Grace 809

Jesus would not let his followers begin their ministries unless they knew the Holy Spirit. By this point the disciples had spent three years in training. They had seen the empty tomb, they had touched his resurrected body, they had spent forty days listening to the resurrected Christ teach about the kingdom. But they needed more.

Jesus told them, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).

The Holy Spirit comes with power. Power to make good choices, to keep promises, to silence the inner voices of fear and failure. Power to get busy about the right things in the right way. Power! This is what Jesus promised then, and this is what Jesus promises still.

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Amanda Dykes reminds us that experiencing nature goes a long way in keeping our kids healthy.

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In a world increasingly dependent upon screens and technology, it's as crucial as it is countercultural to help kids capture the natural joys and treasures each day holds. Mom of four and award-winning author, Amanda Dykes, unpacks hands-on activities that invite children and their parents to spot the wonders of God's creation.

Receive the book A Pocketful of Wonder plus a free audio download of “Discover the Wonder of Nature with Your Kids” for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

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In Luke 24:49 (TLB) Jesus said, “And now I will send the Holy Spirit upon you, just as my Father promised.” Who is the Holy Spirit? God as Father? We comprehend that image. God as Jesus, the Son? That idea is manageable as well. But God as Spirit? That word itself is mystical.

One day, I read the words Jesus used to describe the Holy Spirit: comforter and friend. I know that Person. That was three decades ago. I no longer think of the Holy Spirit as “the Holy Who?” I now call him our Heaven-Sent Helper.  He is our champion, our advocate, our guide. He comforts and directs us. He indwells, transforms, sustains, and will someday deliver us into our heavenly home.

Read more Help Is Here

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Vanessa and Scott Martindale offer advice for couples on centering their blended marriage around Christ. Hear how to avoid the pitfalls of “inner vows” and prioritize each other. Vanessa and Scott will help you experience the fullness of redemption for your blended family.

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How do you handle your tough times? When you’re tired of trying, tired of forgiving, tired of hard weeks, or hard-headed people—how do you manage your dark days? With a bottle of pills? Alcohol? A day at the spa? Many opt for such treatments. So many, in fact, we assume they reenergize the sad life. But do they? They numb the pain, but do they remove it?

We like sheep follow each other off the ledge, falling headlong into bars and binges and beds. Is there a better solution? Indeed, there is. Be quick to pray. Talk to Christ who invites, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life.” Jesus says, “I will show you how to take a real rest” (Matthew 11:28-29 MSG).

God, who is never downcast, never tires of your down days. Just go to him.

Read more Facing Your Giants: God Still Does the Impossible

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Pastor Kevin Thompson offers practical advice for maintaining a healthy and happy marriage in a discussion based on his book Happily: 8 Commitments of Couples Who Laugh, Love.

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It’s one thing to give grace to friends, but to give grace to those who give us grief? Most of us find it hard to forgive.

Leave your enemies in God’s hands. You’re not endorsing their misbehavior when you do. You can hate what someone did without letting hatred consume you. Forgiveness is not excusing. Give grace, but if need be, keep your distance. You can forgive the abusive husband without living with him. Be quick to give mercy to the immoral pastor, but be slow to give him a pulpit. Society can dispense grace and prison terms at the same time.

To forgive is to move on, not to think about the offense anymore. You don’t excuse him, endorse her, or embrace them. You just route your thoughts about them through heaven. In Romans 12:19 (MSG) God says, “I will take care of it.” Let him.

Read more Facing Your Giants: God Still Does the Impossible

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

From social media to tricky relationships – how can parents help their teens bring clarity to a world of confusion? Professor and apologist Dr. Sean McDowell brings hope to a lonely, spiritually hungry generation – and you can too!  

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Forgiveness is not foolishness. Forgiveness, at its core, is choosing to see your offender with different eyes.

By the way, how can we grace-recipients do anything less? Dare we ask God for grace when we refuse to give it? This is a huge issue in Scripture. Jesus was tough on sinners who refused to forgive other sinners. Remember his story in Matthew 18 about the servant, freshly forgiven a debt of millions, who refused to forgive a debt equal to a few dollars? He stirred the wrath of God: “You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt. Shouldn’t you have mercy just as I had mercy on you?” (Matthew 18:32-33 NLT).

In the final sum, we give grace because we’ve been given grace. And we’ve been given grace, so we can freely give it. See your enemies as God’s child and revenge as God’s job.

Read more Facing Your Giants: God Still Does the Impossible

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.