Grace, by Katherine Holladay

Song Pages by Billy Alexander Designs, obtained from www.sxc.hu

I have fond memories of the church of my youth. I loved the smell of the sanctuary – the flowers, the polished wood pews, the starch in our cotton blouses… Sunday best. I remember the beauty of my favorite song … “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me…” I can still hear the words of our pastor, speaking of the mercy and grace of God. It would be years before I truly understood the meaning of Grace. We are promised Grace through Jesus – we, who have lived sin and often trespassed every commandment given by God – are promised everlasting life when we give our lives to Jesus … 

Ephesians 2: 4 - 7
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love wherewith He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved), 6 and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

We can work for good our entire lives; but unless and until, we give our hearts and lives to Christ – those works are empty and not worthy…

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God 9 not by works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath beforehand ordained, that we should walk in them.

The meaning of Grace is in this gift – He has given us a gift of eternal life with Him… through His Son. There will never be an equal to this treasure. Pure Grace and the mercy of a loving Father.

Day 15: Deut 23-34

Billy Frank Alexander Designs, obtained from www.sxc.hu

S:
Deuteronomy 26:11 (New King James Version)

11 So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you. 

O:
The context is that of giving God the tithe that is due Him, and rejoicing in the good that God provides.

A: 
I'm so glad that I've been tithing faithfully for almost a year now. I made a commitment that I would not fail to give the Lord 10% of my income, and since God blessed me with a job, I have kept that commitment. there are times when i get a little stressed, wondering when all those blessings are going to come, but they do, just in the nick of time.

P:
God, i really can't thank you enough! my heart is just overflowing with praise and joy right now... just when it looked like things couldn't be worse, and you heard my prayer! i begged you not to test me any further, because i didn't think i could endure anymore, and within minutes, you granted relief from my concerns, providing exactly what i needed. thank you, sooooo very much! i promise, i will NOT forget what you have done for me today.