We know that God rested from His works after the 6th day, and, in addition Jesus declared, “It is finished!”
John 19:30 - "Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."
The Apostle Paul pleaded with us to “labor to enter into Jesus’ rest, which is His finished work of the cross!” Jesus did it all, no doubt, but the Grace and favor of God has been with us from the beginning!
Genesis 39:4 - "So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge."
Jesus is the first and the last, the author and finisher of our faith, having provided everything we could ever need or want. He's been providing everything we need all along, going all the way back to Noah, Joseph, Daniel, Ruth, Mary the mother of Jesus, and many others.
Daniel 1:9 - "Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,"
What is yet to be determined is whether we, each one of us, will accept and receive God’s Grace, which is His FAVOR. What about you?
Acts 7:46 - "David found favor in God’s sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob."
Will we take the free gift of Grace and Mercy offered through the suffering and crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God?
Ruth 2:10 - "Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”
Grace looks like “goodness.” Try to imagine something that is pure, noble, beautiful, and selfless. Picture that goodness in your mind, and picture it as VERY GOOD.
Luke 1:30 - "The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God."
Then, realize that God is a zillion times BETTER than that. Seek the goodness of God like you seek air and experience the peace that Jesus had as He endured the cross, hell, and resurrection.
Luke 2:52 - "And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."
To learn more about God's Grace, please study and soak on the following Scriptures:
Romans 12:9 - "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good."
Romans 12:10 - "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;"
Romans 12:11 - "not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;"
Romans 12:12 - "rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,"
Romans 12:13 - "contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality."
Romans 12:14 - "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."
Romans 12:15 - "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."
Romans 12:16 - "Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."
Romans 12:17 - "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men."
Romans 12:18 - "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."
Romans 12:19 - "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord."
Romans 12:20 - “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head .”
Romans 12:21 - "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Colossians 1:2 - "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father."
Colossians 4:6 - "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."
1 Thessalonians 1:1 - "Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace."
2 Thessalonians 2:16 - "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,"
1 Timothy 1:2 - "To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
1 Timothy 1:14 - "and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus."
Titus 1:4 - "To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior."
Hebrews 12:15 - "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;"
1 Peter 1:10 - "As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,"
1 Peter 1:13 - "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 4:10 - "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
2 Peter 3:18 - "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
2 John 1:3 - "Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."
Acts 13:43 - "Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God."
Acts 14:3 - "Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands."
This week's Bible Study reflects and represents Clearivew's Guiding Principle #1, which is "I Will Love..."
MONDAY: The Grace Space
TUESDAY: Grace and Mercy Meet and Reflect God’s Love
WEDNESDAY: What Does Grace Look Like?
THURSDAY: What Does Grace Cost Us?
FRIDAY: Restoring Your Grace to Become Grace to Your World