An Ongoing Grace...

Bible readings... 
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
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Hello everyone! Happy Sunday and welcome this week, to Sunday Inspiration…thru the Risen Hope Ministries! I am so glad that you decided to come and join me today and my prayer; is that we all will discover the depth of God’s love and care for us…especially, while facing the challenging moments of life!
 
As we begin today, there is one question that I would like to focus on and that is this… “How often do we really think about God’s grace, while experiencing difficult times in our lives?” We think of God’s grace, thru the death of His Son on the cross; but how can His grace work for us, during the hard…difficult and challenging moments of circumstance?
 
I think that before we can even begin to talk on this subject; we must first understand the true meaning of grace. I remember a time, as a young teenager, when my Sunday School teacher taught me; that grace is actually God’s riches at Christ’s expense, which is true…because it was thru the death of the cross; that a price was paid; that we might receive God’s richest blessing…“grace.”
 
As I continued to do a little more research, on the subject of God’s grace, this is what I found… “the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not necessarily because of anything we have done to earn it."
 
Today, we must realize that God’s grace is something that is given freely to us. It’s not something that God gives us, while expecting something great from us in return. I still stand amazed, at the love and mercy; that His Son, Jesus Christ demonstrated on the cross. Jesus could have walked away completely and used the power he had, to stop what was about to take place…but He didn’t. His love for us was so great; that any moment of ridicule…pain or suffering couldn’t stop His love from shining thru these awful moments of suffering.
 
One thing I have truly come to see thru Jesus death on the cross; was that this wasn’t the end of His love for us…but only the beginning, of all that He longed to demonstrate, thru His perfect love. Even though Jesus died and rose again and is now residing in heaven; that doesn’t mean that His grace has been shut off from us; but rather…a grace of love and mercy continues to thrive and follow us…no matter what we face in life. For it’s the grace of God that continues to flow like a river, thru every part of our being…seeking for ways to love…comfort and sustain us, thru the difficult and challenging moments; that we may face in this life.
 
You know…maybe it’s time for us, to step out of the presence of a problem; to step into the presence of God. In other words…we need to leave the problem behind…a problem that is only making us feel overwhelmed…discouraged and alone; to experience God’s grace…a love and mercy; that can hold us and keep our minds at peace, while the storm continues to rage around us.
 
I truly believe that when we reach out for God’s grace, rather than the problem that is starring us in the face; then the problem will fade into the background of our lives, while we stand amazed, at a love and mercy that becomes endless…a love and mercy that becomes crutches to lean on, during the difficult times…and a love and mercy that will always give us the strength to press on and know in our hearts; that there is hope…a hope that becomes God’s richest gift to us…a gift of grace.
Blessings on your Sunday!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
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