Blog Layout

God's Gifts

Andrea Lende • August 25, 2022

Romans 11:29 and 36

God’s Gifts


You can listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Gods-Gifts-e1mvjq9


Romans 11:29 and 36


For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]”


“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him [all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him]. To Him be glory forever Amen (so be it).”

                     


Paul writes about the fortunate gift of Jesus’ sacrifice given to the Gentiles because the Israelites rejected it.


He tells them, or us as the case may be, not to become haughty in receiving it or stand in judgement against the Israelites.


If God’s people would not have rejected Jesus, we would likely have not had the opportunity to receive Him as our Savior.


Paul also writes that God will make a way for the Israelites one day.


Not because of their deserving it, but because God promised it long ago.


And God is faithful.


He is faithful to all His promises.


His chosen people remain His chosen people.


We, as Gentiles, are fortunate to be grafted into His fold.


We can be thankful for God’s faithfulness to His people and to us.


He made a way for us to be His, and He will make a way for His chosen people to be His one day as well.


He doesn’t have to, but it is His plan.


And He won’t take it back.


Our passage assures us that once God gives a gift, He does not take it away.


Today I choose to lean into God and thank Him for choosing me to know Him now.


May you find that God is gracious and merciful to you and will cover your sins as He shows Himself glorious.



Daily Prayer:


O Lord, thank You for allowing us to be grafted into Your fold. Help us appreciate Your mercy in allowing us to be Yours even though this gift was intended for Your chosen people. May we be humble and thankful to You for making a way for us to be Yours, Lord. Keep us at Your feet accepting Your gift of mercy and grace. Don’t let us squander the benefits of Your mercy and grace, Lord. Help us intently follow You and allow You to continually mold and shape us. Bend our will to Yours, Father. May we be obedient to You and serve You as You ask of us. Help us bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing our prayer.


Answer: I AM the Great I AM, and I desire to give you mercy and grace.

Response: Unworthy of all You offer, thank You, most gracious and merciful Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This is a picture of a dark background with the words: All Things New
By Andrea Lende December 30, 2022
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a picture of a blue background with the words: Using Words to Bless Others
By Andrea Lende December 29, 2022
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
This is a picture of a bamboo plant
By Andrea Lende December 28, 2022
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
This is a picture of a flying dove
By Andrea Lende December 28, 2022
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
This is the picture of the cross
By Andrea Lende December 27, 2022
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This is a picture of the manger scene
By Andrea Lende December 26, 2022
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
This is a picture of the manger scene
By Andrea Lende December 24, 2022
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
This is a Christmas picture with the words: God's Divine Plan
By Andrea Lende December 22, 2022
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
This is a picture of the manger scene
By Andrea Lende December 21, 2022
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
This is a picture of red Christmas balls and the words Merry Christmas
By Andrea Lende December 20, 2022
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.
More Posts
Share by: