Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.
“Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that is greater than all our sin.”
As I read 1 Timothy, especially verse 14, I can’t help but sing that old hymn. How true those words are. The older I get and the more I walk through, the more they mean to me. Even when I feel overwhelmed by difficulties, if I take the time to stop and look at my life, I can see God’s grace all around me, in the present and the past. How He has poured out His grace abundantly on me, even at the times the weight of my circumstances felt so heavy. He is and has been so good and so kind to me.
There have been times I have wondered why God allows bad things to happen to His children - myself included. One time, as I was pondering this, my thoughts were interrupted by the idea that He also allows good to happen. And in that moment, I believe He showed me that, contrary to my opinion, I don’t deserve the good any more than I think I don’t deserve the bad. I am not entitled to only good days and a life of pleasure - none of us are. I’ve done nothing to earn His blessings, and if I’m being honest, I fully deserve the difficulties that I face. But Grace. His grace allows me to live an overall good life. To have good things, to experience good times with people I love. He allows me to know His love and gives me the hope and joy of Salvation. To know that when hard times come, His grace will sustain me. He hasn’t chosen me specifically to endure hard times - that happens to everyone. But I have hope in Him as I can look back on how He has continually poured out His grace on me, and know He will carry me through every difficult time that may come my way. Remembering His grace and goodness in the past gives me courage for the future, as I have seen Him work in huge ways.
I feel certain all of us could agree with the statements above about how God has shown us each grace. Take some time today to stop and consider how you have seen God’s grace in your life—big ways and small. Write those thoughts down. When you feel discouraged, refer back to this list as a reminder of God’s goodness to you.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
- SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
- OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
- APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
- PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.
FALL AT VENTURE
KXP, MVMNT, The Gathering, House Church, and Care Groups are all starting back this fall! You can check the Fall at Venture webpage for launch dates and events happening this fall at Venture.