"To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ..." Ephesians 3:8-9

Grace Enables

There is nothing in eternity more enabling than the grace of God. It is His grace that He has poured out on us that enables us to be all that He has called us to be. Without His grace, we are left with only our striving and hopeless effort to attain what only He can give us. When we realize our weakness, humble ourselves before Him and ask for His grace to help us, He will overflow our souls with the goodness of His grace.

His grace bridges the gap that lies between what we know we need to be and actually being who we are in Him. The grace of God is the bridge that enables us to cross over into our promised lands. All the striving of the mind, the strategizing and wearisome effort of the soul will not take us anywhere. Only our dependence on His grace will bring us safely into our full inheritance in Him. When we call on His grace He will fill us and enable us to be His special peculiar people (see 1 Peter 2:9).

Fatherly Compassionate Grace

"Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."2 Timothy 1:2

As a father cares for his child, so our Father in Heaven cares for us. As we reflect the Father's heart, we will have that same care and love for those who surround us. When we take ownership of the family of God there is another measure of grace that is released in our hearts to nurture and help others to be who they are in Christ.

Compassionate love will flow from us as we begin to carry one another before the throne. It is in this place that His grace and love are realized in our hearts. The Father loves His family. We will also love the portion of His family He has given to us as we receive His grace to bring that love and care.

Speech Seasoned With Grace

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Colossians 4:6

Our speech should be graced with God's Spirit. When we allow the Spirit to grace us in this way, hearts can open up to the Lord. God desires us to make the most of every opportunity. We are to speak as the oracles of God. What a high honor and responsibility. Therefore, we should ask the Lord to fill us with His grace so we are able to represent Him well in our speech.

"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11

Grace Loves Mercy, Forgives and Covers

"Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

A heart full of grace is quick to forgive, slow to anger and will not harbor bitterness. Anger and rage have no room in the heart where God's grace rules (see James 1:19). The one who will not forgive is bound in spiritual chains of darkness and will be blinded to the truth until the grace of God is received to forgive.

A grace-filled heart covers others. It will not boast in being better than another but instead will cover another when a fault is found. Just as Shem and Japheth covered Noah, so we are to cover one another in the grace of God, knowing the nature of God is to cover (see Genesis 9:23).

Jesus came so that His Blood may cover our sins. His grace and mercy overflow to us so that we may be all that He has created us to be. He is determined to help us find our way into His perfect plan for us. His grace has made it possible for us to see our destinies fulfilled. We will always be in need of covering. The Lord knows this and has provided the way for us to come boldly to His throne in time of need.

Grace Gives

"For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints...But as you abound in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us - see that you abound in this grace also." 2 Corinthians 8:3-7

For God so loved the world He gave His only son... The nature of God is to give. Those who walk in His grace have a giving heart. His people know that there is abundant supply and the Father will always provide. Giving is a grace from God. Receiving is also a grace from God. Because God gives gifts and there must be someone to receive them. They cannot be worked for. His gifts are freely given. Giving is an action of the heart. It is putting works to our faith. Giving brings completion to what we believe. It is the finishing touch that touches God and others.

Jesus said we can make friends with worldly riches (see Luke 16:9). That means that money given can cause positive Kingdom results, opening doors in people's hearts to receive the Lord. Ask the Lord to give you a giving heart that touches Him and others. Be the conduit of His grace and live a life of love in His everlasting Kingdom.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Jesus was filled with grace and truth. We want to walk in grace and truth as well. When we are able to present the truth in love with grace, we will begin to mirror His image in our lives.

"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

In His Overwhelming Love,