Be Strong in Grace
Date: March 17, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study and savor
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
Bible Scripture Verse – 2 Timothy 2:1
"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
Listen for God’s Voice
Heavenly Father, Thank you for your grace that is in Christ Jesus. I pray that you would help me to be strong in that grace, and that it would be visible in my life at all times. Give me the strength to resist temptation and to stand firm in my faith, even when it's difficult. Help me to trust in your promises and to find my hope in you alone. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Explore History – Who wrote it, when and to what audience? Key people in the story?
Just like yesterday’s verse, this book was written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy, who was serving as a pastor of the church in Ephesus, but this was his second letter to him. Paul was mentoring Timothy and encouraging him to be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ. He’s reminding him that the source of his strength is not in himself, but in the grace of God that is available through Jesus.
Study and Savor – Key Words
"You then, my son": Paul is addressing Timothy, whom he considers to be like a son to him in the faith.
"be strong": Paul is encouraging Timothy to be spiritually strong, not in his own strength, but in the grace that is available through Christ Jesus.
"in the grace": This is the source of Timothy's strength. It is not in his own abilities or accomplishments, but in the grace that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
"that is in Christ Jesus": This explains that the grace Timothy is to be strong in comes specifically through a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not a generic concept of grace, but rather the grace that is found in Christ alone.
Summarize and Share
Today, just like in the days of Timothy and Paul, we face a lot of challenges that require us to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. We live in a world that is constantly changing, and it can be so easy to get swept up in the chaos and uncertainty that is around us. That is when it is crucial that we remember that our strength does not come from ourselves, but from the grace of God which is available through our faith in Jesus Christ.
But there are many times that we don’t feel strong, right? So how can we be strong in the grace of Christ? If you are here, listening to me, reading the scriptures, and writing in your journal, you’re already on the right track. We need to be building a strong relationship with Him by spending time in prayer, studying His Word and seeking His will for our lives. When we do this, then we are better equipped to face the challenges that most will certainly come our way, and we’ll be able to face them with a sense of peace and confidence that comes only from God.
There is so much pressure to conform to the values and beliefs of the world around us. It’s tempting to compromise our faith in order to fit in, or avoid conflict. But as Christians, we need to stand firm in our convictions and to be a light in the darkness. And to do that, we need to be strong in the grace of Christ and to trust that God will give us the courage and wisdom we need to live out our faith in a world that is actually pretty hostile.
There are many others out there that are struggling and need encouragement, and we can help by offering to listen and provide an ear in a very non-judgmental way, and just be a good friend. We can share our own experiences of God’s grace and strength in our own lives, and point them to the hope that is found in Jesus Christ, and we can pray for and with them.
So let’s all be strong in Christ’s grace and share His love to others so that we all can feel encouraged and have stronger faith.
Bible Cross Reference
Ephesians 6:10 - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." Like 2 Timothy 2:1, this verse encourages believers to be strong and steadfast in their faith, relying on the power of God.
Colossians 1:11 - "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience." This verse emphasizes the role of God's power in strengthening and empowering believers, much like 2 Timothy 2:1.
Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." This verse reminds us that our strength and ability to persevere come from Christ, who gives us the strength we need to face any challenge.
2 Corinthians 12:9 - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." This verse emphasizes that even in our weakness, we can rely on God's grace and power to sustain us and make us strong.