Grace

God’s grace is the theme of the New Testament and yet with all this scriptural emphasis it seems we are still slow to rightly understand it. We either tend to think that it is some kind of extra credit that adds to our goodness, thus making us acceptable to God. Or we secretly tend to believe it is a “get out of jail free” card that allows us to dabble in sin without consequences. Both are obviously a perversion of what is presented to us in God’s word. Biblical grace is the immeasurable and completely unearned favor that God grants us because of Christ and in spite of ourselves. It is not an add on, but a complete replacement of our attempts at earning a place in God’s family. Once granted God’s grace is tenacious in instructing us to deny ungodliness and live holy lives – not to earn God’s favor, but in response to it (Tit.2:12). Let us always be grateful for grace, being careful to understand it as we should.

--Pastor Mike

For more devotionals sermons and resources go to http://www.focalpointministries.org/

Biblical Tension

It has been rightly said that we should never use biblical truths in unbiblical ways. We make this costly error at times without knowing it. We may be hailing some aspect of God’s word with a resolute focus while unwittingly beginning to utilize that affirmation to deny some other forthright teaching of Scripture. Take for instance our confidence in the sovereignty of God, which is of course a thoroughly biblical and foundational truth. But, if my championing of that specific truth leads my zeal for evangelism to wane (contra 2 Corinthians 5) or my passion for prayer to be quenched (contra Luke 18), then I am using a biblical truth (God’s sovereignty in this case) in an unbiblical way. God wants us to hold to the biblical tension of asking for God to change some present circumstance and God’s indomitable plan, without denying either. This may be difficult as we mentally grapple with the various complexities of our transcendent God, but we must nevertheless. Always beware of how your deepening understanding of God’s truth may be inadvertently leading you to neglect or oppose some other undeniable aspect of God’s word. As you do, you will prove to be a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth (2Tim.2:15).
--Pastor Mike

For more devotionals sermons and resources go to http://www.focalpointministries.org/

Truth

Truth is not always popular. Depending on the environment, statements that reflect absolute truth can be downright offensive to many. That is one reason the Bible instructs us to make sure our hearts are centered on pleasing God even before we open our mouths. We need to keep in mind the ultimate goal of our conversation so we don’t get entangled in personal arguments or some defensive tirade. Peter exhorts us to “set Christ apart as Lord” in our hearts before considering our contribution to a dialog that requires God’s truth (1Pt.3:15). That verse also clarifies that we cannot always improvise in these kinds of encounters. Knowing the volatile nature of competing world views, we should “always be prepared to give an answer.” Before we find ourselves in these situations we would be wise to pray frequently and even mentally dialog with the prevailing philosophies of our day. Lastly, when we are in the middle of that conversation and we know we have to stand up for what is true, Peter adds that we must govern our emotions so that we can speak with a decorum of “gentleness and respect.” Truth may not always be popular, but when we speak it in love, God may just use our words to accomplish his transforming purpose in others.
--Pastor Mike 

For more devotionals sermons and resources go to http://www.focalpointministries.org/

Beauty

If only we were as concerned with our spiritual beauty, as people in our culture are with their external attractiveness. Unfortunately, like the world, we often fail to value what God finds attractive. The kudos received for losing a few pounds or getting a hair cut are seemingly more gratifying than the benefits of a heart strengthened by grace or a character fortified with patience. But you can be sure that when the Scripture highlights the comparison between spiritual and physical attractiveness, our “inner beauty” is asserted to be of “great worth in God’s sight” (1Pt.3:4). While we may not be complimented by our coworkers for a beautiful heart, we can know that God treasures the attractive spirit. He is quick to defend, support and draw near to those who, through thoughtful preparation, take the time to draw near to him by starting each day with the question “How does my spirit look today?”

--Pastor Mike

For more devotionals sermons and resources go to http://www.focalpointministries.org/