He Calls Us Righteous

He Calls Us Righteous

by | May 9, 2016 | Romans

He Calls Us Righteous | One Verse

At any given moment, we could all probably rattle off a list of moments where we’ve missed the mark. Some failures we can shake off, but others linger weighing us down. In the race to be good enough, our failures attach and drag us down reminding us that we aren’t (insert that quality you’ve been running after) enough.

Throughout Romans, Paul makes it very clear that we are not saved by anything we do. Our salvation is not dependent on how much we place in the offering plate, how many rules we can keep, or how many days we make it to the 9am service on time. We are saved by God’s grace and His grace only.

In Romans 4:3 Paul writes, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He put his trust in God and as a result was made right with God. We also can receive this same gift.

We don’t have to have more or do more, or be more. God says that we are enough. Just as we are, flawed and in need of grace, He takes us in. At the moment that we put our faith in God, we are made right with Him.

The Lord’s love doesn’t make sense by society’s standards. We aren’t deserving of His mercy, yet He extends it anyways. When we miss the mark,  He still loves us. Our salvation is the sole result of our gracious Father who calls us to righteousness.

 

As you explore the grace God has given you, consider these questions:

1. When you fail, why is it hard to extend yourself grace?
2. What is hindering you from believing that the Lord has already made you enough?
3. How can you take steps to see yourself as God sees you?

 

The Lord is present, walking with us everyday calling us near to him so that we might have a fuller life with Him. Are you listening to his calling today?

Make Time for Him

Make Time for Him

by | Apr 18, 2016 | Proverbs

Make Time for Him | One Verse

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 

Bright sticky notes cover our mirrors with never ending to-do lists. Our planners are busting at the seams with appointments, coffee dates, and assignments. Reminders, alarms, and lists are constantly fighting for our attention and drawing our focus farther and farther away from our Father.

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps”. Proverbs 16:9

There is nothing wrong with making big plans, with buying plane tickets to see friends and making bold moves to reach out to those you know need it. But destruction and folly lie in desperately planning every waking minute of our days.

A friend once challenged me, “If you leave no time in your day, where will Jesus have time to use you?”

We live in a world that tells us that busy is good. Our society tell us the most impressive answer to “How are you?” is “Man, I am so worn out”. We equate busyness with effectiveness. When our self-worth begins to be found in self-efficacy, anxiety and worry are bred. Our days become about how much we can do and we end up in a nasty cycle of exhaustion headed towards burnout.

Only when we allow God to order our steps, do our steps make their designed impact. When we give God space in our schedules, he can use our time better than we could ever imagine. Through His guidance, our calendar can become less about filling space and more about lasting impact. With Him we can trade stress, anxiety and exhaustion for peace, rest, and assurance in the future.

As you reflect on your time today, consider these questions:

1. Do you find yourself too busy to spend time with Jesus? What in your schedule makes taking this time out of your day hard?

2. Is there something that you have been drawn to lately that you haven’t had time for? How can you make time for that one thing?

3. Is your schedule full of junk? Are you saying yes or no to the right things?

Declutter your schedule, find the freedom to say no, and set boundaries where you won’t over extend. Today leave room for the Creator of the Universe to work in and through you. Find rest in abiding in what He has for you.

 

Make Time for Him | One Verse