"THE LORD LONGS TO BE GRACIOUS TO YOU..." Isaiah 30:18

RECOGNIZING GRACE
What a game-changer this verse is!  To have the Creator of the universe "waiting around" to give us undeserved favor!  The prophet Isaiah recognized the nature of God and urged the people to turn from self-sufficiency to God-sufficiency.  His offer is free to all who will believe.

Grace has been a key word for me since Don and I attended a Henry Blackaby conference in Canada several years ago - I even have a plate in our foyer to remind me of the concept!  Dr. Blackaby spoke on Galatians 2:21: "I do not set aside the grace of God..." and showed me how I can miss His grace...by not paying attention, by focusing on worldly things, by being self-centered, etc. etc.  His grace comes in many shapes and forms, and unless our eyes are on Him, we will miss His abundant grace.

SHARING GRACE
If we recognize the enormity of His grace, then we will gladly give it to others.  Do you know people can tell by our behavior whether we recognize His grace or not?  Here's what Richard Blackaby says in PUTTING A FACE ON GRACE:

Grace builds up; it doesn't tear down.

Grace gives what is undeserved.

Grace is costly

Grace gives without expecting anything in return.

Grace thinks of others, not self.

Grace focuses on the important, not the trivial.

Grace looks at what could be, rather than fixating on what is or is not.

Grace helps people become more like Christ.

Grace doesn't condemn or give up on people.

Grace emphasizes mercy, not justice.

I think I'll wander into the foyer for a reminder!

For further study: Joel 2:13, Nehemiah 9:17, 2 Corinthians 4:15, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Titus 2:11-14, 1 Peter 5:10, Hebrews 4:16

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly