“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:16-17 NIV

I have my journal going strong. Thankfulness for you (I said you would be my first entry!), family, friends, church, home, safe travel, unexpected healing, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, rain, a late flower, fall leaves. When I’m looking it seems there are so many things to be thankful for! I hope you, also, have been recording your blessings and the evidence of God’s Everlasting Love for each of you.

In a continuation of our Thanksgiving season and our “God’s Everlasting Love” journaling, I want to talk about the amazing gift of God’s grace. John the Baptist in the verses above is describing Jesus. The first “grace” given to people by God was the law. In the Old Testament, God’s grace is described as His favor or pleasure. Noah, Moses, and Samuel, all found favor with God, pleased God.

In the New Testament, we find the embodiment of God’s grace in the gift of Jesus Christ, His Son. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV God’s everlasting grace is Jesus Christ, through whom we might all be saved. Wow! God’s grace is simply an extension of His everlasting love for us, for all mankind, for those designed and created in His image.

Grace is defined by Paul Enns (Moody Handbook of Theology) as “the unmerited or undeserving favor of God to those who are under condemnation.” We are all under condemnation because of sin and our separation from God. But our belief, faith, and relationship with Jesus, our Savior, changes that. We are free from condemnation, our sins forgiven, washed clean, free in the light and grace and salvation of Jesus Christ. We are children of the Most High God!

This week let’s add to our journal (or whatever method you have chosen). Let’s be thankful for the amazing gift of God’s grace in our lives and the lives of those around us. Continue looking for everyday ways that God’s grace touches your lives. Add them to your journals. I work with an afterschool program at my church. It is exciting to be teaching young people about God’s everlasting love and His all-encompassing grace.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we continue our Thanksgiving season by thanking God for His everlasting love and His amazing grace.

God’s blessings and grace!