Today’s reading is Romans 3:1-4:25.

“No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20-21).

Over and over again the Bible stories make one strong point. God does what He promises. Abraham’s family became a great nation in the land He promised and He blessed all nations in Abraham’s seed through Jesus Christ. I need to remember that today. God is able and will do what He has promised me. I need to build my faith in that.

It appears one of the best ways to do that is to give glory to God. Today, I give glory to God for what He has done in my life, building my confidence that He will continue to work in my life accomplishing what He has promised–that I will be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-30).

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Romans 3:1-4:25. 

Romans 4:20-22 really struck me. “No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was counted to him as righteousness.”

I am 100% convinced by the greater context of this passage and others that anything amiss in my life will be overcome as I increase my faith in God and His working in the world and my life. When I keep thinking that victory will come from me trying harder, I always fall short. 

The question then becomes, how do I increase my faith. Obviously, I know Romans 10:17, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” But this passage provides another great practical suggestion for increasing my faith. Give glory to God. Abraham’s faith increased “as he gave glory to God.” 

The more I give God the glory, the more I acknowledge Him in all my ways, the deeper and stronger my faith will flow. As I give glory to God, I will become fully convinced He is able to do what He has promised and more fully convinced He will do what He has promised. The more convinced I am of that, the more I’ll keep my hand in His. 

What’s great is at that point, my faith is accounted as righteousness. As long as I’m simply trying to be more righteous on my own, I’ll fall short. When I put my faith in God, then I’ll be more righteous. Awesome.

***Question: What do you do to help increase your faith?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. Don’t forget that in addition to answering the question, we would love to hear what stood out to you about today’s reading. Have a great week.

Today’s reading is Acts 3:1-4:37.

When Peter and John came to the temple at the hour of prayer, a lame beggar asked for alms. Peter responded, “Look at us.” The text then says the man fixed his attention on Peter and John thinking he would receive something from them. However, he didn’t. He received something from God. Peter explained that they had no money. However, “In the name of Jesus Christ, of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” Acts 3:8-9 hold the key. Twice we are told the man was walking and praising God. He wasn’t praising Peter and John. He was praising God. Peter and John had focused his gaze away from themselves and on to God.

Then the crowds began to form. Notice Peter’s words: “Why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God ofour fathers glorified his servant Jesus…And his name–by faith in his name–has made this man strong whom you see and know…” He focused the crowd’s gaze upon God. 

In both cases, the people looked at Peter and John as if they would give or had given something. In both cases, Peter and John directed the people’s gaze toward God. He is the one that should be praised and worshiped. Peter and John were just men, vessels through whom God worked. That is all. 

This is true for us. We need to focus the gaze of those around us on God. Yes, we need to display our good works, but we should do so in a way that causes people to praise God, not us. When folks offer praise to us, we should certainly be humbly thankful, but we should acknowledge God’s work in our lives so that others may praise God as well.

***Question: How can we focus others’ gaze on God instead of ourselves?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. You don’t have to just answer the question. Please, share with us what you got out of today’s reading.

Today’s reading is Luke 1:1-2:52.

In Luke 1:25, Elizabeth praised God, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

In Luke 1:46-49, Mary praised God, saying, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is might has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

In Luke 1:68-69, Zechariah praised God, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David…”

Luke begins with a litany of praises. God is worthy of that praise. He has done great things. He has brought us salvation. He did work the plan, despite man’s attempts and Satan’s attempts the thwart Him. 

As Luke began His book, we should begin our days, praising God for His greatness, mercy, and benefits.

***QUESTION: What great things has God done for you that cause you to praise Him?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC