I’ve been results-driven all my life. I wrestle, wondering if my performance fits the task—whatever it is. Deep down, I fear being found wanting. Hard work (and the good standing it earns me) is my way of compensating for the failings that inevitably happen when my strengths aren’t enough.
The relationship between worth and effort is so deeply rooted in our culture it’s easy to believe that we can justify our existence through our output. It’s hard not to earn our keep. Yet harder still is to face what we deserve when we are found wanting. This narrative often colors my emotions and informs my choices in other areas beyond work. It trickles into my faith. Stealthy, it hides in plain sight. Maybe you’ve been there too?
Since my early twenties, it’s been bumping heads with my faith. I’m grateful for the Word. It won’t let me cut corners about the salvation promised in Jesus.
The promise is through His work and the faith I place in it. It’s counterintuitive. My Western upbringing rebels against it, looking instead for the assurance of effort I can decipher, steps I can check off a list and mark as accomplished.
Though I’ve been a follower of Jesus for over two decades, I’m still learning to live out in practice what my head can quote and my eyes have read many times over. I’m found wanting when it comes to my ability to live rightly without transgressing. The natural outcome of my sin is death. No amount of hard work can remedy my natural bent toward sin or earn me a better outcome.
Jesus faced that outcome in our place (Romans 4:25). His resurrection earns our keep because we can’t. He provided justification for my status as a daughter of God. Our right to be God’s has nothing to do with our efforts to be good or be enough. It is the direct result of Jesus’s willingness to face death and be raised to life on the third day. His effort was enough.
Sometimes it’s puzzling, even irritating, to see flawed people praised in Scripture for being right with God. We reason: they weren’t always exemplars, so how can they be called righteous?
The dissonance stems from what makes them right before the Lord. It’s easy to skip over. When God promised land and descendants to Abraham, he was a childless nomad with a wife well past the age to bear children. The promise wasn’t contingent on his efforts. But it did require him to bank the remaining years of his life on it, living like he believed what he could not see because it was promised by God. It was a promise granted through faith (Romans 4:1–25).
The response faith requires of us is to live our lives like the promise that He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification (v.25) is real. What does it look like to live our everyday lives like this is true?
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59 thoughts on "The Promised Granted Through Faith"
Thank you Jesus for your righteous gift to us. Amen.
I definitely see my worth in my output and struggle when things don’t turn out the way I expected. I lose focus. Jesus has already paid the ultimate price for me! God wants me to live a life well lived.
Reading this passage I am just in awe of Abrahams faith. When everything was telling him this was impossible he let his faith lead his head. I want to be more like Abraham instead of trying to micro manage to get better output. I pray I can trust in the Lord and accept that the path he has chosen for me isn’t even on my radar yet!
“I have made you the father of many nations”
I surrender to the truth, you grace is good
Living like this means prioritizing things that honor him. I’m struggling with keeping up the daily “mom” tasks and pushing aside things that bring Him glory.
I feel this. My mum days have meant my output is not as measurable as it once was. I know what I’m doing is important but I lose sight of God’s plan for me! There is something special in thiese children and God chose me to raise them for a reason, j just don’t understand it yet!
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Thank you PAOLA.
I just wanted to share that I got baptized today. I went to meet with the Care and Missions teams at my church and the meeting was life changing. They invited me to get baptized right then. We walked over to the auditorium where construction workers were fixing the lighting and they moved aside so we could access the baptismal pool. They prayed with me before and after. It was a day I’ll never forget.
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Sisters can I ask for prayer? My anxiety/ depression has gotten bad and I’m on medication now to help but the side effects are awful :( please pray for wisdom on what to do with them and for healing from my anxiety. Thank you.
Katie L that is a really good point well taken thank you for highlighting that !
“I’ve been results driven all my life.” Hard work to overcompensate for anything else I see as lacking. This devotional was the reminder I needed as I pray for decisions that I have to make about my job. Thank you for your prayers and I ask that you please continue to do so. I pray for faith, joy and unexplainable peace for all of us.
