3 December: Tuesday Refocus

“Faith is not opposed to knowledge; faith is opposed to sight. And grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.” - Dallas Willard

It is grace that saves us, sustains us, keeps us, and carries us - and this grace is not a thing, but a Person. By grace we are invited to cease striving and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). And by grace we are invited to fight the good fight, to finish the race, to keep the faith, knowing that we have received grace upon grace sufficient for the troubles of this day (2 Timothy 4:7, John 1:16). 

Father, sufficient for the day is the trouble thereof - but so is your grace. May we rest in that reality today. Amen.

Amen,

AB

30 July: Tuesday Refocus

“Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don't simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in company with the Son.” - Eugene Peterson

God has spoken and is speaking. He spoke all things into existence and sustains the universe by the word of His power (Genesis 1:3, Hebrews 1:3). His voice brings forth life, and melts the earth (Psalm 29:9, Psalm 46:6). His Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:15). His word is ‘living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of heart.’ Hebrews 4:12

The Word of God, the voice of God is not an accessory to a decent, moral, Christian life, but the reshaping reality of all life for followers of Jesus. ‘But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”’ Matthew 4:4

God, You alone have the words of eternal life, may we be nurtured and mobilized by Your Word, for Your glory and for our good, amen.

Amen,

AB