“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the LORD Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 NIV

As the holiday season begins, I’ve been thinking a lot about the things I have to be thankful for. The list is long. God has truly been so good to me. I have a wonderful family. I’m healthy. I have a warm bed to sleep in and food to eat. I have a job I really enjoy. I have the honor of serving God alongside an amazing church family. I’ve been saved. I’m forgiven. Im never alone. I’m loved with an everlasting love. I can go on and on. But the one thing God has shown me over the last couple of weeks that should be number one on that list is by far the most wonderful. Yet, I think a lot of times, it’s the very thing we forget and take for granted. Grace…

Were it not for the grace of God, I wouldn’t have anything, be anything. “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect.” (1 Corinthians 15:10) The Bible clearly says His grace makes me what I am. Only by His grace can I take my next breath, my next step. We are told to “be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1) So our strength is only by His grace. “Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” (Titus 3:7) We have been made right, only by His grace. When we are in need, we are told “to go boldly to God’s throne of grace and find grace to help us.” (Hebrews 4:16) It is only “by His grace that we have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:5) We can’t even believe without His grace. “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” (Ephesians 2:8) I can’t even serve Him or tell others about Him without “God’s grace and mighty power.” (Ephesians 3:7) We are weak, powerless, useless… but by the grace of God.

And the most amazing thing about His grace… it never runs out and it is always enough. “But He gives us even more grace.” (James 4:6) “My grace is all you need,” (2 Corinthians 12:9) So I do not want to “receive God’s grace in vain,” (2 Corinthians 6:1) but instead I want to “praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son.” (Ephesians 1:6)

As I enter into this season of thanksgiving, I’m grateful to you God for all you have done, all you have given me. But most of all, I am so grateful for your truly Amazing Grace… because I know that your grace came first.