Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Strengthened by Grace Devotional: 1/7/20


Prayer for Tuesday: Holy God, You who are the only origin of all that is good and fair and true, unto You I lift up my soul. God, let Your Spirit now enter my heart. God, give me the power to follow after that which is good. God, bless all my undertakings and cause them to prosper. God, help me to be pure and righteous like Jesus. God, bless every member of my household. God, bless my enemies and those who have done me wrong. God, let Your Kingdom come on earth. O Holy Spirit of God, as I rise from these acts of devotion, let me not return to evil thoughts and worldly ways, but let that mind be in me which was also in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Scripture Reading for Tuesday: Genesis 22-24

Scripture Reflection for Tuesday: Today's journey in God's word visits Genesis 22-24.

In Genesis 22, we find the chapter asking, 'What is your “Isaac”?' What earthly relationship or possession do you treasure most? If obedience to God required you to let go of it, do you fear Him enough to make the sacrifice? Pray for grace to show the Lord that this too is His.

In Genesis 23, we see that God calls believers to live as strangers and aliens—not entangled among the wicked Sodomites and Hittites in their pursuit of this world, but pilgrims waiting for the city of God. This separation from sin does not excuse isolation or rudeness, but instead demands that we do business in this world with honor and courtesy to all. What ways can you practice this in the spheres where God has called you to live and work?

In Genesis 24, we see that our God is the Lord of heaven and earth, controlling even the little details of a young woman’s kindness to a stranger. This chapter bears strong testimony to how we should trust Him completely and show love and faithfulness to the people around us. Who knows how He will use our acts of kindness?

Daily Teaching (Catechism) for Tuesday:

(8.8) To all those for whom Christ has obtained eternal redemption, he certainly and effectually applies and imparts it. He intercedes for them, unites them to himself by his Spirit, and reveals to them in and by his Word the mystery of salvation. He persuades them to believe and obey and governs their hearts by his Word and Spirit. He overcomes all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom, using methods and ways that are perfectly consistent with his wonderful and unsearchable governance. All these things are by free and absolute grace, apart from any condition for obtaining it that is foreseen in them (John 6:37; John 10:15, 16; John 17:9; Romans 5:10; John 17:6; Ephesians 1:9; 1 John 5:20; Romans 8:9, 14; Psalms 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26; John 3:8; Ephesians 1:8).

May God help you to grow in Christ today,