Time for Grace-January 26, 2024

Time for Grace-January 26, 2024

1 Peter 3:15-16 

But regard the Lord, the Christ, as holy in your hearts. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you. But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Forgive us as we go through our day, and do not consider all that You did in Your salvational plan to give us the sure hope of heaven. Some ask why we believe. We all know ourselves; we have been given a conscience, and when we do something against it, we feel guilt or shame for what we said or did. For everyone, there is that feeling of a day of reconning that will one day come; we will be held accountable for our actions.

So why believe? Your Word is more than a moral guide; You have recorded history, both what was done well and human failures caused by sin. Some parts might even seem harsh, but You never change. You told us what was required, and when people sinned, you offered them opportunities to repent and have forgiveness. Your Word recorded Your promise of sending Your one and only Son to suffer in our place, to defeat sin, death, and the devil so that all who believe are restored to You and have eternal life.

Why do we believe in an afterlife? Because you have promised it in Your Word; with sin in the world, this life is sometimes pretty horrible. You have assured us that in heaven, there will be no more tears, sadness, sickness, and no more sin to push us away from You. Jesus gave up heaven, came to earth, and died on the cross for us so that we have eternal life in heaven. This gift of salvation is brought to us by faith alone, in Jesus.

Forgive us all our sins for Jesus’ sake, strengthen our faith, and we pray that you would open the eyes of those blinded by unbelief; let us gently lead them with Your Word so they, too, will believe in Jesus and have salvation and eternal life. Amen.

Written through Pastor Roger Emmons

“Faith is being sure about what we hope for, being convinced about things we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Let me tell you about my hope in Christ; I cannot see Him, but I know He is with me and has forgiven all my sins and, through faith, I am assured of my heavenly home.