Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying the weekend. Our friends arrived for retreat yesterday and after dinner we spent all evening catching up, sharing, laughing, praying and enjoying fellowship together. This morning  they are having private time alone with the Lord before we go out for dinner. Not sure yet how the rest of our day will unfold as we want to be open to whatever the Lord has planned.
Devotions from Judy’s  heart
The longer I live the more I realize that life is all grace. Our lives are grace-filled because of what God has given us. Paul says in Eph. 2:8-9 (ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And it is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” God’s grace is poured out to us daily and in so many countless ways. We must be humble recipients and know that we don’t deserve anything, but all is a gift.
The other day a Fed X man came to our door and handed me a gift of flowers. I thanked him and then suddenly thought, who would be giving me flowers as it was not my birthday or any special occasion. I looked down at the address which was correct but the name was wrong, as they were for someone else. I quickly told the delivery man that he had the wrong person and he took them back to try to locate the right recipient. The gift was for someone else and I ought to be glad for that person, as after all, I had done nothing to deserve them. But just yesterday, when friends came to our place for a time of retreat,  what were they carrying as they came through the door? A a beautiful arrangement of flowers in a floral vase. This time it was for me. Again, I had not earned them but I received the gift with joy.
I was reminded that God doesn’t owe us anything but because of his grace He pours out His love and lavishes us with so many gifts. We won’t be envious of others if we recognize that we are not entitled, we did not earn them, and we don’t deserve them. But when they do come, and even if a gift comes to someone else first, we are filled with gratitude. All that we have is unmerited and totally a gift. We can rightly respond to His grace by also extending grace to others in our words, our deeds, and in showing gratitude and forgiveness etc.
There is a song that is all about the marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt… grace that pardons and cleanses within… and grace that is for all who believe.
Let us all freely receive His grace!
Challenge for today: Thank the Lord for His grace on your life and bestow that grace to others.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy