Grace Is Just: A Treasured Moments Devotional - Special Guest Post

Guest Post by Pastor Jimmy Pruitt: 

Grace is not fair. Grace is just. The new covenant in Christ reminds us that Jesus' finished work on the cross was enough. To submit yourself to a works mentality is to say to Jesus, "Thanks, but your death, burial and resurrection were not enough. I'm just not convinced. It just can't be that simple."

Rest in the justice of God's grace and know that when Jesus said, "Tetelesti" on the cross, he was not just being melodramatic. It is finished. The debt has been paid in full. Stop trying to pay for something that is already yours and by all means enjoy your walk with Christ today.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast." Eph 2:8-9

As always, thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog. May God's love for you overflow from your hearts and shine His truth like a bright shining beacon in a world filled with strife and affliction. May His peace and His joy flood your heart and spirit. May His strength sustain you in the days ahead, precious one. Amen! Always remember, you are His beloved child!

Blessings,
Kelly ~ God's Writer Girl

I want to thank my friend, Jimmy Pruitt, Pastor at Bethel Dallas in Dallas, TX, for allowing me to share his insightful and inspiring words with each of you today. If you live near his church and don't have a home congregation, I encourage you to visit Bethel Dallas.

Jimmy has been in ministry for over 29 years and has been involved in many facets of service within the local church environment as a youth pastor, worship pastor, minister of education, executive pastor and senior pastor.

Jimmy and his wife, Annette, have also been integrally involved in church planting, missions and ministry in the public sector. Jimmy and Annette have three children. Their oldest, Alesha, serves as the pastor of media and communications at Bethel World Outreach Church in Brentwood, TN. Their oldest son, Chris, is the lead pastor at City Life Church in Houston, TX. Rachel, their youngest, loves serving in all aspects of children's ministry.

Jimmy and Annette are also the founders of the Life Enrichment Center, a non-profit organization that has taken the message of abstinence to over 12,000 students in the public school system.

Jimmy attended Howard Payne University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Their vision as a family is to lead people to freedom and abundant life in Christ based on Acts 10:38, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." 

Links:
Bethel Dallas Website
Bethel Dallas Facebook
Bethel Dallas Twitter
Pastor Jimmy Pruitt Blog

Be Mine? A Treasured Moments Devotional

Did you open your Valentine last week? Everyone has received a very special gift and it can be opened not only on Valentine's Day but any day of the year. This gift isn't wrapped in fancy gift wrap or with sparkling bows. Instead, the gift came to Earth as a tiny vulnerable human baby born in a filthy enclosure with stinky animals, bedded on hay, and wrapped in old cloth. Yet, this gift has such priceless value as it offers each one of us not only an unconditional love that we cannot even begin to fathom the depth of but also bore the price of our sins so that we can spend eternity in Heaven's Glory. He was beaten, pierced with a sword, and hung upon a cross. His death was painful and Jesus suffered greatly for our sins. He chose to do so that we might have eternal life. What incredible love our Heavenly Father and His Son have for each one of us! God is asking you today, "Be mine?" How will you respond, dear one? Will you open the wonderful Valentine God has for you or will you discard this precious gift?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17

Father God,

Thank you for loving us so much that You would send Your only Son to die for our sins.Help each one of us to choose wisely as we consider this precious gift you have given each one of us. Draw us closer to you each day and help us to be good stewards of Your love.

In Jesus' name,
Amen!

Trust in God: A Treasured Moments Devotional

Place your trust in your Heavenly Father for He loves you so much more than you could ever imagine. He longs for you to call out to Him. He will guide your path and fill you with His hope, peace, love, and joy! No sin is too great that it will keep us apart from God. Only our pride prevents us from asking forgiveness and seeking God's mercy. Embrace God today and see the difference His love can make in your life. 

"In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant." Psalm 25:1,4-5,8-10

Living Faith: A Treasured Moments Devotional

One of the very first questions my sweet son asks everyone he meets is “Are you a Christian?” At 11 years old, he has such a passion for God that he longs for everyone else to experience His love as well. My son has decided what is most important to him. He doesn’t worry about rejection or social norms. He simply lives his faith out loud. I find myself wondering What would happen if we ALL had the courage to live our faith out loud, If we allowed our passion for God to shine through us in ALL that we say and do?

 

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

What do people see when they look at you? Do you project God’s grace and love? Do your words and actions match the faith you proclaim? I know what I want people to see when they look at me. I want them to see a person humbly broken and forgiven and relying completely on my Savior to be my everything. I want my words to be encouraging and healing. I want my actions to be kind and loving. I want people to see God’s goodness and grace shining through me when they look at me. I want to live my life as a living testimony of thanks to the one who gave His everything for me. I want to decide that loving God, being His beloved child, and sharing His hope are the most important things to me. I want to live my faith out loud. Will you live your faith out loud?

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:20-21

Father God, Thank you for being our everything! Help us to live a life that is pleasing to you. Help us to exemplify Your love, Your goodness, Your grace, and Your mercy in ALL that we say and all that we do. In the name of Your precious son, Jesus, Amen!

Do Not Be Anxious: A Treasured Moment Devotional

Jesus could walk on water but this chick-a-dee cannot walk on ice, which is currently covering every walking surface here in our area. :( Yuck! Had to reschedule my Dr. appointment for later in the week. Satan would like nothing more than to steal my peace and replace it with anxiety. Yet, that isn't what God desires for me. He wants me to turn to Him in prayer, to trust in Him, and to bask in His joy and peace. 

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

In the days ahead, I will rest in the comfort He provides. When Satan tries to attack, I will immerse myself in His word, spend time talking to God in prayer, ask my trusted, faithful friends to be praying, feed my soul with uplifting Christian music, lose myself in a good Christian book, and engage in a tickle fight with my son as laughter is great medicine. God didn't promise that life would be easy but He did promise to always be beside us. Be blessed, dear ones!

A Treasured Moment Devotional: Rest for the Weary

Despite my nap earlier today, I am physically exhausted. Sometimes, the burdens we face in life, whether job stress, financial problems, relationship difficulties, addictions, health issues, or some other hardship, can leave us feeling spiritually, emotionally, and physically exhausted. The good news is that God offers to carry our burdens for us and to give us rest.

Matthew 11:28 states, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." 

Whatever you are facing, dear one, you are not alone for God is with you always. Dare to hope! 

 
Psalm 62:5 says, "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him." 

Romans 15:13 is my prayer for each one of you, precious friends: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." In Jesus' name, Amen! Sweet dreams, dear ones!