Abundant Grace

~~~ Feast of Saint Lawrence ~~~

~~~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 ~~~ Psalm 112 ~~~ John 12:24-26 ~~~  

God is able to make every grace 

abundant for you,

so that in all things, 

always having all you need,

you may have an abundance for every good work.

God makes grace abundant for you.

It is up to each of us to come before God 

to be receptive for his abundant grace.

Grace is a necessary component of every good work.

Grace puts every possibility within our grasp.

Grace is God's way of making us more holy.

Imagine God's grace being the most beautiful 

composition you have ever heard.

Imagine God's grace lifting up not 

just your heart but your soul.

The greater the grace the closer 

we move into the footsteps of Jesus.

...unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,

it remains just a grain of wheat;

but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

The grace of God sustains the wheat 

even as it falls to the ground and dies.

The grace of God produces

 all that is needed for abundant fruit.

All that is filled with the beauty of grace

will produce much fruit.

All that is good in your life 

is the evidence of God's grace at work on your behalf.

Grace freely given to you.

How well will you make use of this

abundant gift of grace?

Without God's grace 

we would be like a fish out of water.

May the grace of God

produce abundant fruit in your

 heart, soul...

and in your daily life.

~~~ Peace ~~~

The Iridescence of Grace

~~~2 Corinthians 6:1-10 ~~~ Psalm 98 ~~~ Matthew 5:38-42 ~~~

 ...we appeal to you

not to receive the grace of God in vain.

What do you think?

Is it possible to receive the grace of God in vain?

More importantly, how do you believe

 that you receive the grace of God?

Is this a way to remind us to never take

 the grace of God for granted?

If we begin to ignore this grace will it 

someday be withheld from us?

If we ignore this grace will 

it be more difficult to experience it in the future?

What does God expect us to accomplish with his grace?

Is it just for us, or is it to be used for others?

Is grace missed like the humming bird that passes by our window?

Instead Paul says we must let this grace thrust us into action.

We must not waste this grace from God.

This grace can manifest wonderful things in our life.

God's grace puts us in a position 

to cooperate more fully with his salvation plan.

How sad for us if we miss his grace.

For if we miss his grace what else might we miss?

God's grace completes what is lacking in our heart.

God's grace makes it possible to desire to do more...to be better.

If grace is like a hummingbird it hovers

and it quickly comes and goes.

If grace is like a hummingbird it causes

 our soul to glisten in the light.

Grace is the iridescence of God's love for you.

Grace gives us the full spectrum of God.

When you have the opportunity to observe iridescence in nature

let it be a reminder of God's grace in your soul.

May God's grace bless your soul in multiple ways.

It is freely given to you...

put it to good use.

~~~Peace~~~

When are You a Christian?

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 11:21B-26; 13:1-3 ~~~ 

~~~ Psalm 98 ~~~ Matthew 10:7-13 ~~~

 ...it was in Antioch that the disciples

were first called Christians.

Those who came to believe the teachings of Jesus 

came to be known as Christians.

It took many years before they were known

 by who and what they believed.

Being called a Christian is more than just a label.

Christians are not just tagged as a believer.

Being named a Christian must be earned and recognized

by the manner in which one lives their life.

Being called a Christian is not about going

 through the prescribed rituals.

Being worthy of being called a Christian

is a direct reflection of how one lives their life.

The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Here is our commission...

We, as Christians, are to reveal Christ to others.

If we want to called Christians then our words 

and actions must be one with those of Christ.

We can pretend for only so long,

for eventually our actions will give us away.

It is through our actions and words that others 

come to know us as Christians.

Jesus instructs his disciples to take nothing

 with them for their journey,

because they were to be 

living examples of his message.

If we want to be called Christians

 then we must live in the same manner.

There should never be any question

 as to whether or not we are Christians.

If someone asks you if you are a Christian

 then you should be embarrassed.

Either they do not know you

or your actions are in contradiction

 to those who are Christian.

Two different songs come to mind here...

They will know we are Christians by our love,

and Live like you believe.

To live like you are a Christian

 is not just for when you come to church.

To live like you are a Christian means

to be the face of Jesus every day, everywhere, 

in every situation.

Is this an easy task?

For me the answer is No.

It is not always easy to consistently live like Jesus.

Is the grace of God visible 

to others when they come into your world?

One reason those of Antioch were called Christians

is because God's grace was visible.

I invite you to pause,

examine your actions and words.

Are they of God's grace?

Do they set you apart as a Christian?

When you make God's grace visible

you are Blessed.

There is no need to carry anything else with you.

May the peace of Christ

be with you.