21 Day Fast Day 13

Today is Week 2 day 6 of our 21 Day Fast, January 20, 2024. In the previous 3 days we studied Faith, Hope and Love, truly a foundational part of our belief system. Today I want to focus on the power behind it. That is the grace of God. A simple definition is: Grace is the unmerited favor of God. While that is certainly true, it doesn’t come close to the depth of what’s behind it. That is, the very nature of God. He loves us! Read the following verses taking note of the emboldened highlights. I could put things in my own words, but his word says it all.

Ephesians 2:4-10 (ESV) 4  But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

John 1:16-17 (ESV) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:3a (ESV) 3  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

Colossians 2:9 (NIV) 9  For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form

Titus 3:4-7 (ESV) 4  But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5  he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6  whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

God’s grace is what saves us. All that he did on the cross was a demonstration of the love of God who is merciful and kind, forgiving and gracious. If you wonder what God the Father is like, just look at Jesus! People who don’t get into the Word, constantly question themselves about their relationship with God. These scriptures reveal that he did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Grace is what moves us to seek God and believe in him which results in our salvation. Grace empowers us to be like God. His nature is in us through Christ.

Philippians 2:13 (ESV) 13  for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Acts 15:11 (ESV); Ephesians 1:7-8 (ESV); 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV); Hebrews 4:16 (ESV); Romans 3: 23-24 and 5:15 (ESV); Titus 2:11-12 (ESV); 
 
1 Peter 5:7  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

2 Corinthians 12:9  "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Psalm 46:1  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Matthew 6:33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.