GRACE, GRACE, GOD’S GRACE

The trials of the Christian life you shall find heavy, but...grace will make them light. -Spurgeon

James 4:6, But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

“But he giveth…”, I am sure glad God gives us some things in this life! The air we breathe, the water we drink, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the mountains and the valleys; I am glad God gives these to us. But most especially, I am thankful for the grace He gives us!

He gives grace for every trial! He gives grace for every blessing! He gives dying grace! God gives grace when we don’t even understand we need grace!

Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin! Have you felt His grace? Do you desire to know more about His grace? Shoot me a message; I’d love to tell you about it!

ASTRONOMICAL GRACE

This law tells me how crooked I am.  Grace comes along and straightens me out. -D.L. Moody

1 Corinthians 1:4, I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

Isn’t the Grace of God something amazing! The Lord delivers it by the truck load every time we need it. Grace for trials. Grace for tribulations. Grace for temptations. Grace for triumphs. Grace for the end. No matter what season of life we are in, God gives grace.

Hey friend, have you tasted of the grace of God this morning? It’s astronomical! Look to Jesus and find out what His grace can do for you!

SOMETHING GREAT

The greatest of all miracles is the salvation of a soul. –Spurgeon

Psalm 96:3, “Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.”

“But the greatest of all miracles was when my Jesus saved me…” That’s how the song goes and it is so true! When I think of what I was and where I could be right know, I wonder, “Lord why would you save a wretched soul like me?” And then I am reminded it has nothing to do with me but all to do about Him. His love, His mercy, His grace, and on and on!

Let’s be reminded of His love toward us this morning. Let’s praise His name for it, because it’s something great! Psalm 118:21, “I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.”

CROOKED AS A MOUNTIAN ROAD

This law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out. -D.L. Moody

Titus 2:11-14, For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Do you remember what God saved you from? Do you remember where you were at when He reach down and pulled you up out of the muck and mire of this world? Do you remember how low you had gone? Do you remember the grace He bestowed? Do you remember, that His grace is not just for salvation? Hey friend, I need His grace every single day!

I was as crooked as a mountain road when God reached down and saved my wretched soul! But praise God for that grace He bestowed upon my life! I wouldn’t take nothing for it! It gets sweeter as the days go by!

GRACE FROM THE UNUSUAL

Sometimes God provides grace for His people from unsual people and in unusual ways.

2 Samuel 27:1, But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

In 1 Samuel, we see God using Jonathan to be a blessing to David many different times. He didn’t have to. Jonathan was in line to be the next King but God had other plans. God anointed David to be king. Jonathan didn’t rebuke God. Jonathan didn’t ruin God’s plan. Jonathan join David and honored David. He was definitely an unusual friend to be receiving grace from since he was rightful heir to the throne.

           Friend, God will use unusual people, places, and things to bless His people with! Just a few weeks ago, while we were on the walking track, a lady gave my wife $20. Who was she; we don’t know. Why did she do it; we don’t know. Why haven’t we seen her again; we don’t know. What I do know is that God used an unusual person to share His grace!

God loves you friend! He is willing to give you grace when you are on board with Him!

GROW IN GOD’S GRACE

            This law tells me how crooked I am.  Grace comes along and straightens me out. -D.L. Moody

Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from

            Today we say, “Until we see you again.”, to our youngest daughter. We drop her off at college and we won’t be seeing her again until late November. It will be a little rough but not too bad for I am trusting the Lord to keep her and grow her in His grace.

            I got up this morning with this thought on my mind, “Lord, you entrusted me with a little girl some 20-1/2 years ago to love, teach, and point her to you. I’ve not always been right in the rearing but I have always attempted to raise all my kids up to love and serve you. She is now a young lady, following You in faith, and therefore I will support her in her desires to please You.”

            It is my prayer as I leave her over 2,000 miles away that she will take what she has learned, from a sinner such as I, and do what God wants her to do--to grow in God’s grace. Will you help me pray for her and for every student that is striving to be what God wants them to be?

SINNER, SAVED BY GRACE

You’ll never become anything different until you see yourself for who you are.

