Grace flows from the cross. 3/24/15

Day 83 - Reading the New Testament in one year.

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/Luke.2

Luke 2:1-24
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[b]), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”[c]

Supplied Life Devotional by Bill Freeman

March 24th  Grace flows from the cross

“For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” ROMANS 5:17
Standing upon Christ as our righteousness is the key to enjoying God as our source. The verse above shows the relationship between righteousness, grace, and life. Righteousness is the basic factor for grace to reign. In other words, the supply of grace to us is based on the righteousness of God demonstrated at Calvary. Grace flows from the cross. In Romans 5:17 grace is linked with righteous- ness. In verse 21 grace reigns through righteousness. Both verses reveal that grace flows out of righteousness and issues in life. Life is the goal. Life refers to God Himself ruling and reigning from within as the source of our living. Thus, grace, or supply, reigns through righteousness, that we may enjoy God Himself as the eternal life being our source.For our practical experience, it is important to know that grace does not come to us in a haphazard way. Our ability to stand in grace for God’s supply is solidly based on God’s righteousness at the  cross (Rom. 5:1-2). Grace is not without a basis. Even if God wanted to give us grace, He could not do it apart from righteousness. Because God’s character is one of righteousness, whatever He does is within the limits of His righteous nature and character. In our experience we do not need to be concerned about whether we are lovable or whether we have potential so that God would receive us. It has nothing to do with that. It has to do with this: Has God righteously dealt with all the sins of all men? First John 2:1 answers with a resounding Yes! — “My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

Pray Until Something Happens (PUSH)

A cure for the Ebola virus and the D-68 virus, Areyda, Ariel, Ariana, Cookie, Cy, Daina, David Turner, Debbie, Derithia, Heather, Mia, Marquis, Monig-get her voice back, Paul and Iyana, Robert, Peace for -Shirley and family, and Willie.

Health and Healing

Vonetta's mom and Willie

Support and Comfort

Praise Alert
Blanca is in rehab….improving.

National
Passengers in Westchester train wreck.

Conflict between citizens and  police officer. 

International

Israel and Palestine
Iraq

Syrians

Ukraine

Missing plane and passengers.
Missing Nigerian Christian girls.

Song(s) of the Day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd4qtmDGIWQ
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