Oh Rhonda thank you so much! That is very helpful her name is Elizabeth.
@Kate L- Oh, I so get that. I have worked with many clients with chronic conditions and life-altering illness and it is easy to fall into depression. That’s why another friend and I thought it so important to start a pain group at church, to support and encourage each other…But MOST importantly to pray together. We are reading a book right now that I had read before, and in my opinion is spot on! It is called “Why Doesn’t God Fix It?” by Kimberly Rae. Also, Joni Tada has many books about her life as a Christian, despite the fact she has been in a wheelchair for over 30 years! She is very inspiring! Not many of us can complain about our issues compared to others. But yet, we do. lol. We just have to be grateful for the blessings we have. If you can wake up, if you can stand, if you have a place to live, food, family, friends…we are well off. Could you convey that somehow? Maybe send her one of these books, or suggest? Even though she is not a Christian you are! So I would encourage you to tell her you are praying for her, and even call and audibly say a prayer for her. You could send her a song that will encourage, there are so many! “There Will Be Joy” is good. Or bible verse? Over time she will appreciate her “Christian” friend (you) that was there for her. That’s what we are called to do…lift each other up! Send me an email if you want to discuss more at rhonda fit @ gmail com (code..so doesn’t go to moderator) What is her name and we will pray for her?
@Kate L- Oh, I so get that. I have worked with many clients with chronic conditions and life-altering illness and it is easy to fall into depression. That’s why another friend and I thought it so important to start a pain group at church, to support and encourage each other…But MOST importantly to pray together. We are reading a book right now that I had read before, and in my opinion is spot on! It is called “Why Doesn’t God Fix It?” by Kimberly Rae.
Also, Joni Tada has many books about her life as a Christian, despite the fact she has been in a wheelchair for over 30 years! She is very inspiring! Not many of us can complain about our issues compared to others. But yet, we do. lol. We just have to be grateful for the blessings we have. If you can wake up, if you can stand, if you have a place to live, food, family, friends…we are well off. Could you convey that somehow?
Maybe send her one of these books, or suggest? Even though she is not a Christian you are! So I would encourage you to tell her you are praying for her, and even call and audibly say a prayer for her. You could send her a song that will encourage, there are so many! “There Will Be Joy” is good. Or bible verse? Over time she will appreciate her “Christian” friend (you) that was there for her. That’s what we are called to do…lift each other up! Send me an email if you want to discuss more at [email protected] What is her name and we will pray for her?
I love how I keep getting reminded how great God is with faith and salvation
Rhonda J (and anyone else that might have insight) – I have a friend that reached out to me today and let me know she’s been struggling with chronic pain (arthritis in knees and now back) that has really affected her mental health. She is in a dark place mentally. She grew up in the church but has nothing to do with it anymore. I’m looking for advice or ideas – how can I encourage and support someone living with chronic pain? Thank you!
There is so much wisdom shared in all of your comments today. As I was reading each comment, I marveled at how we all share a common human trait to think we aren’t enough, aren’t doing enough and not living our faith enough. Then I read how all of you continued in your comments to realize that is the point – We aren’t enough! And that is a beautiful thought because we can stop relying on ourselves and the works we do. Our only hope is in Jesus, and thank God, He is enough!
I know that I often feel I’m not doing enough because that’s how we’re taught. Society seems to say that if we’ll do just a bit more, we will have made it! God says if we have faith in Him and believe that Jesus died for our sins, and arose from the dead, our sins will be justified through Him. Thank you to everyone who has commented today. It’s uplifted me and reminded me that this is a community of Christian sisters sharing our lives, our praises and our pain. Thank you for your prayers. I am prattled for each request as I come to it. May God bless us all with the peace that comes from knowing HE is enough.
I think it’s worth noting that even as Paul speaks about Abraham’s faith in his circumstances (end of Chapter 4) Abraham and Sarah DID try to take things into their own hands (Hagar and Ishmael, anyone?). Even more evidence that God’s gift is not determined by our righteousness.
