FINDING FAVOR IN HIS EYES.....

“Your servant has found FAVOR in your eyes and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life.”
Genesis 19:19

There was a man named Lot in the Old Testament who was the nephew of the Patriarch, Abraham. Lot was a righteous man, according to 2 Peter 2:7, living in a very ungodly city called Sodom. The wickedness of the city was so great that God revealed to Abraham his plans to destroy it.


Abraham pleaded with God not to destroy the city if there be at least ten righteous people. Evidently, there wasn’t even ten righteous because God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah; however, God sent angels to rescue righteous Lot and his family. Lot and his two daughters were spared, yet his wife became a pillar of salt because she looked back (Gen.19:26). Lot spoke the following words to the two angels. “Your servant has found FAVOR in your eyes and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life.”


Lot’s response to the angels would sound something like this in today’s language: “I must really be special to you that you’d be so kind and spare my life.”


GRACE is a gift from God. We can’t earn it. Lot did NOTHING but receive God’s acceptance of him. God sent the angels to spare Lot’s family and mercy was extended. He was spared, not because he deserved it, but because of God’s kindness that he continually exercises on the earth even to this day. Shouldn’t our response to God be the same as Lot? How many times have we too been rescued by God, not counting our salvation experience which is in itself the highest form of Favor.


Thank-you Father that I, your servant, have found FAVOR in Your eyes and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life from destruction just like Lot. You’ve taken me out of the darkness and brought me into Your marvelous light (Col.1:13) not because of anything I’ve done to deserve it, but because of who YOU are.

UNDER GRACE......

“For sin shall not be your master,

because you are not under law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:14

When I was a child, I can remember times when my parents would say…. “now don’t touch that,” or “whatever you do, don’t do that.” The first thing I wanted to do was the very thing I was told NOT TO DO. Was I just a curious child or is there something more we need to see here?

The Apostle Paul said that when you’re under LAW, you’re mastered by sin. This means that when you’re given a list of do’s and don’ts without love’s influence, one can easily lean into rebellion because the thing you are focusing on is the law and not Grace. According to the NIV Commentary, the law will never be able to help you overcome your sin nor will it justify your actions.

When we begin to understand the love that our Father has for us and we respond to His love, we no longer desire to go against Him by doing things that would displease Him. When you are settled in the love of the Father, you will desire only what your Father desires. You’re not thinking --- oh I can’t do that because it’s a law I have to obey.

Sin no longer is your master. God is. Having God’s GRACE, which is His divine influence upon our heart reflected in our life causes us to rest in His love for us. We no longer have to do things to make God love us or refrain from doing things to make Him love us more.

Living under GRACE does NOT mean we won’t ever sin, but it does mean that when we do sin, we are focused not on trying harder next time, but thanking God for forgiving us and cleansing us and embracing us in our weakness.

Thank you Lord for your GRACE that removes sin as my master.

Justified freely by His GRACE....

Many years ago, as a young driver, I had a heavy foot. One day, I acted very irresponsibly and consequently was cited for driving too fast in a school zone. I was devastated over what I had done and worse yet, what would my father do and say? My next thought was, “how am I going to pay this fine?” My father did not take pity upon me nor did he offer to pay my ticket. He was very disappointed with my actions and offered no quick remedy to my situation. I had to take full responsibility for my actions which was a lesson I needed to learn. As difficult as it was, I found a way to satisfy the debt.


In contrast, there is a man named Jesus who took pity upon me and my sin and 2000 years ago, he died on a cross, shedding his innocent blood because he knew I had no way of getting out of this debt I owed. His blood was the ransom that set me free for all the offenses and consequences of a life of sin against God. He did this out of extreme loving- kindness towards me and the whole world. He didn’t put shame upon me even though I deserved it for all that I would ever do in my life that was against him. He paid my fine. It’s like right across my forehead …. the words “NOT GUILTY” are forever engraved.

If that wasn’t enough, he further made sure there would never be a ticket with my name on it filed in some drawer somewhere. No… he destroyed all evidence of crimes committed by me. He paid everyone’s fine out of his sacrificial love for mankind.The amazing thing is that now I’m in right standing with God - the place God always wanted me to be. Sin no longer separates me from my Creator and loving Father.


This too can be your testimony if you have accepted this pure gift (GRACE) from God the Father to the world.

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his GRACE through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus….” Romans 3:23

Grace.... to say no to ungodly passions

Referencing Titus 2:11, this Grace - which brings joy, pleasure, delight, good will, and loving-kindness is from God. Even on those days when we feel like we’ve been “good,” let’s give credit where credit is due. All praise be to God’s GRACE which operates through us on a continual basis if we are filled with His Holy Spirit for the purpose of living to glorify God.

God actually influences souls and turns them to Christ. Yes, that‘s right. We don‘t even come to God without his wooing us. God‘s desire is in keeping, strengthening, and increasing his children in Christian faith.

He increases our knowledge, affection, and kindles our hearts to exercise Christian virtues. God’s divine influence upon our heart, reflected in our life, has appeared to us all --- male and female ---- all races. Not all have responded, but for those who do, God’s Grace is like a teacher instructing us how to live a life pleasing to God. When we trust God’s gift of Grace more than we trust our human will, we will be more than a conqueror over ungodliness and worldly passions.

Thank You Lord for this gift of Grace that teaches and trains us to live a life that is pleasing to you.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled upright and godly lives in this present age…“ Titus 2:11-14