1 Corinthians 15:10, But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

           People will lie to you so they don’t hurt your feelings. Mirrors will lie to you because they don’t show the whole picture. Some doctors will lie to you to keep you coming back. A husband will tell a “white” lie to keep from getting into trouble. What am I talking about—weight. The one thing I know for sure that will tell you the truth about it is a picture. A picture reveals the real deal! It shows you all the blemishes, bulges, curves, the screaming buttons, and the stretches in your clothes. It’s good to see who we are and what we have become. It is then we can do something about it.

            The greatest area of our life we need to look at is our standing before a thrice holy God. We need to see who we are in relation to Jesus. As we look into His Word, we see the whole picture of who we are. We are sinners in need of a Saviour. Jesus being the only one that could save us, willingly gave His life to do so. So, what does one do to be saved? We trust in the finished work of Jesus on the Cross. We trust He was buried and on the third day He arose from the grave conquering death, hell, and the grave. In doing so He gives us life and life more abundant!

            Paul said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am.” What are you this morning? Do you know Him as your personal Saviour? Are you a Sinner saved by grace? Or are you just a sinner?

GRACE, MARVELOUS GRACE

           Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it. -Hulbert

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

            This morning I am thankful for grace! The grace that saved me. The grace that sets me free from sin and shame. The grace of God’s presence. The grace that empowers me to be the Christian God wants me to be. The grace that I will get one day when He calls me home! There is just something about God’s wonderful, marvelous grace!

            Many people think that grace ends when salvation begins. They are so wrong! We live by grace each and every day! So, before you step foot outside this morning, thank the Lord for His marvelous grace!  

GOD’S GENEROSITY

God’s generosity is manifested in His grace to mankind throughout history.

            It is seen when He sent His Son in the fulness of time to redeem mankind, Galatians 4:4, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

            It is seen when He sacrificed His Son for the forgiveness of sin. John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

            It will be seen again when He is sends His Son to get His Sons and Daughters! James 5:8, Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

            Have you recognized God’s grace that has been bestowed upon your life? What have you done with it? Will you act on it before it’s too late? Will you repent of your sins and trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour before it’s too late?             

TOUCHES OF GRACE

The trials of the Christian life you shall find heavy, but...grace will make them light. -Spurgeon

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

            Throughout the Word of God, we can read about grace being bestowed upon people. Some follow the Lord and some didn’t. Some recognize the grace bestowed while others took it for granted.

            We see the same thing in the world today. We see folks walking around breathing God’s air, enjoying His creation, enjoying good health, and taking it all for granted. On this Sunday morning, it would be good to GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH to hear about the touches of God’s grace on our lives!

Come See God’s Grace

This law tells me how crooked I am.  Grace comes along and straightens me out. -D.L. Moody

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:12-15

            As a picture of God’s redeeming grace, the Apostle Paul is a great example for who can be saved. A Pharisee of Pharisees, the chief of all sinners, Paul is saying if God can save me, He can save anyone! God can save anyone who wants to be saved. There is no sin so gross, no heart so wicked, or life so messed up that His grace cannot redeem! If the sinner calls out to God with a believing, repentant heart God will save them!

            Want to know more about how God saves a lost, dying, hurting soul in need of redemption? Want to hear more about how God can save you— GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH!

BE GRACEFUL

It may not be an easy thing to live in sweet fellowship with everyone; but that is what the grace of God is for. - D.L. Moody

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6

Mama use to say, “If you can’t say nothing good, don’t say nothing at all!” Some of the wisest words from a high school drop-out! Mom was one of the most forgiving, loving, graceful people I knew. Yes, she had her ways as everyone does but she knew how to get along with almost anyone as well!

Our Saviour set the standard when it comes to graceful living! He never spoke a Word out of turn. He never went beyond what needed to be said. He never said something before or after it was needed to be said. Even when He rebuked the money changers at the Temple, He did it in such a way the message was understood and many where rebuked!

How is your speech? Do you speak when you have something to say or do you have something to say so you speak? There is a huge difference! As the Proverb says… A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11

BE JOYFUL

            If you have no joy in your religion, there's a leak in your Christianity somewhere. –Sunday

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 1 Peter 1:8

                        A joyful spirit in some Christian’s life is missing. I don’t know why! We have a lot to be joyful for! God has saved us. He gave us His Spirit. He gave us His Word. He has Heaven prepared for us. He has given us everything we need to have a joyful life!

