The Grace of God is the Foundation of our Salvation!

We were blessed to have Carol Reisch bring us the morning message. When she asked God what what He wanted her to talk about today, He told her: “Grace.”

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

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~ John 1:14

It is the grace of God that allows us to live full lives every day. Carol said that her recently-passed, best friend and prayer partner, Jean Billman, used to say:

God's
Riches
At
Christ's
Expense

Grace transcends time, space, and religion. At the very moment of creation, that tremendous love poured out of His heart. As a human, we have no idea of the depths or power of His love and grace. 

Carol has lots of stories... she says stories are how we comprehend... Carol's testimony is a hard, and a not so pretty one.... when she is asked how her faith could be so strong with such a sad past, she credits: “God's grace!”

We see God’s grace all over the Bible. Just a few examples are:

• Genesis 2 - Adam and Eve 

• Genesis 6:14 - God wanted to save Noah and his family. God's grace. 

• Genesis 12 - Abraham endured by God's grace. 

• Genesis 27:34 - Joseph was thrown in a pit and was brought out by God's grace.

• Joshua 3:14 - Crossing the river Jordan. God stopped the flow of water. 

• 2 Samuel - David lusted, stole, killed. God covered him in grace and called him a man after His own heart. 

Grace in Action

Jesus acted on our behalf. He went to the cross willingly. He loved us, and calls us to love. 

Billy Graham used to reflect on the worst disease going on in the world - hopelessness. 

Being the first week of Advent, the candle lit today represents HOPE. We only have hope because of God’s grace - manifested in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

There is No End to the Grace of God

We need to open our hearts and let the heart of God pour into us - and into our spirit. In this, we can receive His favor!!!!

Carol challenged us to go into “the secret place”... close to the heart of God. Carol dedicated every Tuesday (for a full year) to spend time with God. Recognizing that is a huge allotment of time, she asked that we all set aside a certain time each week, when we remove distractions and enter into His presence - close to God - in the secret place. 

The Bible says He lavished His grace upon us. We should live lives pleasing to Him in Thanksgiving. Give Him your heart. Turn everything over to Him. Spend time with Him. Don't ever take His grace for granted. 

Take His grace personally. Let it sink in. 

We need to pray for our children and grandchildren that the grace of God covers and overtakes them to keep them strong against the enemy. 

A-men!