Sola Gratia * By Grace Alone

O come let us sing praises unto our Lord!

Hello dear friends ~

While spending quiet time alone with my Lord

and looking into the Scriptures, I came to learn

something wonderful that I did not know.

In Latin, Sola Gratia means "by grace alone."

Isn't that wonderful!

As I read those words "by grace alone" I began to think about Paul.

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee,

for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 2:9a) 

Believers are committed to the idea that we are saved by grace

"For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) 

but sometimes forget that we must live by grace as well.

Sola Gratia ~ By grace alone.

What is grace? It is God's provision for our every need when we need it.

"And of his fullness have all we received and grace for grace." (John 1:16)

The superabundance of grace that has been displayed by God

toward mankind, especially believers.

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children

by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

To the praise and glory of his grace wherein

he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1:5-7) 

Sufficient grace, there is never a shortage of grace.

God is sufficient for our spiritual ministries (2Corinthians 3:4-6)

"And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves; but our

sufficiency is of God."

Our material needs (2Corinthians 9:8)

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; 

that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,

may abound to every good work."

Our physical needs (2Corinthians 12:9)

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee,

for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

If God is sufficient to save us, then surely He is sufficient to keep us

and strengthen us in our times of suffering.  

God's grace is a strengthening grace.

God permits us to become weak so that we might receive His strength.

It is a continual process in a believers life.

The weaker we are as His instrument the more dearly

God's grace shines forth.

O glory to God!

Dear friends ~ whenever you are going through suffering,

spend extra time in the Word of God; 

and you can be sure God will speak to you.

God gives us His promises, not an explanation, but His promises to live on.

"My grace is sufficient for thee."

Our feelings change, but God's promises never change.

Promises generate faith, and faith strengthens hope.

Paul claimed God's promises and drew on the grace that was offered to him.

God did not change Paul's situation by removing the affliction,

but rather He gave him the amount of grace that was needed when he needed it. 

********

"Our God is the God of all grace." (Peter 5:10)

and His throne is a "throne of grace." (Hebrews 4:16)

The Word of God is "the Word of His grace." (Acts 20:32)

and the promise is that "He giveth more grace." (James 4:6)

In every aspect of our lives God is adequate for every need that we have.

The promises are right at our fingertips found in the Scriptures.

 Our responsibility is to claim them and live by them.

Sola Gratia ~ by grace alone God will build our character

so that we are more like our Savior, and all for His glory.

Precious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace.
Cause us to claim your promises
for our every day lives

Amen. 

Joy!

~ Debbie ~ 

 

By Grace Through Faith

Easter... Is my favorite Holiday celebration

because of what Christ did for me personally;

He suffered and endured the shame of the cross

when it should have been me on that cross.

"Christ, being found in fashion as a man, he

humbled himself and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross."  (Philippians 2:8)

He came to prove His love towards me,

in that while I was a sinner, He died for me,

so that I might live a victorious life through Him.

I cannot help but think about the free gift 

that we have through Jesus Christ our Lord,

 as we celebrate Resurrection Sunday.

 Ephesians 2: 1-10 is such a beautiful reminder

of God's divine formula for rescuing His people from their sin.

God's rich Mercy (verse 4 a) "But God who is rich in mercy."
Romans 10:12&13 are beautiful verses showing God's mercy to ALL

who call upon His name. 

"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek;

for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved." 

 God forgives all our iniquities

and heals all our diseases. (Psalm 103:3) 

He removes the barrier that separates people from Himself

by canceling the debt of sin (all our iniquities) so that anyone

can enjoy a loving relationship with Him.

God's love removes a persons sins as though they never existed. (Psalm 103:12)

Oh my! That should cause us to bow down on our knees

to the Lord and lift His name on high and thank Him

for the work He has done for us

as we trust Him in His unfailing love. 

God's great Love (verse 4 b) "For his great love, wherewith he loved us."

John 3:16-17 are verses we quote so often, and are filled 

with the wonderful truth of salvation.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,

but have eternal life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world,

but that the world through Him might be saved." 

******

God's Grace (verse 5) "Even when we were dead in sins, 
hath quickened us together with Christ,
by grace are ye saved."
Paul expresses his thanksgiving to God 
for his salvation through the grace of God in 1 Timothy 1:14&15
"And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith
and love which is in Christ Jesus.
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation,
that Christ Jesus came into the world 
to save sinners, of whom I am chief."  

Mercy, love, and grace combined together produce a free Gift. (verses 8&9)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
Not of works lest any man should boast."   
Romans 6:23 ties in so well with these two verses,
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God
is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  
Eternal life is a grace, a gift received through Faith. (verse8) 
"So faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." 
Have you trusted in the marvelous grace of Jesus
and received His free Gift of salvation? 

******

"Why Should He Die 
For Such As I" 

In everything both great and small
we see the hand of God in all,
and in the miracles of Spring
when everywhere and everything
His handiwork is all around
and every lovely sight and sound
proclaims the God of earth and sky
I ask myself "Just who am I"
that God should send His only Son
that my salvation would be won
upon a cross by a sinless man
to bring fulfillment to God's plan-
For Jesus suffered, bled and died
that sinners might be sanctified,
and to grant God's children such as I
Eternal life in that Home on High.
~ Helen Steiner Rice ~ 

Great is the Lord and most worthy of our praises.
Our Precious Heavenly Father,
thank you for the gift of salvation
through Your Son Jesus Christ,
who willingly suffered and died
so that we may have life.
Amen.

Hallelujah
Christ is Risen!
~ Debbie ~