Grace Upon Grace Families

Why Standing Firm in Your Faith Is Not Optional

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13, NKJV)

Years ago, I sat in a job interview and openly shared my faith in God. To my surprise, I was hired—by a man who called himself "a bad Muslim who doesn't even visit the mosque."

The workplace was tense. The owner had a fierce temper—so intense that his anger sometimes forced him to take medication. Yet I worked diligently, proving my value. When he secured an agency for engraving machinery, I was given key responsibilities because he recognized my capabilities.

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." (Colossians 3:23, NKJV)

Then came the test.

The owner expanded into a new venture using those very machines: producing gold-plated religious figures. My spirit immediately resisted. As someone who serves the one true God, I knew I couldn't participate in work that would dishonor Him.

"You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image..." (Exodus 20:3-5, NKJV)

I told him respectfully but firmly: "These machines were meant for legitimate work. I cannot use them to create idols. If required, I will resign."

My stance shocked leadership. I didn't just refuse—I warned them that misusing these machines for idols could bring consequences.

"We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29, NKJV)

The owner backed down—but with a catch. He allowed me to stay but hired someone else to handle both the machinery and idol business, favoring them openly. It was a clear attempt to pressure me while still benefiting from my work elsewhere.

The sting of unfair treatment was real. But I held my ground.

"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6, NKJV)

God's Justice Prevails

Months later, the owner approached me—unusual for him. "Can we talk?" he asked. His prized machinery agency had collapsed. The very business he had used to promote idol-making was now failing.

I could have gloated. Instead, I worked faithfully until God opened a better door for me.

Then came the full vindication:

The idol business failed completely—every gold-plated figure was returned
The machines meant for idols sat unused—their purpose thwarted
The favored employees betrayed him, even involving the police

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7, NKJV)

The Lesson for Every Believer

God honors those who honor Him - Even in workplace conflicts
"Those who honor Me I will honor." (1 Samuel 2:30, NKJV)
Compromise spreads—but so does conviction
"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers." (2 Corinthians 6:14, NKJV)
Your stand protects others - My refusal may have kept coworkers from sin

Will You Stand?

If you're facing pressure to compromise—in business, school, or relationships—remember:

"No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord." (Isaiah 54:17, NKJV)

Stand firm. Your God never fails.

Parenting with Eternal Perspective

“Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

Parenting is one of the most rewarding yet challenging callings in life. It’s a journey filled with sleepless nights, endless laundry, and countless moments of teaching, correcting, and encouraging. Some days, it feels like your efforts go unnoticed, and you wonder if you’re making a difference. But here’s the truth: The small, daily sacrifices you make as a parent matter. You are raising a world-changer. Stay faithful—God is working even when you don’t see the results yet.

The Unseen Sacrifices of Parenting

As parents, we often pour our hearts into our children without expecting anything in return. We sacrifice our time, energy, and resources to nurture, teach, and guide them. But in the busyness of daily life, it’s easy to feel discouraged. We wonder if our efforts are making an impact or if we’re doing enough.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow weary in doing good. Every prayer you whisper, every lesson you teach, and every act of love you show is planting seeds in your child’s heart. These seeds may take time to grow, but they will bear fruit in due season.

Parenting with an Eternal Perspective

Parenting with an eternal perspective means recognizing that your role as a parent goes beyond the here and now. It’s about shaping your child’s heart, character, and faith for eternity. While the world may measure success by grades, achievements, or accolades, God measures success by faithfulness.

Here are a few ways to keep an eternal perspective in your parenting:

Focus on Character Over Achievements: Teach your child to value kindness, integrity, and humility more than worldly success.
Pray for Your Child’s Heart: Ask God to work in your child’s life, even when you don’t see immediate results.
Model a Faith-Filled Life: Let your child see you trusting God, praying, and living out your faith in everyday situations.
Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate the small steps your child takes toward growth and maturity.

The Power of Perseverance

Parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be days when you feel like giving up, when the challenges seem overwhelming, and when you wonder if your efforts are making a difference. But Galatians 6:9 encourages us to persevere, promising that “at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

This harvest may not come in the form you expect. It may be a heartwarming conversation with your teenager, a moment when your child shows kindness to someone in need, or a decision they make to follow Jesus. These are the fruits of your faithfulness.

Trusting God’s Timing

One of the hardest parts of parenting is waiting. We want to see results now—whether it’s improved behavior, academic progress, or spiritual growth. But God’s timing is perfect, and He is always at work, even when we can’t see it.

