Pastor Barbara:


The Grace of God

Grace is an unmerited gift that God has given to us and it is not something that

is earned.  Grace is given to us in order to achieve a task or calling.
 
Notice in Acts 9:15-16 that the Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision to go to a

man named Saul (later named Paul) and place his hands on him, so that his sight could be restored, for Saul was to be a chosen instrument to carry the name of the Lord to the Gentiles, and would suffer much for Jesus' name.

But because of God's grace upon his life, the Apostle Paul was able to endure many hardships, beatings, imprisonment in stocks and chains, he was in ship wrecks, he was left for dead, and many more afflictions came against him.

Not only did he overcome all oppositions but he endured them with joy!

1Cor. 15:9-10 describes the opinion Paul had of himself, but because of God's grace Paul did not allow his past to dictate, rule or establish his future in God.

Paul did not allow his past to keep him from the call of God.

Paul did not allow his past to make him depressed or quit serving God.

Rather God's grace enabled Paul to work harder and accomplish much for the

Kingdom.  God's grace was greater than any opposition that came against him.

God's grace still abounds today for all who call upon the name of the Lord!