Has Grace Got You?

My Saturday early morning walk with my two fur-friends before the blistering heat made its way to us, gave me these two photo opts. I saw this beautiful Grace Church in front of me and the street sign read: “Grace Street”. We turned east and ran into this morning glory of God’s grace shining through to us. My “inside voice” was singing Mercy Me’s song, “Grace Got You” that put a skip to the beat in my feet:

Have you ever met those who
Have you ever met those who
Keep humming when the song's through?
It's like they're living life to
A whole different tune.
And have you ever met those that
keep hoping when it's hopeless?
It's like they figured out / what the rest haven't yet.
The second when you realize / what you have inside
It's only just a matter of time / 'til you
Chorus:
Sing, so the back row hears you
Glide, 'cause walking just won't do
Dance, you don't have to know how to
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Laugh, 'til your whole side's hurting
Smile like you just got away with something
Why? 'Cause you just got away with something
Ever since, ever since grace got you

So when you're standing in the rain again
You might as well be dancing
Why? 'Cause there ain't no storm that
Can change how this ends
So, next time when you feel blue / Don't let that smile leave you
Why? 'Cause you have every reason just to....sing

For the uplifting beat and words that make you raise a praise to the Grace-Giver, check out the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtiUjNT_vAM

I live in God’s grace. I just know it. We all do! No matter what kind of mistake we make, there is always a solution for restitution. It comes in the form of grace. God’s grace that heals and restores. He exchanges our tarnished slate, for a fresh, clean slate so we can begin again. Mistakes are inevitable, but the good news, as God’s repentant kids, all our mistakes are forgivable. That kind of grace is so amazing, God can even turn those mistakes to something good. Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.” Most importantly, it reminds me that my God is bigger than my faults and weaknesses and He can turn anything around for His glory!

Maybe all kinds of stuff is being thrown at you -- like the media or your co-workers or your friends or family seem just too much to handle and it seems there’s no hope for tomorrow. I have good news for you. You are not alone. The ONE who created you and loves you and wants your life to be full of joy, peace and happiness…LIVES! And because He lives, your life is worth living. His grace will carry you through! Go ahead — tell tomorrow — “I’m alive. I live in the abundance of God’s grace and that grace HAS GOT ME!"

God’s Grace. My Grace.

Maybe, like me, you’ve heard countless sermons and read books about grace. Maybe you know some of the “grace” scriptures by heart and can quote them to others. But my prayer is that we’ll see this word again for the first time. I think grace is most fully understood through our own experiences. Otherwise, it is just a beautiful and powerful word that describes God's unmerited favor on us. But it doesn’t have much effect unless we acknowledge that it was grace that saved the day for us. And, then, in turn, to pay that grace forward to others.

I’ve heard those grace messages and I’ve even memorized many of those grace scriptures. But what has taught me the most? My own story and the stories of others who have fully experienced grace. Grace – given to us when we deserved a failing grade; grace that opened up career doors for us; the grace of blessing us with our spouse and children. It was grace that we were spared from in that "almost" auto accident or that horrific storm. It was grace that the police officer gave us a warning ticket instead of the $250 ticket we deserved. Or it was grace that we got a $250 ticket that cured the need to speed and risk our life and others’ lives.

Think about God’s GRACE in some of our Bible heroes. Moses, whose hot temper led to murder and rebellion against God, and David, who committed adultery and murder. Then turn to the New Testament where a former traitor, SAINT Peter, leads the Church, and a former “human rights abuser”, SAINT Paul, who became the author of one third of the New Testament. Indeed, God’s grace is amazing. We can never sink so far that God’s grace will not reach us. At the same time, GRACE does not leave us there. It raises us to new heights, causes us to demonstrate that grace to others in words and actions, and that "grace that brought us safe thus far? THAT "grace will lead us home"! THAT GRACE, my friends, really is AMAZING!

It’s my prayer for you and I not to miss grace, but rather will powerfully experience the grace effect in our lives so much so that no matter what has been done to us, that we will choose grace for others. Making daily decisions of pouring out grace to others as grace has been poured out to us. Those of us who know grace, also know we need to be grateful for God’s grace in our lives and in turn, to offer His grace that is in us to others.

May this be our prayer today: Lord, I am amazed by Your grace in my life. Help me see, understand, and be overwhelmed by Your grace again, as I was the first time. Help me to no t simply comprehend Your grace, but live it and give it to others. Help me even today to extend grace to those around me at work, school, home, church, and throughout my community. Lord, Your grace is greater than my hurts, mistakes and circumstances. I am so grateful. May I be as free with grace to others – as you are to me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.