Growing in Grace, part 3, Stumbling over the Stumbling Block

Maybe you’ve head about the Scriptures about being a “stumbling block”  and to abstain from certain things so that you’re not. But these Scriptures are often misused to encourage Christians (in the strongest way) to NOT do certain things. Frankly, it destroys their freedom. In fact let me suggest we stumble over what these stumbling block Scriptures are really all about. Find out in this devotional….

  Understanding the subtleties of how we move from wanting to honor and be obedient to God but ending up just like the legalistic Pharisees will help us identify and resist the temptation to become the very thing we (and Jesus) detest.  Grace cannot operate where self-righteousness exists.  

Are you growing in grace? Let me ask it another way, do you look at other Christians and think or say or point your proverbial finger and say, “they’re not doing this, or they should be doing that?  This is after all our natural tendency.  

Here is a frightening truth: when you call things sin, when they are not sin, then that in itself is sin. These next few weeks we will be covering what it means to grown in grace.  Check it out!

 Football season is upon us so I thought I’d use a metaphor from the game of football to express that the strength of our faith in God through Jesus Christ is like the O-line in football. And there are four ways to bolster your O-Line of faith.  Find them here in this devotional. 

God our “Shaper”

You are God’s workmanship.  You were “made,” “designed,” “crafted,” “formed,” and yes, “shaped,” by the Creator, the Master Craftsman, and the Potter. You were planned by God to be who you are, by Him and For him.  You are unique, special, and created for a purpose.  You are a “one of a kind.”  And by the way, God doesn’t make mistakes. 

Silent Agony 

 There are tons of people walking around with a silent agony….

They’re not really sure the source pain (or in denial about it). They know something’s wrong, they feel something’s missing, but don’t know what to do about it.  And, the people I’m talking about are not who you think they are.

 Everyone is looking for purpose and significance. We want to be somebody that makes a difference. But the awareness of, or the discovery of, or the certainty of their purpose for most people is elusive. 

So, how do you find God’s purpose for you?

HERE is the key: most people DISCOVER their purpose they don’t know their purpose. And God leads us Down the path of discovery, to ultimately find our purpose. 

 Two questions that can keep your spiritual life alive and well.  Two questions that “should be” asked when we get together, either on a one-on-one meeting or small group or even a family get together.  Why? Well, is there anything more exciting, more stimulating, more energizing, or more interesting than this? As a Christian I never get tired of hearing what God is doing in someone’s life and what God is teaching them.  Let’s do more of this….

Are you experiencing that exponential love that God has available to you or have you settled in and your spiritual life is simply “same ol, same ol?” 

There is so much available for you yet many simply Christians do not access the love of God that fills you, forms you, shapes you, empowers you, excites you, engages you, or enthralls you! There is no greater experience than to be  captivated by the love of God! Find out how (or what you’re missing). 

 We all have giants in our life and from time to time they press in on us and taunt us. The list seems to be endless:

-financial problems

-relationship problems: home, family, spouse, children, work: boss, associate

-health issues

-unaccomplished Goals and 

-loss of various kinds

The questions is: How do we come up against them? How can we slay our giants?