Thank You Very Much!

What do you say??? I hear my adult daughter asking my grandaughters after they have received something from my wife or I. Her goal is to teach her girls to be thankful for what they receive from others. Sometimes it is a bit of a chess match as she seeks to lovingly bend those stubborn wills but nevertheless it is a journey in progress. Kinda like us.....

Been thinking about grace today. Not just the goodness of others towards us but the goodness of God towards us. Even Websters recognizes the grace of God in its definitions..."the unmerited love and favor of God toward man." MMMMM.... the unearned, undeserved goodness of God lavished upon mankind. How about you? Have you recognized God's grace towards you? Have you stopped long enough to see how HE has touched your life and world? Let's look at a few treasures in HIS word....

Ephesians 2:9...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.

SAVING GRACE....We are and have been saved by grace. Nothing in us or that we can or could ever do would ever merit His salvation. We must stand before HIM empty handed before we can ever be saved. If you are trusting in your works in any way, you are deceived and do not understand His grace. HE gives salvation as a result of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and for no other reason. None of us deserve it but freely receive it as an act of GRACE on God's part! We must thank God daily for HIS wonderful saving GRACE to us!! Now here's another form of God's grace to us..

2 Corinthians 12:9..... "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

SUSTAINING GRACE.....This is the goodness of God given in times of adversity and struggle. It may be sickness, tragedy, seasons of uncertainty, marital issues, emotional turmoil and on and on. No matter what is going on in your life, God can and will sustain you. Nothing is impossible for HIM!

Now understand HE has already provided Salvation by grace.... But at and through salvation HE has also provided the means for us to make it through life no matter what is happening. The moment we believe HE seals us with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 12:13-14) and HE then begins the process of teaching us the way of grace (1 Cor. 2:12-13). How? Through life's circumstances and scripture. HIS Spirit and HIS word working in tandem lavish us with HIS grace. HIS power and promise become HIS daily pipeline of grace to each of HIS children. But we must be willing to open the door. IF all we ever think about or focus on is the problems or situations that surround us then we can miss HIS provision.

Pause a moment today and read His word and pray. Reflect on HIS saving and sustaining graces freely given to you. Ask HIM to show you a promise in HIS word to direct you and help you right where you are! Look past your problems and see the solution. So many times we get sooooo short sighted in life. Once we see HIS faithful provision we will see HIS grace! Then....We, like a little child, need to learn the common grace of saying "THANK YOU, LORD."

Have you thanked HIM lately? You should! Take time right now and reflect on HIS love and goodness towards you. Thank HIM! HE IS FAITHFUL AND WORTHY!

Blessings
Bruce