A Ragamuffin Monday

Welcome to another Monday. So often we speak of Brennan Manning's classic, 'The Ragamuffin Gospel" here at Amazing Grace Radio and today will be no different. Why do we write so often about this book? It's because we all are sinners. Romans 3:23 says we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Because of our sin, many have or are now experiencing brokenness. But being broken is not a bad thing.

Brennan Manning writes, "to be alive is to be broken. And to be broken is to stand in the need of grace." It is also about being honest with yourself. Being honest and admitting our sin does not distance us from God, but brings us closer. I also think the Lord loves transparency and that is a great goal for everyone...to live a transparent life. Someone told me once that we should live every moment like Jesus was in the room with us. Can you imagine what that would be like? Do you think we would be careful about what we say, the TV we watch, the movies we see and the internet sites we visit? I think we would.

In the final analysis it is the Gospel of Grace. Brennan Manning writes, 'Nothing can ever separate you from the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. You must be convinced of this, trust it, and never forget it. Everything else will pass away, but the love of Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Faith will become vision, hope will become possession, but the love of Jesus Christ that is stronger than death endures forever. In the end, it is the one thing you can hang onto."

So, as you maneuver through this Monday, keep 2 Corinthians 12:9 in mind...

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

Also James 1:2-4...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

All of us here at Amazing Grace Radio wish you a blessed day. Thanks so much for making AGR a small part of your Monday.