Ministry class (3)

Ministry Class

365 Days with Calvin (9 October: Regarding the Gift of God (Ephesians 2:8–9))

9 OCTOBER

Regarding the Gift of God

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8–9

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Acts 4:1–14

Let us humble ourselves before God, both for what is past and also for what is to come. For what is past, let us acknowledge that God has plucked us out of the pit of hell, and that though we were by nature damned, he has deigned to have us as his children. Let us glorify him as he deserves and assure ourselves that he has pulled us back from death so that the beginning, source, root, and only cause of our salvation is his free goodness and grace. In effect, it is a mark of true humility to give all the glory of our salvation to God.

For that which is to come, we should know that we cannot stir one of our little fingers to do any good unless we are governed by God and receive good works at his hand and from his Holy Spirit.

As often as we feel our own weakness, let us flee to him for refuge. When we have done any good, let us not be puffed up with any pride, but let us regard ourselves as so much more bound to God. He that is very weak must confess himself exceedingly indebted to God’s mercy for supporting him, but he that excels above others and is a mirror of all holiness must confess that he is even more indebted to God.

Why? He has nothing of his own but holds all things from God. Therefore, let us throughout life walk in such a way that we may from year to year, from month to month, from day to day, from hour to hour, and from minute to minute continually acknowledge ourselves indebted to God for the goodness he has given us through his pure mercy. [ Ezekiel 33:1-6 ] And let us know that we hold all things from him.

FOR MEDITATION: The essence of the Christian faith is to find salvation in another, namely, Jesus Christ. As soon as we cease to give all the glory to him, or begin to think that we had anything to contribute to our own salvation, we stray from the gospel. Sadly, our hearts are constantly inclined in this direction. But wonderfully, we cannot lose our salvation as a result of these thoughts, for we are saved by grace; yet we must fight against them today and pray daily that we may live to his glory alone.

Note: When I was at LMBC, I was looking to much at Pate.

Statement: Your seeing some things in church will mess you up with God........

Genesis 6:6 (KJV 1900)

6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

1 Samuel 15:34–35 (KJV 1900)

34 Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Question: Do you think the Lord has REPENTED over you ?

Note: Just look at the life of Saul............