Daily Thought: Expectations

Here's a self-check: Often, and let's venture to say usually, our recognition and judgement of the apparent sins and shortcomings of others is sadly merely the product of our own self-righteous expectations of that person or group, high standard that lacks room for grace, an outlook and opinion of ourself that is all too high, and/or deep-rooted bitterness. We forget how much grace God, the most harshly offended Party in the universe and the most-gracious forgiver in the universe) has shown us. We fail to remember that indeed we are the greatest of sinners and the most-wretched--and far more than those we erroneously judge.

Has a person or a group of persons offended you? No surprise. People are human, and groups of people increase the weaknesses and possibility of offense. But at the same time, grace is provided to do mighty things through any circumstance, shortcoming, sin, or offense.

How truly amazing the grace of God is!

Recommended Resources

Even while reading this excellent book there is the possibility to not pursue peace by accusing others of not keeping it. We've all failed to keep it, and that's why we need this book. Let's get the plank out of our own eye and not worry about the spec in another's eye at the moment. Because when we are humbled and accept human weakness and extend the grace we have received to others, we will be able to speak the truth in love.

Daily Thought: Hope for the Hopeless

Let's face it: At times, life seems hopeless. As a Christian, you, like me, may experience this train of thought often. But hear this: When life is hopeless, there is hope.

Contradiction? Thanks be to God, no. See, our sin can seem so dark and nasty (which it is), our condition so abominable (which it is), that we fail to believe God would or even can still extend kindness to us (which He can and will). But again, should the Lord have shunned us based on our pathetic performance, we would all be in Hell.

The grace of God is infinite and is ever-extended to us all--until the end of the earth. Amen.

Daily Thought: New Year's Resolutions

A new year's resolution is not wrong, unless it fails to be grounded in asking for grace to do it. New year's resolutions may well be a self-sufficient statement before God that says (as Josh Harris put it), "I'm going to do better this year."

Again, they are not wrong, and the can be made with the proper motive of course. However, let us be encouraged to daily seek the face of the One Who provides all grace to do anything that matters on earth and in eternity.

In fact, be encouraged to have goals for the year; life is chaos without a plan! But at the same time, remember that God is not limited by times range (i.e. years) and will do as He pleases in your life in Hi perfect timing and for your good.