Faith

The Power of God’s Grace in Everyday Life

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Grace is one of Scripture’s most comforting themes—God giving what we could never earn yet desperately need. It meets us in weakness, steadies us in hardship, and points us to a hope that rests entirely in His character.

Paul writes that we are “saved by grace… not of works” (Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV), grounding our relationship with God not in performance but in His generosity. This grace isn’t abstract; Titus reminds us it “hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11, KJV), showing that God initiates reconciliation. When we stumble, grace restores. When we strive, grace steadies. When we fear, grace reassures.

Grace also reshapes how we live. Romans teaches that “sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14, KJV). This isn’t permission to drift but power to walk uprightly. Grace liberates us from the endless cycle of trying to prove ourselves. It replaces spiritual exhaustion with a steady dependence on God’s sufficiency. The writer of Hebrews urges believers to “come boldly unto the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV), illustrating grace as both access and invitation.

Even in suffering, grace remains. God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, KJV). This shifts our perspective—weakness isn’t failure; it’s a doorway where God’s strength becomes most visible. Grace doesn’t remove hardship, but it transforms our endurance, giving meaning and stability where human resolve would collapse.

Takeaway: Grace is God’s unearned, transformative gift that rescues, strengthens, and reshapes the believer’s life.

— Terrence Burton

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

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In every age, God’s people have wrestled with the same question: Who really rules the world? Scripture answers with unwavering clarity—despite human chaos, divine sovereignty stands unshaken.

The Bible continually reveals a God who governs with wisdom, justice, and mercy. From creation’s first breath to the unfolding of prophecy, the Lord shows Himself as the One who holds all things together. His sovereignty is not distant or cold—it is deeply personal, guiding those who trust Him through valleys and victories alike.

God’s sovereignty is anchored in His identity. “The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all” (Psalm 103:19). This rule is not abstract but active. He directs kings and nations (Proverbs 21:1), sustains creation itself (Colossians 1:17), and works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Even when human eyes see disorder, the Word assures us that nothing escapes His knowledge or power.

Understanding divine sovereignty reshapes how we navigate daily life. It steadies us when circumstances shift, reminding us that our steps are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). It strengthens our prayers, knowing we speak to the King who is both mighty and near. And it humbles our hearts, calling us to trust His plan even when we cannot trace His hand.

Takeaway: God’s sovereignty is not just a doctrine—it is a daily anchor that holds when everything else shakes.

-Terrence Burton

COMPONENTS OF PRAYER

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Suppose you want to bake a cake. First, you will decide what kind of cake that you want to bake. You will find a recipe that matches the cake you desire to have. Then you will get the ingredients together. You will then follow the steps in the recipe in order so that you can properly bake whatever the given cake may be.

Have you considered that there are ingredients or components to prayer. Now as with a cake, there are some ingredients that you add in or take out based upon the type of cake you are making, likewise with prayer. There are some basic ingredients or components that should be a part of every prayer. Also, there are some components that are not necessary for every “kind” of prayer.

Below I’m going to list 3 basic ingredients of prayer.
1) Desire
2) Faith
3) Prayer

DESIRE
Now each of these ingredients serve a particular role. Let’s begin with “desire.” Desire is the thing that you want. It is the thing that you want to come to pass. If you are praying for a relationship, then the desire is the mate. If you are praying for a job, then the job is the desire. That ingredient is rather simple to understand. You have to first want the thing that you are praying for.

FAITH
The second listed ingredient is “faith.” This ingredient may be a little more complicated to grasp, but you can get this. Belief has to do with what you think to be true regarding your current relationship with your desire. Using our previous example of the desire being a relationship, do you think that you have the relationship? Do you think you will have the relationship some time in the future? Do you think you will never have the relationship?

Let’s evaluate each of these questions and eliminate the incorrect answers one by one.

Do you believe you will never have the relationship?
Does this question match faith? I think we can easily answer this one “no.” It is obviously not an example of faith.

Do you believe you will have the relationship some time in the future?
This question appears to be a match for faith. However, this is not an example of faith either. This is not bad, but it is an example of hope, not faith. The reason this thought is not an example of faith is because it puts the desired thing into the future. Future is always tied to hope. However, faith is always tied to the present. Allow me to explain.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mark 11:24

In this verse, notice what Jesus said must be believed. He said “that ye receive them.” He didn’t say believe that you are going to received them. You have to believe that you receive it at the point of your prayer. The mistake that is often made is postponing belief until after the thing has happened or believing that God will do the thing at some unknown time in the future. However, the promise is tied to believing you are receiving it now.

Do you believe that you have the relationship?
Therefore, of the 3 questions, this is the one that matches faith. Biblical faith is accepting as true the desired thing as yours prior to your senses indicating it is so. Otherwise, you are not in faith. So in order to be in faith for your relationship, you have to accept as true in your heart that you have the mate even without that person physically in your life. Belief that the thing is so precedes manifestation in order for it to be faith.

PRAYER
Following our cake baking analogy, where does prayer fit in? Prayer is the bowl that you use. Prayer is the container in which you mix desire and belief. Prayer basically means to ask. We have come to understand that prayer is communication with God, or fellowship. So when we look at it from the standpoint of asking. We simply ask for what we want and believe it is already done while we are praying.

IN CONCLUSION
Make this lesson apply to you. Think of something that you would like to happen in your life. Mix your desire and faith in your heart and ask the Father for it. You will be amazed with the results that will follow.

PRAYER: RELATIONSHIP MATTERS (PART 4)

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But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 1:12

John 1:12 – Understanding Our Relationship with God Through Jesus

In previous discussions, we explored the nature of God the Father. This time, we’ll delve into our identity and relationship with God through Jesus, examining the impact of this relationship on our contributions to the world.

Defining ‘Sonship’ and ‘Father’

To fully appreciate this lesson, let’s define ‘son’ or ‘sonship’ and ‘Father.’ ‘Sonship’ implies being a ‘builder,’ while ‘Father’ signifies a ‘Source.’ These definitions reveal God’s role as our Provider and our duty as builders, utilizing what we receive from the Father.

The Crisis in America: A Severed Bond

The weakening bond between father and son in America presents a significant issue. This severed connection leaves sons without guidance, hindering their ability to contribute effectively to society. This concept is mirrored in nature, where a fruit or a tree disconnected from its source soon perishes, losing its ability to thrive or reproduce.

The Role of Faith

Our connection to God is forged through faith, particularly faith in Jesus Christ. This faith is the cornerstone of our walk with God.

Habakkuk 2:4 and Galatians 3:11 emphasize two key points: living by faith and the impossibility of justification by law alone in God’s sight.

Faith emerges as a crucial theme in the Bible, further underscored by Hebrews 11:6. Without faith, pleasing God is impossible, regardless of moral conduct. Faith is integral to every aspect of our relationship with God, with its absence marking a deviation from His path.

Conclusion: Our Contribution to the World

Returning to our analogy of the apple tree: Just as an apple tree nourishes others with its fruit, believers, rooted in faith, produce qualities that nourish the world. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) are fruits we offer to those around us.