REALLY...HOW MUCH DO I OWE?

SCRIPTURE

Romans 3:21-31 (NRSV)
Righteousness through faith

But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.


DEVOTION

In today’s reading the Apostle Paul really gives us a very important Holy Ghost inspired reminder! His words remind us that we are not made right with God by keeping the Law, because all of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We are not made right with God through our good works, lest we should begin to boast about all the good things we do for others. We are not made right with God by any external action or factor such as circumcision, or wearing the flashiest cross, or carrying the biggest Bible. No, no my friends! The only way that we are made right with God is by putting all of our faith in Jesus!

Now, I don’t know about you, but I am really happy about this GOOD NEWS! It sets me free to live my life to God’s glory, but without fear or shame. I can do the best that I can, but trust that when I do fall down, God will pick me up. I can pour out my life in love and service to others; but also believe that when I need to rest, God does not frown upon me. I can give my best to Jesus in all that I do, but trust that if I don’t look or sound or act exactly like the pastor, deacon, or church council member, I’m still alright with God!

See, God has made salvation simple. The Bible promises that as long as we confess with our mouths that, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we are saved! (Romans 10:9) We are made righteous because we are covered in the blood of the lamb and we are now justified because of God’s grace. There is nothing—absolutely NO-THING—that we can do to earn God’s love and there is nothing—absolutely NO-THING—that we can do to make God ever stop loving us!

Wow! Isn’t that Amazing, GRACE…

In what ways have you been trying to earn your salvation? Are you willing to release that burden today?


Holy God, how great Thou art! Your loving kindness and tender mercies astound me! Thank you that you have made our relationship so simple. I don’t have to do anything to earn my salvation; JESUS already paid the price for me! Now, I get to serve you. I get to love you and I get to share your love with others! I am so excited…please help me to be faithful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Any of the songs that I have shared in the GOOD NEWS devotionals, can be found in the GOOD NEWS LIVING store by clicking on the link to the right!

The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. You can purchase the book by clicking the link to the right. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.

You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.

EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.

Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.

from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com

GIMME A BREAK!

SCRIPTURE

Job 4:1-21 (NRSV)

Eliphaz speaks of sin

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:
"If one ventures a word with you, will you be offended?
But who can keep from speaking?
See, you have instructed many;
you have strengthened the weak hands.
Your words have supported those who were stumbling,
and you have made firm the feeble knees.
But now it has come to you, and you are impatient;
it touches you, and you are dismayed.
Is not your fear of God your confidence,
and the integrity of your ways your hope?

"Think now, who that was innocent ever perished?
Or where were the upright cut off?
As I have seen, those who plow iniquity
and sow trouble reap the same.
By the breath of God they perish,
and by the blast of his anger they are consumed.
The roar of the lion, the voice of the fierce lion,
and the teeth of the young lions are broken.
The strong lion perishes for lack of prey,
and the whelps of the lioness are scattered.
"Now a word came stealing to me,
my ear received the whisper of it.
Amid thoughts from visions of the night,
when deep sleep falls on mortals,
dread came upon me, and trembling,
which made all my bones shake.
A spirit glided past my face;
the hair of my flesh bristled.
It stood still,
but I could not discern its appearance.
A form was before my eyes;
there was silence, then I heard a voice:
'Can mortals be righteous before God?
Can human beings be pure before their Maker?
Even in his servants he puts no trust,
and his angels he charges with error;
how much more those who live in houses of clay,
whose foundation is in the dust,
who are crushed like a moth.
Between morning and evening they are destroyed;
they perish forever without any regarding it.
Their tent-cord is plucked up within them,
and they die devoid of wisdom.'

DEVOTIONAL

On Ash Wednesday you may have gone to your church to have ashes placed upon your head. In my place of worship, as the ashes were distributed the pastor stated, “Remember you are ash and to the ash you will return.”

This was a very profound and humbling message on that day of repentance. The GOOD NEWS is that God is very aware that we dwell in “houses of clay.” God know us intimately and loves us anyway.

God loves us so much that God gave Jesus upon the cross to be atonement for our sin and to secure our eternal relationship with God.

Whilst this Lenten Season is all about examining ourselves before God and rooting out the hidden sin-full-ness that dwells within us, let us also remember that our God is loving and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love!

God does not ask us to confess so that God can point the finger of condemnation at us; God asks us to confess so that we can experience God’s love and amazing grace!

During this Lenten Season I want to share something with you that a wise woman once shared with me. She said, “Be gentle with yourself and others and be non-judgmental of yourself and others.”

If we walk in humility in the coming days, I believe we will draw ever closer to the heart of God and in that heart we will discover boundless love for ourselves and our neighbors.

How can you be gentler with yourself today?

Loving God, I admit that I am often too hard on myself and others. Help me to be more gentle and kind. In Jesus Name, Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. You can purchase the book by clicking the link to the right. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.

You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.

EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.

Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.

from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com