To receive points for the unit devotional, you must write one original post in response to your instructors prompt. This doesnt need to be long; just like one paragraph per prompt numbered 10 – 15

10. Living in Grace

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)

I think these two verses rank as perhaps some of the most beautiful verses in the New Testament. In these two verse Paul sums up the wonder of the Gospel and distinguishes Christianity from all other major religions. In all other major religions, the burden of right behavior and earning ones way to spiritual freedom is on the believer. In other words, all other religions are works-based while Christianity is grace-based. In other religions, one must ear n his or her way to God while in Christianity God comes to us. Think of the impossibility of a works-based religion. Can one really achieve perfection and earn ones way to God? I think not!

Yet many Christians live as if they can earn their way to God. I think the number one temptation for the followers of Jesus is to slip into legalism. To think that doing a bunch of good things will bring us to God. Paul paints a very different picture. We are brought to God through grace because of what God did on the cross. We are made right through His sacrificial love for us. Salvation has already been earned. God, through His death, paid the price!

11. Emotional Reasoning

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11 ESV)

I was recently conducting a stress and anxiety workshop at my church, and I was reviewing some of the cognitive distortions we commit that tend to increase our anxiety and stress. One such offender is called emotional reasoning. Emotional reasoning occurs when we allow our emotions to dictate our behaviors and decisions. When we react emotionally and make emotional decisions, we tend to get ourselves into trouble.

The writer of this verse in Proverbs recognized the danger of emotional reasoning especially the emotion of anger. Quick anger gets us into quick trouble. One essential counseling skill is often called non-reactivity. Good counselors will not allow themselves to react in a volatile situation because these reactions often will be the wrong one.

How are you being non-reactive in your life? How has emotional reasoning prompted you to make bad decision?

12.Gods Strength

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. (Joshua 1:5-6 ESV)

It must have been daunting to take over a leadership position held by Moses himself. Yet we find Joshua doing just that as the people of Israel prepare to go into the Promised Land. I imagine that Joshua had self-doubts and deficiencies as he surveyed the tasks before him.

God, however, reassures Joshua. God does not assure Joshua based on Joshuas own strength or personality, but God gives Joshua confidence based on His own power. It is God who gives Joshua strength and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Joshua could be at peace that God would take care of him even when wars were raging.

Going through graduate school is hard but if you are His child, you can rest assured that God will give you strength and will see you through to the end. How are you resting on Gods strength?

13.Fickle Crowds

Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! (Matthew 21:9 ESV)

I have a hard time reading this passage when I realize that the same people who praised Jesus as he entered Jerusalem were the same people who would later scream crucify him! Although the triumphal entry into Jerusalem was fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, I still cant help but wonder if Jesus knew that this same crowd would turn on him.

The arena of popular opinion is much the same way. When we overly acquiesce to the crowds, we find ourselves persecuted by the same crowd. Jesus knew the popular opinion would change but he continued with his mission. A mission that would save us all, even those who shouted, crucify him. Opinions will change, but Gods call remains the same.

How are you overly giving in to the crowd? How can you remain true to Gods call without allowing opinions to overrule this call?

14.Emotional Reasoning

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11 ESV)

I was recently conducting a stress and anxiety workshop at my church, and I was reviewing some of the cognitive distortions we commit that tend to increase our anxiety and stress. One such offender is called emotional reasoning. Emotional reasoning occurs when we allow our emotions to dictate our behaviors and decisions. When we react emotionally and make emotional decisions, we tend to get ourselves into trouble.

The writer of this verse in Proverbs recognized the danger of emotional reasoning especially the emotion of anger. Quick anger gets us into quick trouble. One essential counseling skill is often called non-reactivity. Good counselors will not allow themselves to react in a volatile situation because these reactions often will be the wrong one.

How are you being non-reactive in your life? How has emotional reasoning prompted you to make bad decision?

The True Boss

But Peter and the apostles answered, We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29 ESV)

Peter makes this bold statement after standing before the Jewish high court and hearing accusations against the Followers of Christ. Peter reminds the Sanhedrin that God is their boss, and they are obligated to follow His direction. This is a simple statement, but profound nonetheless. It is God who gives direction, and His followers are inclined to hear His voice.

Following Gods call on our lives is difficult. Even Jesus promised that we would experience trouble. Yet we must remind ourselves that God is our boss. Even though trouble and difficulty will arise as we follow Him, we can be thankful that God is with us and will give us boldness as He did Peter when we are compelled to give an accounting of our authority.

How are you obeying God rather than people?

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