Tag: grace

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: August 27, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Ephesians chapter 2

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

There are two words in Ephesians chapter two that may be two of the sweetest words in the entire Bible. The words, “But God”. Before we can fully appreciate the weight of these two words, we must first understand our plight before Christ came into our life. We were spiritually dead in our sins. Our life was marked by sin and we were in bondage to it. Satan had control of our lives. We lived according to the desires of our flesh and were under the condemnation of God’s righteousness judgment against sin. We were children of wrath and deserved death and Hell because we violated God’s Holy commands. We were on the road to Hell “BUT GOD” showed us mercy and love by sending His Son Jesus to die for us even when we were at our worse. Jesus raised us up to life and poured out His amazing grace to save us and forgive all our sins. We were separated from God because of our sin, but through Christ God brought us back to Himself. Now God’s Holy Spirit lives in us and we are part of the one family of God!

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, where would we be today if it were not for those two words ‘But God’? We were lost and spiritually dead in sin when You came and rescued us. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. We would still be lost and bound for Hell if it were not for You. Thank You in Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: August 22, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Galatians chapter 5

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Paul told the Galatians church, “Ye ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7)
The Galatians were in danger of slipping. False teachers infiltrated the church and were misleading the people. These teachers were attempting to add to the Gospel things like circumcision. Paul said, “I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off! For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:12-13)
Paul properly understood and applied the Old Testament Law. He said, “The Law is fulfilled in one word… you shall love your  neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:14-15)
The only way to conquer the flesh is to walk in the Spirit. The Law cannot produce righteousness in us, it can only show the weakness of our flesh and our need for a Savior. The Galatians were being deceived into thinking they must keep the Law to be justified. They were falling away from the grace way. Paul pleaded with them to turn back to faith in Christ. It is not only true of the Galatians, but it is true of us as well. Is there anything or anyone hindering you from walking with God? Have you gotten off track from where you started? Are you still running the grace race? Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Living in the Spirit means walking in the Spirit, and bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

Prayer: “Dear Lord, help us to demonstrate our righteousness by loving and serving others and bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and being one with Your people. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: August 21, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Galatians chapter 4

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

“Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” (Galatians 4:7)
If the devil cannot succeed in keeping you lost, then once you are saved he will seek to hinder you with false doctrine. False teaching hinders our spiritual progress and stunts spiritual growth. The devil doesn’t want us to know who we are in Christ. Paul said to the Galatian church, “I fear for you.” The false teachers sought to persuade the Galatian believers to follow them instead of Paul. Paul sensed their love was growing cold and realized how this would hinder the church. He said, “Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then?”  He also said, “Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth? Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them.” (Galatians 4:16-17 NLT)
The threat of these false teachers against the church concerned Paul like a parent being concerned for a child. His heart was greatly burdened. Paul sought to win them back to the Gospel in love. He knew that making them aware of who they are in Christ would win them back, and cause the counterfeit gospel to lose its appeal. The Gospel of grace made me a child of God. I have a Father and He loves and cares for me.

Prayer: “Bless the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy name Jesus. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: August 14, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 2 Corinthians chapter 12

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Men and women who walk with God are no strangers to suffering and spiritual warfare. Paul was one of God’s choice servants, but he experienced a thorn in his flesh. He sought the Lord three times to be delivered from the thorn. God gives grace in suffering. For this reason Paul took pleasure in his weaknesses and hardships. God’s power is demonstrated in weakness. The more there is of God in our life, and the less there is of us, the more God’s power will be on display. God doesn’t always take away our painful thorns. Sometimes He is perfecting His power in us in ways that only difficulties can produce. God’s grace is sufficient for every storm!

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, we bring our troubles to You knowing that Your grace is sufficient. Use us for Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 15

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

“Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solo Christo” Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone! As the Gospel first began to spread there was an attempt by the Enemy to distort the message. The Apostles and early church believers were defenders of the faith. They prevented the Gospel from being watered down by a works religion. Paul and Barnabas were among those who placed their own lives in danger to preach salvation by grace. Throughout history there have been many who have fought for the Gospel. Martin Luther struggled under the bondage of religion until God enlightened him with the truth, “the just shall live by faith.” Luther came to realize that all of His human effort was futile and that the only way to be saved was by God’s grace. Luther became a champion for the Gospel. On October 31, 1517 Luther nailed the ninety-five theses to the wall and risked his life for the sake of the Gospel. Luther’s passion for the Gospel of grace helped spark the Reformation. The Apostle Peter boldly stood on the Gospel of grace at a time when the church was tested. Peter said, “We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.” (Acts 15:11). Jesus is not a good way to heaven, He is the One and only Way to heaven.

Prayer: “Lord, give us courage to proclaim the Gospel of grace. Lead us to someone today that we may share Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 10

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Cornelius was a Gentile who came to know the Lord as the Spirit brought a Gospel witness into his home. In Acts 1:8 Jesus told His disciples that they would receive the Holy Spirit and they would be witnesses unto Him. In Acts 10:39 Peter said, “And we are witnesses of all things which He did…” and in Acts 10:42 he said, “And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.” The disciples became witnesses just like Jesus said. Basically, Peter witnessed about Jesus to Cornelius and the Spirit of God fell on them as He did the believers at Pentecost. Non Jews are accepted into the family of God the same as Jews. God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation anyone who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to Him. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone! Rejoice in the Gospel of grace today that is going out to every nation and the forgiveness of sin that is available to all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ!

Prayer: “Lord, we rejoice in Your grace that You forgive sin and give Your Spirit to those who place their trust in Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is John chapter 9

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Jesus healing of the blind beggar in John chapter 9 created quite a stir among the Pharisees. This miracle is an illustration of salvation. The first step in our experiencing God’s salvation is that we must realize our spiritual blindness. Our sin has corrupted our way of thinking and separated us from God. The curse of sin is death. Not only physical death but also spiritual death and eternal separation from God. God sent Jesus to us as an act of His mercy and love for lost sinners. We must receive Christ as our Lord and Savior and place our faith in Him to be saved. This means confessing our sin and turning from it and turning Jesus. Jesus asked the blind beggar, “Do you believe on the Son of God?” The beggar responded, “Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on Him?” Jesus Christ showed Himself to the blind beggar and the beggar said, “Lord, I believe. And he worshiped Him.” To experience God’s salvation we must believe Jesus is who the Bible claims Him to be and who God the Father claims Him to be. He is God who became flesh, and who went to the cross and suffered in our place, and who rose again from the grave. The Savior Jesus Christ is Lord and worthy of our worship!

Prayer: “Dear Father, we place our faith in Your Son Jesus Christ the One who died, was buried, and rose again. He is our Savior and our Lord. We worship Him. Oh what a Savior! Amen”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is John chapter 5

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

The pool of Bethesda was a popular gathering place for people with serious health struggles. It was there Jesus encountered a man who had been paralyzed for thirty eight years. Jesus saw him in that condition and He asked him, “Do you want to be made well?” It was an unusual question but when you stop and think about it there are some people who want to be sick. Jesus makes people whole, but are you tired of being sick and willing to seek God’s touch? This miracle was given to show that what Jesus did in the physical He can also do in the spiritual. The paralyzed man was not able to help himself because of his condition. Sin crippled us too but Jesus is willing to take away our sin and impute His own goodness to us. We are saved only by God’s grace not because of anything we have done.

Prayer: “Dear Father, we rejoice that You came to us in our time of greatest need. Thank You for showing us that salvation is through Christ alone. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron