A Year of Grace

365 Days of Grace From God's Word

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Humility and Peace

Psalm 131 – Lord, my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty.
I don’t concern myself with matters too great
or too awesome for me to grasp.
2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.
Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—
now and always. (NLT)

Psalm 131 is one of the shortest psalms but contains a great lesson.  Some scholars believe that this psalm was written by David in defense of himself when he was accused by Saul’s generals of trying to take Saul’s crown.  Others believe this psalm was written during Jewish captivity, and that it speaks to the manner in which the Jews should behave under their oppressors.  Regardless of who wrote it, or when it was written, it speaks to us today. 

Verse one speaks of humility.  ‘My eyes are not haughty’ was a Jewish way of saying that one was not arrogant.  Christians need to be concerned with those who do not have a relationship with God through Jesus, but we win no converts with self righteousness.  We win no one to Jesus by telling them how sinful they are, but instead by showing them the nature of Jesus.  We do this by imitating Jesus.  Jesus lowered himself to be a servant, and so our nature should be that of a servant. 

Years ago, I was hunting on some land owned by a couple in my church.  I joined them that evening for dinner.  Since the day was rainy, and my boots were muddy, I removed them before I entered their house.  When the meal was over, the husband excused himself from the table and was gone for ten minutes.  He returned but made no mention of where he had been.  When I left their home that evening, I discovered that he had cleaned my boots!  Without saying a word, he showed me Jesus!  Some claim it to be St. Francis, others maintain it was someone else, but whoever it may have been, this psalm reflects the saying:  “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.”  We all can be powerful preachers by our actions.

Verse two speaks of a peaceful attitude.  When confronted with issues that can divide or cause others to become excited, we must maintain a peaceful position.  When we speak to one who questions the authority of Jesus, we must remember Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Our goal must never to be to win an argument, but instead show others the character of Jesus.

Today, let us strive to be humble and peaceful servants, so that we may show others the need to put our hope in the Lord, now and always! 

Posted by Ramón Torres

Staying Focused

Psalm 17:1 – O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips. (NLT)

Matthew 7:7 – “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” (NLT)

Many Christians struggle with prayer.  It’s not so much that they don’t pray, but they wonder about prayer’s effectiveness.  I have been asked, “If God knows everything, and God knows the future, then why pray?”  A great question! 

I believe that prayer is often more about changing our own hearts than it is about persuading God to do something.  Regular and persistent prayer can keep us focused.  If we pray as Jesus taught us, we will remain focused on what we need, and not on what we want.  In the passage above from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus speaks of a child asking for bread and fish.  Bread and dried fish were the basic daily food for the people of that time and place.  We should note that the example given by Jesus was of one asking for basic needs.  Do we often get extravagant in what we are asking of God?  The passage from Psalm 17 speaks of honest lips.  I believe that honesty is asking God for what we need.  Honest prayer can keep us focused on our needs.

We have all found ourselves in situations of life where we honestly don’t know what we really need.  There are times when we are confused as to what would be best for ourselves, or for others.  The Apostle Paul wrote about this in his letter to the church in Rome. Romans 8:26 – And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.  When we find ourselves in those confusing situations, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to pray for us, trusting and expecting God to reveal to us what is best.

Today, let us pray honest prayers to God, asking God for what we need for this day.  If we are confused, let us ask the Spirit to intercede. 

Posted by Ramón Torres

A New Year.  A New Song.  

Psalm 98 – Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The LORD has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.

4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the LORD,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity. (NIV)

Today’s reading is a familiar passage to many Christians.  Some scholars tell us that it was written to celebrate deliverance from captivity, while others tell us that it was prophetic in that it looked to Jesus.  I believe it is both.  Because of Jesus we have been delivered from captivity!  Let’s take a look at some of the verses from this great Psalm.

Verse 2: “The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.” Biblically speaking, righteousness refers to the things of God.  This verse tells us that the things of God have been revealed to the nations. They have revealed through the Good News of Jesus Christ! The word we often translate as nations might be better translates as ‘people’.  However, the thought behind the word is to describe all the different types of people.  In the Greek the word is ‘ethnos’, from which we get the word ethnic.  God’s offer of salvation through Jesus (the Good News) is offered to all the people of the earth.  We are told in Titus 2:11 – “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.”  God’s grace is for all people, and we must do what we can to get the word out to all people!