I haven’t read through comments yet…but, this really spoke to me today!
“The promise wasn’t contingent on his efforts. But it did require him to bank the remaining years of his life on it, living like he believed what he could not see because it was promised by God. It was a promise granted through faith (Romans 4:1–25).
The response faith requires of us is to live our lives like the promise that He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification (v.25) is real. What does it look like to live our everyday lives like this is true?”
We had our church “Enduring Chronic Pain” group this morning! And boy do we have to keep our focus on this promise! It can be hard to get up and keep going when stricken with grief, pain, or other afflictions! But God- He loves us, He sees us, He gives us the strength to keep going! Because HE promises us that we are healed by HIS (Jesus’) stripes, and we have to live with the faith that we ARE healed. Yes, it is hard, it can take all our strength to live it daily; this remarkable promise, but that is where our faith is alive and shown. Lord, I thank you, that although I may not feel it, the promise is still the same, I cannot do anything through my own strength to be yours. Yet I am in faith. Praise God. Lord help me bank on YOU, and not my feelings, Amen.
I’ve personally been struggling with “what should I be doing?” For awhile now. I’ve prayed and asked God for guidance on what he wants for me and I’m left with silence. But today in this reading I realized it’s not about what I’m doing it’s about the faith I have in Him to guide my every day. Giving him full control. Staying strong in faith that He is a promise keeper and He gives us everything we need.
I want to thank whoever it was that recommended we listen to David Platt’s reading of Romans chapters1-8 at the Passion 2023 conference in Dallas. It was great! Also Thank you @Searching! You make so many of us feel noticed and appreciated. Praying for all your request concerning your family members. Welcome back from all your travels @Traci Gendron. Good to see your comments again! Also a joy to see the comments of @ERB and @Tina. @Kelly(Neo) I look for your name everyday and also @Karen Roper. I love your faithful presence at the start of the morning and enjoy reading your recent comments. Grateful for all the wisdom gathered here each day from every SHE who shares. Happy Tuesday everyone!
ROMANS 4:24–25
“It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” “Love ALL people as God does” “forgive them for they know not what they do”
The choice to sin often begins with an urge to look out for “me, myself, and I” and ignore our human purpose, which is to care for others as we care for ourselves, to love one another as God loves. When we ignore or diminish others to become self-serving, we allow the deadly croucher to rule over us. We become bent, crooked, and bring harm to others and ourselves. And just like that the devil got in our heads!
I re-read the scripture as well. I found righteousness was ALWAYS tied to faith and belief. Righteousness means the sum total of God’s requirements. Thus, we have met them all when we believe in our precious Jesus. What a truth!
The many themes in today’s reading has my head swimming! Justification. Joy of Forgiveness. Grace. Unwavering Faith. The Law and the Lawless.God’s Promises Kept. I’m sure I missed some. I stopped and re-read so often to grasp the enormity of what Paul was trying to convey. At some point I settled into focusing on unwavering belief. This theme sticks with me and is where I struggle the most. Surely I need to do more to prove my worth? Not according to God! I will likely struggle with this trait in myself until God calls me home. Praise God for the promised victory I will have when I see Jesus face to face.
Hello ladies! I am typically a lurker, but get so much from all of your comments and insights! Thank you! I just have to say this devotion hit my squarely between the eyes! As an enneagram 1, I struggle with the recording in my head constantly telling me what I’m doing wrong and how I’m not doing enough for God to love me!
I’m reminded of a question Tanner asked of me a week or two before he died. “Do you really believe we are with God when we die?” He believed yet faltered in the end. I understand that. It is hard to have unfaltering faith of an intangible God. We know His presence, but can not see or feel God in the way are accustomed to.
This one hit home for me. At the beginning of the summer I sustained an injury that forced me to radically alter my active lifestyle. As someone who *prides* myself on meeting certain fitness goals everyday, at first I ignored the advice to be still. I had so much pride tied to my fitness and so much fear about what would happen if I stopped. And even though my head knows how silly these arbitrary measurements are, I had such a hard time letting go of this mindset. But an amazing thing has happened when I switched my daily morning workout for daily morning Jesus time. What a joy to know that Jesus doesn’t look for perfection. Indeed, we will always fall short. But he meets us where we are.
