Daily Reflections From God's Word

Tag: Grace

  • Grace Is Free—So Why Do We Struggle to Accept It?

    Some people struggle to believe in grace. Not because they don’t want to, but because they’ve spent their whole lives hearing that they don’t deserve it.

    Maybe you were raised in a home where love was conditional. Maybe church felt more like a courtroom than a refuge. Maybe every time you messed up, someone was quick to remind you just how much you had failed. Over time, you started believing the lie: I have to earn grace. I have to prove I’m worthy of forgiveness.

    Even those raised in the church aren’t immune. The mind resists what the heart knows to be true. You can read about grace, hear sermons on grace, even sing about grace… and still struggle to accept it for yourself.

    But here’s the truth: Grace is free. It always has been.

    Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

    A gift. Not a wage. Not a reward. A gift.

    But the enemy doesn’t want you to believe that. He wants to keep you trapped in shame, in doubt, in fear. That’s why I love Zack Williams’ song Fear Is a Liar. Because fear is a liar. It whispers, You’re not enough. You’ll never change. You don’t deserve forgiveness. But God says, There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

    If you’ve been carrying the weight of trying to earn God’s love, it’s time to lay it down. His grace is enough. For you.

    And if you know someone who struggles with this, be patient. Be kind. Sometimes, climbing out of that pit takes time. Sometimes, people need to see grace lived out before they can fully accept it.

    So let’s be a reflection of the grace we’ve received.

    Watch Fear Is a Liar by Zack Williams

  • The Other Prodigal Son

    “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.” – Luke 15:28 (NKJV)

    Most of us focus on the younger son in Jesus’ parable—the one who ran away, wasted everything, and came home to a forgiving father. But let’s talk about the other prodigal son.

    The older brother never left home. He never rebelled. He did everything right. But when his lost brother was welcomed back, he refused to celebrate. Instead of joy, he felt resentment.

    He saw his brother’s redemption as an insult to his own obedience. “I never left, I never wasted anything, I did everything right—and where’s my feast?” He wasn’t just angry at his brother. He was angry at his father.

    How often do we do the same?

    When God forgives someone we think doesn’t deserve it.

    When we secretly want people to earn grace, instead of freely receive it.

    When we think our goodness makes us more deserving than someone else.

    But here’s the truth—the older son needed grace just as much as the younger one. He had stayed home, but his heart was just as lost.

    And yet, look at what the father does. He doesn’t rebuke him. He comes out to him. Just as he ran to the younger son, he reaches out to the older one. Because grace isn’t just for the obviously broken. It’s for the self-righteous, too.

    The question is—will we accept it? Or will we stay outside, arms crossed, missing the beauty of the Father’s mercy?

    Because at the end of the day, it’s not about who deserves grace. None of us do. That’s the point. And the Father’s invitation is the same for both sons: Come inside. Join the celebration. You belong here.

  • The Hound of Heaven vs. The Hounds of Hell

    I first heard a sermon over 45 years ago titled “The Hounds of Hell.” Bro. Bass, a hunter, described how his trained dogs would track their prey relentlessly—up mountains, through valleys, across rivers—never stopping until their target was cornered, exhausted, and alone. He compared it to how Satan and his demons track us, waiting for us to stumble.

    1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) warns us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The enemy is relentless. He will chase us through every twist and turn, pressing in until we feel trapped with no escape.

    But yesterday morning, I was reminded of a different pursuit—one not of destruction, but of love.

    I pulled a book from my shelf titled A Gentle Thunder and saw the title of chapter two: “The Hound of Heaven: The God Who Pursues.”

    Francis Thompson’s poem describes God as “that tremendous Lover, pursuing me with His love.” Unlike the enemy, who seeks to destroy, Jesus pursues with grace, patience, and mercy.

    Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

    Satan’s hounds chase to wear you down.
    But Jesus stands at the door, waiting for you to open it.

    He doesn’t force His way in. He doesn’t demand entry. He simply knocks.

    Maybe today, you feel exhausted—like you’re running from something you can’t escape. The enemy has been on your trail, whispering lies, making you feel trapped.

    But hear this: Jesus is pursuing you, too. Not with pressure, but with love. Not with force, but with grace.

    He stands at the door.
    He knocks.
    He waits.

    The question is—will you let Him in?

