WHY LORD? WHY? part 3
This devotion, part 3 is Dedicated to my Best Friends that have lost a dear Nephew in his 20’s and to all the rest of us that have lost a young person in our lives.
When you loose a loved one–We don’t come with any glib answers. Let’s face it. This is tough stuff. We’re stunned. We’re hurting. We don’t understand. BUT! What JOY I have BECAUSE OF JESUS!
A new body for my new spirit is promised because I BELIEVE! Eternal life with JESUS is my destiny!
Oh Lord, I will tell YOUR STORY everywhere I go to everyone I meet! For heaven rejoices even the more for the one who receives YOU!
1 Timothy 1.
*Our past failures should remind us that we are all sinful (v.13-14)
A. REPENTANCE unlocks Gods GRACE and MERCY!
B. Mercy is Not getting what you DO deserve (v.13)
C. Grace is getting what you DON’T deserve. (v.14)
*Our current struggle with sin should keep us HUMBLE (v.15)
* Jesus redeems our past to make us an EXAMPLE (v.16)
* Jesus should get glory for anything we do that is ADMIRABLE (v.17)
I am a sinner who has sinned against God first and others second.
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.
*God’s grace can change anyone.
*Grace is the core of it all. God’s grace covers our sin.
Luke15:23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
Luke 15:10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
*God’s love is unconditional! God wants his children to come home.
*God is eager to show us his love, we must be willing to except his love and live in a way that honors him. Come home to you Father and Creator!
* God’s Grace can never be anything but a gift not conditional. A gift that came at a great cost.
*Paul found grace on the road to Damascus.
*Have you found grace?
** God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
John 6:37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.
Saul to Paul:
1. 1 Tim. 1:16- worst of sinners
2. Eph. 3:8- least of God’s people
3. 1 Cor. 15:9- least of apostles
Paul worst of sinners:
1 Timothy 1: 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
*In this we are united . That Jesus came For us that need Him
*Because of what He has done for me, who am I to be judgmental? Unkind? Unloving?
*Because He has shown me mercy, even at my worst, I will serve him. He has called me out by name and has given me freedom. Jesus came to save the lost…even a sinner like me.
* I will remember that I am in the same camp with Paul as being a huge sinner that has been saved through God’s Grace patience and love.
Paul least of God’s people:
Ephesians 3:8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.
*I will lead knowing that it is God’s plan for me.
*In the Word of God there are rich mines of truth that we may spend our whole lifetime in exploring, and yet we shall find that we have only begun to view their precious stores…. There are unsearchable riches for us. It will take us all eternity to comprehend the riches of the glory of God and of Jesus Christ ….Christ has said: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37). Have you exhausted the fountain?
Paul least of apostles:
1 Corinthians 15:9 For I (Paul) am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.
*Humility was the secret to Paul’s greatness. When we are humble we work harder. We realize that we don’t deserve what we have. A humble person will work any Job and do it well. Seeing every moment as a gift, an opportunity, he allows the grace he has received to fuel him to greatness. Here we see life after a man is spiritually awakened to his condition as an opportunity to catch up and win a race. A race perhaps against his sinful nature, where he surpasses the things that could have haunted him. As he vigorously labors in a new course instead of ruminating about his past he uses every opportunity to make things new, leaving the looming shadows
of the past behind.
If Paul who accomplished so much for the furthering of Christ’s Kingdom had a profile like this, what’s our excuse?
Also consider Moses had a temper, Noah got drunk, Gideon was a coward, Rahab a prostitute…
Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
1 Corinthians 15:22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.
The Spirit, however will live forever if we live as God would have us live and are faithful to His teachings. The physical death is not the end; it is the beginning of a joyously life without end.
2 Corinthians 1:4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
God, I am reminded this week that you are super patient with me and that I do not deserve your mercy or grace. I pray that I am able to extend that same grace and mercy to others. Father thank you for loving me and for sending your Son Jesus Christ to come and save a sinner like me. Thank you for your mercy and love. May I show your light in this dark world so others may also come to know your Love. Loving and Trusting You, Jesus- always!Amen.
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