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

This verse is a powerful reminder that God is the one who completes the work in our children’s lives. Our job is to stay faithful and trust Him with the results.

A Message of Encouragement

If you’re feeling weary or discouraged today, take heart. Your efforts as a parent are not in vain. Every act of love, every word of encouragement, and every moment of patience is making a difference. You are raising a world-changer, and God is using you to shape their heart and future.

“Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Keep pressing on, dear parent. Stay faithful, trust God’s timing, and remember that your work has eternal significance.

Call-to-Action

What are some ways you stay encouraged as a parent? How do you keep an eternal perspective in the midst of daily challenges? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let’s encourage one another to stay faithful in this important calling!

Remember, you are raising a world-changer. Keep planting seeds of love, faith, and wisdom—your harvest is coming!

New Wine into Old Wineskins: Why Grace Can’t Be Contained by the Law

Introduction

"No one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and both the wine and the skins will be ruined." — Mark 2:22

When Jesus spoke these words, He wasn’t just giving a lesson on winemaking. He was revealing a radical truth about God’s plan: The old system of the Law could not contain the new life He came to bring.

The Pharisees tried to fit Jesus’ teachings into their rigid, rule-based framework, but He made it clear—what He offered wasn’t an upgrade to the old way; it was something entirely new.

So what does this mean for us today? Are we still trying to pour the new wine of grace into the old wineskins of legalism?

1. The Old Wineskins: The Limitations of the Law

God gave the Law to Israel as a guardian (Galatians 3:24), not as the final destination. It was holy and good (Romans 7:12), but it had a purpose:

To reveal sin (Romans 3:20)
To point to the need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24)
To set a temporary standard until Christ came (Hebrews 8:13)

But the Law had limits:

It demanded perfection but provided no power to fulfill it.
It exposed guilt but couldn’t remove it (Hebrews 10:1-4).
It was based on external obedience rather than heart transformation.

The old covenant was like stiff, brittle wineskins—unable to expand with the new wine of grace.

2. The New Wine: The Life of the Spirit

Jesus didn’t come to patch up the old system—He came to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17) and establish something entirely new.

The new wine is:

Grace, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9)
A heart changed by the Spirit, not just behavior modified by rules (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
Freedom in Christ, not slavery to regulations (Galatians 5:1)

This new covenant was prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34, where God promised:

"I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts."
"I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more."

The Pharisees missed this because they were still clinging to the old wineskins—rituals, traditions, and man-made rules—while God was doing something new.

3. Are We Still Using Old Wineskins Today?

Even now, many believers struggle with:

Adding extra rules to salvation (e.g., "You must do X to be truly saved")
Judging spirituality by external standards (church attendance, dress, etc.)
Living in fear rather than freedom (1 John 4:18)

But Jesus didn’t die to give us a new set of laws—He died to give us Himself.

4. How to Live in the New Wineskin

Rest in grace. Stop trying to earn what Christ has already given (Hebrews 4:10).
Walk in the Spirit. Let Him lead, not guilt or man-made standards (Galatians 5:16, 25).
Love fulfills the Law. The entire Law is summed up in love (Romans 13:10).

Conclusion: A Call to Embrace the New

The old wineskins couldn’t contain the new wine—and neither can our lives if we’re still trying to mix Law and grace.

Are you living in the freedom of the Spirit? Or are you still pouring the new wine of Christ’s grace into the old, cracked wineskins of rule-keeping?

Jesus didn’t come to give us a system—He came to give us Himself. And that changes everything.

✨ Your Turn to Respond

Reflect & Share:

Have you ever unknowingly poured "new wine into old wineskins"—like judging spirituality by external rules rather than grace?
How has God shifted you from law-based thinking to Spirit-led freedom?

Drop a comment below! Your story might encourage someone else.

⚡ "Christ has set us free for freedom!" (Galatians 5:1)

Does God Trap Us Sometimes?

The answer is both yes and no—but not in the way we might think.

A trap is meant to ensnare and destroy, but when God allows difficult situations, His purpose is always redemption, not ruin. He may let us feel stuck—only to steer us toward something far greater.

How God Used a "Detour" to Redirect Me

Years ago, while working in a factory, I was stuck in an unhealthy relationship that left me empty. Then, I met another girl—vibrant, kind, and full of life. For the first time in a long while, I felt hope.