  • Strength in Simplicity

    In the 15 years I lived with Mums & Dad prior to his passing in November 1988, just 4 days before his 74th birthday, he was often quiet…never having a lot to say. But if he did speak, you knew it was going to be something to hang your hat on.

    Over the years, I worked side by side with him on various projects around the house and in the garden, and in those times he helped to instill in me the values that I’ve tried to uphold, but have so often failed. And, he taught me about the things that truly matter in life, but wealth and popularity were nowhere on that list. What is, however, I present here…

    • Gentleness & tenderness are often greater strengths than force & intimidation.
    • A man’s true strength comes from kneeling before God, rather than posturing before men.
    • Hard work may never make you rich, but you must always give everything you’ve got to whatever you do.
    • Never turn away a stranger in need because you don’t know when you’ll be walking in their shoes.
    • Always look for the beauty in nature.
    • Fishing isn’t necessarily about catching fish.

    Having said that, I’ve been thinking lately about what that really means. And this is what I’ve arrived at.

    The world tells us strength is about dominance—being the loudest voice in the room, the firmest handshake, the most intimidating presence. But real strength often looks quite different. Gentleness and tenderness require far more courage than force and intimidation. The writer of Proverbs tells us that “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Jesus could have crushed His enemies with a word, yet He chose to serve, to heal, to love. That’s the kind of strength that changes the world.

    A man isn’t strong because he stands tall before others—he’s strong because he kneels before God. James, in his letter to the church at Jerusalem, advised them to “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10). Pride puffs up, but humility brings true power. The moment we acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers, that we need something greater than ourselves, is the moment we find the strength to stand firm. Posturing before men may earn their respect for a time, but bowing before God secures an eternal foundation.

    And then there’s hard work. It may never make you rich in the way the world defines wealth, but that was never the goal anyway. The reward isn’t just in the paycheck—it’s in the diligence, the perseverance, the satisfaction of giving your best. In Paul’s admonitions to the church at Collossi, his instructions included “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). Whether the world notices or not, God does.

    Life has a way of humbling us, reminding us that we’re all just one moment away from needing grace ourselves. That’s why we should never turn away a stranger in need. And a very personal experience when I was about 10 or 11 illustrated the wisdom of Paul when he said, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). You never know when you’ll be the one hoping for a hand, a kind word, or a bit of mercy. The Good Samaritan didn’t ask if the wounded man was worthy—he simply helped. That’s what love does.

    Amid the grind, don’t forget to look up. The beauty of nature is one of God’s simplest, yet most profound gifts. King David, in a way that only he could with his gift of poetry and his very personal relationship with the Creator, stated, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1). A golden sunrise, a bird’s song, the way the trees dance in the wind—it’s all a reminder of His presence, His artistry, His goodness.

    And sometimes, life is like fishing. It’s not always about what you catch—it’s about the experience, the patience, the stillness. The psalmist summed it up best when he said,“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). It’s about learning to enjoy the moment, to find peace in the waiting. Some of the best days on the water don’t end with a full net, just a full heart.

    So walk gently, work hard, give freely, and take in the beauty around you. There’s more to life than power and success. Sometimes, the greatest strength is found in the simplest things.

  • A New Perspective From 25 Year Old Notes

    9 March, 2025

    Digging into 25-year-old notes for tomorrow morning’s Sunday School lesson and this powerful truth resonates deeply.

    “The mercy we receive from God is directly proportional to what we show toward others. The judgement we receive will be a mirror of that which we administer.”

    James 2:13 reminds us, “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” This powerful statement unveils a profound truth about the nature of God’s grace and how it intertwines with our relationships with others.

    Consider this: the mercy we receive from God is intimately connected with the mercy we extend to those around us. When we forgive those who have wronged us, show compassion to the hurting, or offer grace during difficult moments, we align ourselves with the heart of God. Each act of mercy becomes a reflection of His love, creating a powerful cycle of grace.

    Additionally, the judgments we cast upon others often bloom back in our own lives. If we choose to be critical and harsh, we may find ourselves facing similar judgments when we falter. Instead, let us remember that each time we show kindness, it echoes back to us, amplifying the very mercy we desire from God.

    As we navigate our daily encounters, may we choose mercy over judgment. Lord, help us to reflect Your love and grace in all circumstances. Amen.