Thoughts for Life: EXTRA GRACE REQUIRED

XOCHITL Dixon- "While we decorating for a special event at church, the woman in charge griped about my inexperience. After she walkd away, another woman approached me. 'Don't worry about her. She's what we call an E.G.R.— Extra Grace Reqired.'

I laughed. Soon I started using that label every time I had a conflict with someone. Years later, I sat in that same church sanctuary listening to that E.G.R.'s obituary. The pastor shared how the woman had served God behind the scenes and given generously to others.

I asked God to forgive me for judging and gossiping about her and anyone else I'd labeled as an E.G.R. in the past. After all, I needed extra grace as much as any other believer in Jesus.

In Ephesians 2, the Apostle Paul states that all believers were 'by nature deserving of wrath' [v.3]. But God gave us the gift of salvation, a gift which we did nothing to deserve, a gift we'd never be able to earn, 'so that none can boast' (v. 9). No one.

As we submit to God moment by moment during this lifelong journey, the Holy Spirit will work to change our character so we can reflect the character of Christ. Every believer requires extra grace. But we can be grateful that God's grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) (ODB July 21)

Let's pray-

Father, when someone finds fault with us, it may continue, but we don't necessarily have to accept their criticism. Asking You to help us forgive their remarks and to have grace to speak to them as a believer, is our responsibility. After all, we need extra grace as much as any other believer in Jesus!

As we submit to You each day during our life's journey, Your Holy Spirit works in us to change our character so we can reflect the character of Christ. We find that His grace is sufficient for our every need.

The Apostle Paul stated that all believers were by nature deserving of wrath, but that You gave us the gift of salvation, the gift which we did nothing to deserve, a gift we'd never be able to earn.

We are indebted to Christ for His Salvation! May we be found faithful in our walk with Him, to honor and obey Him daily; hourly! We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

#7 Testimony- Audrey

"My testimony began as a child of probably 4 or 5. I used to sneak off to a storage trailer in our side yard, where there were many things that I adored going to see. My mother had a holographic image of "Jesus knocking on the door to your heart." The door was surrounded by roses. My mother informed me about the title of the picture. She explained He wants to come into all our hearts and He will if we invite Him. I wanted that!

I made it my habit to pay Him a visit. He had already been there the first time I looked at that picture, I remember the feeling was new to me, and given my new understanding, I believed wholeheartedly. I was eager to know Him, and I promptly invited Him into my heart.

I love that He met me in a quiet place, not at church first. My mother always spoke of God to us, as it says in the Shema, “As you walk by the way as u rise up and lay down and when u eat to speak of God to your children.”

This was my first private meeting and welcoming I had with my Savior. I told Him He can come into my heart. I saw myself opening that door and being so excited by the thrill.

There was a photo in one of the books of Jesus returning on the clouds with angels all around Him. It was so glorious I would return to it often and spend much time captivated by the prospect of His return. Dwelling in His presence is what I was doing, because it was so wonderful every time! It is precious how He loves us! Thank you Jesus."

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PREPARING for the GLORY ByJohn & Carol Arnott

"Our landscape is about to change. The tsunami wave of revival that will usher in the coming of the Lord is about to make land. The rumblings are evident; the evidence is clear. We are feeling the quaking. But though we would move away from a tsunami in the ocean, we run toward the tsunami of Heaven. We prepare, we take action, to be ready for the changes to come."

1061-1065 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

1061- Pro. 15:22a "Whithout counsel purposes are disappointed."

1062- Ps. 40:11 "Whithhold not thou thy tender mercies from me: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me."

1063- Ps. 25:15a "Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD."

1064- Ps. 57:1b "Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."

1065- Gal. 4:18a "But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing."

#7 Hymn- My Hope s Built