Ephesians 2:8-10   “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand, that we should walk in them.       (ESV)

Promise:  God promises that I am saved through faith in Jesus and not by any work I’ve done or will ever do.

Why is it important to know this promise?

God’s character is revealed:  He is Redeemer, Savior, Provider, Creator, Eternal and full of Mercy and Grace.

Promise provides me with:  a way to salvation through Jesus, eternal plans for my life, work for me to do for Him, knowledge that I am a created work of God with purpose, that I am a recipient of God’s grace through Jesus, and the gift of salvation is free not something that I have to earn.

How have you appropriate God’s grace in your life?  Have you accepted salvation through faith in Jesus?  Have you acknowledged that God has a plan for your life and that He created you with purpose?   Knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior brings fullness, purpose and hope into your life.  Knowing that I am valued by God and that He wants to use me is something that gives self-worth to my being alive and hope to my struggles each day.  Knowing that I can’t earn God’s favor or save myself though doing good works leads me to Jesus.  Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”   As our verse says today, by his grace we are saved.  Praise God for His wonderful grace!

I pray that God’s grace will fall afresh upon you today and that you will seek His eternal plan for your life.

Blessings,

Linda

   Isaiah 40: 28-31   “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”       (NIV)

Promise:  God promises that placing my hope in Him will result in renewed strength, the ability to soar above my problems and to be able to endure the path of my life without growing weak or fainthearted.

Why is it important to know this promise?

God’s character is revealed:  His strength, sovereignty, omnipotence, comfort, guidance, salvation, caring and his eternality.

Promise provides me with:  courage, endurance, knowledge that God is greater than any circumstance I face, guidance in life, strength to live each day for Him, comfort and HOPE.

I love this image that God will help me to soar above the problems and stresses of life that would pull me down.  He reminds me that his endurance is eternal and everlasting.  I don’t need to worry that God will run out of energy  or grow weary of helping me.  He wants me to live with hope in Him knowing that he cares for me.  As you go though your day, keep the image of God enfolding you in his arms and lifting you above all your earthy concerns.  Place your HOPE in Him and know his care today!

Blessings,

Linda