by leaps and bounds

There are several definitions for “grace” that many of us are familiar with. Below are often used definitions:

1. Standard definition: add distinction or dignity to; bestow honor or favor on, upgrade.

2. God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

3. Unmerited favor

4. God gives to us what we do not deserve.

5. Divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire
virtuous impulses and impart strength to endure trials and resist temptation.

We can agree that all of these definitions have some merit. However, let us look more closely at the scriptural viewpoint of grace.

According to scripture, grace provides us a way of escape. Genesis 6:5-8 speaks of grace sparing Noah and his family: “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” This is something that many people do not want to think about- God will judge sin. The good news is that we- like Noah- can find grace in God’s sight.

Jesus Himself said the last days would be like the days of Noah. If we look honestly at our world it is easy to see the wickedness that is prevalent. Believers are promised a way of escape. I Thessalonians 5:4-9 says, “But ye brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Not only does grace help us prepare for our eternal future, it also gets us through the things we deal with in this life. Certainly we can apply these words spoken to the Apostle Paul to our own situation, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”(II Corinthians 12: 9) We can rejoice in the simple fact that when we are weak our Lord is our strength.

Grace keeps God at the forefront of our Christian experience. Ephesians 2 is clear about the truth that we are not saved by our works- we are saved by grace. Salvation is absolutely a gift from God and we can in no way save ourselves. Romans 5:2 says, “…we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Isn’t it great to know that we stand in His grace, not in our own abilities?

It is of utmost importance for us to realize grace does not give us a license to sin. Instead, grace gives us what we need to live a holy life. Romans 5:20 says, “Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Notice- the law exposes the offense. Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. So, should we sin to make grace abound?

Romans 6:1-2 answers the question: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

Add to this, Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” The same grace that saves us is the same grace that teaches us to live a holy life in a dark, sinful world.

No matter which definition of grace we favor, grace is truly amazing. The grace of God really is sufficient to steer us through this life in order for us to arrive safely to our destination- Heaven.

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail (Hebrews 1: 10-12).

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Following is an excerpt of a rather heated debate that Jesus had with some of the Jews of His day:

Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; He saw it and was glad. “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8: 54-58)

Obviously, these people did not understand what Jesus was saying. Sadly, they failed to comprehend what they were looking at- the very face of eternity. It is really very simple. Jesus always was, He is and he always will be.

Read and hear the words of John1:1-3: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” The term “the Word” has a capital “w” for a reason. “The Word” refers to Jesus Himself- directly involved in creation.

Genesis 1:26 says, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Jesus- the second person of the Trinity- was present and active in the creation of mankind.

Jesus is the face of eternity past!

It is interesting to note that Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am.” The words “I am” reflect what God told Moses in Exodus 3:13-14: “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” What was God saying to Moses? He was saying, “I am whatever you need to complete the task I have called you to accomplish.” He is saying the same thing to us.

Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Today- right now- our needs are being met by Christ Jesus!

Jesus is the face of eternity present!

Some of the most encouraging words in the Bible come from John 14:1-3: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.” Jesus is preparing an eternal home for His people. He is coming back to take His people there. Think about it- we will see Jesus face to face for all eternity!

Jesus is the face of eternity future! Jesus truly is the face of eternity!

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and sayeth, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him; and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up, and he arose (Mark 9:14-27).

In this account, have you ever noticed a couple of things this father said to Jesus? He said, “If you can do anything, have mercy on us. Then he said, “Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief.” This man was in an extremely difficult situation and his faith was shaky. In other words, his faith was far from perfect.

Jesus called the multitude a “faithless generation.” He corrected the crowd, but he did not really correct the father. Why? The crowd wasn’t going through the situation; the father was.

It is not unusual for our faith to be imperfect when we are the ones going through tough times. Sometimes people correct us by saying, “All you have to do is believe. Just believe.” Satan himself will take it upon himself to question our belief in God and will float those questions through our minds. Two things we need to remember when this happens:

1. It is easy to tell someone else how they should react if you aren’t the one in the fire.

2. Satan is a liar. Therefore we should never entertain any thoughts he gives us.

Jesus said, “…verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:20)

Our faith doesn’t have to be a big faith that doesn’t see circumstances for what they are and is one prayer and done.

