Tag: Guided By Grace

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REDEMPTION / EPHESIANS 1:7

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

REDEMPTION / EPHESIANS 1:7

The word translated “redemption” (Greek apolutrosis) occurs three times in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:7, 14; 4:30). It means “ransomed or restored by the payment of a price.” To be redeemed also relates to being rescued and set free. The term “redemption” is very fitting because it shows how spiritual salvation was obtained – by the payment of a ransom. The price Jesus paid to save and restore up spiritually was extremely costly: “through His blood.” Paul explains that God’s provision of “redemption” and spiritual salvation through Christ’s personal sacrifice covers the full range of human need, this includes our need of forgiveness, spiritual liberation, restoration to a right relationship with God, peace, love, new life, understanding, community, acceptance, security, hope, and victory in our conflict against Satan and his forces of evil.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. HIS … POWER / EPHESIANS 1:18-21
  2. CHILDREN OBEY / EPHESIANS 6:1
  3. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
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FORGIVENESS OF SINS / MATTHEW 26:28

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 26:28

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

FORGIVENESS OF SINS / MATTHEW 26:28

Forgiveness is necessary because we all have sinned (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8), which means that we have offended and rebelled against God, broken His laws, ignored His standards and gone our own way (Isaiah 53:6; 1 John 3:4; 5:17). Sin has destroyed our relationship with God, who is completely holy (completely pure, perfect, complete, and separated from evil) and cannot associate with wickedness and rebellion. God’s perfect justice requires that our sin be judged, and because sin is so opposed to God’s character it requires the most extreme penalty – death and eternal separation from Him. Apart from His mercy we would certainly be pronounced “guilty” and sentenced to death (Romans 1:18-32; 6:23). However, God Himself provided the solution to satisfying the penalty of sin by sending His Son, Jesus, to die in our place and pay the penalty for sin once and for all. For all who willingly accept Christ’s sacrifice as their own and yield the leadership of their lives to Him, God offers forgiveness. This becomes the means by which our broken relationship with God can be restored (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 2:13).

  1. For God to be able to offer forgiveness in the first place, a blood sacrifice was required (Hebrews 9:22). But in order for the forgiveness to be complete, the sacrifice had to be perfect. That is why God is the only one who could have provided the perfect sacrifice, which He did through Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus’ death is the basis for forgiveness (Matthew 26:28; John 1:29; 3:16; Romans 8:32).
  2. The Hebrew and Greek words for forgiveness carry the meanings of “to cover,” “to pardon,” “to cancel,” “to send away.” God’s forgiveness involves canceling our debt to Him and keeping no record of the sin that has been committed (Mark 2:5; John 8:11). It involves saving individuals from eternal punishment (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10), accepting them back into His family (Luke 15:20) and freeing them from the control that sin once held over their lives. Forgiveness transforms and renews the whole person, bringing individuals into Christ’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13) and promising them eternal life with Him (Luke 23:43; John 14:19).
  3. In order to receive forgiveness, people must confess (admit) their sin, repent (turn from their own sinful way, surrender to God, make a complete change, and begin following His purposes, Matthew 3:2; Acts 2:38) and demonstrate faith (an active trust that gives God leadership over their lives; Acts 5:31; 20:21; 1 John 1:9). God’s forgiveness is an ongoing need for believers so that we might maintain our saving relationship with God (Matthew 6:12, 14-15; 1 John 1:9).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
  2. DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS / MATTHEW 25:41
  3. MONEY / MATTHEW 6:24
  4. GO … MAKE DISCIPLES … BAPTIZING / MATTHEW 28:19
  5. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  6. YOU ARE WORTH MORE / MATTHEW 10:31
  7. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

Guided By Grace
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HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE / HEBREWS 5:8

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Hebrews 5:8

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE / HEBREWS 5:8

Jesus, as God’s Son in human form, learned through human experience what it means to obey God when facing intense sufferings and temptations. He learned not through trial and error, as we often do, because He never failed. Rather, He learned by actually doing – by obeying perfectly all the time. Because of that obedience He suffered greatly, even to the point of giving His life; yet He never gave in to sin. As a result of His perfection (Hebrews 5:9), He became a perfect Savior and high priest, qualified in every way (Hebrews 5:1-6) to bring us eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9; 2:10). From Christ’s example, we learn that faithful obedience to God in a corrupt world will often lead to suffering and adversity (Hebrews 12:2; Isaiah 50:4-6; Philippians 2:8).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. THE WORD OF GOD / HEBREWS 4:12
  2. OBEY THEM / HEBREWS 13:17
  3. LOOKIN FORWARD TO THE CITY / HEBREWS 11:10
  4. BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS / HEBREWS 11:6
  5. ABEL … ENOCH … NOAH / HEBREWS 11:4-7
  6. BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND / HEBREWS 11:3
  7. NOW FAITH IS / HEBREWS 11:1
  8. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE
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THE GREAT TRIBULATION / REVELATION 7:14

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Revelation 7:14

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

THE GREAT TRIBULATION / REVELATION 7:14

The great tribulation is a time of God’s unequaled judgment on the end-time antichrist world that has rejected Christ; but it is also a time of satanic assault against those who receive Christ and His Word during the tribulation (Revelation 12:12). During this period, many followers of Christ will suffer terribly from persecutions by Satan and ungodly people (Revelation 7:9-17; 6:9-11; 20:4; 14:13). The conflict between righteousness and wickedness – those who serve God and those who serve Satan – will be so intense that it can only be called a “great tribulation.” This phrase in the Greek literally reads “the tribulation, the great”; in the Greek language, repeating the article “the” adds forceful emphasis. Matthew 24:21 tells us, “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again.”

