Ezekiel 20:44 (message)

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We all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) yet we’re all offered the same forgiveness and salvation. From nearly the beginning of time, we’ve been sinning, and God’s been rescuing and redeeming us.

On any given day, I sin more times than I can count; I probably don’t even recognize most of them. While I work to do better, I still stumble every day in one way or another. If I devote my entire life to simply becoming a better human, I’ll still die a complete sinner. So why does God forgive me, love me, and choose me?

Even before Jesus walked the earth, God made it abundantly clear that His grace was the answer. It wasn’t the law, or trying to do what’s right, or even living up to our full potentials that made us worthy of His love and acceptance. The truth is that we’re not worthy, and without His grace, we never will be. Fortunately, God is who He is, and nothing we do can or will ever change that. God wants us to know that His kindness, love, forgiveness, and acceptance is a gift that He chose to give us.

I’m not a human parent, but I do have 3 little fur babies that I’m head over heels in love with. They’re each very different in size, shape, color, and personality. One of them loves to cuddle and spends almost every waking (and sleeping) moment at my side. One is totally independent and would rather spend time playing fetch than snuggling. One is a complete terror most days and causes more messes than I think I can handle. While there’s definitely a better behaved child, I love them all exactly the same. That’s simply because of who I am and my love for dogs. If you have kids, I imagine that your love and acceptance of each of your children is the same because you’re their parent. Sometimes it’s hard to believe, but my love for my dogs, or your love for your kids, is nothing in comparison to how hard God loves His people.

God’s characteristics are unconditional and unchanging, and the grace that God gives us runs so deep, it’s unfathomable. And the reason we can’t fully understand it is because it doesn’t come from anything we’ve done or not done; it comes strictly because of who God is.

The Word says that it pleases God to save us and bring us into His family (Ephesians 1:5). It’s not a burden for Him to offer us His grace, it’s His desire because of who He is. We’re so blessed to serve a God that is able to separate who we are from who He is, and offer us the things we don’t deserve. Let’s find peace and joy in that truth today.

Write

Write down your thoughts and beliefs about God’s grace; anything that comes to your mind. Do the things you’ve written down line up with God’s Word? Can you identify any lies that you’ve been believing about grace?

Pray

For a better understanding of God’s grace.

Maple Pecan Oats

3 minPrep Time

5 minCook Time

8 minTotal Time

Serves 1

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon chopped pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon maple extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pure maple syrup

Instructions

1. Boil water in a saucepan
2. Once boiling, add oats and cinnamon and reduce to medium heat
3. Cook for 5 minutes, or until all water has been absorbed - stir frequently
4. Add maple extract and pecans to the oats and stir
5. Transfer oats to a bowl and drizzle with maple syrup before eating

7.8.1.2

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http://oliviagrist.com/god-is-full-of-grace-maple-pecan-oats/

Tips & Tools

If you’re in a hurry this morning, you can microwave the oats for 2 minutes!

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