Religion Falls Short

S ~ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23 NKJV)

O ~ I have always thought of this in the context of 'Gentiles', pre-Christians, those who don't yet know the Lord. I saw this morning that it was as Paul was writing to the Jews who thought they were righteous because of their heritage, and law keeping. Those who thought they were righteous in and of themselves. Paul said - ALL fall sort - even those who tried so hard.

A ~ So, how do I apply this? Do I look and say "Barry, you need to remember in all your trying, you still fall short." I think so. I need to release all my trying, and accept His grace. Not that I would stop following, or living the life that I believe I am called to, but just remembering that in doing so it does not add any more into my account. Also, I need to be a little more of a 'voice of hope' for others who are facing a legalistic church. May I learn to walk in grace, and wonderful godliness.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, thank you for not falling short! Thank you for accepting me, and being willing to stick it out with me. May I live a grace filled life.

Key Words

S. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations” ) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:16-22 NKJV)

O. Faith. Grace. Promise. Presence. Believed. Life. Calls things. Exist. Hope. Spoken. Not weak. Not consider. Not waver. Promise. Strengthened. Glory. Fully convinced. Perform.

A. A few verses, a truck load of key words. Faith in context. Believing contrary to natural hope. This would be good to memorize.

P. Lord, please give me faith.

Have A Heart

S ~ And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. (I Kings 4:29 NKJV)

O ~ we often hear of the wisdom of Solomon, but not often the largeness of his heart, unless is in reference to the ladies.

A ~ Wisdom, understanding, AND a large heart. It is dangerous to be a leader who lacks any of these things.

P ~ Lord, please help me to be wise, and to understand, and to have a large heart.

Establishment: Good Words, Good Works

S ~ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. (II Thessalonians 2:16, 17 NKJV)

O ~ Establish in every good word, and establish in every good work. To be established. Establish: to set up on a firm or permanent basis.

A ~ My words and my works. Good words, and good works. My speech and my actions - established by God as good. How I need Him to do this.

P ~ Lord, so often I say things, or do things, that are not good. I again give you my life to shape. It's because of Your love that you will work in me, and not give up on this 'cracked pot'. Put me back on the potter's wheel. Mold me again. Help me to be established in good words and good works - for the benefit of others. May I truly think of others first. Amen.