Grace Church
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Thursday, August 17, 2023

God's Law

Friday, December 4

Read

Galatians 4:1-7 (NLT)

Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.

But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Prepare Him Room: 
The Fulfillment of God’s Plan: Jesus Came in the Fullness of Time (p.18)

Meditate

When the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. (Galatians 4:4-5)

Pray

Holy Trinity, You are our Creator and our Redeemer. Heavenly Father, thank You for faithfully fulfilling Your promises and sending Your Son. Lord Jesus, thank you for taking on our nature, keeping the Law, and paying the price for our freedom. Holy Spirit, thank you for applying the work of Christ to our lives. Enable us this advent season to rejoice in our freedom and live as Your children. Come Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Sing

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

*Copyright laws prohibit us from posting the lyrics here.

Watch below or on YouTube!

"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" is an Advent carol. The music is by Rowland H. Prichard and the lyrics are by Charles Wesley. This arrangement is by Red Moun...

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Wednesday, October 21

Read

Romans 7 (NLT)

Now, dear brothers and sisters—you who are familiar with the law—don’t you know that the law applies only while a person is living? For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God. When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death.But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.”But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power. At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life, and I died. So I discovered that the law’s commands, which were supposed to bring life, brought spiritual death instead. Sin took advantage of those commands and deceived me; it used the commands to kill me. But still, the law itself is holy, and its commands are holy and right and good.

But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my death? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God’s good commands for its own evil purposes.

So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
Ten Ways to be Perfect (p.100)
Don't have the Jesus Storybook Bible at home? Check it out on Hoopla here!

Meditate

“Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.” (Romans 7:6)

Pray

Lord Jesus, you alone are our Redeemer. Forgive us for striving to keep the law in our own strength. Thank you for uniting yourself to us and delivering us from the penalty of the law and the power of sin. It is only by your work that we are set free. Enable us by Your Spirit walk in the freedom that you have given us. Fill our hearts with love and gratitude for your grace. In your name we pray. Amen.

Sing

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me

*Copyright laws prohibit us from posting the lyrics here, so please click on the title above!

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CityAlight ~ Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me (Lyrics) get "Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me" Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2T15n2J Apple Music: https://appl...

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Tuesday, September 29

Read

Matthew 15:1-20 (NLT)

Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked him, “Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat.”

Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God? For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ In this way, you say they don’t need to honor their parents. And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,

‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship is a farce,
    for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’”

Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?”

Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.”

Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.”

“Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
The Terrible Lie (p.28)
Don't have the Jesus Storybook Bible at home? Check it out on Hoopla here!

Meditate

It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth. (Matthew 15:11)

Pray

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from evil. For Your’s is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Sing

Create In Me A Clean Heart

*Copyright laws prohibit us from posting the lyrics here, so please click on the title above!

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Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group Create In Me A Clean Heart · Keith Green Jesus Commands Us To Go ℗ 1990 Sparrow Records Released on: 1990-01-01 ...

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Wednesday, September 16

Read

Romans 4:13-25 (NLT)

Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)

So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
Son of Laughter (p.56)
Don't have the Jesus Storybook Bible at home? Check it out on Hoopla here!

Meditate

God is able to do whatever he promises. (Romans 4:21)

Pray

O God, You are worthy of our trust. From the day of Abraham until today You have shown Yourself to be faithful to Your promises. Forgive us for placing our hope in self righteousness instead of the gift of righteousness You have given us in Christ. Thank You for calling us out of the world and adopting us as Your children. Enable us by Your Spirit to walk faithfully in all that You have promised. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Sing

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

*Copyright laws prohibit us from posting the lyrics here, so please click on the title above!

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Wednesday, September 2

Read

Romans 3:21-31 (NLT)

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith.So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
A New Way To See (p.334)
Don't have the Jesus Storybook Bible at home? Check it out on Hoopla here!

Meditate

God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. (Romans 3:21)

Pray

O God of Heaven, we praise You for your mercy and grace. Though we are unworthy sinners, You have drawn us back through the work of Your Son. Lord Jesus, it only by your perfect sacrifice that we are holy and blameless in the eyes of the Father. Forgive us for ignoring or rejecting Your Law. Thank you for reconciling us to Yourself. Enable us by Your Spirit to uphold Your Law by faith and walk in the way of Your Kingdom. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.  

Sing

Show Us Christ

*Copyright laws prohibit us from posting the lyrics here, so please click on the title above!

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Wednesday, August 26

Read

Romans 3:1-20 (NLT)

Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.

True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him,

“You will be proved right in what you say,
    and you will win your case in court.”

“But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.) Of course not! If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world? “But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.

Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say,

“No one is righteous—
    not even one.
No one is truly wise;
    no one is seeking God.
All have turned away;
    all have become useless.
No one does good,
    not a single one.”
“Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
    Their tongues are filled with lies.”
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”
    “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
“They rush to commit murder.
    Destruction and misery always follow them.
They don’t know where to find peace.”
    “They have no fear of God at all.”

Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
Get Ready (p.170)
Don't have the Jesus Storybook Bible at home? Check it out on Hoopla here!

Meditate

No one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. (Romans 3:20)

Pray

O God, You are our Creator and King. Your Law is perfect and You will hold each of us accountable to it. Yet we are fallen in Adam and do not seek after You. Forgive us for thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. Lord Jesus, thank you for keeping the Law on our behalf and giving us your perfect righteousness by faith. Enable us by Your Spirit to confess our sin and to rest in Your work alone. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Sing

All I Have Is Christ

*Copyright laws prohibit us from posting the lyrics here, so please click on the title above!

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Info and resources for this song: http://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/all-i-have-is-christ/ "All I Have Is Christ" Featuring Paul Baloche. Music and W...

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Wednesday, August 19

Read

Romans 2:12-29 (NLT)

When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.

Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”

The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.

For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
A New Way To See (p.334)
Don't have the Jesus Storybook Bible at home? Check it out on Hoopla here!

Meditate

It is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. (Romans 2:29)

Pray

O God, You are our Creator and King. You have given us your Law and will hold each of us accountable to it. Lord Jesus, the day is coming when you will judge even our secret lives. We cry out to you for mercy and grace. Expose our hypocrisy and forgive us of our sin. Change our hearts by Your Spirit and lead us in the way of Christ. Help us to rest in Your approval of us in him more than in the approval of others. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Sing

Holy Spirit

*Copyright laws prohibit us from posting the lyrics here, so please click on the title above!

Watch below or on YouTube!

VISIT WWW.GETTYMUSIC.COM FOR INFO ABOUT THE NEWEST PROJECTS FROM KEITH AND KRISTYN GETTY AND JOIN THEM, AND 30+ SPEAKERS, ARTISTS AND THEOLOGIANS IN NASHVILL...

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