By, Through, and Unto

As I was continuing reading my new bible, that I got as a Christmas gift, I was reading in the Book of Genesis about Noah and the ark. Many of us know the story but what I like about this bible, the Adrian Rogers Legacy Bible, is the article that he writes and then associates to a certain verse. Of course he wrote about Noah and the ark. But what I found interesting was how he tied it to grace, God's grace.

He begins by drawing a comparison of the time of Noah to today. The same sins that brought God's wrath back then he writes "have reached Heaven again." How true. Adrian Rogers wrote, "We stand on the threshold of imminent judgement and no one cares. We just yawn in the face of God." My friends I don't know about you, but I can see that today.

As I was reading in Genesis I got to Chapter 6 verse 6 and my heart sank. It states, "And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart." My friends do you honestly think He is any happier today?

Well, back to Noah. See Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, Genesis 6:8. As Adrian Rogers wrote, "in these dangerous days we need God's amazing grace, like Noah found." He also states, "God has only one plan of salvation from beginning to end, and that is grace." Nothing we do can save us, only by the grace of the Almighty God. I love how Adrain Rogers describes the word G-R-A-C-E, "God's Riches At Christ's Expense."

The article then went on to explain just how Noah was saved. By grace, through faith, unto good works. Noah found grace in the Lord, and through faith went into the ark. See Noah had to take that step of faith to get into the ark even though it wasn't raining. Adrian Rogers wrote, "Noah wasn't saved by doing good works. He was saved to do good works. So Noah was saved by grace through faith unto good works."

My friends when the Lord calls me home and He reaches out those loving arms and says, "Well done good and faithful servant", it's not what I did for salvation but what I have done after salvation. Salvation is a gift of grace through Christ Jesus. The "well done" is what you now want to do for Him. Thank You, Jesus!

As Adrian Rogers wrote, "There is an Ark of Safety for you today and His name is Jesus. "If you don't get on board, you're going down."

Throne of Grace

I was called to the Throne of Grace
for my life God wanted to review.
With His loving Son sitting by His side
God said, “what was done with the gifts I gave to you?”

It was for sure God knew the answers
to each question that He asked of me.
But He waited very patiently
for the answer I would give you see.

My body started to tremble
as I struggled with what to say.
I’ve heard this mentioned in many sermons
that the Pastor spoke of in so many ways.

Gifts like wisdom, knowledge, faith,
healing, prophecy and tongues,
my mind was searching frantically
what did I have, was it many or just one?

As I raised my head to answer
Jesus looked down from the throne above
He looked over to our Heavenly Father
and said, “Father this child is special because of his love!”

Remember the many wounded, lost and hurting
that so many others just let be?
Each and everyone you touched with love my child
you were actually touching Me!

E. P. Shagott

From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott