Peter 4:1-6 – Live for God

Read 1 Peter 4:1-6

Who do you live for? When you wake up each morning, do you ever start with a prayer of thanks for the new day? Do you give God a thumbs up and ask him to help you get through another day? This passage gives us a picture of who we should be as followers of Christ.

What are the highlights here? We must have an attitude like Christ and be ready to suffer. And we should be anxious to do the will of God. Period. So bring it on – I’m ready to battle. I have the best armor and protection possible. If I suffer, it’s okay because of my strong faith and trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I know who I belong to and where my final destination lies. Continue reading “1 Peter 4:1-6 – Live for God”

1 Peter 1:8-12 – Sweet Salvation

Read 1 Peter 1:8-12

The wind blows yet we do not see the wind. We do see how it affects what it touches. Leaves rustle gently and silky water churns into waves. We all know the wind. How about God? We love him yet we have not seen him. Are we holding back? Do we know God and trust him completely even though we have not seen him?

We have seen God reflected in everyday things. Like seeing the wind, we know God is near because of his creation. God’s thoughtfulness in bringing the whole world into existence is mind-boggling. The intricacy, beauty, complexity, and mystery can only suggest an omnipotent creator. Knowing God then should bring joy at the thought that he created us, too! And, we know (or should know) that the outcome for trusting God is salvation! Continue reading “1 Peter 1:8-12 – Sweet Salvation”

1 Peter 1:3-7 – Wonderful Joy, Precious Faith

Read 1 Peter 1:3-7

What do you feel when you imagine living forever with God? Overwhelming joy should flood your heart. It all started with what God did for you. Just thinking of that amazing gift should be a reason for expectant elation! We have a special place in eternity waiting for us! Our inheritance is priceless. We cannot buy our way into heaven. Jesus is the one who paid the price for us.

This passage is helpful as we all have trials and struggles. We are never promised a life on earth without trials. In fact, it is how we respond to trials that sets us apart. Do we let them get us down? Do we look for the lesson? I try to stay positive and never let negative things get me down. I am not always successful, but that is my intent. I try to help others keep a positive attitude, but it isn’t always easy. Sometimes it is impossible, and I only make the situation worse. Continue reading “1 Peter 1:3-7 – Wonderful Joy, Precious Faith”

Ephesians 2:1-10 – Grace

Read Ephesians 2:1-10

Some of my favorite verses are found in today’s reading. You may know that I grew up in the Lutheran tradition, and verse 8 is a key, crucial verse for us. It is by grace that we are saved, not by the good things we have done. I used to teach songs to our children’s ministry kids that emphasized this truth. It is by grace, grace, grace, we have been saved, saved, saved, not of ourselves. It is a gift from God. The best gift of all.

What’s really cool is that God loves us in our mess. We can be going through some really rough stuff and God still loves us. He knows we aren’t strong enough to stop sinning on our own. We are flawed. We are human. Yet he loves us, and his mercy endures forever. When Paul speaks to the Ephesians of being “dead in the trespasses and sins” he is very much talking to us as well. Paul said we are made alive together with Christ. God never meant for us to be alone, struggling, feeling like we were suffocating in this cruel world. Continue reading “Ephesians 2:1-10 – Grace”