“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional  

Written by  Con Campbell  for “Our Daily Bread” @  http://odb.org

[Click on the “Listen Online” link and listen to the audio version, including the prayer at the end in the original link below]

Original post @ https://odb.org/US/2021/02/20/strengthened-by-grace

February 20

Strengthened by Grace

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1

Today’s Scripture & Insight:

2 Timothy 2:1–4

During the American Civil War, the penalty for desertion was execution. But the Union armies rarely executed deserters because their commander-in-chief, Abraham Lincoln, pardoned nearly all of them. This infuriated Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, who believed that Lincoln’s leniency only enticed would-be deserters. But Lincoln empathized with soldiers who had lost their nerve and who had given in to their fear in the heat of battle. And his empathy endeared him to his soldiers. They loved their “Father Abraham,” and their affection led the soldiers to want to serve Lincoln all the more.

When Paul calls Timothy to join him in “suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3), he calls him to a tough job description. A soldier is to be completely dedicated, hard-working, and selfless. He’s to serve his commanding officer, Jesus, wholeheartedly. But in reality, we sometimes fail to be His good soldiers. We don’t always serve Him faithfully. And so Paul’s opening phrase is important: “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (v. 1). Our Savior is full of grace. He empathizes with our weaknesses and forgives our failures (Hebrews 4:15). And just as the Union soldiers were encouraged by Lincoln’s compassion, so believers are strengthened by the grace of Jesus. We want to serve Him all the more because we know He loves us.

By:  Con Campbell

Reflect & Pray

How can the grace of Christ become a source of strength for you to serve Him? What does it mean for you to suffer for Jesus?

Dear God, please strengthen me in the grace of Christ that I may serve Him faithfully.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT are you “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

Picture credit:  https://www.google.com/search?q=image+2+tim+2%3A1&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwi27f_Mz_juAhUpl-AKHR15C04Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=image+2+tim+2%3A1&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoECCMQJzoCCAA6BggAEAgQHjoFCAAQsQM6BggAEAUQHlCNWFi53QFgyeEBaABwAHgAgAFHiAGED5IBAjMwmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=txUxYPa1Iamugged8q3wBA&bih=863&biw=1359&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS832US832#imgrc=UM8ASNqDKDejMM