Grace of God With Me

Date: March 6, 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 – 1 Corinthians 15:10

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

Listen for God’s Voice

Heavenly Father, we know that we don't deserve all the good things we have in life, but we're grateful for them anyway. Please help us to do our best every day and to use our talents to help others.

We believe that you give us the strength we need to do great things, even when we don't feel like we can. We promise to work hard and to always remember that it's because of you that we can accomplish anything. Please give us the wisdom to know what's right and the courage to do it. We want to make you proud and to bring goodness and light to the world. In Jesus name, Amen

Explore History – Who wrote it, when and to what audience? Key people in the story?

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians in the mid 50’s AD. Paul is remembering his ministry and the role that God’s grace has in his life.  He is telling the readers that he is who he is ONLY because of God’s grace and this his efforts to spread the Gospel would be meaningless without it. But he’s also emphasizes how important it is to do the hard work in carrying out God’s will.  

Study and Savor – Key Words

Grace of God: This phrase highlights the central theme of the scripture, which is that our abilities and successes come from God's grace rather than our own efforts.

I am what I am: This phrase is a humble acknowledgement that our identities and abilities are shaped by God's grace, and that we should not take credit for them ourselves.

Not without effect: This phrase suggests that God's grace has a tangible impact on our lives and work, leading to positive outcomes that reflect God's goodness.

I worked harder than all of them: This phrase is a reminder that even though our abilities and successes come from God's grace, we still have a role to play in working hard and putting in effort towards our goals.

Yet not I, but the grace of God: This phrase emphasizes the centrality of God's grace to our lives and work, and the idea that we should always be aware of our dependence on God for everything.

Summarize and Share

Whether you are new to this group, or if you’ve been here for a while, do you ever feel like you're not good enough to share God's word with others? Like you don't have the skills or knowledge to make a difference in someone's life? I want to encourage you to remember today’s verse and that it is God who is the true source of our strength and success.

This verse is a powerful reminder that we are who we are because of God's grace. We are not perfect, and we don't have all the answers, but we can still work hard to share the love of Christ with others. We have to rely on God's strength and guidance every step of the way, knowing that it is only through Him that we can make a difference in the world.

I personally love sharing God's word with all of you in this Facebook group. It brings me joy to see others grow in their faith and to know that God is using me to make a difference. But I also know that I can't do this on my own. I need God's grace to guide me, to give me the words to say, and to open hearts and minds to receive the message.

As followers of Christ, we are called to share His message of love and hope with others. We may feel inadequate at times, but we must remember that it is through God's grace that we can make a difference. We must work hard, but we must also trust in God's strength and guidance to lead us every step of the way. So, I encourage you to take a step of faith today. Share God's word with someone, whether it's through a conversation, a post on social media, or an act of kindness. Trust in God's grace to guide you and to use you for His purposes. Let's work hard to share the love of Christ with others, knowing that it is only through Him that we can make a difference in the world.

Bible Cross Reference

Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This verse is similar to 1 Corinthians 15:10 in that it emphasizes the importance of relying on God's strength and grace to achieve our goals.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." This verse speaks to the idea that our salvation and worth come from God's grace rather than our own efforts, a theme echoed in 1 Corinthians 15:10.

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 the idea that God's grace is enough for us even when we feel weak or inadequate, a sentiment echoed in 1 Corinthians 15:10.

Romans 12:11 - "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." This verse speaks to the importance of working hard and being diligent in our service to God, a theme echoed in 1 Corinthians 15:10 when Paul says he "worked harder than all of them." However, both verses emphasize that our efforts must be grounded in God's grace and strength rather than our own abilities.