            Child of God, quit fretting over life. Cast your burden upon Him and be joyful, for He careth for you!

GOD’S MARVELOUS GRACE

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

            I have never known the time when I have felt for a moment free from a sense of unworthiness, or free from a consciousness of imperfection and of a sinful nature, but since I have come to understand that I am accepted of God on the ground of Christ's righteousness and not my own, and therefore my standing is in Him and His righteousness and not my own, I have ceased even to question the fact of my present salvation. -Stebbins

            If you ever taste God’s marvelous grace there will never be a question of where you ought to be at on Sunday—IN CHURCH! Have you made plans to be there this morning? Are you GETTING UP, GETTING READY, and HEADED TO CHURCH?

SHOUT IT OUT!

Grace, Grace, God’s Grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within!

 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1

            As I read through Psalm 45, I cannot get a little happy! Well, I told a lie, I get a lot o happy! Really, I get ecstatic! When I am reminded of God’s amazing grace in my life I cannot help to begin to be overfilled with joy! The word indicting means just that; overfilled, overflowing, or bubbling up.

            Hey Christian friend, when is the last time you felt the love of Jesus come bubbling up in your soul in such a way that you could not contain yourself? When is the last time you shouted, “Hallelujah”, “Praise the Lord” or “Amen”? We have a lot to be thankful for! As a writer about to pen down a bestselling novel, let those who you come in contact with every day know about God’s Amazing Grace and what He has done in your life! Don’t hold it in—shout it out!

GROW UP!

            “If you have the Spirit without the Word, you blow up. If you have the Word without the Spirit, you dry up. If you have both the Word and the Spirit, you grow up.– Don Lyon

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ephesians 4:14-15

            Do you ever wonder why people do what they do? Don Lyon hit the nail on the head with his quote. Some are attempting to live without the Word in their life. Some are trying to use the Word without the Author in their life. Either one of those are a huge issue when it comes to growing in God’s grace. The problem, you aren’t growing! Something that’s dead can’t grow and something that isn’t getting watered will eventually die.

            Do you have Spirit? Do you have the Word? Good—Grow Up!

WHAT’S YOUR DRIVE IN MISSIONS?

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. -Spurgeon  

Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 3 John 1:7

Drive is just another way of saying motivation. Our motivation should be the love of Jesus Christ. His compassion, His longsuffering, His mercy, and His grace should motivate us to tell others about Him. It should provoke us unto good works. It should spark a desire to stand up, speak up, and proclaim the Gospel to every person we come in contact with.

John told Gaius, “…for his name’s sake they went forth.” What’s your drive in Missions? Just look to Calvary and it tells the old, old story of Jesus and His love!

GRACE, GRACE, and more GRACE!

The trials of the Christian life you shall find heavy, but...grace will make them light. –Spurgeon

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

In the toughest times of my life, I have found God’s grace to be sufficient. When I couldn’t handle my sin debt, Jesus stepped in showed grace. When my parents passed, He showed up in comfort and care. When my employer closed the doors, He showed up in financial satisfaction. When my pastor’s transgressions were exposed, He showed up in peace. There is nothing like God’s Amazing Grace making the trial of life light!

How will God’s Amazing Grace show up in your life? When it does, be sure to praise Him for it!

GRACE, GRACE, GOD’S GRACE!

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene and wonder how He could love me a sinner condemned unclean… then I remember His grace! His grace is why am who I am today! It’s by His grace I got saved! It’s by His grace I rejoice in what He has called me to! It’s by His grace I can even do what He has called me to do!

Has grace touched your life?

GOOD INTENTIONS

If you can earn it, why did Jesus die?

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. Acts 10:1-2

At a first look, one would think Cornelius was a saved man on his way to Heaven. He was a religious man who feared God, gave financially to the ministry, and prayed. But if you continue reading in Acts you will come to the understanding Cornelius did not know who Jesus was. Even with all of His works he was still dead in his sin and trespasses.

Is that what you are doing in this life for Jesus? Are you trying to work your way to Heaven? You have good intentions in working for the Lord but it won’t work, ye must repent and be born again. No one gets to Heaven, by their works! Consider with me Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”