~ Only By Grace ~
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 9:26 pm Colossians 3:12-17
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Remember those who are in prison as though you were in prison with them. Hebrews 13:3 (NRSV)
During my first visit to the central prison of Bangalore as a medical advisor of the prison-ministry team, I felt apprehensive about meeting the women behind bars. I imagined hard-core, rude criminals like the ones I had seen in movies. After depositing our personal items at the prison entrance, we were escorted to the women’s cell area.
When we passed by the room used for prayers, I heard female inmates singing melodious hymns. The prison-ministry group had taught them spiritual songs during their previous visits. The women sang with deep faith and humility, asking God to help them cope with their situation. They sounded as if they were reaching out to God for forgiveness. I was moved by their cries, and I began to sing along with them.
I soon realized how easily we take our freedom for granted while we look at those behind bars with contempt. Judging others is not our responsibility. God loves each of use irrespective of our situation. We are all sinners, and only by God’s grace can we be saved. When we reach out with compassion to others, the joy of forgiving and being forgiven will be ours.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, we thank you for coming into this world to seek and save us. We offer our hearts to you. Cleanse us and make us whole. Amen
Prayer Focus of Day: Prison Ministries
Thought for the Day: Love and forgive your neighbor for the Lord has loved and forgiven you.
Story shared by: L. Vijaykumar (India)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 9/25/11
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Remember those who are in prison as though you were in prison with them. Hebrews 13:3 (NRSV)
During my first visit to the central prison of Bangalore as a medical advisor of the prison-ministry team, I felt apprehensive about meeting the women behind bars. I imagined hard-core, rude criminals like the ones I had seen in movies. After depositing our personal items at the prison entrance, we were escorted to the women’s cell area.
When we passed by the room used for prayers, I heard female inmates singing melodious hymns. The prison-ministry group had taught them spiritual songs during their previous visits. The women sang with deep faith and humility, asking God to help them cope with their situation. They sounded as if they were reaching out to God for forgiveness. I was moved by their cries, and I began to sing along with them.
I soon realized how easily we take our freedom for granted while we look at those behind bars with contempt. Judging others is not our responsibility. God loves each of use irrespective of our situation. We are all sinners, and only by God’s grace can we be saved. When we reach out with compassion to others, the joy of forgiving and being forgiven will be ours.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, we thank you for coming into this world to seek and save us. We offer our hearts to you. Cleanse us and make us whole. Amen
Prayer Focus of Day: Prison Ministries
Thought for the Day: Love and forgive your neighbor for the Lord has loved and forgiven you.
Story shared by: L. Vijaykumar (India)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 9/25/11