Please pray for my plantar fasciitis that it is GONE before I have to go back to eight hours a day on my feet in the classroom!
“The promise is through His work and the faith I place in it” wow!!! This right here is soo convicting! I feel like everyday in my notes for the last couple studies I write “He is a promise keeper” and if I believe in His word then I should not worry!!! Also the more I believe the more I feel like God is around me making miracles happen and fulfilling promises!!! Lord thank you for your promise to never leave me! Happy Tuesday Sisco!
Good morning sweet She’s and happy Tuesday. I don’t have much time, but I am so over joyed with today’s devotional. My heart! And a great reminder to me that our God has everything under control. I’m here trying to make another major decision And for me, it’s huge. It’s regarding a job change please pray for direction. I know that my God already knows I just need to be able to be directed in the right direction.
I really do struggle with this, I feel like I have to earn my salvation and God’s love. I joined a different church in my 20s and every since I did I have been struggling with earning what Christ already pain for.
When reading these words, “In what way, then, was it credited—while he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? It was not while he was circumcised, but uncircumcised.” it echos in my heart what Paul will later say in Romans 5, “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”. I love the point He is making and it is further supported in my mind by John 3:17, “For God did not send his Son into the world to CONDEMN the world, but to SAVE the world through him”. All of these verses are the foundation of our faith and WHY/HOW we can even HAVE FAITH. It reinforces to us that we have a God who didn’t put expectations of behavior on His kids for the sake of us saving ourselves and Him just stepping in to the space we couldn’t fill. We have a God who saw each of us in the worst of our worst, participating in the darkest, yuckiest of our depravity, and IN. THAT. MOMENT. looked on us with genuine love, desire, hope, and faith in US and what a life He could give us. In my sin, I’m not a failure. I’m a natural result of a world where sin exists. It is the human condition. In my sin I am a child in need of a Savior. It’s Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.” He KNOWS our condition, came to us IN our condition, and has mercy unending FOR our condition. And what’s even more beyond belief is that once OUT of being slave to that condition, we’re SUPERnaturally empowered to bring His compassionate, hopeful, saving love to others who are still slave to their condition – the same one we used to be. So, long story longer ;), who are we EVER to look down on anyone in their sin? God has never done that to us. If I have the choice to have faith in a world waiting for me to fail so they can judge me, or a God who has already said, “kid, you’re MINE and I’ll pick you up every. time. you. fall. and be there to help you try again”, the answer is pretty simple. And honestly it blows my mind that I even have that option… Such love. ❤️
There are still so many things I struggle with I’m so thankful it is my faith that saves and not my own work. I feel like once I have been delivered of one sin pattern another tears it’s ugly head for round two lately. It’s my own doing of course, but still frustrating.
I struggle with perfection. I’m never perfect and feel like I don’t measure up the majority of the time. It humbles me to know that my salvation is not based on my perfection or performance but on Christ’s sacrifice! How grateful I am for this gift.
SEARCHING – So good to see you today; I have missed you! Thank you for once again expressing my thoughts better than I could. Praying with you for those requests, especially the loss in the in-law’s family. RE: The condition of our world: We are studying Jeremiah in SS and last week mentioned how God gave the people over to their sin, etc. Great article addressing that on Got Questions: “The sad fact is that sometimes God gives us what we want. God allowed the Israelites who rebelled to reap the natural consequences of their choice: “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices” (Psalm 81:11–12). In Romans 1, Paul shows how the wicked made a choice to reject God, and that choice set them on a downward spiral of increasing darkness and decreasing hope. As the godless run farther and farther from God, God intervenes less and less. The Spirit’s restraint of sin is a blessing, and if that restraint is removed, all wickedness follows.”