Verse 3: “He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel.”  Remembering that we who call on Jesus are part of the new Israel, this verse speaks of God’s promise to all people that was made throughout the centuries. The prophets said: people from many lands will come and honor you (Micah 7:12); and, my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night (Malachi 1:11).  The Apostle Paul said: God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures (Romans 1:2).  We should rejoice, for God is faithful to God’s promises! 

The remainder of the psalm speaks of all creation worshiping and celebrating what God has done.  Verse one, however, speaks to me in a powerful way: “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things.”  When I was a child, if I found myself talking to my mother in a way that was somewhat disrespectful (surely a rare occasion!), my mother would say, ‘you better change your tune, young man!’  This verse reminds me that I have good reason to change my tune – today and everyday!  The song in our hearts should be a song of praise.  The victory has been won, salvation is here, and we are made right with God!  That’s Good Stuff! 

Here is a great New Year’s Resolution – let the Good News of Jesus Christ change your tune.  Today, let’s sing a new song!

Posted by Ramón Torres 

Christmas – A Time to Celebrate!

I love the Christmas season!  I love the music, the food, the fellowship.  I love it all!  I never feel as if Christmas celebrations start too early!  Why do I feel this way?  Well, what is the first part of Christmas?  Christ!  What I love celebrating is Christ.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we really could celebrate the presence of Jesus Christ all year long?  What if we could celebrate in July the presence of Jesus Christ as we do in December?  No doubt, some of you may be saying, “I’m not cooking pecan pies and pumpkin rolls in July!”  And, I suppose we would grow weary of the continual business of the celebration.  Or would we?

When we consider what we celebrate – the prescreens of God Almighty, who came to earth to pay for our sins and secure our place in heaven – perhaps we should strive to live out our lives in continual celebration for Jesus, our Christ!  I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul who said: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).  I find it interesting that Paul says, “I will say it again!”  He stresses the again because sometimes we need to hear it again, and again.  

My prayer for each and every one of you this Christmas is that you will rejoice!  I pray that you will rejoice again and again throughout the year, and every day, for what God has offered to you at no price – grace, forgiveness, and eternal life. 

Merry Christmas!,

Posted by Ramón Torres

Unity – Our Common Goal

Psalm 133:1 – How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!

2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.  (NIV)

I once was the pastor of two small country churches in southwest Virginia.  When one of the churches decided that the time had come to re-shingle the roof, much time was spent amongst the members as to what color shingles would be used.  When the decision was finally made, one couple was so unhappy with the decision that they left the church.  Much to my dismay, that coupled simply went to my other church – and caused even more division! 

If Christians who worship together cannot get along, can we blame anyone for calling us hypocrites?  Divisions among the people of God is nothing new.  In the Christian age, divisions within the church have been around as long as the church!  Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth was written in response to the many factions that were dividing the church.  Paul wrote: “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” (1 Cor. 1:10, NLT).

Psalm 133 gives us a picture of the ideal.  Unity among the people of God, according to this passage, is a good and pleasant thing.  The word ‘good’ in verse one, and the word precious in verse two, are the same Hebrew word which can be translated as desirable.  It is desirable that the Church get along!  This is true within a local congregation, and it is true with Christians worldwide.

This past week I attended the monthly breakfast of the Cleveland Ministerial Network.   Twenty to thirty pastors from a number of different churches and denominations sat together in unity, as we enjoyed coffee and breakfast.  Did we all believe the same way on every issue?  Of course not.  Did we all believe that women should be pastors, or that babies should be baptized?  Again, of course not.  We do, however, believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we share a belief in our common duty to live out our lives as a witness to the transforming power of the Good News.  We will not let our differences break our unity, but instead continue to seek common ground on which to stand together as we go about kingdom work.

Today, we all have kingdom work to do!  Let us not let our differences slow us down.  Let us continue to stand upon our common ground, remembering the words of Psalm 133:1 – How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity

Posted by Ramón Torres

So That Others May Know

Romans 9:1 – With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. 2 My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief 3 for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them. 4 They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. 5 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. (NLT)

Today we get a glimpse into the heart of the Apostle Paul.  We catch of glimpse of the burden that he had for all people, that they would come to have a relationship with God through Jesus.  Remember, Paul was a Jew, and not just any Jew.  Paul was a member of the Pharisees, and had been trained in the best theological schools of his time.  Before he came to know Jesus, he spent a great amount of time persecuting the Jews who believed that Jesus was the Christ.  Yet, even though he came to know Jesus as Christ, Paul was willing to be cut off from Christ so that his Jewish brothers and sisters would be able to share in the saving knowledge of Jesus!  

