Above Only Daily Devotional http://cgmglobal.org/aboveonly Wednesday, FEBRUARY 7 Grace and Good Works

Above Only Daily Devotional
http://cgmglobal.org/aboveonly

Wednesday, FEBRUARY 7

Grace and Good Works

1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (New Living Translation)
For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I'm not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God's church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

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Notwithstanding how anointed and filled with God's grace we are, if we fail to work fervently and diligently, our lives will be devoid of fruit and results; not because God did not give us the ability, but because we did nothing with the ability He gave us. In the New Living Translation, Romans 12:11 says, “never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” Of His fullness, we have received grace upon grace (John 1:16). We have received all manner of grace. We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. God is always at work in us (Phil.2:13) and He wants us to co-operate with Him to do good works so that His Name can be glorified in and through our lives. In John 5:17 (GNB) Jesus said, my “… Father is always working and I too must work.”

One major reason why God makes His grace abound towards us is so that we can abound in good works or abundantly engage in good works. 2Corinthians 9:8 declares, “and God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” In this passage, Apostle Paul was specifically referring to giving, but good works are not limited to giving. Good works range from praying, studying and fellowshipping with God, to giving and showing love to others, to forgiving others, to speaking the right words, to controlling yourself, to walking in truth and righteousness, to being excellent in all that you lay your hands to do, to preaching the gospel, healing the sick and to manifesting God's love and power. We can do all things through Christ's strength in us!

FAITH DECLARATION: I am not lazy. I am zealous, fervent, hardworking and diligent with the grace God has given me.

BIBLE IN A YEAR READING PLAN: LEVITICUS 1-3; MATTHEW 24:1-28

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