Graceful Sustainer

CONSIDER
The extent of God’s blessings does not stop with the discovery of the divine treasure of salvation, for within the celestial cavern glows the continuing grace of God through Jesus Christ our Sustainer. Grace, practically understood, is the power to live supplied by God. Jesus literally gives us the capacity to live beyond ourselves. Specifically, He enables us to live beyond our fleshly abilities to be empowered by His divine nature. When our feeble flesh cries, “I can’t do this,” we can reach for His supply of grace and recognize that we do not have to face any issue in life with our meager capabilities.

BIBLE TRUTH

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. (Eph 4:11–13 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
The Scriptures teach that God is actively working to bring His children to completeness and fulfillment. The Christian’s life is abuzz with divine activity. Jesus is constantly involved with His disciples to bring each one to maturity. Grace is the all-encompassing biblical concept used to depict the process that starts with salvation and ends with perfecting us into the image of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
Lord, I am so grateful that you offer me to call on You when I am in trouble. I know You will rescue Me. In everything I desire to give You glory. . . . (Ps. 50:15)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)


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The Crisis of the Cross

CONSIDER
We may agonize as we witness the cruel death Christ suffered. But the anguish of the cross can be intimately observed in the Garden of Gethsemane. “He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me’” (Matt. 26:37–38 NLT).

BIBLE TRUTH

He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. (Luke 22:41–44 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
Jesus knew that when He became sin for us, His Father would not be able to be in a relationship with Him for that point in time because God can have no part with sin. The crisis of the cross was that Christ had to face the penalty of sin without God. So glibly we pummel through our day, striving to be independent, inconsiderate of the consequences. But Jesus knew the horror of facing even one minute without a relationship to God. He modeled a life that was totally dependent on God. The trauma of the tragedy was that He willingly sacrificed His relationship with the Father in order to be in a relationship with you and me!

PRAYER
Dearest Savior, who has believed Your message? You were despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. But we turned our backs on You and looked the other way. You were despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses You carried; it was our sorrows that weighed You down. You were pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. You were beaten so we could be whole. You were whipped so we could be healed. Lord, I don’t want to continue to be like the sheep that stray away. Don’t let me leave Your path to follow my own. Thank you that You paid for the sins of us all. (Isa. 53:1–6)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)


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So Much More

CONSIDER
God’s undeserved, limitless grace is available to address the core needs of the soul. Christ offers

Redemption from the
      •Domain of Satan
      •Domination of sin
      •Damnation to hell
      •Dictates of this present evil world

Resolution of
     •Guilt
     •Shame
     •Fear

Restoration to
     •Love
     •Joy
     •Peace

Reconciliation
     •To God
     •Through Jesus
     •By the Holy Spirit


BIBLE TRUTH

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. (Eph. 1:4–8 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
Unfortunately, when we consider God’s job in our lives, we think we are merely saved from hell and destined for heaven. But God has provided so much more for us. The salvation Christ offers is not merely for escape from hell, or membership in heaven. Rather, it is an invitation to a relationship with the living God! Through His great and precious promises He enables us to experience abundant life now and an eternal inheritance beyond comprehension.

PRAYER
God, Your grace has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. Enable me to follow Your instructions to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. Empower me to live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to You, while I look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. Thank You that Christ gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. . . . (Titus 2:11–14)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)


We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.

Born Again to Live Anew

CONSIDER
God looks into our lives and considers the trials and difficulties He foresees will come to us. He has already designed a master plan of how He will navigate us through the maze of trouble to ensure our arrival at His preordained destination. God deals with us right where we are, using the circumstances and problems we face to move us toward the likeness of Christ. God’s dynamic transforming process is set in motion through His grace as we act on His truth.


BIBLE TRUTH

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (Col. 1:11–14 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
God calls His children, and chooses all those who are willing to choose Him. As our Savior He purposed to free us from the bondage of sin that keeps us stuck in the mire. His gracious action was prompted by His eternal desire to be in an intimate relationship with His creation. The resulting freedom and union enables His child to live devoted to God and totally committed to doing good deeds.

