Accept or Resist – The Presidential Prayer Team

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God. – Ephesians 2:8

The celebration of Christmas has come and gone, but maybe the gifts are still on your mind – some that were really nice or some that need to be returned, or some you had wished you would have received but didn’t. Of course, the celebration of the perfect gift at Christmas – the Messiah – means the most to believers.

Although the holiday has become increasingly commercialized, the message of Jesus’ birth is still heard by many who may not have heard of Him before. Pastor and teacher H.A. Ironside wrote that “God gives the gift of faith to all who give heed to the message of the gospel. After the Spirit of God brings that message home to the heart, it is thoroughly possible for men to resist [Him].” If a person is mindful of its significance, especially if they hear the clear gospel message at Christmas, they may turn to a personal trust and faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Ironside continues: “Refuse the Word, and there will never be faith; give heed to the Word, and faith cometh by hearing. And so of it all it may be said, ‘Not of works, lest any man should boast.’” Faith that leads to salvation is a gift from God.

Believer, do not give a cursory glance at the gift the Lord has bestowed on you. He loves you so much and cares for you in ways you cannot understand. He will give you the strength and perseverance to hold tight to the truth which you have come to believe, when you trust fully in Him.

Now, intercede for those governing this nation who have yet to accept God’s perfect gift.

Today’s Verse: Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Ephesians 2:4-10

⁴But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.