Answering the question of the day will require some pondering, as SEARCHING said, but initially I know that I should live CONFIDENTLY in my faith and trust in His promise of redemption. In my life I have heard the phrase “working out your faith” which I think has confused people into believing that their works can earn their salvation when it really just means to make your faith known to others by the way that you live.
The Bible notes mentioned that Abraham didn’t receive righteousness because he was circumcised. His righteousness was the result of his belief. Our righteousness also comes the moment we believe – not with baptism or any other outward sign or any works we accomplish. What a BLESSING and what a RELIEF!
Thanks, KRISTEN BOOK for mentioning the song yesterday. I have not heard it in a while so, of course, I had to listen to it!
SHES – Keeping your prayer requests close to my heart.
@Sarah D- glad you have some time to relax and enjoy summer before your new job. Is your roommate a believer? If so, I pray God waters the seeds you planted in her. Sometimes people don’t receive the truth if they aren’t believers, so that’s why I asked. I am glad you are looking to encourage and build up your roommate. I pray she is receptive to your love and genuine care for her :)
@Searching, @Rhonda J, @Sharon JG, @Annie, @Teresa Donley & others – appreciate your prayers and wisdom- thank you <3
@Mari V- how did your med visit go yesterday?
@Linda G- did you mean to type "meditation" instead of "mediation conference" ? If so, definitely believing God to reach your daughter. I have a background in being delivered from the new age and its deception. God can do the impossible. I pray that God would prove these things to be counterfeits of real and abundant life from Him. It is so sneaky. You are having a real spiritual experience, but it isn't of the Lord. God knows what your daughter needs and I pray that her heart continues to long for it. The word says He puts eternity in our hearts. Our hearts aren't satisfied until we truly know Christ. We are always searching, wondering, trying to perceive what is the truth. I pray your daughter wakes up and sees it is Jesus alone. It may take time, I don't know her story. But I pray you continue to intercede for her, @Linda, and not grow weary in doing so (Galatians 6:9). God hears your prayers and He responds. Don't give up :) I am a testimony of God's saving work from such deception!
@Cindy Hanna- congratulations on Cooper! That is amazing! God bless your family and this newborn :)
Ephesians 2:4 always be hittin, tho. ;)
Hitting home, I mean (lol)- truly because I forget how great God's mercy is. God, may I remember so I can be merciful.
Thank you Jesus, for your promise love. Thank you never leaving your children even tho we tend to slip away. I pray God, that you equip to me to be a better and faithful Christian.
Oh Paola, thank you for your honesty and your posed question. May God help me to live like this is true each day!
@Rhonda J wrote yesterday that her pastor and others she heard this week are all pointing to us (all) being Chosen by God! That it is not by anything we have done or earned, but by his mercy and grace! And then because of that, we too should tell and share with others! Amen!
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
*I heard a preacher emphasize the word dead! We were dead in our trespasses, and He said that dead men don’t grab! It’s only by His grace and mercy that we even come to Him and repent.
Ephesians 2:6-8 goes on to say that He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus. so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I found this online about verse 10! But verse 10 doesn’t contradict what comes two verses earlier: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
Praise God for His immeasurable riches in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus and praise Jesus for His finished work. Praying for you all.
Alive
Big Daddy Weave
I was dead in my transgressions
Wandering in sin
I went searching for redemption
Down a road that had no end
I was walking through the fire
I was living on the run
With my flesh lost in desire
I was drowning in the flood
But God, rich in mercy
You came to save me
Now I’m alive
But God, strong and mighty
You reached down for me
So I could rise
Now I’m alive
I am far from being perfect
There are days that I regret
On this battlefield, I struggle
With the lies that I have lived
I have fallen short of glory
I can’t make it on my own
If You kept record of my past
I’d be sinking like a stone
But God, rich in mercy
You came to save me
Now I’m alive
But God, strong and mighty
You reached down for me
So I could rise
Now I’m breathing in, I’m breathing out
I was in the grave, but God You called me out
I’m breathing in, I’m breathing out
I was in the grave, but God You called me out
But God, rich in mercy
You came to save me
Now I’m alive
My God, strong and mighty
You reached down for me
So I could rise
Now I’m breathing in, I’m breathing out
I was in the grave, but God You called me out
Now I’m breathing in, I’m breathing out
I was in the grave, but God You called me out
Now I’m alive
Thank you, Paola, for putting into words my secret thoughts. I continually try to prove myself and my worth through acts of service, tasks, etc., never quite sure if it is “enough.” Often, I am not sure whom I am trying to please–me, others, God. Seeing these thoughts in black and white has given me a new perspective and a sense of freedom. I pray joy and gratitude will fill the void left by empty thoughts and behaviors.
