Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts

Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts

Wednesday, 23 August 2017

SAVED BY GRACE

August 23, 2017 The Ambassador

If righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Gal. 2:21). We believe in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Gal. 2:16).

Everyone that is under the law is cursed: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them (Gal. 3:10) ; if you break one, you've broken all. Glory to God, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law - no law was given which could have given life; but it is written, Whosoever that believes in Him (Jesus), will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

But before faith came, we were under the law; the law was like a schoolmaster bringing us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith is come, we are no longer under the law. For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:23-25).

Saturday, 29 July 2017

YOU ARE FORGIVEN

July 29, 2017 The Ambassador

I went to bed the previous night fully aware that I had done something bad. Though I felt bad about it, I wasn’t ready for atonement. I wanted to close my eyes and forget about everything like yesterday never happened.

I woke up this morning with my thoughts centered on King David. What made him a man after God’s heart though he sinned against God? Then I realized that he never allowed sin to stop him from calling on God, always confessing his unrighteousness – I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant (Psalm 119:176).

The Bible said all have sinned and if we claim that we are without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9).

Most times when we make a wrong choice we are often tempted to give up on our faith thinking that our mistakes are 'too much' or 'too frequent', hence there's no need to keep on trying.

God's word for you today- My grace is sufficient for you. You are forgiven, return to me and I will make you whole.

Tuesday, 25 July 2017

SOLD UNDER SIN

July 25, 2017 The Ambassador

I may be as bad as you think, maybe worse than you have heard. I have always wanted to do what is right, but most times I ended up doing what is wrong. I am canal, sold under sin.

I delight in the work of the LORD but sometimes I see myself doing something else, something contrary to God’s command. Today I thank God who has delivered me from the desires of my flesh.

At some point in my Christian walk, I was finding it difficult to separate my desires from God’s word. Every step I took then was in favor of logic. To live for Christ is surrender all to Him – it is not in our place to condemn or judge but to take it all to Him in prayer.

At first it may seem the answer is not forth coming but constant prayers shows our dependence on Him.

“Be not conformed to this world; but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” – Romans 12:2

Monday, 24 July 2017

WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER YOU SINNED

July 24, 2017 The Ambassador

I have often wondered what would have happened if Judas who betrayed Christ had asked for mercy or David had defended his actions when he killed Uriah… would their story end the same way it did.

What choice are we faced with when we stumble?

Ask for Mercy

Do what David did, acknowledge that you have sinned against God and beg for mercy. The Bible made us to understand that if we humble ourselves and approach His throne of grace; He is faithful and just to forgive all unrighteousness.

Dive further down into Sin

King Saul had the opportunity to ask for mercy but he chose to defend his actions. His love for the throne (worldly possession) hardened his heart, and kept him from accepting God’s judgement – Samuel anointing David as the new king of Israel. Saul died a shameful death.

Bearing the Burden

Judas Iscariot killed himself after realizing his mistake. Grace is not available for the dead. Atonement for sin cannot be found in the grave. The Bible says, “After death comes judgement”. Judas chose to pay the price for his own wrongdoing.

"The end does not come after we have sinned, it comes with the decision we take after we have sinned."

Christian Faith / grace

Thursday, 20 July 2017

SIN BUILDS A HOME WHERE IT IS ALLOWED TO STAY

July 20, 2017 The Ambassador

There was a period I find myself making the same mistake over and over again; and each time I made a mistake, I went down on my knees to ask for mercy. When it became too frequent, I made a decision to wait a little before asking for forgiveness. This decision only made me go deeper in sin – i allowed one sin to stay and it gave birth to more disobedience. Little by little my focus was drifting away from the LORD.

When sin is allowed to stay, it builds a home. You are living in sin when it no longer irritates you, when it has become a norm with you. But a Christian who sins and acknowledges that he has sinned goes back to the Father and ask for mercy.

Like the songwriter said, “Your mercy said no, sin will never ever take control” of my life. In my weakness i felt His grace lifting me to greater heights.

