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Tuesday,
March
16,
2021
"God's
Grace Still Amazes Me!"
Message
summary: God's Grace ever-remains amazing!
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding" (Ephesians 1:7,8).
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding" (Ephesians 1:7,8).
One
of the most beloved hymns regardless of our
background and probably wherever we live on this
terrestrial ball is "Amazing Grace". In fact on
most lists it is number 1 in regard to being a
favorite.
It
was written by John Newton, who for a time in his
life was a slave trader. Based upon what he had once been there
may very well be those today in the cancel culture
nonsense that would advocate cancelling him! Would that also mean cancelling his
beloved song?
He
was transporting slaves from Africa and confronted
a vicious storm. His craft was severely
weather-beaten, compelling him to call out to God
for mercy and deliverance. The God his mother
introduced him to as a child suddenly became very
real and His power to still the storm took on
fresh and relevant meaning. Newton experienced
amazing grace and subsequently led a movement to
abolish the slave trade in 1788.
"Amazing
Grace" continues to remind us that 
forgiveness and redemption are possible
regardless of sins committed. What Newton wrote in
various ways and degrees applies to all of us, "I
once was lost, but now am found, 'twas blind, but
now I see".
forgiveness and redemption are possible
regardless of sins committed. What Newton wrote in
various ways and degrees applies to all of us, "I
once was lost, but now am found, 'twas blind, but
now I see".Newton
never lost sight of the grace he wrote about in
stanza one, the "grace that saved a wretch like
me". He said before he died, "My memory is nearly
gone, but I remember two things – that I am a
great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior".
A
danger for all of us is that grace may cease to
be amazing when we lose sight of what we
once were, a wretch that God saved through His
amazing grace.
Today's
text is a great passage to memorize. It's already
in the first person (plural) but in my effort to
completely personalize I say it this way, "In Him I have redemption through His
blood, the forgiveness of my sins, in accordance
with the riches of God's grace that He lavished
on me with all wisdom and understanding".
Amazing
Grace has prompted other great songs including one
that our title today is based on, "Your Grace
Still Amazes Me". It is sung by a group called
Phillips, Craig and Dean. Brooksyne and I have
both been deeply touched by the stirring words of
this song. God's grace really is amazing and we never want to lose that sense! I never want to take His grace for granted nor lose the wonder. And He's still lavishing that grace today on undeserving people like you and me. Will you this moment His grace receive?
Your grace still amazes me,
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Cause your grace still amazes me.
Your grace still amazes me.
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Cause your grace still amazes me.
Your grace still amazes me.
Be
encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Faithful Father, my enduring Friend,
Your tender mercy is like a river with no end. It
overwhelms me, it covers my sin. Each time I come
into Your presence, Lord, I stand in wonder once
again. For Your grace still amazes me and Your love
is still a mystery. Each day I fall on my knees
cause Your grace still amazes me. It's deeper, it's
wider, it's stronger, it's higher than anything my
eyes can see and Your grace still amazes me. Thank
You for lavishing me with Your tender mercies and
amazing grace. Amen.(Adapted
from "Your Grace Still Amazes Me")
Songwriters:
Andrew Shawn Craig, Connie Harrington
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Grace"
Video
CityAlight
"Amazing
Grace" Video Gaither
Vocal Band
"This
Is Amazing Grace" Video Brooklyn
Tabernacle Choir with Phil Wickham
This
powerful scene from the ending of the movie
"Amazing Grace" William Wilberforce &
Slave Trade Act of 1807 Video It sure
makes you long for principled politicians!
There's
a sermon illustration here for John 15 or Ephesians 3:17. Any ideas? Look carefully and
you'll see our house to the right of the
standing tree, with the trail we enjoy so
much beginning across the street from our
house lined by only three trees now as
opposed to numerous trees when we moved to
our location 19 years ago. Most were
rotted and fell down after heavy
thunderstorms.
Some
of the trees removed farther up the trail
across from our house and these will go to
a lumber mill. When we saw this log truck
we thought of long-time friends Bruce and
Cindy Jack. Bruce drove a huge log truck
in northern PA for many years.
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a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
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Weber".Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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