*including others when others exclude us;
*forgiving others though they don't ask our forgiveness;
*leaving spite out of the picture in spite of spiteful treatment;
*accepting people while rejecting the sin attached to them;
*treating people as we would like to be treated instead of the way we feel they deserve to be treated;
*making someone look good when we could shrink them down to size;
*speaking kindly rather than in kind;
In fact, Grace has nothing to do with expressing feelings but everything to do with expressing God's character. Amazing Grace: a tall order, but something Christ pours into our lives daily.
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
2 Corinthians 9:8
The problem's in the plumbing. All the muck and yuck of selfishness, ambition, defensiveness, fear, anger and bitterness clog near the heart and prevent God's Grace from flowing out to others. Or, we've grown cold and immoveable, keeping layers of icy standoffishness between us and the people who need love and grace. We've lost our love, passion and appreciation for the blessings God gives us and the mission He calls us to fulfill. Either way, the problem's in the plumbing.
Lord, You are Grace Itself. How many times a day do You open Your Arms to us when we've been less than adorable? How often do You hear our confessions, yet never hold them against us? Loving Father, help us do the same for one another. Unclog our spiritual plumbing so what You pour into us flows out to others in amazing expressions of Love and Grace. You keep Your Arms open to us so how can we fold our arms and refuse grace to others? Break down the hindrances; dissolve our stubbornness with Your loving rebukes and encouragement to fulfill our calling to be Christlike. Flow, River of Life, through us and run into the streets or our communities so the world will experience Your Amazing Grace through Your people.In the Name of Jesus, the Living Water
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