Shouts of GraceSample

The Word of His Grace

Acts chapter 20 describes the Apostle Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders. Now on his way to Jerusalem, having come to the end of his third missionary journey, Paul found himself being warned by the Holy Spirit that chains and suffering awaited him. He himself had concluded that perhaps he would die in Jerusalem, and so he began to bid farewell to his converts in Christ (Acts 20:25). In response, many who loved Paul began weeping and pleading that he stay away from Jerusalem. Paul, however, was determined to go.

All of us can relate to the heart-wrenching moment this must have been. But more importantly, Paul understood that if he was coming to the end of his life, it was imperative he leave those he loved with something that would guarantee their success after he was gone.

Up until that time, Paul played a central role in the lives of the believers by helping them to flourish in their relationship with God, understand what God’s will was for their lives, and overcome the challenges they faced. In Paul’s absence, those same needs and challenges would persist (Acts 20:28-30). Where would these believers go? What would they do? Who would they turn to in their time of need? It’s with this understanding that we should read his words to them in Acts 20:32. Please read them again.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what challenges you face, what you may feel you don’t understand, who may be against you, or what needs you have. God’s grace is sufficient to ensure your survival and victory.

Paul learned early on that it wasn’t his own strength or weakness that determined the final outcome of his endeavors. God’s grace would be the deciding factor and God’s grace was more than enough to get the job done on his behalf.

"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me"(2 Corinthians 12:9).

Hallelujah, that’s great news!

All of this begs the question: “Where do I access this grace?” We read that God’s word isn’t just God’s word. Paul described it as the word of His grace. In other words, it’s the word of God contained in the pages of Scripture that are full of grace and will deliver God’s grace to your life. It is the word of God that will build you up strong and cause you to lay hold of the possessions that rightly belong to you in Christ Jesus. It’s the word of His grace that will ensure the outcome that you desire, and that God has for you.

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of the soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

- Pastor Joseph Valcarcel

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You that Your word has great power and that it will bring me Your grace for every part of my life. I thank You that it will strengthen me so that I can overcome each challenge I face. I commit myself to You and to Your word in total surrender and submission. I ask that You would give me understanding as I read the pages of Scripture and that I would come to know You in a deeper and more intimate way.

Journal Directions

1. Find a Bible devotional or choose a book of the Bible you can turn to each morning before starting your day. Set aside that time as a sacred, non-negotiable time so God’s grace is never limited or interrupted in your daily life.
2. Enter into your journal which devotional or book of the Bible you will be reading through, what time and place each day, and why you chose that time.