Abounding Grace

Chuckle: Hearing her young son open the front door, A mother shouted, “Be careful on that floor, Jimmy; it’s just been waxed.” Walking right in, Jimmy replied, “Don’t worry, Mom, I’m wearing my cleats.”

Quote: “It is good for us to think that no grace or blessing is truly ours till we are aware that God has blessed some one else with it through us.” --Phillips Brooks

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV).

A few years back, I received an e-mail from Dayspring Devotions in which they emphasized the wonderful acts of God's grace toward each of us every day we live as Christians. I will quote them before providing some commentary of my own.

"Grace. What a wonderful word! The very sound of it brings health and healing, comfort and reassurance, encouragement and hope. What does this wonderful word mean to us who have trusted in Christ? What is Grace? Here are some helpful and wonderful definitions that have been written and spoken through the years:

Grace is God's Riches At Christ's Expense.

Grace is God's unmerited favor.

Grace is God working in us the will and desire to do the things that please him.

Grace is receiving from God what we do not deserve, freely, without money or price.

Grace is God's influence upon us resulting in happiness and thankfulness."

Any strength we may possess that let's us pattern our lives after Jesus, by showing unearned and undeserved love, is given to us by God Himself. There is nothing we can do to make ourselves worthy of receiving God's grace because if we earned it, we would deserve it, and grace, by its very nature, is that which we do not deserve.

"For it is by (God's) grace you have been saved through faith . . ." (Ephesians 2:8 NIV). Our very salvation and eternal life are gifts from God -- by His grace. "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me . . ." This undeserved grace is a function of God's love and mercy. We just need to accept God's free grace gift, then allow His grace to work through us. It is this work of God that motivates us to work for Him for His glory and the good of others.

During the Spanish-American War, Theodore Roosevelt came to Clara Barton of the Red Cross to buy some supplies for his sick and wounded men. His request was refused. Roosevelt was troubled and asked, "How can I get these things? I must have proper food for my sick men." "Just ask for them, Colonel," said Barton. "Oh," said Roosevelt, "then I do ask for them." He got them at once through grace, not through purchase --Illustrations for Biblical Preaching; Edited by Michael P. Green 

Love, Jerry & Dotse