Praying for you all this morning!! If you could please pray for me and one of my roommates. I felt the need to talk with her about how she had been complaining about being tired a lot, and I felt that as a friend, I would want to know if I was doing that and to grow in it. I was reminded of the verse to do everything without complaining or grumbling, so I wanted to share that with her. I talked to her yesterday and it came out kind of jumbled, but I just pray that this would help her and she would take it well. She didn’t say much after but did say thank you. I felt that it was something God wanted me to do, because I had been thinking about it for awhile. I pray that I can be a friend who builds others up and that we can help each other grow, because I know I probably have blind spots too that I need to grow in.
In other news, I don’t start my new job until the second week of August, so I’m excited to have a break and to prepare for the year!! Thank you for your prayers.
This is how I want to live:
When God promised land and descendants to Abraham, he was a childless nomad with a wife well past the age to bear children. The promise wasn’t contingent on his efforts. But it did require him to bank the remaining years of his life on it, living like he believed what he could not see because it was promised by God. It was a promise granted through faith (Romans 4:1–25).
I want to bank my remaining years on believing God will fulfill His promises. That He is working, even when I cannot see any results.
As I reflect on what it looks like to live everyday as if God has already saved me and traded my sins for righteousness, I can’t help but think that those of us who have already heard and believed the good news should turn our focus outward. If I live every day as if God has saved me, covered me with his righteousness, is preparing a place for me with him, calls me his daughter, provides for me, then I will want to care for others around me and share that good news with them. I can live with foolish generosity in my own life, knowing that my resources are not my own, but Gods and He has already seen to my every need. I have to confess that I often fall short of this perspective, but I’m praying today that God will open my eyes.
“live our lives like the promise that He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification is real” The question was what does it look like to live our lives “like” this is true. My question to myself – how SHOULD I live my life KNOWING it is true? The easy answer is to focus on Jesus, show His love to others and share the great news of His gift of salvation. The real answer will take some honest soul searching & taking a good look at all the ways I’m not doing that.
Prayer requests – family members who have expressed an interest in going to church, young family members facing dental procedures, family members with marital problems. Also for an in-law that lost a family member yesterday.
Praying for:
MARTHA HIX – plumbing issue resolution & cleanup
ALEIDA POLANCO – restoration of relationship with Victor and him turning to Jesus
LYNNE FROM AL, NANCY S, LINDA FROM NC – strength, patience and wisdom in your caregiving for your husbands
LYNNE – Jack’s dr appts today, and that getting him up and out will go smoothly
LINDA G – daughter’s mediation this morning
LH and HL – wisdom in job related challenges
TERESA DONLEY – wisdom for neurologist and answers you need
MICHELLE PATIRE – situation with Heather, that she will lay down her rebellion and choose God over evil, and your overall family situation
HEIDI – change of schools and adjustment to new friends for your daughter, protection and wisdom for niece/baby/bf
MARI V – resolution of medical issue
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – long term housing solution for your sister
AIMEE ROGERS – custody/guardianship of little boy
RHONDA J – relief from migraine
HEATHER HICKEY – healing for sister
ANN – relationship issues for son & dil, and daughter & bf
LAURA – daughter and her partner. Your comment about being labeled a hater reminded me when I had to walk away from a conversation with a family member who was incredulous that I was not in favor of marriage other than man/woman because “how could love be wrong” – so much prayer in this area.
