Have you read today's reading--Romans 5:12-21?
How often do you think, I mean really think, about grace? My answer? Probably not enough. That's why Romans 5:12-21 is such a great passage because it is rich with contrast (Adam, sin, death vs. Christ, grace, life). I particularly like verses 20-21 because they bring it home for me that God's grace rules. Amen to that!
So any thoughts on keeping grace at the forefront? Tami W.
Well i agree that we don't think about God's grace as often as we should. You know i learned that recently grace and mercy is not the same thing. When you look at it more closely you would agree that they are not. Mercy is not getting what we deserve and grace is getting what we don't deserve.
Now since we are talking about grace here today, let me just say a bit about that. First of all i am so ever grateful for God's grace and indeed it is something to think about daily.
I don't deserve God's love, nor anything else that he does for me. The only thing is deserve is death and so do we all. There is nothing good from God we deserve and that is what makes his grace ever more special.
His love for us is so deep that he does for us what no one else would.
Lord I thank you for your abundant grace.
I definitely don't deserve all the grace God has given me. I had lived such a polluted life until 13 years ago, that I thought I'd be pretty much living in the street or in some ramshackle apartment-that's the life I deserved. However, when I began letting God rule over all areas of my life, He placed me in a wonderful marriage, gave me two beautiful children, allowed me to become a police officer, provided a house I never thought I'd be able to live in, and allows us to tithe amounts that boggle my mind. Do we serve a gracious AND merciful God, my life reflects it on a daily basis. I can never take credit for anything I have, and God probably smiles about that...
much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
I agree we don’t think about it enough. I think most of the time we are kind of like children. Our Parents go to store and buy us every thing we need (Clothing and Food) and even some things we don’t need (like Candy and Toys), and sometimes ( Maybe most Times ) we take these items for granted. God’s abundance of grace that he pours out for us, WOW ! we should take the time to thank him, relish Him, and Give him Praise and Glory.
Tami, Thank you for the question, It’s Really Something to think about.
Speaking of grace; Received this in the mail today in a newsletter and wanted to share with you all:
"Grace isn't picky. Grace doesn't look for things that have been done that deserve love. Grace operates apart from the response or the ability of the individual. Grace is one-sided. Grace is God giving Himself in full acceptance to someone who does not deserve it and can never earn it and will never be able to repay."
Charles R. Swindoll
I certainly don't think enough about grace...it's hard to comprehend...like God's love for us, or infinity, or peace that passes all understanding.
I'm just grateful for it. So grateful.
Hello again Tami,
Thanks again for the oppertuinity
God's Grace has help us so much over the last year this has been one of the most challanging ones. Last year my wife left her job at a time just before my Brother's natural life ended.
which I titled
The Last Breath
How would it be?
The Last Breath for you and me.
Each one of us will have one,
We don’t know just when.
We all had a beginning.
But do we all have an end?
A few things I remember about the seven last weeks of my Brother George.
He had good days and not so good days. He loved his dogs and hated to see them go, but he knew he couldn’t take care of them ( after 5 weeks we found a good home for them )
After 4 days he couldn’t drive any more, so no more cars. And if you knew George, then you know how his car was always very important to him.
The first few days he was with us, he was afraid to go to sleep at night.
Thinking he might die in his sleep. So Cindy checked on him almost every night.
He was cold all the time. Space heaters kept the room above 80 for him.
He watched the food channel on TV almost all the time. He always wanted something different to eat. But he only took a bite or two. He liked grapefruit with sugar on top. Whole Milk, Dr. Pepper, water, Coffee with lots of Sugar, Daylight Donuts. Not any other kind. Oranges, Burritos, Watermelon, Blueberry Pie, and Strawberries. Cindy was on the go often to the Store for something special.
He wanted to get in the Hot Tub. We helped him into the hot tub the first time and He said: “ Ohh! This is wonderful-I love it “ He was able to get in by himself the second time. ( A good Day) But, the Third and last time he needed help again.
While He was in the hot tub he said to me that he wanted to tell me something, and then said: I want to thank you for letting me stay here. I said: Your welcome “ I Love You George, You’re my Brother “ you would have done the same for me. I remember tears running down his face.
George didn’t want to be by himself when his time came and would say to wife Cindy. Tell me the truth. When am I going to die? She told him that she would be there for him when it was time.
Cindy, and my Sisters Eileen, and Sharon prayed with George and talked with him about Gods word. I am so thankful for them being true laborers of Gods Love. This reminds me of Eileen & Sharon being instrumental during my time when
I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior in 1992.
Will we be afraid when our time is close?
It could be like a candle in the wind.
As I think about my Brother, I am so grateful for the Lord’s Love, his Mercy, and Grace. When he looked at George as with each of us, I believe he would say: I died for your sins, I took your place. Come to me my child and stay at my place.
When George took Jesus by the hand,
He drew his line in the sand.
Confessing with his mouth he let Jesus in.
Allowing Jesus to cleanse him of all sin.
I know where George is today.
Because, Jesus is always with you when you pray.
George had became more at peace, more grateful
And he showed great courage during his last few weeks.
He had a real heart change in which he truly regretted all his past wrongs and asked for forgiveness of them.
We believe George waited for Cindy to be with Him as she said she would.
And as Cindy sat at George’s side during his last few minutes,
She spoke to him, and told him: it’s ok to go now.
That Jesus was with him.
He shed his last tear. And he took his last breath.
Eileen came in moments later and saw where the tear had been.
So I will remember my brother George and I will celebrate his New Life because of Gods Grace.
Great question. And like the others I agree we don't think about His grace often enough. I try to thank our Lord daily for His the grace He so willingly has given me and all His children. Yet, we were undeserving, but, He bestowed His grace upon us richly.
Even though there are many examples in His Word about grace, I must admit, when I really think about it, it is hard to comprehend. His grace is so vast how could we completely understand it. So, is this because I still have a sin nature? Is it because He is still teaching me? In this life time will I ever fully grasp His grace? Or must I wait until eternity? What ever His will is, I will surrender to it and do my best to draw nearer to our Lord and Savior.
May His loving grace be ever present in our hearts.