But there was a catch: She had a boyfriend serving in a dangerous military operation. She hadn’t heard from him in months and feared he might have died. "If he returns," she told me, "I’ll have to leave you. If not, I’ll stay." I agreed, thinking this was my chance at happiness.

Months later, the news came—he was alive and coming home. Heartbroken, I did the only thing I could: I blessed her and walked away.

The Divine Strategy

At the time, it felt like a cruel twist of fate. But now I see God’s brilliant strategy:

He used her to pull me out of an unhealthy relationship—she was the fresh air I needed to break free from what was harming me.
He let me taste hope again—so I’d recognize what real love could feel like.
He closed that door—because His best was still ahead.

This wasn’t a trap—it was a rescue mission. Soon after, I met Jesus in my brokenness, and not long after, my wife—a woman of God who became my lifelong partner. We’ve built a beautiful marriage and raised two incredible daughters.

God’s Detours Are Deliverance

The Bible says:

" No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11)

What felt like a dead end was actually God rerouting me. That girl wasn’t my destination—she was the bridge that led me out of dysfunction and into God’s perfect will.

Your Turn: Trusting God’s Process

Are you in a situation that feels like a trap? Maybe:

A relationship that isn’t right, but you’re afraid to let go?
A closed door that feels like a punishment?
A season of waiting that seems pointless?

Remember:

God’s "no" is protection.
His delays are not denials.
His detours have divine purpose.

If this speaks to you, leave a comment—I’d love to pray for you!

A Prayer for Trusting God’s Plan

"Father, thank You for being a God who doesn’t trap us but transforms our trials into triumphs. When I can’t see Your purpose, help me trust Your heart. Give me the courage to let go when You say ‘no,’ and the faith to believe that Your best is still coming. Thank You for Jesus, my Savior and Guide. In His name, Amen."

Glory to God, who makes all things beautiful in His time!

NEW HUSBAND OR OLD?

NEW HUSBAND OR OLD? – ROMANS 7 AND YOUR MARRIAGE TO CHRIST

INTRODUCTION: A DIVINE DIVORCE

"What if I told you God had to legally kill your first husband to set you free for a better love?"

In Romans 7:1-6, Paul drops a bombshell: You were once ‘married’ to the Law—but now you belong to Christ. This isn’t just theology—it’s the key to living in radical freedom. Let’s break it down.

1. THE OLD HUSBAND: MARRIED TO THE LAW

Baptized into Moses: A Covenant of Works

1 Corinthians 10:2 – Israel was "baptized into Moses" (bound to the Law).

Delivered from Pharaoh… but led to Sinai’s demands.
The Law could command, but never give life (Galatians 3:21).

BUT HERE’S THE GOSPEL SHIFT:

Romans 5:6-8 – "Christ died for the ungodly... God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Moses couldn’t die for you—he was just a man.
Jesus became your substitute, fulfilling the Law’s demands for you (Matthew 5:17).

2. THE DIVORCE: DEATH SET YOU FREE

The Legal Loophole

Romans 7:2-3: Marriage binds until death.
God’s Radical Solution:

You didn’t just get a divorce—your old husband (the Law) died (Romans 7:4).
How? You died with Christ (Galatians 2:19-20).

"It Is Finished—Move On Victorious!"

The Law’s demands were fully satisfied at the Cross (John 19:30).
No more cycles of guilt/shame. You’re free to leave the grave (Romans 6:4).

3. THE NEW HUSBAND: UNITED TO CHRIST

Bound to the Life-Giving Spirit

Romans 7:4: "Now you belong to Him who was raised from the dead."

Christ doesn’t demand—He supplies (John 1:16).
The Spirit writes God’s laws on your heart (Jeremiah 31:33).

Fruit flows from intimacy, not obligation (John 15:5).

Baptized into Christ: A Covenant of Grace

Old Covenant (Moses)	New Covenant (Christ)
"Do this and live"	"It is finished— move on!"
Behavior modification	Heart transformation
Leads to condemnation	Leads to liberty (2 Cor. 3:17)

4. WARNING: DON’T RETURN TO THE GRAVE

Modern Legalism: Adding rules to grace (e.g., "God only accepts you if…").
The Temptation: Acting like you’re still married to Moses.
The Truth: You’re "seated with Christ" (Ephesians 2:6)—stop living like a slave!

