AMAZING GRACE! By Cheryl Lutz

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.  Ephesians 2:4-9 [NIV]

Hello friends,

As I sat down to prepare this devotion, I was reminded again that Church 4 Chicks is a “grace focused” ministry.  That is why the decision to join this group was so easy for me.  I am a trophy of God’s amazing grace! And as  Holley Gerth says above, “Grace sets up free.”  Ephesians Chapter 2 tells me: I am no longer dead in my sin.  Because of God’s great love and rich mercy, I have been made alive (set free) in Christ. Jesus saved me through faith in Him, and this saving faith was a gift from God, it was not by my works.  Therefore, I cannot boast! I can only show praise and worship to Jesus, and extend and share with others how they may receive this amazing grace also.

The dictionary.com defines grace as:

favor or goodwill.

a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior:

mercy; clemency; pardon:

A Christian once defined God’s grace in an acronym:

God's Riches At Christ’s Expense

What about you?  How do you define grace? What does grace mean to you?

What have Church 4 Chicks and founder, Shelley Hendrix, taught you about grace?

I close with an old hymn composed by fellow trophy of God’s grace, Isaac Newton.  Read it again for the first time!

Original Trinity Hymnal, #402

Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found—

Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come;

'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

And when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess within the veil

A life of joy and peace.

When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we've first begun.

Cheryl Lutz is passionate to teach women how to tear down strongholds and find freedom in Christ. A pastor’s wife for twenty-five years, Cheryl possesses a vibrant love for teaching the Word of God. She is the founder of Securely Held, LLC, where she works as a trained and experienced lay counselor and speaker.

You may contact Cheryl through her blog at:www.securelyheld.com

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/securelyheld

Twitter: @clutz40

Email: clutz40@gmail.com