Embrace God's Grace

The morning sunrise reveals a picturesque view of pink hued clouds as the sun rays break through opportune openings leaving me in awe of the Master artist. The laughter of an infant rings through the noise of the crowded restaurant bringing a smile with the thought of joy within life. A call, text, or an email is received sharing a message of, “Was thinking of you. Hope all is well.”
God’s grace pervades all of life. Grace is ALL and ALL is Grace! Unfortunately this truth is not so easily realized or accepted. Yet the growth and extent of one’s faith is directly in proportion to understanding and accepting God’s grace.
Grace opens our eyes, heart, mind, spirit, and all of our being to the fullness of God’s sovereignty and unconditional love. Being cognizant of grace, in daily life, allows us to praise God and receive the fullness of Christ’s joy he wishes us to experience. Grace simply exhilarates our spiritual walk, spiritual formation, and spiritual transformation. And, as the understanding of God’s grace matures, our experienced relationship with God becomes more intimate.

Day 3 Psalms 5–6; Matthew 7–9
“Give ear to my words, O Lord” (Ps. 5:1).
Some people have a tendency to misdirect prayer and make it complicated. Some question whether or not God hears prayer. Prayer is a matter of the heart. When we pray, we approach God’s throne and our spirit with the Lord’s Spirit.
God hears the pleas presented in our prayers. There is no need to be downtrodden in the face of life’s challenges. Realize that God desires to meet your needs according to His sovereign will.
Jesus shares a simple rubric for prayer in Matthew 7: Ask! “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7–8).
Come before God with a humble heart in which there is no pride; open your spirit to His Spirit. Seek not what brings you the glory but what brings God the glory.
You are to knock persistently, as prayer is a matter of the faith. As you become more aware of what and why you seek, patiently wait with a discerning spirit for God to bring His plan to fruition.
Embrace God’s grace, understanding that God desires you to ask. Confidently, in faith, approach Him and await Christ’s reply: “Go, let it be done for you as you have believed” (Matt. 8:13). “According to your faith be it done to you” (Matt. 9:29). You worship a God who wishes to pour out His grace when answering prayer.

Day 8 Psalms 15–16; Matthew 22–24
“He is not God of the dead, but of the living” (Matt. 22:32).
It is natural to be concerned about death. The human mind wishes to fabricate what-ifs in relation to matters of this world and those carrying beyond life on Earth. Unfortunately, people’s emphasis sometimes rests on death instead of on life through Christ’s resurrection. When our thoughts center on the finality of life, we are no better than the Sadducees, “who say there is no resurrection” (Matt. 22:23).
Reflect on Christ’s Words. “He is not God of the dead, but of the living” (Matt. 22:32). Think of the desolate state of death as if it were the only thing to look toward; then, prayerfully seek the encompassing truthful hope that your heavenly Father is the God of the living.
God’s focus is on life through His Son, Jesus Christ. Rejoice in the Lord, who sees beyond your earthly life, sin, and natural death to eternal life with Him forever. God makes known the path of life whereon the fullness of His joy and blessings are experienced. Proclaim, along with David, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11).
Embrace God’s grace, becoming filled with astonishment, wonder, and elation as you worship the God of the living, not the dead. Bless the Lord who guides and instructs you, fully realizing that He is always with you. Align your focus on life with God’s, since through Christ’s resurrection there is life eternal.

Day 13 Psalms 25–26; Mark 9–11
“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust” (Ps. 25:1–2).

The trials and conflicts of life can lead us to ask what we should do, how we should handle things, if God is actually able to intervene, and if God really cares. These questions lead to two bigger questions: “Do I really seek the Lord and wait on Him?” and “How much do I really believe that God is able to help me?”
A compass can indicate direction but is unable to show you the path to take. Ask God to teach you His ways and show you His path. Come with a heart that is open to receive His revelation and willing to wait on Him.
Another difficulty might be your level of belief in the Lord. You may wonder if He is able to help and if He really cares. Christ, in the book of Mark, shares with the father who came to Him, “All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). Later, Mark stated, “For all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27). Reflect on these statements and pray, “I believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24)!
If God did not care about you, then why would Jesus ask, “What do you want me to do for you” (Mark 10:51)? Christ desires that you ask the same question of Him. What do you wish for Christ to do for you?
Embrace God’s grace, praying, “O my God, in you I trust” (Ps. 25:1), and reflecting on Mark 11:22: “Have faith in God.” God will answer and will not disappoint. Remember, Christ is asking you, “What do you want me to do for you” (Mark 10:51)? Open your heart to receive God’s grace!