<FONT COLOR="purple">I just love catchy titles, don’t you? Ok its exercise time, everyone inhale and…. hold it…….hold it…… hold it. It is an interesting phenomenon that takes place in our lungs when we hold our breath. Did you know that it is not a lack of oxygen that triggers the desire to exhale but a buildup of carbon dioxide? God made us so that when we get enough carbon dioxide in us that we want to expel it and then take in a new breath. Ok if you are still with me then go ahead and breathe! Could you feel that blistering sensation that was going on in your lungs, or perhaps you were breathing the whole time and simply remember the sensation from your youth. Really though I am pretty sure that we shouldn’t go around holding our breath aren’t you? Just like that holding our breath exercise we should also not hold up inside us that measure of Grace that we have been given. It too will cause a painful sensation inside us if we do not regularly breathe it out on our brothers and sisters.</FONT c>

The Word:
John 1:16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
Acts 20:32 "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified
1 Timothy 1:14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

<FONT COLOR="purple">As we can see by these verses above we are each given a measure of God’s grace above and beyond just the grace that saved us. There are different measures of grace. There is the grace that covers our sins and washes them “white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18), then there is the grace that was extended to us in the form of Jesus on whom our salvation lies and then there is the grace of our gifts and talents we use to serve God. I don’t think any two of us have the same measure of grace. Just as our very fingerprints are different so is the measure of the grace we all carry. Now if we are to keep this grace for ourselves much as we spoke above of holding our breath it will in much the same manner pain us and like holding out breath we can pass out, in a spiritual sense. Our grace is meant to be given from us much like we breath air in and out of our lungs thousands of times a day. When we give out our grace to another God fills us with more so that we may give more out!</FONT c>

The Word:
Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
1Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
COL 4:18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
HEB 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. [15] See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

<FONT COLOR="purple">Even God’s word confirms how we should use the grace that is given to us. It is not ours to keep but we should be faithful stewards of it. Even Paul remembered to pass grace along while he was in chains, sentenced to die. How often have you heard or seen someone who withholds grace. They appear to be a bitter and often judgmental person, that is the outward sign that they are “holding their breath” so to speak. How on earth are we to win the lost if we cannot even extend the grace to them that was given to us? I have also heard this compared to either a muddy stagnant pond or a fresh clear flowing stream, if you were thirsty which would you rather drink from? Then also should we fashion our handling of grace in that same way. Breathe! And let the water flow!</FONT c>

<FONT COLOR="red">Pray with me:
Father God I exalt you and praise you. I am humbled by the measure of grace you have given me. I do not deserve it and I could never repay it. Father I thank you for your grace. Teach me, Father, how to breathe. I want to learn how to give out my grace to others so that they can see what YOU have done for me and give you the Glory Father. Give me strength to keep on giving out grace in times of trials and when faced with hardships. Use me Father, let your grace flow through me like a stream. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen!</FONT c>


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Thanks, Steve. I love hearing about God's grace. It's impossible to fathom why he would have mercy on someone like me who messes up so bad so often. But as someone told me tonight...you can't ever fathom it. Just acceptit. Believe it, and thank Him for it. And share it...