God has shone his light on me...and showed me that even through fasting , Bible reading , prayer and striving etc..we still come up short..It's when we realize our need for Him..
Last night my wife was spitting up blood and I went on an eatting binge..I realized God ..we need to trust in your grace..The doctors can't help..my righteousness is not consistent..in fact I get an F- ...The Word says where sin abounds grace abounds more..He has given me eyes to see that I've only been a Pharisee...in need of TRUSTING His GRACE alone for salvation& righteousness and to stopcomparing myself with others..What others do with God's grace is none of my business..It's what I do with HIs GRACE that counts..and I certainly appreciate God opening up my eyes to show me my helplessness,..
Thanks be to God for His marvelous GRACE
Grace { Greek Word charis..divine favor which influences one's heart}
Grace...is not a license to sin
Grace is not a certain group of beleivers.
Grace is..God's favorand working in an individual 's life who is totally dependant upon God..
As I looked up some verses this morning I noticed in alot of places peace is right along side of grace..I listened to Charles Stanley this morning who also said.."True believers don't practice sin ..by God's grace they live after godliness and righteousness." God's grace brings about a thankful heart..an understanding heart towards others..and a total dependance upon God realizing as Paul said."I have no confidence in my flesh." and "What things were accounted to me I consider dung." and as John said." He must increase and I must decrease."
"Grace and peace be with all of you who love our Lord Jesus Christ." C7
I can't tell you how uplifted your post made me feel this morning. It just made me start to think about His grace and how undeserving I am of it. I loved your descriptions of grace. I just want to add one more and it's so simple, but we really need to pause anddeeply considerit's meaning. It is simply this; Grace is undeserved mercy!
When we think of it that way, how can we use it for anythingother than it's intended purpose. I know I didn't deserve His grace but it is because of His GREAT love. And because of that I will join with the Psalmist when he said;"I will bless the Lord at all times and His praise shall continually be in my mouth!"
"Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!!!"
Blessings.....Pastorjim
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Mere religion is just hanging around the cross.......True Christianity is getting on the cross.
Grace { Greek Word charis..divine favor which influences one's heart}
This is a true discription of Gods grace. Notice: it isn't dependant upon whether one depends upon God or not. Grace is there before one even realizes that it is real and active in his life. Depending is a form of works and Gods grace is independant of any works. Works are dependant upon grace!One depends upon God because of grace that has already appeared unto him.
Praise be to God my brother..Just from this one spiritual adjustment my peace has doubled...without me even trying to obtain peace..
Let's look at this wonderful grace parable.NOTE..the Pharisee compares himself with the sinner in his conversation to God....yet the sinner does not even speak to God about the Pharisee. Luke 18:9And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. have a great day. C7
PS...God has been dealing with me alot on the issue of grace..
My co partner with the school prayer group is Southern Baptist..
A co teacher I'm training is Southern Baptist..
One of my parents who I love much for his zeal..Southern Baptist..
Now personally I believe it is both..BUT I will admit..I've leaned way to much on my righteousness rather than God's grace..actually so much..I've surrendered to His grace..I am worn out from trying to get it all together..I 'm trusting His grace to take me the rest of the way..and that's for real..I enjoyed hearing Charles Stanley this morning..He had a great message on walking a godly life THROUGH grace..
Took the words right out of my mind! After I answered Chuck's post this morning, I was in the shower getting ready for church when I felt the Holy Spirit speak to my heart about grace being undeserved mercy. He reminded me that I too, can and must grant grace to those who don't deserve it. We could sort of call it a chain of grace. I forgive because I have been forgiven! Try applying that to everyday life.
Blessings.....Pastorjim
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Mere religion is just hanging around the cross.......True Christianity is getting on the cross.
I hear ya brother..I just failed horribly about 4 hours ago,,I guess i need to apologize ..like right now..my mother in law really ticked me off..but we Christians have no excuse..It's been eatting me up for the last 4 hours..I will diffently get off caffine coffee...I can normally over look stuff. I didn;t this time...and it was over something very stupid..
Thanks for the reminder,
C7
Little Word about Grace
