Rely on God’s Grace

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:11-13)
     Passage: Psalm 44:1-8

         Because people are created in the image of God, they can be disciplined and self-controlled in making decisions and taking actions that will be beneficial to themselves and others. However, the fruit of the Spirit takes that capacity and makes the character of self-control distinct from the way it is developed in the world. That distinction is found in the grace of God.
        God’s grace is His power in you, which He freely gives you to enable you to do His will. Paul tells us that the grace of God teaches us and enables us to say no to the ungodly passions that our sinful nature has and to say yes to the life that God designed for us to live. Living a disciplined, self-controlled life is not easy, but God will help you do it. Philippians 4:13 is a simple and powerful life verse for you to memorize and meditate on any time you think you can’t achieve the goals God helped you set, or the guardrails you put up, or the guidelines you have developed. It says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” If your flesh tries to say, “I can’t”, look to Jesus and say, “I can.”       

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)