Edevotional

grace

Supernatural Generosity (2 Corinthians 8)

Cash

2 Corinthians 8:3 says:

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

How generous are you?

I imagine by the fact you are reading this (and so have online access) you are pretty wealthy by any current day or historical economic measure. I don’t want to discount the fact that you may be facing financial struggles right now. But what I do want to ask you, is how are you stewarding that which you have?

Paul writes of the Macedonian churches that they gave beyond their ability.

“Beyond their ability”. Ponder on that for a moment.

What would it look like for you to give “beyond your ability”.

In this case, to give beyond your ability points to going beyond what is naturally possible and into what can only be done with supernatural enabling.

These churches written about by the Apostle Paul went to end of their natural ability. And because they went to the end of their ability they were able, somehow, to go beyond it.

How is that possible? It’s not. Except with God all things are possible!

What I see hear is the work of God. By God stretching these generous people beyond their natural limits, it no longer becomes about us and our generosity. It becomes about God and HIS generosity.

In fact, such supernatural generosity can only be put down as a demonstration of the grace of God upon the lives of these people in ancient Macedonia. That is why Paul, using them as an example, implores others to “also excel in this grace of giving” (verse 7).

PRAYER: Father I thank you for your generous heart towards me. I ask for and receive your Grace upon my life to be able to give firstly faithfully what I am able, and then beyond that that others may be blessed and your name lifted up! Thank you for allowing me to partner with you! In Jesus name, Amen

God’s Love Covers Us (Genesis 3)

Garden of Eden

Genesis 3:21 says:

The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.

Adam and eve have fallen. They have sinned and fallen into temptation and now were facing the consequences of this, which were great indeed. The cost of this sin was a curse upon them and all that followed them, and so because of this their relationship with God was to never be the same again.

Yet, at this moment in the narrative we are told something astonishing.

He covered them.

This points us to a truth about the relationship God offers us today through Jesus Christ.

When we are tempted and fall into sin, when we feel the sharp pain of the curse, God still extends a way for us to be covered. Instead of shame, He covers us with His love and forgiveness. He doesn’t leave you hanging, left to work it out on your own. No! He provides a way that in your sin you can yet be covered. Wow!

God in the garden covered Adam and Eve with garments made from animal skins. In other words, something had to die for Adam and Eve to be covered.

So too, in Jesus there had be a death in order for us to be covered. Even though God extends His offer of grace, forgiveness and mercy in light of our fallenness and sinfulness, He also reveals to us that there is a price to pay for it.

In the case of Adam and Eve, it was the death of the animals. In the case of you and me, it is the death of Jesus. Justice is served, our sin and shame is covered and taken away, and our relationship with the Father is restored.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank you for your covering over me. I thank you that instead of my death that my sin deserved, you gave your Son to pay that price in my place. Father God, I thank you. I want to express my gratitude to you. I ask for your forgiveness. I receive your love for me. I cast off condemnation and commit to following you today. Amen.