by Bela Bruckner
Hebrews 4:16: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
By the grace of God we have all been called to be His sons and daughters. It is our choice to call Him Father. For many years I was addicted to nicotine and for many years I asked God for His grace in quitting. But I was never able to quit. There were times when I felt that God, and the grace of God, had let me down because I could not stop. I now realize that it was not God that was letting me down; it was that I did not understand the way God’s grace works. 1 Peter 1:13 says, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
You see, the grace of God is ours, as the verse says, but when we ask God for His grace we must also be ready to use another tool that He has given us: self-control. By the grace of God I have been set free from nicotine. I walk in freedom today because of His grace; I stay in His grace by continuing to exercise self-control.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your grace. I pray that with Your grace and the other tools that You have given me, I will walk in Your ways today.
Bela, thanks for sharing. It is awesome to see how God has worked in your life, not only to deliver you from addiction but to teach you along the way!
ReplyDeleteHis grace is enough! 2 Corinthians 12:9
This is so true. God will supply the grace, but we must apply the will to do what we know to do. Then another step is the walking it out over a lifetime by God's grace...continuing on in His grace by His grace.
ReplyDeleteProud of you Bela for being an example to us all to quit making excuses and start moving out in faith.
Too many times we ask for God's help, but we still really want to do what we want. While the specific action may change, I still often find myself torn between wanting God's help and wanting to make my own decisions. He ALWAYS gives His grace, but I don't always use it. Good lesson for me today. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLoving that I Peter 1:13 verse..."prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your minds fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed."
ReplyDeleteNotice that each section of the verse starts with a nonnegotiable verb... prepare,be,set...
Not if I feel like doing these things or if they are convenient for me to fulfill. God gives me specific steps to take to live out His grace!
I was particularly drawn to the fact that God wants me to prepare for action and then pratice self-control. So what this says to me is that when I lack self -control it is because I've not taken the time to prepare myself through prayer, scripture and worship.
Thanks, Bela, for this very insightful devotional. I'm so glad Jesus has SET YOU FREE!
Ut OH---I'm addicted to caffiene.
ReplyDeleteAwesome entry! Thanks Bela. The Christian walk is not an easy one, it takes discipline. Our walk is exciting and God fills us up when we are obedient to let go of the things God convicts us to give up. There is a feeling of freedom when we are not a slave to the things of the world that don't bring us closer to God.