Your Story Ends in Victory

Your Story Ends in Victory TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16, NLT. TODAY'S WORD: In difficult times, you have to remind yourself that nothing is a surprise to Almighty God. He’s not up in the heavens scratching His head, saying, “Oh, man, he got laid off. That messed up everything.” “Oh, she was diagnosed with cancer.” “Joseph was thrown into a pit.” “Joel lost his father. Now what am I going to do?” No, God knows the end from the beginning. He has already written every day of your life in His book. The good news is that if you will stay in faith, your book ends in victory. The next time you face an unexpected challenge, remember, it’s no surprise to God. He already has the answer, the provision, the healing you need. Keep standing, keep praying, keep hoping and keep believing that your story isn’t over until your story ends in Victory! PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father, thank You for the strength I need to overcome in every area of my life. I know that You hold the days of my life in the palm of Your hand. I believe that You have equipped me with everything I need for spirit, soul and body in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PS...

Show Some Grace

by Rick Warren

“Love never stops being patient.” 1 Corinthians 13:7a (GW)

No relationship will make it without grace. This is part of lasting love! You’ve got to cut people some slack. You’ve got to let things go.

The Bible says, “Love never stops being patient.” 1 Corinthians 13:7a (GW). The Message paraphrase of that verse says it “puts up with anything.” The New Century Version says it “patiently accepts all things.” And the New Jerusalem Bible translation says it is “always ready to make allowances.” You have to allow for mistakes.

The word in Greek that says it’s “always patient” is the word that literally means “covered with a roof.” Would you buy a house without a roof? Of course not. You’d have no protection from the winds and the rain. A roof covers and protects your home.

In the same way, a patient, gracious love covers a relationship and lets some things slide. Why is this so important?

Because you’re imperfect, and your spouse is imperfect. You’re imperfect, and your friend is imperfect. Two imperfect people will never create a perfect relationship. There’s no such thing as a perfect marriage or a perfect friendship, so stop trying to find one.

Romans 3:10 says, “There is no one who always does what is right, not even one.” The Bible also says, “If we say that we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth.” 1 John 1:8 (LB).

We have to extend grace to each other, because forgiveness is a two way street. You cannot receive what you are unwilling to give to other people.

If you’re going to have a love that lasts, you’ve got to learn to make allowances for the mistakes of others. That’s called grace.

Talk It Over

• What is the difference in approving of others’ mistakes and making allowances for their mistakes?
• From whom have you sought forgiveness? Have you also been willing to offer it to that person?
• How can you extend grace practically in your relationships today?