5. HOW TO LIVE AS CHRIST’S BRIDE

REST in His finished work (Hebrews 4:10).
WALK in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
LOVE fiercely—it’s the Law’s fulfillment (Romans 13:10).

✨ YOUR TURN TO RESPOND

Reflect & Share:

Have you ever felt torn between two "husbands"—trying to earn grace?
How has union with Christ changed your view of God’s commands?

Drop a comment below! Your story could unlock someone’s chains.

⚡ "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Giving Is a Blessing – A Testimony of Faith

When We Give to the Poor, We Lend to God – A True Story

Introduction:
The end of the year is often a time of reflection, gratitude, and giving. But what happens when you feel like you have little to spare? This is the story of how a small act of faith led to an unexpected harvest—and a powerful reminder that God sees every act of kindness.

A Season of Financial Struggle

It was the end of the year, and like many families, ours had faced unexpected expenses. With two young children and the holidays approaching, even my year-end bonus didn’t stretch as far as we’d hoped. My wife and I were carefully counting every dollar, praying for wisdom to make ends meet.

A Divine Nudge to Give

During a visit to a family from our church, we learned they were in dire need—facing hardships we couldn’t ignore. Though our own budget was tight, we felt a quiet but unmistakable prompting in our hearts: "Share what you have."

I’ll admit, hesitation crept in. "Lord, we have so little ourselves—how can this make a difference?" But faith isn’t about logic; it’s about obedience. We gave what we could, trusting that God would use it.

That’s when I remembered Proverbs 19:17:
"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done."

We weren’t just helping a family in need—we were lending to God. And if Scripture promised He would repay, we could rest in that.

The Unexpected Blessing

A few days later, a plain envelope arrived at my office. Inside was a greeting card—no return address, no signature—just a simple message of encouragement. But when I opened it further, my breath caught. There was money inside. A significant amount.

When my wife and I counted it, we were stunned. The total was nearly 22 times what we’d given days earlier. Tears filled our eyes as we realized: God had taken our "small seed" and multiplied it beyond imagination.

This wasn’t just a financial blessing; it was a divine confirmation. When we give to those in need, we aren’t just helping people—we’re partnering with Heaven.

The Lesson We Carry Forward

God Sees Hidden Acts of Love – Whether it’s a gift given in secret or a sacrifice no one else notices, He honors it (Matthew 6:3-4).
He Multiplies in His Way – Our return wasn’t just "equal"; it was abundant (Ephesians 3:20).
Giving Is Eternal Investment – Proverbs 19:17 reassures us: what we give to the poor isn’t lost—it’s stored up (Luke 12:33-34).

Closing Reflection:
Have you ever experienced a moment where giving—especially when it hurt—led to an unexpected blessing? Maybe not always financially, but in joy, peace, or divine provision? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments!

Let’s keep sowing seeds of kindness, not because we expect a return, but because we serve a God who keeps His promises. When we give to the poor, we’re not just meeting a need—we’re lending to the Lord Himself.

Train Your Life in God’s Ways

Growing Beyond Spiritual Infancy

Spiritual dependence is necessary at first—like a baby relying on parents—but God calls us to mature. The Apostle Paul writes:

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways."
—1 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)

The writer of Hebrews confronts stagnation sharply:

"You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food!"
—Hebrews 5:12 (NLT)

God’s desire is for us to "grow up in every way into Christ" (Ephesians 4:15).

Taking Responsibility for Your Spiritual Training

Scripture repeatedly emphasizes active pursuit of godliness—it’s not passive.

Train Your Mind

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind."
—Romans 12:2 (ESV)
"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
—2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)

Exercise Spiritual Discernment

"Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
—Hebrews 5:14 (ESV)

Discipline Yourself for Godliness

"Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
—1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
"I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
—1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)

The Holy Spirit: Your Divine Coach

You’re not left to train alone. God’s Spirit empowers you:

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
—John 14:26 (ESV)
"When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth."
—John 16:13 (ESV)
"Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
—Galatians 5:16 (ESV)

A Call to Action

Will you commit to daily training? Start with:

5 minutes in Scripture (Joshua 1:8)
Prayerful reflection (Psalm 119:15)
Accountability (Romans 14:12)

"The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day."
—Proverbs 4:18 (ESV)

Question for Reflection:
"What ‘spiritual muscle’ do you need to strengthen this week? Identify one verse to meditate on and one action step (e.g., fasting from distractions, memorizing Scripture)."