March 28, 2024

Grace Wins

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In my weakest moment I see you
Shaking your head in disgrace
I can read the disappointment
Written all over your face

Here come those whispers in my ear
Saying, “Who do you think you are?
Looks like you’re on your own from here
‘Cause grace could never reach that far”

But in the shadow of that shame
Beat down by all the blame
I hear You call my name saying ‘it’s not over’
And my heart starts to beat so loud now
Drowning out the doubt
I’m down, but I’m not out

There’s a war between guilt and grace
And they’re fighting for a sacred space
But I’m living proof
Grace wins every time
No more lying down in death’s defeat
Now I’m rising up in victory
Singing, hallelujah
Grace wins every time

Words can’t describe the way it feels
When mercy floods a thirsty soul
The broke inside begins to heal
And grace returns what guilty stole

And in the shadow of that shame
Beat down by all the blame
I hear You call my name saying it’s not over
And my heart starts to beat so loud now
Drowning out the doubt
I’m down, but I’m not out

Grace wins every time
For the prodigal son
Grace wins
For the woman at the well
Grace wins
For the blind man and the beggar
Grace wins
For always and forever
Grace wins
For the lost out on the streets
Grace wins
For the worst part of you and me
Grace wins
For the thief on the cross
Grace wins
For a world that is lost

 Matthew West
singer/songwriter

 *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

As you listen to this song, try to think of the times that you needed His grace.  If we are honest—as long as we are breathing, we need grace.  And unlike most things in this world, it’s free.  See, God knew how hard it would be for us to live a totally righteous life, so He sent Jesus to die.  Now we live in victory, even though it may seem totally opposite.  There will be times that we cannot handle one more trial….

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9

For the one that just keeps on doing the same thing over and over again, promising that tomorrow will be different and it’s not.  Shame takes you backwards into the same thing that you’re trying to overcome.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace,
Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ,
will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:10

And for the one that thinks that nothing can save him now, that he’s gone too far and God can never forgive him now…

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons,
by Whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
Romans 8:15 and 16

Oh friend, we are free because of grace…and as long as we have breath, and as long as we have Jesus…grace wins every time.

Peace Which Passes All Understanding

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And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

This peace I am talking about involves a firm conviction that Jesus is near and that God’s love will be active in our lives for good (Romans 8:28, 32).  How do I prove this sentence?

God gave us His only begotten Son, and allowed Him to die on the Cross for us—what a loving God He is!  He saw that with the all the sin around us, we are not at peace.  Sin robs us of peace but righteousness bring joy and peace in our hearts always.

What does this peace of God do in our lives?

  • When we call on God from hearts that remain in Christ and His Word, then God’s peace will flood our troubled souls.  Are you troubled?  Then please allow the peace of God to be present in you through Christ our Lord.
  • It is as an inner reality mediated by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:15-16). And we all know that the Holy Spirit is our Counselor, Comforter, etc.  Therefore we can rest assured that through the Holy Spirit’s mediation we are going to be at peace even in times of the roughest storms and raging wars.
  • This peace is going to stand guard at the door of our hearts and mind, preventing the cares and worries of this life which undermine our hope in Christ.
  • If fear and anxiety does return, than through prayer, petition, and thanksgiving we will once again be placed us under the peace of God that guards our hearts.
  • It makes us feel safe and rejoice in the Lord.

The Lord gives us peace, good friends.  I therefore pray to God for you that He would turn His face toward you and give you peace.  We need peace in all areas of our lives (Numbers 6:26).  Others are thinking how will they pay their bills; and God has sent me today to tell you that He is making a covenant of peace with you (Numbers 25:12). And a heart at peace gives life to the body (Proverbs 14:30).

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Lord, I thank You for the peace that passes all understanding.  I thank You for the peace I have within me that is moving me from one level of glory to the other.  I really appreciate You, Abba Father, for this is not only unto me it is also to my friends who are reading this devotion.  May You give us the grace of increased faith in You which will bring peace into our hearts.  May our hope be in You as You are PEACE Yourself, Lord.  Blessed be Your name now and forever more.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen!!!