God's Grace!

Good morning world.  I've been thinking about Grace, more specifically God's Grace.  Not sure if it is the older I get or the more I walk with Jesus, my view about God's Grace changes.  More teaching I receive, more reading I do?  Not sure.  Does not matter... God's Grace matters.

I have done some horrendous things in my past.  The majority of it before I accepted Jesus as my savior.  I knew who he was.  Would even say, yes I am a Christian.  Even went to church, was involved with the youth group.  Did not have Jesus in my heart.  He would have said, "Depart, I know you not."

27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’  Luke 13:27  NIV

However, what about the "bad" things I have done since being saved?  Am I forgiven?  Will I not be helped by God when I ask?

I heard something on the radio yesterday.  My boys are not perfect.  They do not always do their chores, make their bed, talk sweetly to me.  If they got hurt and needed me, would I stop and say, "Just a minute, let me check to see if you did all of your chores like I asked."?

NO!  I would stop what I was doing and help with out question.  Because he is my child and I am his parent.

Are we told in the Bible that God is our heavenly Father?  Of course we are!  Even when we mess up badly, HE is quick to forgive us.  Even when we mess up badly, HE is still here to help us.  Does that mean I have to do anything for Him to forgive me?  Or for Him to help me?  NO!

Grace is freely given, without conditions.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— Ephesians 2:8

Recently we were given a financial gift to help with Tommy going to The Timothy Group camp.  It was a gift until a condition was attached to it.  It was no longer a gift!

Jesus does not attach a condition to his Grace!

21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!  Galatians 2:21  NIV  

Do you feel unworthy of anything?  A friendship?  A job?  A position in your family?  That is Satan and his demons talking to you.  STOP IT!  If you are saved by the blood of Jesus, then STOP IT!

"20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."   Romans 16:20 NIV

I do not have to DO anything to receive God's Grace!  Just by myself, I am not worthy, just filfthy rags.  However, in JESUS, I am made whole, clean, and a child of God, worthy of all of God's gifts and promises!

This is what has been on my mind for the past few days.  And this is just as much for me as for anyone else.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Just some of my thoughts and actions,

Elizabeth