March 28, 2024

Grace Wins

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

In my weakest moment I see you
Shaking your head in disgrace
I can read the disappointment
Written all over your face

Here come those whispers in my ear
Saying, “Who do you think you are?
Looks like you’re on your own from here
‘Cause grace could never reach that far”

But in the shadow of that shame
Beat down by all the blame
I hear You call my name saying ‘it’s not over’
And my heart starts to beat so loud now
Drowning out the doubt
I’m down, but I’m not out

There’s a war between guilt and grace
And they’re fighting for a sacred space
But I’m living proof
Grace wins every time
No more lying down in death’s defeat
Now I’m rising up in victory
Singing, hallelujah
Grace wins every time

Words can’t describe the way it feels
When mercy floods a thirsty soul
The broke inside begins to heal
And grace returns what guilty stole

And in the shadow of that shame
Beat down by all the blame
I hear You call my name saying it’s not over
And my heart starts to beat so loud now
Drowning out the doubt
I’m down, but I’m not out

Grace wins every time
For the prodigal son
Grace wins
For the woman at the well
Grace wins
For the blind man and the beggar
Grace wins
For always and forever
Grace wins
For the lost out on the streets
Grace wins
For the worst part of you and me
Grace wins
For the thief on the cross
Grace wins
For a world that is lost

 Matthew West
singer/songwriter

 *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

As you listen to this song, try to think of the times that you needed His grace.  If we are honest—as long as we are breathing, we need grace.  And unlike most things in this world, it’s free.  See, God knew how hard it would be for us to live a totally righteous life, so He sent Jesus to die.  Now we live in victory, even though it may seem totally opposite.  There will be times that we cannot handle one more trial….

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
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 12:8-9

For the one that just keeps on doing the same thing over and over again, promising that tomorrow will be different and it’s not.  Shame takes you backwards into the same thing that you’re trying to overcome.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace,
Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ,
will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:10

And for the one that thinks that nothing can save him now, that he’s gone too far and God can never forgive him now…

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons,
by Whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
Romans 8:15 and 16

Oh friend, we are free because of grace…and as long as we have breath, and as long as we have Jesus…grace wins every time.

Your Grace Finds Me

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjvIt’s there in a newborn cry
There in the light of every sunrise
There in the shadows of this life
Your great grace

It’s there on the mountain top
There in the everyday and the mundane
There in the sorrow and the dancing
Your great grace
Oh, such grace

From the creation to the Cross
There from the Cross into eternity
Your grace finds me
Yes, Your grace finds me

It’s there on the wedding day
There in the weeping by the gravesite
There in the very breath we breathe
Your great grace

It’s the same for the rich and poor
The same for the saint and for the sinner
Enough for this whole wide world
Your great grace
Oh, such grace

There in the darkest night of the soul
There in the sweetest songs of victory
Your grace finds me
Yes your grace finds me

Your great grace
Oh such grace
Your great grace
Oh such grace

So I’m breathing in Your grace
And breathing out Your praise
I’m breathing in Your grace
Forever I’ll be

Your grace finds me
Yes Your grace finds me

Matt Redman
written along with Jonas Myrin

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

As long as there is sin, there will be grace.  And, even when we don’t realize it and we aren’t even looking for it, grace finds us.  Can you think of a time lately when you needed grace?  The awesome thing is that it really is everywhere.  It’s in the thorns that pierce us and the heavy loads we carry.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
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 about my weaknesses,
so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Grace meets us when we need His mercy and compassion.  Sometimes the pit we fall into isn’t always one that we chose…maybe someone pushed us in and we are struggling to get out.  More than anything we need His hand of grace to pull us out and His mercy to steady us so that we can keep moving forward instead of looking behind.

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

And when we do breathe in God’s grace, we need to breathe out His praise for all that He is and all that He does.  And when we are doubting that we are even worthy of coming to His throne, may we be reminded that nothing that we have done or will ever do is what qualifies us to receive His grace and mercy.  It is the love that God has for us that He would send His only Son to die.  It was the carrying of the Cross and the death of Jesus that gives us our grace ticket into His presence.

Do you need to be reminded again that you are loved and wanted?
Listen again to the words of this song and claim them as they are for you…

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Let us pray: Dear heavenly Father, You are so amazing and loving.  You are so full of mercy and compassion for each one of Your children.  Your forgiveness has no end.  Lord, we praise You today for the Cross. Because of the love You have for us, we will not be shaken because You have placed us on a firm foundation.  Thank You that we can come to You freely with any request and You listen.  You are always working on our behalf.  Please wrap Your arms around those today that need to be reminded.  We love You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.