When sin sets in, the prayer life of a Christian goes on vacation. The devil uses this medium as an avenue to remind the Christian of his past and how unworthy he is to receive forgiveness from Christ.

grace / Life of A Young Christian

Wednesday, 19 July 2017

BEN-HUR: A TALE OF CHRIST

July 19, 2017 The Ambassador

‘Ben-Hur’ is a novel by Lew Wallace which tells the fictional story of a young Jewish prince, Judah Ben-Hur alongside with the true story of Jesus Christ. The book guided readers to see how the life and sacrifices of Jesus was able to stare up love and forgiveness in the heart of Judah Ben-Hur.

The author, Lew Wallace, read and researched the Bible, and in turn wrote about Christ in his book, ‘Ben-Hur’ which led him to confess, “I have seen the Nazarene... I saw him perform works which no mere man could perform.”

Today the New Testament hold records of the life of Jesus – the miracles He performed, His words of wisdom, and His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. At the end of the gospel of John, he wrote,

“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31).

Change / Faith in God / grace

Tuesday, 18 July 2017

CHATTING WITH GOD

July 18, 2017 The Ambassador

A couple of weeks back I was chatting with a friend from school that’s currently in India via WhatsApp, though I had a nice time chatting with him but it was not the same when we chatted face to face.

Though electronic media has made communication very easy when talking to a friend or a family member that’s far away… but it has not been able to replicate little grin, smirk or smile they wear on their face.

It is recorded in the Old Testament that God talked to Moses face to face as you would a friend while the rest of Israel watched from afar. But today Christ has made it possible for us to communicate with God directly as a friend – sharing every smile and every tear.

Jesus Christ came to bridge the gap between God and men.

Thursday, 13 July 2017

JESUS UNDERSTANDS THAT YOU ARE WEAK

July 13, 2017 The Ambassador

There are times when we struggle to pray because we feel tired, sleepy, sick, weak, and even unworthy. Jesus understands that we are experiencing all these, and He is ushering us into His throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in our time of need.

Our relationship with God is very different to that of the old Testament – At mount Sinai, the people trembled at God’s presence and were afraid of Him (Exodus 19:16). Because of the fear, approaching God directly was difficult and they had to go to God through a priest or a prophet to make their request known.

When Jesus came, He changed all of that. He made it possible to go to Father directly (John 14:6) through our faith in Him.

Through Jesus we become children of God who now have a direct relationship with God. Jesus also strengthens this relationship by acting as our High priest and mediator.

Wednesday, 28 June 2017

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME

June 28, 2017 The Ambassador

“There’s no place like home.” The phrase reflects a deeply rooted yearning within us to have a place to rest, be, and belong; a place where we know that we are loved no matter.

Jesus promised His disciples that although He would go away, He would come back for them. And He would prepare a room for them, a dwelling place. This place was made possible because of His sacrifice on the cross. They didn’t need to fear or be worried about their lives, whether on earth or in heaven.

We can take comfort and assurance from Jesus’s words, for we believe and trust that He makes a home for us; that He makes His home within us (see John 14:23); and that He has gone ahead of us to prepare our heavenly home.

Whatever sort of physical place we live in, we belong with Jesus, upheld by His love and surrounded in His peace. With Him, there’s no place like home.

Saturday, 24 June 2017

STILL STANDING AT THE DOOR

June 24, 2017 The Ambassador

Three days of unexpected trials and tribulation; I find myself taking a step back… battling discouragement and an unknown sickness. I confided in family, friends and my pastor but I didn’t take my case to God.

Many a time we know the way out but we choose to look for answers elsewhere – probably because we feel we are either undeserving or there are something we don’t want to let go off. But when all other doors leads back to that one door you are neglecting, you finally realize, “God still loves and needs you.”

God has promised to never let go of us even when we separate ourselves from Him, He is still out there calling out to us, to save and heal us –

“I stand at the door of your heart and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with me.” - Rev 3:20

grace / Life of A Young Christian

Tuesday, 13 June 2017

A FREE GIFT TO ALL MANKIND

June 13, 2017 The Ambassador

I gave a friend my word - i was supposed to be there for her when she needed me, but I ended up not being able to fulfill my promise. Though the situation has passed... However, i still feel like there's something i still need to do in other to redeem myself.

