#35 God's gift is free

"...and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24

We have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23), so therefore, we all deserve death. But we can be justified-declared innocent or guiltless, through God's free gift through the death of Jesus Christ. We are not innocent, we all deserve death, and we cannot get rid of this sentence on our own. We can't do anything, we've been sentenced for life in prison with no bail. But Jesus steps in for us, and takes our sentence. We are definitely guilty, we deserve the sentence, but Jesus, who is innocent and guiltless, steps in to take our place. This is the only way we can be justified--by Jesus stepping in for us.

Lord, thank You for taking my place. Thank You for stepping in to serve my sentence, to give me a chance at life. I didn't and don't deserve it, but thank You anyway.

#34 We're not being tested by the law

"Therefore, no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." Romans 3:20

Our life is not a big test, where God will go through what we've done, and how we've acted, and if we've followed every law, and not stumbled, we will "get in" to heaven. How sad of an existence is that? Unfortunately, many Christians believe this, that God is some revengeful God, out to catch us doing wrong, slipping up on one little thing. Paul says that NO ONE will be declared righteous through the law. No matter how hard we've tried to do right, that will NOT make us righteous. The law is there to help us become conscious of sin. It's there so we can identify sin. What is sin? Transgression of the law. So how would we know what sin is, if we didn't have the law? It's not some heavy burden put on us, it's something to help us. Why do we have laws in the world? To protect us. That's what God's law does too--protects us.

Lord, thank you for your law. Thank you that it's not some heavy burden you put on our shoulders, but instead, something to protect us.

#33 I'm not the judge

"...for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself..." (Romans 2:1). God doesn't ask me to be the judge of other people. In fact, he discourages it. If I judge others by some lofty standard, I am going to be judged by that same standard. And in many cases, that thing that the person is doing that I think is terrible, I may be doing it myself!! How, then, do I have any basis for judging them? I don't!!I am a sinner just like every other person. The only difference may be my relationship with Jesus. THAT is what I need to concentrate on. THAT is what my focus needs to be on, not on what the other person is doing.

Lord, please help me to not be the judge of others. I may take on that roll at times, but I really don't want that position. It's all yours. Please remind me of that fact and keep my focus on you and not on what other people are doing.

#32 The Gospel is not something to be ashamed of

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16).

In the words of Paul, the gospel is not something to be ashamed of. It is not something to hide, something that you don't want to talk about in case you might offend something. If someone finds out I'm a Christian, "one of those people", it is not something to make excuses for. It is something to be proud of, to shout from the rooftops. This world is full of sin, Romans 1:29-31 is a good list of the awfulness of human nature. But through Christ, we can become something else, something much better. I need to wear the gospel as a badge of honor. "Yes, I am a Christian, and Jesus Christ is my personal savior. Would you like to learn more about Him? Let me tell you about my Friend..."

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#31 The Bible

While it hasn't been easy, and I've really struggled in some cases, I finally did it... I read the whole bible. The Life Journal, while somewhat uninspiring towards the end, has helped me to do it. I now need to find some other type of study, in order to remain in the bible and seek to know Jesus better every day.

"Dear Lord, help me to yearn for your word. Help me to desire to read it every day. Put a new light to it, make it exciting and life changing. Thank you, amen. "

#30 Not having to have all the answers

Reading Job has taught me that I don't have to have all the answers. Job was complaining about all the things that were happening to him, and pondering the question "why do bad things happen to good people" like so many of us do. Then God speaks through a storm and proves to Job that HE is in control, everything that has happened on this earth HE created, HE formed, HE is in charge of. Job finally responds with "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." (Job 42:3). Some things we aren't meant to understand, aren't meant to know. We don't have to have all the answers. We can just rest in the knowledge that God does.