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Because we are all sinful creatures we fail God and other people regularly. In those moments of failure we certainly deserve whatever condemnation and judgement might come our way, yet we can all recall times when God showed us His grace instead and gave us a fresh start. You may feel like you’ve blown it so badly that God will never take you back. But He stands ready right now to extend His grace and give you a new beginning!
Every one of us can look back over the years and see times when we failed God so miserably; times when we let our selfishness or stubbornness or foolishness take over. Looking back, it’s so clear to us now that if God hadn’t extended His grace to us in those moments, our lives would have been ruined. God doesn’t just barely give us grace, He gives us grace upon grace! Have you paused recently to thank Him for His abundant grace in your life?
Behind every victory and every success lies a hidden danger. These euphoric experiences tend to lull us into a false sense of security, causing us to let down our guard and coast on the momentum of those mountaintop moments. It’s then that we become vulnerable to attacks from the enemy and often find ourselves plunging from the highest peak of triumph to the lowest valley of despair. Learn how tenderly God deals with us in our worst times of defeat and discouragement, and find the hope and renewal you need in Him.
Whether they admit it or not, every person ever born wants to be loved. We long to know what it’s like to be completely accepted and treasured by someone, regardless of our flaws and failures. Sadly, that kind of perfect love cannot be found in this world. There’s only one place that perfect, unfailing love can be found, and it’s waiting for you right now. Do you know where to find it?
The events of this past year have filled the hearts of many people around the world with fear. Some Christians feel ashamed that their faith has wavered during these difficult times. But in the Bible we see another group of people who were wrestling with doubts and fear, and we see the extraordinary grace that Jesus extended to them. If you’re struggling today, you need to come and receive the grace that Jesus longs to give to you.
There are times in life when God allows us to go through seasons of barrenness. We feel emptied of the joy and hope we once knew. God uses these trials to test us and grow our faith, and if we will allow the hardships to make us better instead of bitter, God will bring us through to a place of blessedness once again, where we are much stronger than we were before.
After a year like 2020 it’s easy to have moments of anxiety, fear and panic, and even to wonder at times if God has forgotten you in the midst of all the chaos. Noah must have felt the same way during that long year when he was closed off inside the ark. Yet during that terrible trial, we read the beautiful words, “But God remembered Noah,” and we discover that he had never been out of God’s care for a single day! Whatever struggle you may be facing right now, take heart in knowing that God has not forgotten you!
Sometimes when life is at its worst and dark clouds are all around, you can be tempted to wonder if God has abandoned you. It was during a period just like this when a young pagan woman named Ruth put her faith in God and chose to follow Him. God drew her out of the darkness by His grace and literally changed the course of history through her. God is still looking for people who are willing to stand up for Him when no one else will. Are you that person?
You may also find this series on the Book of Ruth helpful: “Ruth – A Story of God’s Grace”
Have you ever had to learn the same lesson more than once? Sometimes we fail to remember God’s blessings and provision from the past, and so new trials can cause us to doubt His faithfulness and provision. Our human tendency is to complain when we are in desperate need, but let’s learn instead that those very times are blessings in disguise. It’s in those moments that God has our full attention, because the struggles He has allowed to come our way cause us to run to Him!
How good do you have to be for God to let you into heaven? Well actually, you have to be absolutely perfect! That’s really bad news for all of us. Leviticus shows us the long list of standards that God requires, but it also shows us that Jesus met all those requirements on our behalf, so now all we have to do is believe on Him and rest in His finished work, and that’s the best news we could ever hear!
Hard times and trials are inevitable, but how can we know for sure that our commitment to follow Christ will continue to stand firm through those hard times? What is it that we can count on to hold us steady when the storms begin to blow? The Bible gives us the answer in three simple words. Every believer should make these words the foundation of their life and faith. Without them, we will surely fall.
Have you ever gone for a week or more completely forgetting to eat? Probably not. Our bodies crave nutrients and they tell us immediately when we need more. But consider how easy it is to go for days, weeks, or even months without ever eating spiritual food! Is your soul starving right now; feeling empty and aching for something this world cannot provide? Christ invites you to come and feast on the Bread of Life so that you will never be hungry again!