CEE GEE ❤️
HEIDI – your comments on God’s restraint, so good. Thank you! A friend that believes God exists but doesn’t believe in or understand salvation (although we have discussed more than once) brought this up to me last week, asking how can God let all that is happening in today’s world continue?
MARIA BAER – thank you for your testimony
CINDY HANNA – congrats on Cooper’s arrival!
NORA LOWREY – good to see you here, welcome! We are all here learning in our walk with Christ, and as others have mentioned – on equal footing with God. Thank you for commenting – looking forward to more.
TINA & ERB – ❤️
“I’ve been results-driven all my life…” If there was a phrase that describes me, is this, and I think of all the devotionals, this has been the most relatable to me. Like taking a look into my faith journey. But I am thankful for God’s patience that made me see that a life without God is an empty life— like living in a dead body. And I am thankful that, while I am not enough in my humanity, God sent his son Jesus— the only “enough” human and in His grace, I have been saved.
Thank you Jesus!
Thank you God, for your rich story of love and mercy to us.
Though I am least deserving, how He loves me! How He loves you…hallelujah! I am not justified by anything I can do or condemned by anything I can’t… If we accept His finished work, we are justified by our faith and accepted into the Beloved!!
Father You know I struggle with perfection and doubt. Please reward faith and forgive my doubt. I believe Your Word. In JESUS name, Amen
“Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” (Psalm 32:2) Praising God that my sins will never be counted against me – because of the precious blood of Jesus who died for my sin and was raised to life for my justification. Though my sins are many – His mercy is more!
“He provided justification for my status as a daughter of God.” His willingness to die for me made me enough. That’s something I often forget- I am enough ❤️
Also wanted to share this quote from The Sound of Freedom movie (highly recommend watching) as I believe it applies to the scriptures we read today!!
“When God tells you what to do, you cannot hesitate.”
God declared Abraham righteous, so he was. When I surrendered to Christ, I received His righteousness, so I am. Neither Abraham nor I could be rightous on our own. What mercy the Lord gives!
SALLY B – amen
NORA LOWREY – we are all in different places on the journey. Just keep moving toward Jesus, His Spirit will give you the understànding.
LINDA G – praying God would invade your daughter’s mind during this conference. Praying for you as you remain a faithful witness of God’s grace to her.
HL – praying the Lord gives you His peace and wisdom with what you are dealing with at work.
By faith, not works! We must walk by faith and not by sight. Thank you Father!
As I consider the question posed in today’s devotion – “What does it look like to live our everyday lives like this (saving faith) is true?” these thoughts come to mind: First we should be people of abundant, overflowing gratitude to God!! Secondly we should readily acknowledge what God has done for us, and not only us (me) but for all who would believe (the promise – Jesus Christ sacrificed for my sin and raised to new life that I might be forgiven!!) and accept Him as Savior. Because Jesus has already paid the price and secured our justification, we are not trying to earn it by following the law or impressing people. We live out our day in front an audience of One – we strive to please Him in all our thoughts and actions!! Only by God’s amazing grace may it be so of me daily!
Romans 4:13-25 THE PROMISE GRANTED THROUGH FAITH
For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise nullified, 15 because the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.
16 This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace to guarantee it to all the descendants—not only to the one who is of the law but also to the one who is of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations— in the presence of the God in whom he believed, the One who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist. 18 He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be. 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body to be already dead (since he was about a hundred years old) and also the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, He was also able to do. 22 Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, 24 but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
**believe while hoping against hope..do not weaken in faith nor waver in unbelief, instead let whatever test/trial we are going through strengthen our faith!! Let us give GLORY and praise to God through ALL circumstances!! Let us be FULLY convinced that what God promises and says He WILL follow through on!! Let us walk as Abraham walked..faithfully and confidently, ALWAYS believing!!! Amen.
Praying for, rejoicing with, and walking through with all you ladies!! To God be the Glory!!