Narrow and Beautiful

Grace is the undeserved favor of God, freely given to us not because of what we have done, but because of who God is. The unusual grace of God exceeds human imagination, shows up unexpectedly, and changes lives in ways no one can explain. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT), “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” The grace of God is not limited by our past, our mistakes, or even our weaknesses. Instead, it shines brightest where human effort has failed. Esther was a young orphan girl, taken from her home and brought into a foreign king’s palace. By all odds, she should have been forgotten among the many women chosen. But grace singled her out. Esther 2:17 says, “And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen.” This was unusual grace—an ordinary girl lifted to an extraordinary position, not by her power, but by God’s favor. Through that grace, she ...

When was the last time you stopped to count your blessings? Not just the big things, but the daily mercies—breath in your lungs, strength for the day, the gift of salvation, and God’s unending love. This scripture teaches us that gratitude is not optional; it’s a way of life for every believer. It is a timeless reminder of who God is and what He has done. It is David’s heartfelt call to his own soul, urging himself never to forget the goodness of the Lord. Sometimes life’s challenges make us forget the blessings that surround us, but verses 1–2 remind us: “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” God’s Unfailing Benefits David lists the benefits of serving a loving God: He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems our lives from destruction, crowns us with love and tender mercies, and fills our days with good things (vv. 3–5). These verses remind us t...

“True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.” Proverbs 22 : 4 NLT As a Christian, have you ever been convicted in your heart that you were acting out of pride? Sometimes pride creeps in unnoticed—especially when we get carried away with church activities or even personal achievements. Before we realize it, we may start thinking we are the center of attraction instead of giving God the glory. Pride is subtle but dangerous, and if we are not careful, our service to God can become more about ourselves than Him. May we never be deprived of God’s blessings because of pride. True humility begins with total reverence for God—acknowledging Him for who He is and recognizing that everything we have comes from Him. Scripture reminds us in James 4:6 that, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humility is not weakness; it is strength under God’s control. It is the heart that bows before God, knowing He alone is our source. The fear of the Lord goe...