August 9, 2017

“You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ! And I greet you now with all the generosity of God our Father and our Master Jesus, the Messiah.” Romans 1:6-7 The Message

You are who you are because of Jesus and everyday greets you with the generosity of the Father’s love. He doesn’t hold back because of how you feel .. how you “performed” yesterday .. or how long its been since you’ve really soaked your life in His presence. How’s that for generosity? And amazing still is the supply of His love and life that He wants to pour through you today. Does it ever feel like you are faking it? Then stop .. turn your heart .. your head .. and even your whole life towards this Jesus. It’s certainly not his plan for you to step into this day devoid of knowing His love and living on the outside. Loving deeply may cost you something today. You may not be noticed for how well or deeply you love. You may even be rejected for trying to do good for another life. You may be treated like a “servant” .. someone who is dismissed or rarely acknowledged. Your Father sees. Jesus knows exactly how you feel being brushed aside with such burning truth in your heart. Evil doesn’t alway appear as something dark and destructive. It’s often content simply to divert your life away from leaning on Jesus for today. Living out of your own strength always leaves you vulnerable. With Christ your supply runs deeply out of the Father’s scandalous generosity. There is somebody in your path today that needs to be loved deeply. You are who you are because of Jesus and that is a great gift to give away. It only takes a moment …

“Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.” Romans 12:9-10 The Message

Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent to Second Fiddles tuned by the Master (kchesterp1@gmail.com)