Grace

Northern Nevada is vast, almost at times beyond comprehension!  We recently took a driving trip to Las Vegas for a soccer tournament and for the trip down decided to take the more populated route down southern Idaho and over through Salt Lake City.  Parts of it were stunning!  Mountains, canyons, rock formations! On the way home however, we decided to take a more direct route through northern Nevada.  God’s creation was still on full display but what filled my thoughts was how vast and open it was!  I was unaware that a person could drive so long, in a straight line, and see no signs of humanity for what seems like forever!  We talk about how big God is but sometimes we need a visual reminder to give us perspective on His grandeur!

 

It seems when He reminds me of his infinite presence and power, He chooses to remind me of His infinite grace!

 

When you look up the word grace in Christian terms, you generally find it defined as “God’s favor toward the unworthy” or “ God’s benevolence on the undeserving.”

 

Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”

 

2 Timothy 1:9 “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.”

 

In the New Testament there are over 124 uses of grace.  Have you ever received a gift that was more than you could even ask for?  We receive gifts all the time and sometimes even expect a gift for a birthday or anniversary. Maybe we expect a gift for a job well done.  Do we truly deserve a gift when it becomes expected?   Grace is a gift from God that we do not deserve. He gave His son to us, who in turn gave up everything to restore us to the Father. It is Gods grace for us.  We don’t deserve it and there is nothing on earth we can do to earn it. He has gifted it to us freely.  Just as His creation is vast and at times incomprehensible, it can pale in comparison to the reality of the grace He makes available to us!

 

There is a song I enjoy listening to titled Grace Upon Grace from Life Church Worship.

 

It says—

Grace in the driest desert

Grace when I am feeling worn

Grace when I don’t believe it

Grace found at every turn

Grace in the deepest valley

Grace when the night is long

Grace found in every season

Grace has the final word

Grace breaks the power of darkness

Grace mends the wounded soul

Grace moving every mountain

Grace fills the deepest void

Grace overtakes my battles

Grace resurrects these bones

Grace lifts me from the ashes

Grace is my victory song.

 

No matter what we are going through, God covers us in his grace.  It is a gift we do not deserve, but he freely gives. That is my challenge to myself this week: how can I show grace to those around me.  I certainly know I am in need of Grace from those I do life with.

 

How is God showing you grace?  Where can you show grace to others?

 

Blessings,

 

Pastor Jordan