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. THE DEVIL … THE LAKE OF BURNING SULFUR / REVELATION 20:10
  2. SURROUNDED THE CAMP OF GOD’S PEOPLE / REVELATION 20:9
  3. DECEIVE THE NATIONS / REVELATION 20:8
  4. SATAN WILL BE RELEASED / REVELATION 20:7
  5. SPIRITS OF DEMONS PERFORMING MIRACULOUS SIGNS / REVELATION 16:14
  6. FROGS / REVELATION 16:13
  7. WAR IN HEAVEN / REVELATION 12:7-9
  8. A THIRD OF THE STARS / REVELATION 12:4
  9. FALSE PROPHET … THE MIRACULOUS / REVELATION 19:20
  10. THE LAMB OPENED / REVELATION 6:1
  11. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion.
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
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SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10

Satan (Hebrew, meaning “accuser” or “adversary”) was originally a great angel created perfect and good. He was appointed to serve directly around God’s throne in heaven. Yet before the world began, he became filled with pride and rebelled against God. As a result, he became the primary enemy of God and to God’s greatest creation, humankind (Ezekiel 28:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12). We must keep in mind, however, that Satan is not equal with God; he is a created being and is limited by the supreme power of God. 

  1. In his rebellion against God, Satan misled a multitude of lesser angels (Revelation 12:4) who, after their “fall” from heaven, probably could be identified as demons or evil spirits. Satan and many of these lesser angels were exiled to the earth and the atmosphere around it and now operate within this sphere of influence, as God allows. Their considerable control and influence in the world force all people to choose daily whether to follow God or to follow evil. 
  2. Satan, also called “the serpent,” caused the “fall” of the human race – influencing the first humans to question God’s care and defy God’s commands – introducing sin and its curse upon all humanity (Genesis 3:1-6; Genesis 3:1; Genesis 3:4; Genesis 3:5; Genesis 3:6; 1 John 5:19).
  3. Satan’s kingdom (Matthew 12:26) is a very organized empire of evil that has authority over “the kingdom of the air” (Ephesians 2:2, which may simply mean he is not bound to earth), over fallen angels (those who followed Satan in rebellion against God, Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7-9), over people who have not accepted Christ’s over people who have not accepted Christ’s forgiveness and given their lives to Him (Matthew 4:8-9; John 12:31; Ephesians 2:2) and over the present world system (Luke 4:5-6; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19). Satan is not omnipresent (all-powerful) or omniscient (all-knowing), so most of his activity is assigned to demons (Matthew 8:28; Revelation 16:13-14; Revelation 16:13; Revelation 16:14; Job 1:2)
  4. Jesus came to earth to destroy the works of Satan (1 John 3:8), to introduce God’s kingdom (the evidence of His power, authority, purposes and way of life) and to free us from Satan’s control (Matthew 12:28; Luke 4:18; 13:16; Acts 26:18). By His death and resurrection, Christ paid the penalty for sin and overcame its power. This triumph began the defeat of Satan, which will reach its climax at the end of this age (Revelation 20:7-10) and will guarantee God’s complete victory over him (Hebrews 2:14). 
  5. At the end of the age (following the tribulation period, during which God will execute His end-time judgments on the earth; Revelation 6-19), Jesus will return with the armies of heaven to defeat the antichrist and confine Satan to the Abyss (“bottomless pit”) for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3). After a brief release, Satan will make a final attempt to overthrow God; this will result in Satan’s final defeat and his being thrown into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:7-10).

At the present time, Satan wars against God and His people (Job 1-2; Ephesians 6:11-18), trying to turn them away from loyalty to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3) and make them slaves to sin and this present world system (2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 5:15; 1 John 5:16). Christ’s followers must pray constantly for God’s help in recognizing and avoiding Satan’s deceptions and temptations (Matthew 6:13). They must also remain spiritually alert, relying on God’s strength and resources to conquer the devil’s evil schemes and maintain a strong faith (Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8-9).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS / MATTHEW 25:41
  2. MONEY / MATTHEW 6:24
  3. GO … MAKE DISCIPLES … BAPTIZING / MATTHEW 28:19
  4. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  5. YOU ARE WORTH MORE / MATTHEW 10:31
  6. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

Guided By Grace
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RESCUE US FROM THE PRESENT EVIL AGE / GALATIANS 1:3-5