So many times when we remember our sins... we feel like there's still something we can do to earn God's forgiveness. But God's forgiveness has been graciously offered to us; all we need do is to accept. For we are saved not by works but my grace (Eph. 2:8&9).

We may still feel sad about our past, but we need to believe His grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ is real through faith.

God's grace and forgiveness are freely given to all.

Monday, 8 May 2017

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT GRACE: The Pleasure It Gives

May 08, 2017 The Ambassador

Not many people live a pleasurable life; they do most things not because they love it but because they feel they have no option.

The feeling of pleasure comes from within, a product of grace. God cares about you being happy. When you are using your talent to excel and you are enjoying it, your desire to please God will be strong.

You love the things around you, you delight yourself in them. There’s a relationship between you and them; that’s because you came from the same source – God. Grace gives you the ability to see the beauty of life, to enjoy nature – a kind and happy feeling that accepts others.

When you are at work, are you happy to be there? Do you love the course you are studying in school? Do you enjoy the role you play in church? Where you are now, does it bring joy to your heart?

Let grace lead you to find pleasure in whatever you do.

exploit of grace / grace

Saturday, 6 May 2017

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT GRACE: Makes You a Giver and a Receiver

May 06, 2017 The Ambassador

Grace working in you causes you to release. Not everybody can give; some have in abundance but still find it difficult to give. When you give to God, people question you – why would you give such an amount to church? They see it as you giving to church and not to god.

When grace opens that capacity in you to give, it also opens your capacity to receive. Solomon sacrificed one thousand cows to God; the highest number of cows sacrificed recorded in the Bible. In return he received a blank cheque from God – tell me what I will do for you. That’s grace at work. Jesus’s disciples didn’t understand this that’s why they questioned the lady that washed the master’s feet with an expensive perfume.

The giving and receiving inspiration… Nobody gives freely unless grace is working in them. Let grace have its work in you and produce that capacity to give.

exploit of grace / grace

Thursday, 4 May 2017

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT GRACE: Unspeakable Joy

May 04, 2017 The Ambassador

When you allow grace to reveal itself in you, it expresses itself as joy… unspeakable joy. They can’t understand why you are so joyful. Even in trials, you are still joyful. They don’t understand why but you are counting it as victory.

Your Bible tells you, “be anxious for nothing, but in everything let your supplication be made known to God”. You need not worry because you know you know your Father; and He knows. He knew before you did… He didn’t hear about it when you heard about it. He has the answers, wait for Him. He knew you were going to have a problem when you did, and He already has a solution in place for that problem. He knew about all of this before you were born.

Your life is not a mistake but a miracle. That particular problem comes to you because God knows you are the solution – the one people will run to for answers. God knows you are the solution because while He was creating you, He kept the solution within you. He knew you before you were born.

Be joyful! Grace has chosen you to be a light.

exploit of grace / grace

Wednesday, 3 May 2017

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT GRACE: Unmerited Favor

May 03, 2017 The Ambassador

Grace gives you favor. God favors you, men favor you. The Bible says that Jesus found favor in the sight of God and in the sight of man.

This kind of favor makes the last to become the first, makes the rejected stone to become the chief corner stone. It calls the unqualified and qualifies him/her. This kind of favor makes your superiors come to you first, seeking your opinion. When you do something wrong, they understand and forgive immediately but to others that may have done something similar, they face severe punishment.

David found grace in the sight of God; irrespective of the sin he committed, God did not take the kingship away from him like He did with Saul.

Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and let God’s grace speak for you.

exploit of grace / grace

Tuesday, 2 May 2017

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT GRACE: Brings Acceptability

May 02, 2017 The Ambassador

Grace is the divine influence on the inside that reveals itself on the outside. One of products of grace is acceptability. There’s something about that woman that makes her acceptable. There’s something about that boy that makes him stand out. It doesn’t matter if you stammer like Moses. Whatever you do, grace makes you stand out. Whether you are a singer, dancer or actor – grace singles you out.

