Mike Fisk & Built with Grace

ARC Prayer Focus Day 14

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. Galatians 6:14-15

It’s so easy to turn our attention away from what’s more important. It seems as though we either think too highly of our abilities or live in defeat.

When we think more highly of ourselves it’s really a form of idolatry. “Don’t worry God, I can handle this one. Remember how I took care of xxx last week?

When we focus on our failures, our struggles, our weakness, it shows a lack of belief (faith). “I know you did that for them God…

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:24-26

The Good News: Your sins, your passions, your evil desires were nailed to the cross of Christ and you have been forgiven.

The Bad News: Those passions and desires have a tendency to climb back off the cross.

The Best News: No matter how much you are struggling with passions and desires you are not proud of, there is power in the blood and forgiveness through Jesus.

As you meditate today, what passions seem to have a way of climbing off the cross and attacking you? Claim the power you have…

May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Galatians 1:1-4

Grace is God’s response to our sin. Peace is our response to God and others when we become fully aware of our position in Christ.

Jesus died so that we could have both grace and peace in our lives. The evil world in…

Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35-37

Have you ever been told by someone that they love you only to have them ‘change their mind’ later? Some relationships are built on eggshells. Those involved walk carefully lest they make some mistake that will change the other persons opinion of them and the relationship will fail.

Relationships built on human love falter under stress. Their stability is based on the performance of the other person and can change with the wind.

Jesus love for you is based on…