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"Grace Transcends" by Edith Miller
Proverbs 3:27 Don’t withhold good from someone entitled to it
when you have in hand the power to do it.
28 Don’t tell your neighbor, “Go away! Come another time;
I’ll give it to you tomorrow,” when you have it now.
29 Don’t plan harm against your neighbor
who lives beside you trustingly.
30 Don’t quarrel with someone for no reason,
if he has done you no harm.
31 Don’t envy a man of violence,
don’t choose any of his ways;
32 for the perverse is an abomination to Adonai,
but he shares his secret counsel with the upright.
33 Adonai’s curse is in the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 The scornful he scorns,
but gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise win honor,
but fools win shame.
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Grace is God’s favor, His unmerited divine mercy. It is bestowed on His followers, enabling them to treat others well at all times. Proverbs 3:27-35 calls us to do good to others, to give what is owed, to not plot harm or be contentious with one’s neighbor, to not accuse anyone unjustly.
We learn that the Lord judges those who reject this grace: He detests the perverse; His curse is on the house of the wicked; He mocks proud mockers; He holds fools up to shame.
We also learn how the Lord responds favorably to those who receive His grace: He takes the upright into His confidence; He blesses the homes of the righteous; He bestows undeserved favor on the humble; He sees that the wise inherit honor.
His grace is extended in the lives of those fully surrendered to Jesus. Grace enables them to do what otherwise they could not do or even consider doing. By this grace, Jesus’ followers can rise above the actions and reactions of the world. Then, in return for living this other-oriented life, the Lord takes His followers into His confidence, giving His blessing, undeserved favor, and honor. He offers this to all people everywhere who are open to receive it.-------
Hymn for Today: "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" by Julia H. Johnston
1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.
2. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide,
what can avail to wash it away!
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide;
whiter than snow you may be today.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.
3. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe;
you that are longing to see his face,
will you this moment his grace receive?
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.
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Thought for Today: 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received some spiritual gift, he should use it to serve others, like good managers of God’s many-sided grace —-------
Please Pray: For faculty and students as they prepare for Christian ministry in Switzerland.
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