GRACE, GRACE AND MORE GRACE

PRAY WITH ME FOR AFRICA: Africa is a resource rich continent but corrupt and unstable governments, lack of infrastructure, the highest population growth rate in the world, military conflicts and civil wars causing displacement of people, poor soil management and drought, the high prevalence of AIDS and malaria, and lack of education add to the ongoing poverty of many African countries. Many Christian organizations are seeking to meet these real needs. Of the 33 lowest ranking nations on the UN Human Development Index (HDI), 32 are in Africa. There is hope for Africa in Jesus Christ. Let us pray.

 The absolute necessity of the Grace of God in our lives, and the abounding gift of the Grace of God to those who will humble themselves before God, have occupied my mind for the last couple of weeks. The change of heart that reflects a genuine saving faith, as mentioned last week, can only result from the work of the Grace of God. Living in daily circumstances, trials, duties, responsibilities and happiness, and the occasional unexplained tragedies that punch us in the face requires the gift of God's abounding Grace. When Paul faced his "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12), God did not give Paul an explanation for the thorn but the promise of Grace to live with the thorn. I don't know what your day or your week will bring to you but here are a few things to remember. 1) God is Sovereign and nothing touches you that has not gone through His fingers first. There are no mistakes made by the Sovereignty of God. 2) If you truly belong to God, God has your good in mind in whatever is allowed to touch your life. So thank God even for the sucker punch which has so suddenly knocked you flat. God IS Good all the time. 3) God's Grace is sufficient. I have been savoring this verse from Psalm 119.132. Oh, how sweet and nourishing. "Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name." How wonderful is the taste of the Grace of God in this sinful world. I expect an eternal serving of God's rich Grace and look forward to the ability to savor Grace in greater measure. "So that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2.7)

Good article I read this week:  North Korea (My Google Drive)