Philippians 1:3-6

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:3-6

So many times sincere believers feel anxious about where they stand in life. How do I know that I’m in God’s will? How can I be sure that I haven’t missed something along the way? Paul assures the Philippian church and the church today that God is ultimately in control. He is able to hold us to Him better than we are able to hold onto Him.

Today’s commentary by:

Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

This scripture is just what I needed to hear today.  I do hope he is holding on to me at the times that I don't know what I'm holding onto, I'm just holding on, hoping I'll only fall into the cup of his hand when I surely fall.  We are waiting for some big and important news right now, but it's just not going very fast, just not happening  and we are holding on, waiting to see what his will is.  Will we be happy when we get it?  Are we rushing the decision for nothing? 

Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. – Romans 4:4-5

This cuts us to our core. If we were honest, we want to work for our righteousness. We like the feeling of accomplishment as we figure out how to be in right standing with our boss, our spouse, or our friends. But the gospel tells us something very demeaning: we are not smart enough, strong enough, or good enough to be in right standing with God. This insults our intelligence, but maybe that’s the point. Maybe the gospel is not about our abilities, but God’s mercy. If the doorway to righteousness is humility, then this righteousness becomes available to any who are willing to receive. It is an equal opportunity message. It is also an equal opportunity revolution, for the gift that God gives has the power to change us in ways in which we can’t change ourselves.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

This hits me right at my core.  I'm a checklist girl.  But, I can't earn enough checks, I can only  allow the blood to keep me in righteousness.  So very humbling.

Mark 5:30-31

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’” – Mark 5:30-31

We may react to Jesus question in the same way as the disciples. Then we find out that a woman, who was ceremonially unclean and therefore not supposed to touch anyone, had risked death to come and touch Jesus. God the Father was making a statement. Maybe the crowds saw Jesus as a great teacher, but this woman saw something more. When her uncleanness met Jesus, she was no longer unclean. Jesus was greater than her defilement. He was greater than her fear. To approach God in prayer when we feel unclean, weak and fearful is an act of faith that can cleanse and heal us as well. This woman knew that Jesus was greater than all of her issues. Do we see Jesus in the same way?

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Psalm 119:37

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. – Psalm 119:37

This Scripture has more importance in our day than ever. How we guide our eyes in a visual age makes all the difference to the well being of our souls. Worthless things surround us. The sensuality of this culture is so obvious that it doesn’t need much explanation. But there are many worthless things that are not so obvious. How many hours have we wasted on the internet? Look at our habits when we have a television remote in our hand. What did it take to get to the 42nd level in that video game? Many times the key to cultivating the best in us does not occur during the work week, but how we handle our leisure time. To make God’s words a priority during our down time will preserve our lives from worthless distractions.

John 1: 12-13

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. – John 1: 12-13

Many times we talk about our experience with God in terms of our decision. But the Bible places that moment in a rich context – we were brought to that point of decision by the will of God! There is a mystery here: we decided to follow Jesus because God gave us the right to decide. In no way could we create that right ourselves! This places us squarely dependent upon the God from whom all blessings flow. That dependence positions us as a child, and therefore an heir, to all that our heavenly Father has to give us.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about God and our own will.  We wouldn't BE without God so of course, he had to GIVE us the free will we use to choose.  So, the right to decide had to be granted and the choice had to be given.  My finite mind barely grasps this concept of "free will" versus "God's Will."   I prefer to follow under his law and so I choose to obey His will.  I could choose to not follow His law, but then He gave me that choice too.  

Joshua 3:5

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” – Joshua 3:5

The word “consecrate” means “to set ourselves apart”.  Are we willing to believe that God will do amazing things among us if we set ourselves apart to be ready for it?

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