Devotion
The Shielding Power of Grace
David Jacobs
I was reminded recently of a camping trip that we took with the teens at our church. One of those teens, who is now grown up, asked, "Hey, do you remember that day it was pouring rain all afternoon and evening, and Phil came in his truck with the supplies but wouldn't meet us at the tent, so you said we should vote on who has to get the supplies from him?" I told him, "Of course I remember, because all of the teens voted unanimously for me!" Luckily, one of the teens pulled out a big old orange plastic poncho and handed it to me.
Most commonly, when one of the teens asked me what grace is, I told them the straightforward definition: it is God's undeserved, unmerited favor. When I got back from Phil's truck, we had our dinner and then Bible study, and we discussed how God's grace is a lot like that big gazebo tent and that poncho. God's grace is our covering. It's the sphere we live in as believers in Christ, and God fully protects us whether we take shelter in the tent of his church, or we wander out on our own. God will still cover us with His grace.
Indeed, His grace never stops doing its work in our lives. Paul said confidently in Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Because God is the one keeping us and shielding us from the storm of this world, the one who promises to complete us, we will never have to fear to lose our salvation.
Through the pouring rain that day, it was even difficult to see Phil's truck, but still, I was kept dry, and I made it to the truck because I had seen the way. Sometimes it's difficult to see righteousness in ourselves because we know how flawed and how weak we are. But if we're saved in Christ, he is our righteousness, and if we know him, we will know the way to go.
Prayer
Lord in Heaven, though I feel I am in a heavy storm and cannot see the way, I know that your grace will shield me and your wisdom will guide my feet. As you have been faithful to me, so I will have faith in your saving grace. As I walk with you in this storm, may I grow in Christ daily. In His name, Amen.
Devotion
Culpability
Frances Taylor
This is an interesting passage because, among other things, it talks about sin and who is considered guilty of sin. Paul is talking about how he has been forgiven, how God has been merciful to him because his actions were committed in unbelief. In order for sin to be committed, one needs to know he is committing it. No one can commit sin in retrospect. Sin is always a deliberate act. This can be hard for some to understand. Actions can be considered sinful, even though the person committing them may not be culpable. For example, lying is a sin. However, is the two year old hiding behind the curtains sinning when he or she claims not to have broken the vase? No, because the child has no understanding of the difference between truth and lie. Those who do not have a relationship with God, who do not know the commandments, who have never heard of Jesus, may commit sinful actions, but are not guilty of sin. This is what Paul claims is his situation. Paul ...
Morning Prayer
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, ) full of grace and truth.
Inspiration
When the Lord sent his only Son, he sent also his word. For his body was this very word made flesh. Importantly this was not simply a manifestation of God's word, but also rather an 'animation' of it (meant here in the original Latin as 'animare' –'to instill with life or spirit'), an instance of God's love and divine grace in action, among us.
Prayer
Lord, I am grateful for your mercy in showing us your word made flesh so that we may be redeemed. Further, I am grateful to you for showing us your love and grace through your only begotten son. Let his body not have been torn and broken for no avail, but feed us now in the Eucharist. Let not his blood have...
