God’s gift . . .

Mercy & Grace

God's mercy and grace give me hope -
for myself, and for our world.
(Billy Graham)

Do you understand God’s mercy? ~ ~ ~ Do you recognize God’s grace?

Grace and mercy are fundamental and essential to our faith in Jesus Christ . . . Without God’s grace and mercy, we would be left to spend eternity separated from Him . . . So, in defining each of these term, the saying “give and take” is an interesting analogy.

God GIVES us grace . . . Grace is when God gives us something good, that we don’t deserve . . . For example, God gives us the opportunity to accept Jesus as our savior so that our relationship is right with Him, even when we have done nothing to deserve it . . . That is grace.

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life,
not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.
This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.”
2 Timothy 1:9

So, if grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve, then what’s mercy? . . . Go back to “give and take” . . . if grace is giving, mercy has to do with taking . . . Mercy is when God TAKES away punishment from us when we deserve to receive it . . . Jesus showed us mercy by taking on the punishment we deserve by dying on the cross, so that we may be proclaimed clean before God.

There is a difference between grace and mercy.
Mercy is the decision of God not to punish us.
But grace is the decision of God to save and bless us.
(Max Lucado)

Do you trust and believe you are saved by mercy and grace?

God saved each of us by His grace when we believed . . . we can’t take credit for this . . . this grace is a gift from God . . . remember, salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done—or think we have done—and because grace is a gift, we can’t brag or boast about it, or claim responsibility . . . it comes fully from God in His love for us.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8–9

Mercy and grace come to us with trust in what Christ has done for us, in what God continues to do, and will do for us in the future . . . With belief and trust, God’s power is within our lives and helps us do what we could never do in our own strength . . .
so, we live by mercy and grace.

God's grace and mercy provide hope every day, providing the strength for whatever you face, because we can all be sure that nothing is a surprise to our Lord . . . He is an all-knowing God of compassion, mercy, love, and forgiveness.

INSIGHT . . .

Grace and mercy—mercy and grace . . . Two words that are often used interchangeably . . . They go together, but there is a difference . . . again, mercy is not getting what you do deserve . . . and grace is getting something you don’t deserve or didn’t earn.

We all need both of these blessings . . . amazingly, both blessings are given freely by Christ through His death and resurrection
. . . The Bible tells us very clearly who we are and what we deserve . . . we are sinners . . . we’ve fallen short of God’s glory . . . because of that, we deserve eternal separation from our holy and perfect Father . . . No matter what we do we can’t change that fact.

But this is where Christ comes in with His mercy and His grace! . . . Because we are sinners, we deserve death . . . Yet, when we believe in Jesus Christ—when we make Him our Lord and Savior—we don’t get what we justly deserve . . . instead, we receive mercy.

We don’t deserve to come into God’s presence and be called His children . . . We don’t deserve His blessings and Holy Spirit . . . yet through our faith in Jesus Christ, we receive all of these things . . . we receive grace.

“The Lord is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in loving kindness.
The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.”
Psalm 145:8–9

God’s mercy and grace are facets of the natural blessings of His love for all His children . . . for you and for me . . . Because of God’s love for us, He desires good for us . . . He gives us spiritual life, takes our sins upon Himself, withholds giving us condemnation, and gives us salvation by grace through faith.

Because of God’s grace and mercy, believers have peace with God . . . And since we have received God’s grace and mercy, we should extend the same grace and mercy to others.

Look around you and you will see someone who needs God’s mercy and grace . . . someone on a path leading to destruction . . . I encourage you to pray for them to receive mercy and grace, and to share with them the hope that is within you, allowing God to open the door for them too.

In God’s garden of grace
Even a broken tree can bear fruit.
(Rick Warren)

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.
There we will receive his mercy,
and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Hebrews 4:16

Consider these lyrics as you soak in the wonder of God’s grace and mercy in your life . . .

I know a place, a wonderful place,
Where accused and condemned find mercy and grace
Where the wrongs we have done and the wrongs done to us
Were nailed there with him, there on the cross
At the cross, He died for our sin . . . At the cross, He gave us life again
(“At The Cross” ~ Randy & Terry Butler)

Sin does not stop God’s Grace from flowing,
but God’s Grace will stop sin.
(Joseph Prince)

♪♬♪ . . . At The Cross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tYGTp1pHeo&list=RD1tYGTp1pHeo&start_radio=1

INVITATION—TO TALK WITH GOD . . .

Take some time to talk with God . . . Ask Him to show you where you need His strength and guidance in your life right now . . . God’s grace can help you realize the wisdom you need to move beyond yesterday and progress into tomorrow . . . He is here
for you!

We need to accept God’s mercy! . . . We need to accept God’s grace! . . . And we definitely need to see ourselves through the eyes of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ!

Believe in the Lord, trust Him, and listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit . . .
look at the list below and see yourself as God sees you . . .
Remember—in this moment—and for the rest of your life!

<> You are loved by Jesus, and He has forgiven your sins. The past is behind.

<> God is on your side. In Him, you are enough.

