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Psalm 117:1 Praise the Lord, all you nations!    

     Exalt Him, all you peoples!

2 For His merciful kindness is great toward us,    

     and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!

You don’t need me to tell you – because I’m sure you already know that the world around us is suffering. People are hurting. My diagnosis is that one of our world’s biggest problems is a lack of grace.

All too often it is easy to think that I’m just one person, so what can I do about it? Yet God has placed me where I am for a reason. The people God brings into contact with me are ones to whom He wants me to show grace. There may be a very specific reason why – but I don’t necessarily need to know that reason. They may be people I know – or people I’ve never seen before.

Hebrews 13:1-2 No matter what, make room in your heart to love every believer. 2 And show hospitality to strangers, for they may be angels from God showing up as your guests. (The Passion Translation)

My experiences with Jesus at His cross are the motivational factors which underly my desire to be a conduit for God’s grace. He has forgiven me. How can I not forgive others? He has poured His grace into my life. How can I not allow that grace to overflow to others. But even letting it overflow is not enough. Overflow is just a natural consequence of being filled, but deliberately sharing the grace He has given me is another matter entirely for it requires a conscious decision on my part and mindful action taken toward all the people in my life whether I know their circumstances or not.

Ephesians 4:32 You must be kind to each other. Think of the other person. Forgive other people just as God forgave you because of Christ’s death on the cross.

Dear Jesus, thank You for Your love and Your grace toward me and toward everyone. Always help me to remember that as one of Your followers, You use me to pour out Your grace on others. May I always be open to Your grace activity – never hindering – never being an obstacle to Your grace. Instead, let me be purposeful in sharing Your grace through every act of kindness, especially those that will help the people whose lives You touch to recognize You for who You are and how much You love and care for them. Because of Your love I pray, Amen!

1 John 3:18 My little children, don’t just talk about love as an idea or a theory. Make it your true way of life, and live in the pattern of gracious love. (The VOICE Translation)