Grace For The Journey

Everyone who has been involved in sports, music, or other fields of interest like these, knows the importance of practice.  Contrary to the old homily, practice never makes perfect, but it certainly helps make progress!  There is an important principle regarding practice which coaches and instructors attempt to instill in the minds of their students:

The way we practice will determine how we perform in the actual contest.

An individual or team who practices in a lackadaisical manner will not suddenly transform into a focused, powerful champion when the actual game or performance begins.

What is true in the practice of sports, music, etc.  is also true in the practice of spirituality – what some have called “practicing the presence of God.”  The way we practice the presence of God will determine how we perform in the life God has called us to live.

Paul made this crystal clear when he wrote in Galatians 6:14, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Practicing the presence of God begins and ends at the cross.

It is at the cross that we find . . .

• The meaning of life.
• The message of life, and
• The Master of life.

And because practice never makes perfect, we must continuously return to the foot of the cross, where grace renews us for practicing the presence of God.

So, what does it really look like when we are practicing the presence of God?  We are to “remind ourselves every day of the Gospel.”  This is the most important discipline in practicing the presence of God.  Sinners are the only ones in need of the Gospel.  So reminding ourselves every day of the Gospel continually reminds us of two incredibly important truths:

1. We are sinners.  Even the good works that we do are so stained by our sin as to be nothing more than “a polluted garment” in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6).
2. Our sins are forgiven.  When you practice the presence of God by reminding yourself daily of the Gospel, you reinforce this glorious truth – that God has removed our sins from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).

This gives you both the permission and the power to go on.

Only sinners who know they have been forgiven can continue practicing the presence of God, even in the presence of our own sin.

Practice was never intended to make perfect on

This side of the grave,

Only progress.

This is God Word … This is Grace for your Journey

… Rest And Rejoice In The Wonderful Truth!

Pastor Terry

Ephesians 4:7 – “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”