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Galatians 1:3-5

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

RESCUE US FROM THE PRESENT EVIL AGE / GALATIANS 1:3-5

This verse is probably an early confession of faith that was well known throughout the New Testament churches. It connects Christ’s death with the forgiveness of sins – our own acts of rebellion and offenses against God – and with spiritual rescue from “the present evil age.” At the center of Christ’s sacrifice – to restore people to a right relationship with God – is the goal to set people free from the evil that dominates the societies of this world. The first gospel message (the “good news” of forgiveness and new life now available because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ) preached after the Holy Spirit came to fill and empower Christ’s followers of the day of Pentecost included the words: “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation” (Acts 2:40). Christians must live to honor God and to serve His purposes. This includes refusing to be guided by the popular values, wisdom, opinions, corrupt desires, and selfish pleasures of those in the world who do not follow Christ (Romans 12:2; Titus 2:14).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. THE SPIRIT … THE SINFUL NATURE / GALATIANS 5:17
  2. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE
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FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD IS HATRED TOWARD GOD / JAMES 4:4

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD IS HATRED TOWARD GOD / JAMES 4:4

“Friendship with the world” is spiritual adultery; it shows unfaithfulness to God and our pledge of devotion to Him (1 John 2:15-17; Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:20). This friendship involves embracing the world’s attitudes, values, practices, ungodly pleasures, and corrupt ways. God will not accept such a relationship (Matthew 6:24) because He is jealous for our undivided love and loyalty (Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 5:9). One example of the way we pursue friendship with the world is involvement in clubs, organizations, or sacred orders (lodge memberships) that require one to participate in ungodly activities, make ungodly commitments or take unbiblical religious oaths. These things can bind a person in strict devotion with those who do not follow God, which is forbidden in God’s Word (Matthew 5:33-37; 2 Corinthians 6:14). Christians cannot belong to such groups without compromising Christian faith and teaching (2 Peter 3:16) and loyalty to Christ (Matthew 6:24).

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. TRIALS /JAMES 1:2
  2. TO THE TWELVE TRIBES / JAMES 1:1
  3. CONFESS … PRAY … BE HEALDED / JAMES 5:16
  4. Guided By Grace About

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
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HIS … POWER / EPHESIANS 1:18-21

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Ephesians 1:18-21

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

HIS … POWER / EPHESIANS 1:18-21

In order for Christians to gain spiritual strength and ability, achieve victory over Satan and sin, communicate Christ’s message effectively and receive final salvation, they must have God’s power flowing into them continually. This power is a result of the strength and activity of the Holy Spirit working within faithful followers of Christ, purifying, refining, and preparing them for God’s purposes (1 Peter 1:5). It is the same power and Spirit that raised Christ from the dead and exalted Him to God’s right hand – the highest place of honor and authority (Ephesians 1:20; Romans 8:11-16, 26-27; Romans 8:16; Romans 8:26; Galatians 5:22-25).

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. CHILDREN OBEY / EPHESIANS 6:1
  2. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
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GOD OF THIS AGE HAS BLINDED THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS / 2 CORINTHIANS 4:4

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) 2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

GOD OF THIS AGE HAS BLINDED THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS / 2 CORINTHIANS 4:4

The “god of this age” refers to Satan (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 5:19), who holds power over much of the activity in the world at the present time. His power is, however, temporary, and conditional. He continues only as God allows, which presents people with the real choice of whether to accept and follow Christ or to continue in their own ways and follow evil. But Satan’s influence will end at the close of history when he is thrown into the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 19:11 – 20:10). Yet, at the present time, Satan continues his evil work, and those who do not submit themselves to Jesus Christ remain under Satan’s influence. He deceives them and blinds them to the truth of God’s Word so that they do not understand their need for Christ. In their darkness, they refuse to accept His spiritual Salvation. Those of us who know Christ must realize that because people are blinded to the truth, we need to view them through God’s eyes of mercy. Although it may be easier to become discouraged or angered by their rebellious ways, Christians must continue to pray and share Christ’s message with humility and active compassion. The Holy Spirit will enable us to do so (Acts 1:8) in order that all may hear, understand, and choose to believe or disbelieve the truth – to accept or reject Christ (2 Corinthians 4:5-6; Matthew 4:10).

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. GIVEN OVER TO DEATH / 2 CORINTHIANS 4:11-12
  2. WEAPONS WE FIGHT WITH 2 CORINTHIANS 10:4
  3. Guided By Grace About

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
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GIVEN OVER TO DEATH / 2 CORINTHIANS 4:11-12

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) 2 Corinthians 4:11-12

For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

GIVEN OVER TO DEATH / 2 CORINTHIANS 4:11-12

In order that we might share Christ’s love and life with other, we also must share Christ’s sufferings and relate to His death (Romans 6:10-11) in relation to our own selfish desires and defiance toward God (2 Corinthians 4:12). Self-denial, trouble, disappointment, personal sacrifice and suffering for Christ’s sake will allow us to show to others God’s love, care and provision (2 Corinthians 11:23-29; Romans 8:36-27; Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 4:14). Jesus taught this same principle of humility, self-sacrifice and surrender in John 12:24-25).

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. WEAPONS WE FIGHT WITH / 2 CORINTHIANS 10:4
  2. Guided By Grace About

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE HOME