Grace

Scripture:  2 Timothy 1:9 – Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

Titus 2:11-12 – For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.
At work, the players in the Employee Health & Well-Being Center are included in the Human Resources department.  We have many celebrations; and one subject that almost always come up is, favorite words.  Before, reaching this assignment at Charlestown, I never thought about my favorite word.  Well, now I have claimed one.  It was during a morning conversation with my manager.  I expressed the gratitude that comes when I think about my identity in Christ.   Yes, I went on to share that my favorite word is “Grace”.  Years ago, when I worked at W. R. Grace (no pun intended), I claimed that my favorite verse was Isaiah 30:18.  Go ahead and read it; It will bless you.  It would figure that Isaiah 30:18, mentions the word, “Gracious”.  The verse lends itself to be a means of exhortation; to share with us the Lord’s goal and objective towards us.  He is always in pursuit of us.  He desires to give to us and provide within us the amazing gifts that can only be identified as His Grace.  In and of ourselves we could never measure up or be able to express the height and width of God’s Grace towards us.  He gave His absolute best to those who were His enemies.  Who does that?  He went far beyond what we could imagine and gave His Grace, His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Because of Christ, we have the priviledge to possess such fruit as love, peace, hope, joy, kindness, generosity, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  The work on the cross is a symbol of all of the Lord’s precious Grace.  We have only to begin to tap into all of His grand compassions he wants to give us, that in turn, we may extend to one another, as well.  God, the Father, in His infinite wisdom, knew we needed a Savior like Jesus.  One who is able to accomplish God’s purposes and exemplify the idea of seeing pass faults and offenses and giving unreachable, abounding, and unmeasurable Grace.

Lord, thank You for Your thoughts to grant us all of what is good and profitable.  Thank You for granting us Your “idea” of Grace.  Help us to treasure what we have in Jesus.  That we may be able to rise above the matters of this life and world and possess our security which is found in only You that we may extend unrelentless grace to others.  We want to always give You ALL the Honor, Praise, Witness, & Glory that is forever due Your Holy and Precious NAME…In Your Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!    
   
(by Lisa Williams)