This causes me to think – what are we willing to sacrifice so that others may know Jesus?  What sacrifices are too much?  Indeed, what sacrifices do we offer up in an effort that others may know?  These are not questions to accuse, but rather questions we should honestly ask ourselves.  If we truly believe that a relationship with Jesus makes a difference, then what are we willing to do for others who don’t know that difference? 

What are we willing to sacrifice in matters of our time?  Personally, I struggle with this question.  I mean, I already work for God!  Sometimes I don’t want to volunteer over and above my ‘church’ time, but I have to separate what I do for work and what I ‘sacrifice’.   When we receive new members into our church, they are asked, “Will you support this church with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?”  I believe these are good measures of our willingness to sacrifice so that others may know about Jesus.

Today, let’s take an honest look at what we are – or are not – doing in an effort to share the message of God’s grace through Jesus with others. 

Posted by Ramón Torres 

Persistence

Acts 17:10 – That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

13 But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. 14 The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him. (NLT)

In this passage of Scripture we encounter Paul experiencing some evangelistic success.  However, if we were to read from the beginning of Acts 17, we would know that Paul had just come from a very difficult and dangerous situation.  Paul came to Berea from Thessalonica, and while some there did come to believe, many rejected Paul and were even violent towards his message.  Indeed, in Acts 17: 5 we are told that a riot took place!  

This passage teaches us something of Paul’s persistence.  He did not let rejection discourage him in his efforts to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He did not even let danger to himself deter his efforts!  This makes me wonder – what do we let discourage us in our efforts to share the message of Jesus?

Also, in this passage we can learn something from the Bereans.  When they heard Paul & Silas preach they neither rejected or accepted their message.  What they did do, however, was to search the Scriptures daily to see if they were telling the truth.  There is a lesson here for us, especially when we listen to a preacher or Bible teacher with whom we are not familiar.  We must be familiar enough with the Scriptures that we, too, can search the Bible to see if what a preacher or teacher is telling us is the truth.  If we study the Scriptures daily, we can come to new insights, as well.  We thank God we already know and trust Jesus, but there is much insight in the Bible for us to yet glean!

Today, let us search the Scriptures, ready to receive what God would reveal to us! 

Posted by Ramón Torres

The River of God

Psalm 65:8 – Those who live at the ends of the earth
stand in awe of your wonders.
From where the sun rises to where it sets,
you inspire shouts of joy.

9 You take care of the earth and water it,
making it rich and fertile.
The river of God has plenty of water;
it provides a bountiful harvest of grain,
for you have ordered it so.
10 You drench the plowed ground with rain,
melting the clods and leveling the ridges.
You soften the earth with showers
and bless its abundant crops.
11 You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture,
and the hillsides blossom with joy.
13 The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep,
and the valleys are carpeted with grain.
They all shout and sing for joy! (NLT)

At first glance, this passage simply appears to be a nice psalm of thanksgiving for the blessings of God that come through nature: the rains, the harvest; the healthy livestock.  This psalm does, indeed, give thanks to God for these blessings, but I believe that we should take a deeper look and make a spiritual application. 

Verse nine affirms that God takes care of the earth.  When we give thanks for God’s care over the earth, let us remember the words of Jesus: “Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.” (Matthew 6:28-30 NLT) God does take care of the earth, and God will certainly take care of us!  God provides for the earth, and God’s provisions (both physical and spiritual) are offered for all.

Consider something else we find in verse nine: “The river of God has plenty of water”.  Throughout the Gospels, Jesus often uses this imagery of water.  Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John: “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (John 4:14).  “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35).

The River of God has plenty of water! No one needs to be left thirsting.  Today, let us drink deeply from God’s River.  Let us also share with others the joy of this life giving gift. 

Posted by Ramón Torres

Give Thanks AND Proclaim

Psalm 105:1 – Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
2 Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
3 Exult in his holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
4 Search for the Lord and for his strength;
continually seek him.
5 Remember the wonders he has performed,
his miracles, and the rulings he has given,
6 you children of his servant Abraham,
you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.

