WORDS TO GROW BY

GRACE

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.  James1:17,18 

1. Grace Establishes My Relationship with God 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."   Ephesians 2:8-9 

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand..."  Romans 5:1-2 

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."   Hebrews 4:16 

2. Grace Is the Power for Living Your Best Life NOW 

"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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  2 Corinthians 12:9 

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."  Titus 2:11-12 

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."  2 Corinthians 9:8 

3. Grace Heals 

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."   Psalm 147:3 

"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."   Isaiah 53:5 

"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace."   Romans 6:14 

4. Grace Provides the Power to be a Change Agent 

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me."   1 Corinthians 15:10 

"Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power."   Ephesians 3:7 

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."  1 Peter 4:10