July 9 — "No Hoops, Just Grace"

Today's Reading: Acts 15:1-21

Following Jesus isn’t about checking spiritual boxes or dragging around a suitcase full of religious rules—it’s about receiving grace. Glorious, undeserved, game-changing grace! Acts 15:10–11 makes it crystal clear: salvation is God’s gift, not our achievement. The Apostle Peter doesn’t hold back—he proclaims that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus. Not by works. Not by law. Not by jumping through hoops.

Acts 15 captures a heated showdown: Should Gentile believers follow the Law of Moses—circumcision, dietary codes, Sabbath observance—to be real Christians? Peter stands up and reminds them all that God gave the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles without a single ritual or requirement. No hoops. No ladder. Just grace poured out. And then Peter drops the mic: “Why are you putting God to the test?” He calls everyone back to the heart of the Gospel: we are saved by grace. Period. No asterisks. No fine print. No rituals. No merit badges. Just Jesus.

Maybe you’ve been there—feeling like you’re not doing “enough” for God. Maybe guilt’s been whispering that you have to earn your seat at the table. But friend, listen: Peter’s voice still echoes today—you are saved through grace alone. That is enough! Rest in that. Breathe it in. Let it free you from performing for God’s approval.

Drop the burden you were never meant to carry. If you’ve been living under the scoreboard of spiritual performance, trade it in for the yoke of Jesus. “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30). Stand tall in grace! Worship, pray, work, and live—not trying to be worthy, but knowing you already are. Grace doesn’t just forgive you—it empowers you to live boldly and love recklessly.

May the Lord saturate your heart with His amazing grace, lift every burden off your soul, and fill you with joy that can’t be shaken. Walk boldly, walk freely, walk joyfully in the love He’s already lavished on you.