Receiving the Gift of Grace - Your Nightly Prayer - December 24th

Receiving the Gift of Grace
Your Nightly Prayer
By Greg Grandchamp

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE 

^"Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given." - John 1:16

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Christmas. For most, it may be the happiest time of the year. For others, perhaps the most difficult. On whichever end of that spectrum you sit, the season is a great time to consider the grace we have been given through Jesus. Whatever joy you have, or whatever struggles you face, Jesus has given each of us abundant grace beyond measure. And Christmas – celebrating the birth of our savior – is one of the best times to celebrate that grace.

Grace is a concept that absolutely transcends language barriers. It goes far above and beyond culture or religious philosophies. The word itself – grace – cries out forgiveness, kindness, and even unearned favor.

In his gospel, John had just finished telling us, “In the beginning was the Word – and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1, 4-5) And might I add – never will.

Then John tells us just a few verses later, “Out of His fullness we all have received grace in place of grace already given.” (v. 16) The ESV says it this way, “For from His fullness we have received grace upon grace.” Grace upon grace. This verse absolutely describes what we can expect to receive when we are in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Grace upon grace. Grace that will be received on top of and above and beyond the grace already given.

Grace upon grace upon grace…without end. A waterfall of grace. Paul put it this way, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”  (1 Corinthians 2:9) We cannot even imagine the grace that God has planned for us.

This is the essence of who Jesus is and what He offers each of us. Each layer of grace builds on and adds to the previous layer. Each and every experience becomes an opportunity to receive and take joy in more than we can possibly comprehend. As if God’s grace is already present and abundant, it multiplies.

Each layer of grace builds upon what came before, contributing to our growth in our relationship as well as in our transformation as disciples of Jesus.

Regardless if this is a season for you of joy or pain, God’s abundant grace is an invitation to experience His love in deeper and more profound ways.

For some, this message can be one that causes our hearts to overflow with that grace – sharing it with someone else. Perhaps Christmas offers a time to extend a similar kindness to others – helping them to feel that grace, adding to the grace already given.

For others, perhaps the overflowing grace helps heal a broken heart. Perhaps knowing God’s grace is with you can help you look at Christmas in a different way. Your loss, coupled with your understanding of the grace offered by Jesus, perhaps could also help someone else in a similar circumstance to you. Paul tells us that God comforts us in our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are also in affliction. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Whatever we might be feeling, let us find some peace and joy in simply knowing the abundant flow of God’s endless grace.  

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Heavenly Father,
Sometimes it is so easy for us to overlook the grace we receive every single day. We thank you for the never-ending flow of your grace, which we receive, that is already on top of the grace we have already been given. Please let your grace warm and fill my heart to overflowing. Help me, Father, to celebrate this joyous season by pouring out your grace to others. This I pray in Jesus' holy and precious name.
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Start each day with gratitude. When you wake up, thank God for another day to serve Him. Thank Him for letting His Holy Spirit guide you and lead you on level ground. (Psalm 143:10)

2. Pay attention each day to your interactions with others. Let your conversations be full of grace and seasoned with salt. (Colossians 4:6)

3. Engage in some act of kindness this season. Help a neighbor or volunteer somewhere – at a local shelter or food bank, perhaps. Let God’s grace upon grace overflow from your heart. Give sacrificially - of your time and your money. (Malachi 3:10)

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Diego Grandi

Grandchamp is an author and speaker. His book, “In Pursuit of Truth, A Journey Begins,” is an easy-to-read narrative that offers answers to the most common questions new believers and non-believers have about Jesus Christ (Amazon.) Greg speaks on living out our faith in our daily lives – and on creating true disciples of Christ.
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email  or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.

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