Normally I do not hold onto devotionals, but post them right away or the next day. This one I received last week. But, for some reason, I did not feel in my spirit to post it. In fact I was thinking to delete it yesterday. Good I did not. Because today a guest speaker at my church talked about God's Grace.
Seems like I have been a spectator most of my life in witnessing how God's Grace touches others. Desiring so much that I too want His Grace as well. I believe His Grace has been poured out on me time and time again, but I think my eyes have been blinded to these blessing in receiving because I could not because of my corrupt belief system.
Now He is letting me see first hand, as I become willing and more open, how He is blessing others with His Grace and with His love. My heart is aching and breaking for the same. A different kind of breaking though.
That is my prayer. Lord today I desire to "accept" Your Grace and Your love. I want my perfectionism, my critical and judgmental spirit to cease. Lord I want to arrive at the point of being totally sold out to You.
Lord I am also praying for a total physical healing in my body from severe pain. I claim this healing in Your precious Son's name. Amen.
"John 1:16: “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.”
Many of us feel compelled to “do and make everything right” so that others will respect, approve and love us. We have a difficult time accepting love that is unconditional. Our society has honed obsessive perfectionism to a science. Perhaps this is why the entire concept of grace seems so foreign.
I long to understand God’s grace and become a grace-ful person. Grace means considerateness; good will; favor; extra time to meet an obligation — and the unmerited love and favor of God toward us. Grace is characterized by gratitude and joy. As I become a grace-ful person, the judgmental, perfectionistic attitudes shrink. I’m beginning to appropriate the idea of “unmerited favor.”
One thing I know: only God’s grace is perfect. And he offers me “grace upon grace: blessing after blessing.”
Lord, I’ll never perfectly understand grace, but I accept it.
Copyright 2010 Joan C. Webb
I have heard many messages preached about God's grace being like a gift placed before each and every person...some choose to open the gift immediately...others wait awhile...and still others never open the box at all...
ReplyDeleteIt's time to rip that wrapping paper off and tear into that box....
Grace can be hard to understand but is a wonderful gift, and the blessings to come when we accept. Wishing you more and more blessings!
ReplyDeleteGrace is "love" that came down from heaven since we have no way of getting up there. Thanks be to God! Prayed your prayer with you. I need that, too...Blessings.
ReplyDeleteLove this "Grace" post, glad I found your blog.''
ReplyDeletekim
Open, and accept your gift sweetie.
ReplyDelete(((JBR)))
ReplyDeleteHis grace is pouring out on and in you. I can see that in your posts. But I know what you are saying. Praying that prayer with you.
ReplyDeleteMany prayers to you, JBR
ReplyDeleteand HUGS
have you ever read ragamuffin gospel by brennan manning? one of my favorite books on the subject...it is a whole lot easier to believe God's grace for another over grace for ourselves...
ReplyDeleteJBR a wonderful post on Grace. I can use it.
ReplyDeleteHappy to see you grow stronger, God's grace is working in you.
ReplyDeleteBM
Sweetie missed a few of your posts of recent. Can't always get on line anymore. Hope you're doing good.
ReplyDeleteGrace... such an amazing word... so life changing for each one of us. I really loved this post JBR!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Sonja
Wonderful prayer.
ReplyDelete(((JBR)))
JBR your words in your post are so welcoming. Thank you for the realness that you continue to display for all of us. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of "unmerited favor". Your post reminds me of something I have learned about "hanging on the vine and receiving His love, grace, favor, healing. The sick branch being grafted into the vine and becoming whole again.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your authenticy, and I believe I found you via a link on another blog (though I can't remember which one!, and with your title being Just Be Real, I knew I would like what I found here. I do. I have an award for you at my place.
Wishing you a happy day!
Wonderful post here, JBR! This is the second post I've read over the last day or so re Grace........Where would we be without His Amazing Grace!
ReplyDeleteHe is Faithful!
Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN. Im new to your blog. Saw some similar trauma you have experienced that I can relate as well the sexual abuse. I'm still trying to cope with the affects. Been in therapy over 5 yrs. now. I'm angry at what happened to me but glad that I'm getting help. God is getting back into the picture in my life as well.
ReplyDeleteHi my sister in Christ,
ReplyDeleteYes, graces are wonderful. I pray every morning to Jesus and ask him to ask Our Heavenly Father for the blessings and graces sufficent for the day. It really helps me. And later in my evening prayers I am thankful for what blessings and trails God have given or gotten me through. Prayer is such a wonderful way to realize God working in ones life. Great Post!
Hugs and blessings,
Amanda
Amen! I just wrote a post on this topic of Grace. I believe the Lord is teaching His children about this special gift of Grace.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe that God's grace is like the sun; it shines down on all of us equally. Sometimes, though, we're stuck in a dark hole and we can't see/feel it. I know that feeling. ((((((((((JBR)))))))))) warm, gentle hugs, dear one.
ReplyDelete