<> You can’t please everyone. God is the only one that you need to strive to please.

<> You are blessed. Your value is not found in your possessions.
It is found in your relationship with your Heavenly Father.

<> God’s timing is the perfect timing.

<> The world does not owe you anything. God does not owe you anything.
Blessed are the humble, so live in humility and grace.

<> The only person you hurt by holding on to bitterness/resentment is yourself.

<> You have your own unique contribution to make and there is no one else like you.

<> No one succeeds without experiencing failure. Just make sure you fail forward.

<> You are fearfully and wonderfully made by your creator.

<> Believe God has a plan for you that is beyond anything you could imagine.

<> As long as you are still breathing, you are here for a reason.
You have a purpose to influence others for Christ.

<> Wise decisions are rarely made in a vacuum, so find wise counsel.

<> God is in control and worrying will not help.

Now, look back at the list and ask God what you need to “remember” most . . . what you need to respond to . . . He will show you.

Ask God to help you give your heart to Christ . . . When grace happens, you will feel your heart soften and become aligned with Christ’s love and acceptance . . . That is a wonderful undeserved gift to receive!

Where have you seen God’s mercy in your life in the past? . . . in the present?

Where have you seen God’s grace fulfilled in your life?

Who might you need to share God’s mercy and grace with?

God sees right through everything, so relax and let Him help you . . . There is no need to pretend with God—He can use you right where you are . . . Let go of being so hard on yourself . . . When you make a misstep or mistake, stop telling yourself that you are no good . . . Stop condemning yourself.

Say a prayer . . . talk with God a lot . . . Confess your mistakes to Him, thank Him for forgiving you, then move forward in His grace . . . Pray for God’s help to keep going—to not let fear rule your life . . . God is not looking for perfection, success, or failure . . . He is more interested and pleased when you reach out to Him to help you through . . . Believe and trust that God hears and answers your prayers in love . . . Christ lives and reaches out to you in mercy . . . God lives and bestows grace upon your heart and soul.

“Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—
the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love”
2 John 1:3

ILLUMINATION . . .

Imagine sand . . . on a beach, by a stream, in a sand box, in a jar . . . It comes in a variety of sizes and colors and can be found all over the world . . . It comes from many locations, sources, and environments and forms when rocks break down from weathering, erosion, and constant action of waves and tides—over thousands and even millions of years . . . and it is one of God’s many amazing creations.

Have you ever thought about the fact that God’s creations are part of His grace?

God has provided air to breathe, water to drink, light and darkness, sunsets and sunrises, seasons, food, plants and animals, weather, gravity, and many other things . . . It is all part of His grace to us—an undeserved gift . . . When you see sand in its many forms, it is a very visible reminder that God’s grace exists!

Grace is not always a part of our consciousness or awareness . . . It’s just there . . . But it fills our heart and soul with light and life when we believe and trust our Lord . . . Sometimes we need to just slow down and look for God’s presence around us . . . where He has been at work in our life . . . where He is at work in our life . . . where you see Him in other’s lives.

Can you see His mercy at work?
Can you see God’s grace as it pours over you and others?

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,
that even though we were dead because of our sins,
he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.
(It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)”
Ephesians 2:4-5

God’s grace is grace that will pardon and cleanse each heart, soul and mind . . .
God’s grace is grace that is greater than all our sin.

INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . .

Music can set an atmosphere of worship
which invites [the] spirit of revelation, of testimony.
(Boyd K. Packer)

I encourage you to take time to listen to any or all the songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too.

♪♬♪ Current . . . Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRZfBlSBgv4&list=RDGRZfBlSBgv4&start_radio=1

♪♬♪ Traditional . . . Softly and Tenderly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6Sx9rYJgBM&list=RDV6Sx9rYJgBM&start_radio=1

INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . .

God's mercy and grace, delivered through Jesus Christ, offer forgiveness and unmerited favor. . . . Jesus bridged the gap, dying for our sins to show mercy and offering eternal life as grace . . . Through Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross, God removes the punishment due to us for our sins, providing forgiveness and a clean slate.

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”
Psalm 86:5

When you struggle and fight within yourself, trying to stay focused on God’s mercy and grace . . . even though the world is clamoring and shouting to cover up your calm and peace with earthly noise, lift your hand to God . . . lift both your hands to God.

Close your eyes and see God’s hand reaching out to you from above . . . Feel the touch, the energy, and the blessings flow through your fingers . . . With a deep breath in then out, let your heart take you out of the chaos to find your way back to tranquility and peace.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves,
you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you.”
Colossians 3:12-13

Heavenly Father, we come before You today on our knees.
We are so thankful that Your mercies are new every morning.
We ask for Your grace to cover our weaknesses and Your mercy to forgive our sins.
Guide our steps and help us to live lives that honor You. In the name of Jesus—Amen.

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Prayer Paths (written by Dr. Debbie Parcel)
is a weekly email letter designed to “fuel”
your active prayer life, help you stay engaged in
focused prayer, and encourage a
growing relationship with our Triune God.

To receive Prayer Paths by email each week—send a request,
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