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The grace and mercy of the Lord is something that we can never attain by
our good works. There are many people in this world that have been taught
that God's grace and mercy can be earned by their works. We must realize
that the price has already been paid and God's goodness belongs to all who
trust in Him. The Bible declares in Psalm 103:8-11, "The LORD is merciful
and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always
chide: neither will he keep His anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us
after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the
heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear
Him." Be encouraged and know that your salvation and redemption can be
received simply by confessing your sins to the Lord, repenting of them and
opening your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves you and waits
patiently for you to call upon Him. (Isaiah 64:6) (Revelation 3:20)
I hope today's message ministers to your heart to see God's Grace in the
manner to which He has intended from the beginning of time.
EXPERIENCE GRACE
I left work early so I could have some uninterrupted study time right
before the final in my Youth Issues class. When I got to class, everybody
was doing their last minute studying. The teacher came in and said he would
review with us for just a little bit before the test. We went through the
review, most of it right on the study guide, but there were some things he
was reviewing that I had never heard of. When questioned about it, he said
that they were in the book and we were responsible for everything in the
book. We couldn't really argue with that.
Finally it was time to take the test.
"Leave them face down on the desk until everyone has one and I'll tell you
to start," our professor instructed.
When we turned them over, every answer on the test was filled in! The
bottom of the last page said the following:
"This is the end of the Final Exam. All the answers on your test are
correct. You will receive an 'A' on the final exam. The reason you passed
the test is because the creator of the test took it for you. All the work
you did in preparation for this test did not help you get the A. You have
just experienced...grAce."
He then went around the room and asked each student individually, "What is
your grade? Do you deserve the grade you are receiving? How much did all
your studying for this exam help you achieve your final grade?"
Now I am not a crier by any stretch of the imagination, but I had to fight
back tears when answering those questions and thinking about how the
Creator has passed the test for me.
Discussion afterward went like this: "I have tried to teach you all
semester that you are a recipient of grace. I've tried to communicate to
you that you need to demonstrate this gift as you work with young people.
Don't hammer them; they are not the enemy. Help them, for they will carry
on your ministry if it is full of GRACE!"
Talking about how some of us had probably studied hours and some just a few
minutes, but had all received the same grade, he pointed to a story Jesus
told in Matthew 20. The owner of a vineyard hired people to work in his
field and agreed to pay them a certain amount. Several different times
during the day, he hired more workers. When it was time to pay them, they
all received the same amount. When the ones who had been hired first thing
in the morning began complaining, the boss said, "Should you be angry
because I am kind?" (Matthew 20:15).
The teacher said he had never done this kind of final before and probably
would never do it again, but because of the content of many of our class
discussions, he felt like we needed to experience grace.
Have you thanked your Creator today because of the grace you have experienced?
Author Unknown
God emphasizes that our Salvation is a free gift that is offered by His
Grace and not because of anything that we have done as we read in Ephesians
2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves
it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Never
believe the lie that your salvation comes by your works and goodness. Jesus
died and rose from the grave Once And For All and now Whosoever shall call
upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. God's Grace, Redemption, Love
and Forgiveness all come to you when you open your heart and say, "Yes
Jesus, I welcome you in to my heart and life and receive you by faith for
all eternity as my Lord and Savior."
Rest in God's Grace and know that all is well. Remember that God loves you
and wishes that your Joy may be full.
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 John 1:3-5 "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that
ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the
Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you,
that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of
Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all."
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men
count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
1 John 1:7-10 "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we
have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar,
and His word is not in us."
All scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: FAITHFUL IS HE WHO HAS PROMISED
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem70.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: GOD'S GRACE AND MERCY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony1.htm
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