PRAYER
God, I am so grateful that You knew Your people in advance. Thank You for choosing me to become like Your Son. In that way Christ will be the first and most honored among many brothers and sisters. . . . (Rom. 8:29)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)


We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.

God Is Our Savior

CONSIDER
God calls us to Himself because He loves us and desires an intimate and personal relationship with us. The righteous work of Jesus Christ provides the opportunity for us to choose salvation that results in communion with God. Jesus Christ pleased the Father by being the acceptable sacrifice in our place. Our sin natures separated us from a relationship with God, but Jesus did everything necessary to make the way for us to come to God. It is His work that makes us acceptable to God, not any particular formula of human design. Erroneously we believe it is our responsibility to appease God and become acceptable to Him. Perhaps we assume that by doing the right thing, saying the right thing, or doing “it” good enough we can gain entrance into a relationship with God.


BIBLE TRUTH

It pleased the Father to provide for our best interest through His redemptive work. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. (1 Peter 1:3–5 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
The two polar extremes that block dependency on Jesus are “I am not good enough” and “I am good enough.” The reality is that it is not about us—whether we are or are not good enough. It is about Christ and what He has accomplished. When we come to salvation, we are choosing to depend and rely on God in all areas of our lives.

PRAYER
Jesus, I believe that you died for everyone so that those who receive Your new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, You want me to live for You. You died and were raised for me. . . . (2 Cor. 5:15)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)


We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.

What Is God’s Job in My Life?

CONSIDER
A childhood adventure invited us to search for hidden treasures. With coded map in hand we attempted to calculate the incomprehensible wealth that could be obtained if we deciphered all the cryptic symbols. Somewhere along our journey we came to believe that our dreams could be satisfied by God; He would give us everything we wanted if we could just decipher all the cryptic symbols. The good news is that Christ has provided an incomprehensible treasure, but it is a treasure of His design, not necessarily a fulfillment of our wishes.

BIBLE TRUTH
“His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3 NASB).

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
The work of the cross enables us to inherit the riches of Christ if we accept His work on our behalf. His coffers overflow with abundant provision sufficient for every need as we are being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. A divine treasure spills over with inexhaustible wealth awaiting acquisition, and as God’s children we are heirs to His vast treasure.

PRAYER
God, thank You for the precious faith I have. I know this faith was given to me because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior. God, please give me more and more grace and peace as I grow in my knowledge of You and Jesus our Lord. I know that by Your divine power, You have given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know You. You are the one who called us by means of Your marvelous glory and excellence. And because of Your glory and excellence, You have given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable us to share Your divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. . . . (2 Peter 1:1–4)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)


We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.

God Is Trustworthy

CONSIDER
We are inclined to interpret God’s sovereignty as a concept akin to control; and we therefore assign expectations, anticipating protection from harassment, hurt, and harm. We then look forward to being prospered exponentially by being healthy, wealthy, and wise. However, God’s sovereignty is not accomplished through His being controlling; nor is it synonymous with control. God is sovereign but not controlling. We have trouble conceptualizing how God could be all-powerful and over all if He does not control all.

BIBLE TRUTH

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. (Rom. 11:33–36 NLT)

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
Control implies the necessity for others to cooperate in order for something to be brought to completion. Intimidation is also implied, insinuating that there is someone or something able to overpower the threatening interest. God accomplishes His plans regardless of any willing cooperation. He possesses ultimate authority over all the kings of the earth, the devils that roam the earth, and the will of humans upon the earth. But God does not need to control any of these interests to perform His plan. Therefore God can allow all to have free will, and still His plans will come to fruition.

PRAYER
Lord, I am confident that You began a good work in me. I am certain that you will continue Your work until it is finally finished on the day You return. . . . (Phil. 1:6)


(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)


We would love for you to POST A COMMENT about the insights you have received on your journey toward desperate dependency.