When God called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, he was giving him a monumental task. Moses saw the situation the way it was: “God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11) He had real questions. However, we know that his faith grew as God performed miracle after miracle before his very eyes.

What about the “one prayer and done” kind of faith? I have heard people say that if you have faith, you should only have to pray once. Mark 8:23-25 says, “And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.” (Mark 8:23-25) If Jesus touched this man twice, I don’t think He has a problem with our faith just because we pray more than once about a matter.

I mention these things simply because our faith isn’t in our faith. Our faith is in Him. Hebrews 11:6 says we must believe that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Our faith begins with simply believing in God’s existence. This leads us to seek Him with all of our hearts. Then we get to watch Him do what only He can do.

Look closely at the words of Isaiah 55:8-11:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Notice, God is higher in His thoughts and His ways than we are in our thoughts and our ways. When He speaks, things are accomplished. Faith acknowledges the sovereignty of God regardless of the outcome. We pray and leave the results up to Him. Sometimes our faith is imperfect- just plain weak at times. However, we trust in our God who is perfect. We trust in our God who is always strong.

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death (Revelation 12:10-11).

Did you know that Satan is always trying to make us look bad in the eyes of our Heavenly Father? No matter how sincere we are in our walk with God, Satan accuses us day and night.

However, we know some truths from Scripture that we need to rely on. One truth is that Satan is a liar- the father of lies. Another truth is that Satan’s fate is already sealed- he will spend eternity in Hell.

Finally, we know that God’s people win. How do God’s people win? It is certainly not by human strength. God’s people win because of the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. We need to believe in these two ingredients for victory.

First of all, we need to look at the importance of faith. Since we can’t save ourselves, faith has to be exercised. Our faith in Jesus is not a weak faith- it is an overcoming faith. I John 5:4-5 states this clearly: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?” If we are to overcome by His blood, we must believe in its power.

No other sacrifice is needed- He is the Lamb of God. Hebrews 9:28 declares, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” He was once offered; His sacrifice is all that is needed. His blood cleanses the past. I John 1:7 indicates that His blood cleanses the present: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and his blood cleanseth us from all sin.” In addition, Romans 5:9 says, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” His blood keeps us from suffering the wrath of God in the future.

Secondly, if we are to overcome by our testimony, our words and actions must exude faith. However, testimony begins in the heart. Jesus was very clear about this when He said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Definitely, what is in our hearts will eventually come out in the words we speak.

Therefore, a real testimony glorifies God with words and actions. Regarding words, I Peter 4:11 says, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God… that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Regarding actions, Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

As Christians living in a time of great unbelief, we need to be unashamed of our testimony concerning our Lord. Romans 1:16 powerfully states, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Now- more than ever- we need to share the testimony of the greatness of God with those around us.

The truth of the matter is- Christians are overcomers. We don’t overcome in our own strength. We overcome through the blood of Jesus Christ and the words of our testimony.

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:29-31).

A couple of weeks ago our family dog passed away. To some, that may not be important. However, if you like animals, you know how attached you become to a pet you have had any length of time. Bear was our pet for fifteen years- an integral part of our family. His passing really made me think of how God values His creation.

The King James version of the Bible says two sparrows were sold for a farthing- which is actually three-eighths of a penny. If two sparrows were only worth that small amount, how much was only one sparrow worth? Yet Jesus said if one sparrow fell to the ground, our Heavenly Father took notice. God cares about a little, insignificant sparrow. I believe God noticed Bear also.

Animals are part of God’s creation, but we are the ultimate of all He created. We are made in His image and created in His likeness- His masterpiece. To Him, there is nothing as precious as we are.

Think about what Jesus said, “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Not counted- numbered! This means that God is so attentive to detail that he even has something that insignificant about us recorded. It is good to know that he cares about every aspect of our lives. This is why Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Certainly, we can take everything to Him in prayer- every little detail concerning our lives.

Did you notice that Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid!” We may ask, “Afraid of what?” He meant we do not have to fear whether or not God values us. God is not going to stop watching out for us and caring about us. We are worth more than many sparrows. In God’s eyes we are priceless!

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.