1 Corinthians 1:31 – Boast In God’s Grace For You

“He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31

If someone asks you, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” you would probably tell him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved,” wouldn’t you?

Well, a rich, young ruler asked Jesus the same question, but instead of telling him to believe in Him, Jesus gave him the law. (Mark 10:17–22) Jesus saw that the young ruler lived his life taking pride in his ability to keep the law to earn salvation and the favor of God. But because of His love for the man, Jesus had to show him that those who live by the law must realize that their self-efforts cannot save them.

He therefore reminded him, “You know the commandments: ...Do not commit adultery... ...Do not steal... ...Honor your father and your mother.’” The young ruler showed that his trust was in his law-keeping when he replied, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”

So Jesus had to tell him, “One thing you lack... sell whatever you have and give to the poor... and come... and follow Me.” When the young ruler heard that, he walked away sorrowful.

When we boast of having kept the law, it will always point out something we lack or have failed to obey. The law is so holy and perfect that if we don’t keep even one iota of it, it has no choice but to judge and curse us. (Galatians 3:10) That is what the law was designed to do.

God does not want us to boast in our abilities to keep the law. If we are to have confidence in anything at all, if we are to boast in anything at all, it is in the grace of God. Only His grace can completely keep, save, heal, deliver and bless us.

So let’s not boast in what we have done or are able to do, but boast in His grace for us — that He is our strength, health, favor, provision, wisdom, hope, salvation and glory. That is how we will see ourselves enjoying our inheritance of abundant life!

(source: Pastor Joseph Prince's Daily Devotional)

Romans 8:31 – God Is For You, Not Against You

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

The Bible tells us that God, the Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, is for you! What problem can fasten its grip on you when the Almighty God is for you? Can the devil come successfully against you with God on your side?

If God is for you today, if God is for you right now, you don’t have to moan, “If only I had this... If only I didn’t say that...” And you don’t have to worry about the future: “What if this happens... What if we don’t have enough...” My friend, regretting the past and worrying about the future won’t change anything. Look to your heavenly Father, instead. Because He is for you at this present moment, you can be confident that He will help you and provide for you.

Beloved, God sent His Son to die for you. And Jesus gave you a blood-bought right to an abundant life full of meaning and purpose! He gave you a blood-bought right to walk in divine health all the days of your life! He gave you a blood-bought right to His supply even when the economy goes down!

You have all these things not because you deserve them, but because Jesus shed His blood and gave you the right to have them. All these blessings are yours today because God is for you! And if God is for you, who can be against you!

(source: Pastor Joseph Prince’s Daily Devotional )

Mark 7:37 – Masterpieces Are Made When We Rest

They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he [Jesus] does is wonderful…”
Mark 7:37, NLT

When we step aside to rest and allow the Lord to work on our problems, the results are marvelous. When we cease from our self-efforts and rest in Him, He can bring forth beautiful outcomes for us because everything that He does is wonderful!

The supply of His grace, health, provision, peace and whatever we need is always flowing toward us because of the cross. But when we worry and strive to solve the problem ourselves, we choke that supply.

Beloved, instead of focusing on solving the problem, focus on resting in Christ and His finished work at Calvary. Keep seeing that bodily condition healed—finished at the cross. Keep seeing that debt paid—finished at the cross. The more you rest in Christ and what He has done, the more He can do wonderful things in your life!

(source: Pastor Joseph Prince’s “meditate & believe RIGHT”)