#THE WORD FOR TODAY: 24 Jan 2015

#THE WORD FOR TODAY: 24 Jan 2015

EVIDENCE OF GOD'S GRACE

'He... saw... evidence of the grace of God.' Acts 11:23

Where there's grace, there's growth. And where there's growth, there's clear evidence of it. The church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to the church at Antioch, and 'when he arrived and saw... evidence of the grace of God, he was glad.' As believers, we should be growing in 'grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour' (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). And there should be evidence of it! When you accept Christ, He '[equips] you with everything good for doing His will' (Hebrews 13:21 NIV); you become 'a new creation... old things have gone; everything is made new!' (2 Corinthians 5:17 NCV). Grace makes you more caring and compassionate, and less critical and judgmental. It makes you slow to speak and quick to consider the other person's point of view. You're less likely to react in anger when things don't go your way, and more likely to put the good of others ahead of your own (1 Corinthians 10:24). Jon Walker says: 'When you become a believer your role changes. You no longer have the job of looking out for your own interests; your job is to represent the interests of Jesus. You are the face of Jesus; showing up in the lives of others on His behalf... in hospitals... at funerals... at weddings... across the table as you share coffee with a friend... You're on the job for Jesus, and the more you serve others in love, the more you'll influence them toward Christ.' Paul wrote, 'Though I am free... I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible' (1 Corinthians 9:19 NIV). That's what it's all about!

Bible in a Year: Ex 1-3;  Matt 14:1-21