Grace's Amazing Hands They Hold Me...

OK I know that's a line from a Dave Barne's song... but it's been the underlining theme of my life...

Grace is typically defined as "getting something you don't deserve" Though this is true, left with that definition alone leaves me asking the question "Well, if that's true, what did I get?" :)

I think a lot of times we look to grace as a covering... which it MOST DEFINITELY IS! But I also believe there is another part to grace that we tend to forget. You are not only covered and clothed by the grace of God once you accept Jesus as your personal Savior, but you also are ENABLED and EMPOWERED by the grace of God to live out the life He has destined for you!

Ephesians 2:8-10
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." NIV

So God himself created us as His workmanship to do good works... and How are we to complete those works?

BY HIS GRACE!

It's only by His grace that we can do anything! His grace is what paves a way for the purposes on our life to be fulfilled!

Philippians 2:13 says;
"[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight." AMP

I love the amplified version of this verse, because the very first thing Paul reassures this church is that it is NOT BY OUR OWN STRENGTH! Praise Jesus! If I were to try and please God and do all that He has called me to do out of my own strength I would surely fail!
I can gladly say this, because I know that I am an imperfect woman living in a fallen world. Which is exactly why His grace is so needed! I am in desperate need to be totally dependent upon His grace daily!

Paul continues expressing our need for God's grace in our lives through 2 Corinthians 12:
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me......For when I am weak, then I am strong." NLT

Does that just bring a smile on your face to know that not only is it by God's grace that we are saved, but he also continually pours out His grace upon our lives to complete everything He's called us to do.... and EVEN WHEN WE ARE WEAK (dry, down, sick, tired, hurt, etc..) His GRACE is still there to be STRONG! In fact, it's ALL THE MORE STRONGER!

Thank you Jesus for your "Amazing Hands of Grace That Hold Me!"