This is the time of year for looking back so we can focus forward. Grace is what keeps coming up to me this advent season. When we get God's Grace, we get God's favor. How do I get that, you ask? It tells us in John 1:17 That the law was given through Moses; Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. We simply must trust in Jesus Christ.
How do we see God's Grace in our lives? We must be very observant. I now pay attention to these things. After spending the last few years getting to know God better, I have seen him all over my life. And you can too.
This past year I went back to work full-time. I felt God tugging at me to do something different. So, I started looking for a job. One day I contacted a friend of ours who works at PA CareerLink. His staff helped me with my resume. I kept telling myself, do what you can, and God will do the rest. It says in 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. In other words, do everything you can and leave the rest to God. So that's what I did.
In my line of work as a graphic designer, you usually have a portfolio that shows your work. Though the people helping me didn't think I needed one, I decided to do mine. That way, I was doing all I could. The staff sent me this one job which sounded perfect in every way for me. It looked too good to be true. So, I told God I don't want this job unless he wants me to have it. I wanted to make sure this was his will and not mine.
Long story short, God showed up, and I got the job. They said it was because of my portfolio that I got it. The one gentleman helping me loved my portfolio so much that he called the employer. He told them they needed to consider me for the position and look at my portfolio. God is so great, isn't he? God made it, so I looked really good. I was hired with no in-person interview. I'm sharing this to let you know God's Grace is there for you. Just keep your eyes open for him. I love what I do now; I haven't had a job like this for a long time. I struggled to find work in my field for years, but now trusting in God has paid off. I'm so grateful and will do this job as long as he wants me to. Trust in God for what you want because he's the one that put it in your heart in the first place. It's when you're willing to give up what you want that God steps in. It’s just like Abraham and his son. God wanted to make sure Abraham was putting him first, not his son. Are you willing to put what you love on the chopping block like Abraham did? It's not always easy, but it's so worth the journey.
We just celebrated Jesus' birth. To me, you can't talk about his birth without talking about his death. Jesus was sent to be our offering, the perfect lamb for our sins, and he went willingly to the cross and took ALL our sins away. This act of love and kindness is how we receive Grace daily. It says in Ephesians 2:8 For by Grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Meaning by believing that Jesus Christ died for our sins, God grants us his Grace for our belief. It's his gift to us every day.
Love the people you come across in life, forgive often, and be ever so thankful every day and in every way. Grace is a gift; once you receive it, you never want to let go.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you, Lord, for your son who died for our sins. Thank you for Jesus's teachings of his loving Father. We thank you so much, Lord, for your Grace and mercy. Without it, we would still be sacrificing for our sins. I love the way you love us, Lord. Thank you for loving us so much you sent your only begotten son to save us. In Jesus' Holy name, we pray. Amen.
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