Grace—Believing the Unbelievable To Live the Impossible  

God’s grace is far more than we understand or allow ourselves to embrace. We agree with the truth that God pursues us, that God forgives us, that God brings freedom, and that God empowers us to live for Him. But…we rarely embrace it to the point of experiencing radical freedom and joy in Christ. We continue to hold on to the notion that we somehow do something for God or that we somehow earn (even just a little bit) our salvation. Until we understand that EVERYTHING that gives us hope, value, and worth is found completely and solely in Jesus, we will be settling for something less than the abundant life God gives.  

November 2 

Grace that Pursues (Deuteronomy 4:29; Romans 5:8; Revelation 3:14-22) 

The foundation of God’s grace is that He desires to connect and be in relationship with us even though we are broken, sinful, and unworthy. The only reason we have to seek God is knowing that He allows us to find Him. In fact, He seeks us out before we ever look for Him. Knowing that He desires to be in restored relationship with us, that He invites us to find Him, and that He embraces us in our brokenness, we can have the courage to seek Him with all that we have and all that we are.  

November 9 

Grace that Forgives (1 John 1:5—2:2) 

One of the strongest forces preventing us from living the abundant life is the power of guilt and/or shame. Many of us are holding back from all that God wants for us because we continue to believe the lie that we are disqualified. Yes, the truth is that every one of us are unworthy. Yet, in His grace, God sent Jesus to take our place and cover us with His worthiness. God has done everything needed to forgive ALL of our sin (past, present, and future). We need only to confess and receive the forgiveness that is already offered. Because God forgives, we can live healthy, whole, and joyful lives—forgiving ourselves and others because God forgives first.  

November 16 

Grace that Brings Freedom (1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 3:4-18) 

Intending to be humble and understand our need for God, many Christians live by the phrase, “I am JUST a sinner saved by grace.” While that is true, we are so much more because of what Jesus has done for us and in us. Grace forgives us from the guilt of our sin, but it also FREES us from the weight and hold of our sin. When we are in Christ by faith, we are no longer victims or captives to the power of sin. We are set free from its hold. While we will experience temptation, we do not have to give in to that temptation. We can live in the freedom of Christ—both free from an expectation to have perfect obedience to the law of Moses AND freedom to live in the power of Christ moving forward.  

November 23 

Grace that Empowers (2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 2:8-10) 

Ultimately, everything that God does is done for God’s glory. He deserves it all, and He receives it all. When this world comes to an end and the new creation is ushered in, all of Heaven will be WORSHIPPING God. That is what we are created for! This means far more than singing a few songs on Sundays—it is a life fully surrendered to God on a daily basis. And God doesn’t expect us to figure this out or work it out on our own. He knows that we can’t do it on our own. SO…God gives us a grace that enables and empowers us to live for Him.