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

God's People

Wednesday, November 18

Read

Romans 9:30-10:21 (NLT)

What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, 

“I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble,
    a rock that makes them fall.
But anyone who trusts in him
    will never be disgraced.”

Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” In fact, it says,

“The message is very close at hand;
    it is on your lips and in your heart.”

And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:

“The message has gone throughout the earth,
    and the words to all the world.”

But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said, 

“I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation.
    I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”

And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,

“I was found by people who were not looking for me.
    I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”

But regarding Israel, God said,

“All day long I opened my arms to them,
    but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

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

Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. (Romans 10:4)

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 to 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

All I Have Is Christ

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

Watch below or on YouTube!

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 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!

Watch below or on YouTube!

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...

New to Daily Worship?

Here are some helpful guides to get you started:

Friday, August 21

Read

Psalm 60 (NLT)

You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses.
    You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor.
You have shaken our land and split it open.
    Seal the cracks, for the land trembles.
You have been very hard on us,
    making us drink wine that sent us reeling.
But you have raised a banner for those who fear you—
    a rallying point in the face of attack.

Now rescue your beloved people.
    Answer and save us by your power.
God has promised this by his holiness:
“I will divide up Shechem with joy.
    I will measure out the valley of Succoth.
Gilead is mine,
    and Manasseh, too.
Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors,
    and Judah, my scepter, will produce my kings.
But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant,
    and I will wipe my feet on Edom
    and shout in triumph over Philistia.”

Who will bring me into the fortified city?
    Who will bring me victory over Edom?
Have you rejected us, O God?
    Will you no longer march with our armies?
Oh, please help us against our enemies,
    for all human help is useless.
With God’s help we will do mighty things,
    for he will trample down our foes.

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
No More Tears (p.144)
Don't have the Jesus Storybook Bible at home? Check it out on Hoopla here!

Meditate

O God, you have raised a banner for those who fear you. (Psalm 60:4)

Pray

Heavenly Father, You are my Rock and my Defender. Forgive me for placing my hope in my own strength and not in Your grace. I am surrounded by the world, harassed by the Enemy, and tempted by my flesh. Raise up the banner of Christ before my eyes and remind me of Your promises. In him I will be victorious. Yet, as I await the day of final victory, enable me by Your Spirit to carry out the good works you have for me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Sing

The Solid Rock

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

Watch below or on YouTube!

Provided to YouTube by Absolute Marketing International Ltd My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less [Live] · Sovereign Grace Music · Bob Kauflin Together for the Go...

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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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