Today's Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotion "Unmerited Favor" for Saturday, 18 April 2015 - Scripture: Ephesians 2:4 But God is so rich in mercy and loves us with such intense love 5 that, even when we were dead because of our acts of disobedience, he brought us to life along with the Messiah — it is by grace that you have been delivered. 6 That is, God raised us up with the Messiah Yeshua and seated us with him in heaven, 7 in order to exhibit in the ages to come how infinitely rich is his grace, how great is his kindness toward us who are united with the Messiah Yeshua. 8 For you have been delivered by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment but God’s gift. 9 You were not delivered by your own actions; therefore no one should boast. 10 For we are of God’s making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by God for us to do.
Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.[2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)]
I work at the circulation desk of a busy public library. Almost on a daily basis, a patron comes in with a sheepish look, hands me some books, and tells me the books are overdue. As I check in the books the patron stands there waiting to pay a fine. Most of our patrons don’t know that the library’s software does not generate a fine if the books are fewer than two days late. If that is the case, I smile and tell the patron, “Though the books are one or two days late, you owe no fine. You have been given grace.” The patron usually leaves with an expression of gratitude and thanks. Giving this small grace to a patron is the highlight of my day.
How much greater is God’s grace! Unlike the library circulation program, God’s grace has no expiration period. It is timeless and transcendent. The gift God gave us in allowing Jesus to die for our sins is beyond words. As sinners, we do not deserve divine favor, yet God gave us Jesus Christ. We need to remember that we are saved by grace and grace alone. We can do nothing to earn God’s grace; it is free. How great and good is our God!
The Author: Janice Towne (Virginia, USA)
Thought for the Day: God’s grace does not expire.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for your goodness and your mercy. Help us to know your grace through our faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Prayer focus: Library Patrons
Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.[2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)]
I work at the circulation desk of a busy public library. Almost on a daily basis, a patron comes in with a sheepish look, hands me some books, and tells me the books are overdue. As I check in the books the patron stands there waiting to pay a fine. Most of our patrons don’t know that the library’s software does not generate a fine if the books are fewer than two days late. If that is the case, I smile and tell the patron, “Though the books are one or two days late, you owe no fine. You have been given grace.” The patron usually leaves with an expression of gratitude and thanks. Giving this small grace to a patron is the highlight of my day.
How much greater is God’s grace! Unlike the library circulation program, God’s grace has no expiration period. It is timeless and transcendent. The gift God gave us in allowing Jesus to die for our sins is beyond words. As sinners, we do not deserve divine favor, yet God gave us Jesus Christ. We need to remember that we are saved by grace and grace alone. We can do nothing to earn God’s grace; it is free. How great and good is our God!
The Author: Janice Towne (Virginia, USA)
Thought for the Day: God’s grace does not expire.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for your goodness and your mercy. Help us to know your grace through our faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Prayer focus: Library Patrons
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