The Difference: Expected and Experienced

How far is it from Minnesota to Texas? About sixty four degrees!
I don't know the present temperature reading in Albert Lea but I noticed on the weather page that Terrell Texas is basking at 84 degrees. I suspect that here in Southern Minnesota the thermometer is resting somewhere around 20 above. A week ago, we were visiting a Christmas Tree farm near Quinlan Texas. Somehow it didn't seem right to have people cutting trees and serving hot cider without snow.

I could fill many pages with the comparisons between the two locales. The point that I wish to make is this. A person expects a difference in the weather between the two states.

A similar reality exists in the arena of grace. I run the risk of being labeled "legalistic" but the Scriptures are clear that those who have tasted of the grace of God in redemption, not only should, but indeed, will live differently. Jesus declared in John 10:27 that His sheep follow Him. Paul wrote in Titus 2:12 that God's grace teaches holy living.

May the Lord use the teaching and preaching of His Word to turn "The Expected Difference" into "The Experienced Difference" in the lives of His own.