"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." -Ephesians 1:2Hi Everyone!
I really wanted to start the new year of blogs off with a post that focuses on everything God has to offer us, "GRACE!" Grace is what sets Jesus Christ apart from all other, so called "messengers of God". While multitudes of religions bring us endless laws and rules and regulations, Jesus alone disperses the unmerited and undeserved endless "Grace" of God. Jesus came to give to us everything we need but could never obtain on our own, God's favor. He also came to save us from everything we deserve, justice, judgment and hell. This year may God's grace embrace you, encourage you and empower you to live for Him. May He keep you from falling into a religious rut. And may the Gospel of God's Grace fill you with renewed strength and vision to accomplish His will this year.
Here's a short poem I read that really embodies the difference between trying to work for your salvation versus trusting in the grace of Christ.
"Do this and live the law commands,
but gives me neither feet nor hands.
A sweeter sound the Gospel brings,
it bids me fly and gives me wings."
-Old Poet
Here are a few of my favorite verses about "God's grace."
"And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." -John 1:16-17
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9
"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." -2 Corinthians 9:8
"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." -2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." -Ephesians 2:8-9
"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says; "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." -James 4:6
Some have used the following acronym to define God's G.R.A.C.E.
G- God's
R- Riches
A- At
C- Christ's
E- Expense
&
G- Glorious
R- Realities
A- As
C- Christ
E- Empowers
And finally I'd like to close with a great song that really embodies the grace of God.
He Giveth More Grace
By Annie J. Flint
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
May God help us to receive and reflect His amazing GRACE this year!
With Love,
-The Stephens Family