7 He is the Lord our God.
His justice is seen throughout the land.
8 He always stands by his covenant—
the commitment he made to a thousand generations.
9 This is the covenant he made with Abraham
and the oath he swore to Isaac.
10 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
and to the people of Israel as a never-ending covenant:
11 “I will give you the land of Canaan
as your special possession.” (NLT)

Every year, towards the latter part of November, churches all across America plan for a ‘Thanksgiving’ Service.  I find this rather interesting.  I’m not debating whether or not we should plan something special for a national holiday, I just find it interesting that Christians don’t look at every worship service as a service of thanksgiving.  We should not attend worship services to get something out of the service.  If we ‘get’ something from the service, that’s a blessings from God!  However, we should be going to worship services to give thanks and praise to God for what God has already done for us. 

This passage of Scripture gives us a good picture of worship – and of life for a Christian.  This psalm begins by telling us to give thanks and proclaim.  This is a picture of a life lived worshiping God.  Verse two tells us to sing and to tell.  Worshipping God and telling others of God go hand in hand.  In fact, telling others of the greatness of God is worship! 

Where do we find the strength to live a life of worship?  We find the answer in verses four and five: “Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.  Remember the wonders he has performed.”  How often is God on our minds?  To live a life of worship, we should continually seek after God.  Seeking after God includes remembering what God has already done for us.  In verses eight through eleven, the psalmist remembers the things that God had done for him and his people.  The psalmist knew nothing of Jesus, but we know God’s full story!  We should remember daily what God has done for us through Jesus. 

When we remember what God has done for us, it brings us around full circle – we are ready to worship and tell others!  This is why Psalm 105 ends the way it does: Praise the Lord! (Verse 45). 

Today, let us praise the Lord, remembering what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.  Let us be ready to give thanks and proclaim.

Posted by Ramón Torres

Christ is Risen – Even in …

Matthew 16:1 – One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

2 He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; 3 red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! 4 Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away. (NLT)

In today’s passage the Pharisees and Sadducees come to Jesus asking for a miraculous sign.  Let’s take a moment to consider who these people were, for these two groups were often at odds with one another.

In the days of Jesus, the Pharisees were a dominant group among the Jews.  A careful reading of the Gospels shows that Jesus included many Pharisees among his friends.  Like Jesus, the Pharisees believed in a life after death.  Unlike Jesus, many of the Pharisees had lost a spiritual connection with God.  The Pharisees kept the outward regulations of the Jewish rituals, but many had forgotten the spiritual application of those rituals.   

The Sadducees, while perhaps fewer in number, represented the more well connected and ruling class of Jews in that time.  Like Jesus, the Sadducees believed that we should serve God out of love and reverence.  Unlike Jesus, they did not believe in a life after death, and they believed that any reward from God came in this life (which, by the way, was easier for the rich Sadducees to believe in than it was for the multitude of poor and starving Jews).  

What makes this passage interesting is that both groups come to Jesus, and ultimately members from both groups sought to rid Judaism of Jesus.  Why would these two groups, who were often at odds with one another, come together to confront Jesus?  Both groups wanted a miraculous sign.  They wanted such a sign for the proof of Jesus’ authority. I believe that we often look for a sign from God in an effort to – at least on some level of our consciousness – assert God’s authority in our own lives.

I do believe in signs!  I believe that God gives us signs often, if not daily.  However, I believe that ultimately we must base our faith in the authority of Jesus on the sign that he promised to the Pharisees and Sadducees – the sign of Jonah.  We all know that Jonah spent three days in the belly of the ‘great fish’.  Essentially, Jonah was dead to the world for three days.  Likewise, Jesus was dead to the world for three days, and then rose from the dead.  

There are many reasons why I believe Jesus is who Jesus says he is, but ultimately I believe in the most miraculous sign ever given – the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  When we worship Jesus, and when we celebrate what Jesus has done for us (paying for our sins, and preparing a place for us in heaven), we need to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.  Yes, even as we prepare for Thanksgiving, we must celebrate Easter!

Today, let us praise God, and perhaps even sing a Great Easter Hymn, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”.  Christ is Risen this day, and every day! 

Posted by Ramón Torres

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