Grace

Have you ever just blown it?  Of course you have.  Well I did yesterday.  And I saw, truly saw, the miracle of God’s grace inside of me.  I went to early Christmas service at my church.  I had been miffed by someone earlier that day and had not dealt with it inside.  I carried that grudge into the service and it jaded everything.  i was being critical in my thoughts about this and that, picking at things I would normally appreciate.  

It didn’t take long for me to realize what was going on, so I bowed my head in the service, confessed my sinful attitude to Jesus, made a conscious choice to forgive those who had hurt me and “boom.”  I can’t explain it, but it was almost like watching the icky-black resentment leave my spirit, just float away.  I didn’t “see it,” (than you’d all think I was crazy).  No but I felt it, My muscles relaxed, my attitude changed, my grip loosened.  All of this happened inside me.  I’m glad I did this during the second song, because I was able to enjoy the rest of the service and really sing praise to God and mean it, not just go through the motions.  

What a miracle God’s grace is. God says in Hebrews 4, to run to His throne of grace to find help in time of need.  This is mentioned in the context of the Word of God examining us to the core, and revealing our thoughts and motives.  Well, I guess we would need to run to His throne of Grace to find help, when our thoughts are revealed and our motives exposed.  The cool thing is…It Works!!!!!  God really does cleanse, restore, forgive etc., right on the spot.  We don’t always feel it right away, I certainly don’t.  That was a real strange thing to happen to me, but I felt like God was showing me just how wide His love and grace are.  “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done…On Earth AS IT IS IN Heaven.  His grace is already there, we just need to reach out and receive it.  

Thank you, God, that You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

Thank You that You wait on High to have compassion on us.

Thank You that it is Your kindness, Lord, that leads me to repentance.

Help me to turn and pour this grace out upon others.

Have a blessed Day in the presence of our Wonderful God of Grace