It doesn’t mean everybody will like you but every well-meaning person will be drawn to you. People can just help themselves; they just find you acceptable, presentable, trustworthy, safe, and right. There will be people that will fight against this acceptability in your life because they can’t understand it. Remember the four boys in Babylon (Daniel, Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego) they were the best amongst their peers. Daniel was thrown into the Lion’s den, while Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into fire but they were unarmed.

Stand strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:1), take advantage of the grace that is given to you.

exploit of grace / grace

Monday, 1 May 2017

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT GRACE: You Need To Be Aware of It

May 01, 2017 The Ambassador

Grace prepares your whole life for you. A young boy had a dream; his brother’s stars bowed down to Him. He told his brothers about his dream and they plotted to strip him of his destiny by selling him into slavery. But this boy was aware of the grace in him; he maintained it. Never for once did he forget what was in him. At the end he became a governor and his brothers bowed to him.

Joseph’s life explained the advantage that grace gives. Joseph was aware of it, he was cautious never to toy with it lest he would have lost it all. Sold into slavery by his brothers, found himself in Portifer’s house and became the lord of his house. He was later thrown into prison for an offense he did not commit; then he became the master of the prison, and from the prison he became a governor.

Joseph didn’t for once complain while he was in slavery or in prison. He knew… He was aware of his end.

Be aware of the grace of God in your life. Do not sacrifice the advantage you have for any reason.

exploit of grace / grace

Sunday, 30 April 2017

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT GRACE: It Can Be Seen

April 30, 2017 The Ambassador

We know that grace means unmerited favor; you don’t deserve it but you’ve got it. God gave up His son for us that we may live through Him. After the saving grace of God in your life, what’s next? God’s grace working in you, through you.

God’s grace is the divine influence on the heart reflected in your life. This simply means that God’s grace in you can be seen. Grace can’t really be seen but you can see what it produces, it’s effect in the life of a person. What made a little boy like David to defeat a giant like Goliath? What made a prisoner to become a governor in Egypt? What made a chief persecutor of the church to become one of the greatest apostles? The answer is GRACE. God’s grace can be seen just as it was seen in the lives of these great men.

Search yourself! Let Grace work for and work through you.

exploit of grace / grace

Tuesday, 18 April 2017

WHAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES

April 18, 2017 The Ambassador

Juliet sent a message via WhatsApp to a friend, in hope of having a question answered quickly. The message showed that the recipient had read the message, so she waited anxiously for a reply. Moments passed but no reply and her friend was still online. She grew frustrated, groaning her annoyance at the delay. Her irritation made her to send other messages to show her frustration. When she got no reply, she became worried… maybe her phone has been stolen or something bad had happen. Eventually a reply came and she was pleased to find out that all is well. Her friend was simply sorting out details needed to answer her question.

Daniel was in a similar position; he fasted and sought God for answers. For three weeks, he got no reply. Finally, an angel of the LORD appeared and assured him that his prayers had been heard “since the first day.” But the angel with his answers had been battling a demon. Though Daniel didn’t know that a demon was preventing his answers from coming to him, he didn’t stop praying and hoping on God; He trusted God to come through for him.

The confidence that God hears our prayers can cause us to become anxious when His reply doesn’t come as quickly as we want it. Like Juliet, we are prone to wonder if He cares. But Daniel’s experience reminds us that God is at work on behalf of those He loves even if it’s not obvious.

God is always at work on behalf of His people.

grace / relationship

Monday, 13 March 2017

HOPE FOR THE STRUGGLING CHRISTIAN

March 13, 2017 The Ambassador

The prophet, Micah said, "My enemies will not rejoice over me: when i fall, i shall arise; when i sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light to me." (Micah 7:8). God’s spirit in us teaches and directs us, and also lets us know when we have gone contrary to God’s word. When we have gone contrary to His word, we are presented with a choice; ask for forgiveness and return to His light or continue in sin and remain in darkness. Irrespective of what we have done, God’s grace is sufficient for us; He’s ready to take us back.

There is no sin too big that God’s grace cannot cover nor is there any sin that we can commit that will shock Him. Our God is gracious and merciful, He is full of compassion; He will deliver us from death (Psalm 116). He has promised to save us; all we need do is to call on Him.

Faith in God / grace

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