Gift of Grace

Series: Receive a Gift

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

Acts 9:3-6 ESV

While I have counseled with adults who struggle with receiving God’s gift of grace, I have not personally experienced that struggle.

I received God’s grace when I was nine years old.

I did understand that I wanted Jesus in my life. I loved Jesus and that life is all I’d known. I was taken to church early in life and my first memories of being in Sunday School were very positive and uplifting.

I adored my first Sunday School teacher.

Her name was Joy and she was a treasure. She was kind and she made eye contact with me every time we spoke. That is pretty unusual for an adult to make real eye contact with a very small child.

At four years old I didn’t know why making eye contact was important but later I realized it was because she made me feel like she really “saw” me.

My Sunday School teacher Joy was so personal and loving that I trusted her.

I believed her when she told me I can trust God.

Ephesians 2:8 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

A few years later when our pastor invited us to come if we wanted Jesus, I went up front in church and I was baptized.

Later when I was around twelve years old my church went to Arrowhead Stadium to hear Billy Graham. I wept the entire time I was there.

The Spirit was strong and I knew the Spirit of God was in that place.

With each step the gift of grace grew stronger and I came to understand and marvel at God’s grace.

I know there are people who have a different story.

The Apostles Paul originally named Saul was raised going to Temple. At that time if boys did extremely well in Hebrew school they were invited to remain in school and go to the next level.

The boys who did not excel went home to learn the trade of their father.

Paul did so well that he became a Pharisee (which was a great honor). As a Pharisee he did so well that he was invited to study under the great Rabbinical teacher Gamaliel. Paul (Saul) was so influential that he was known for being a great Hebrew teacher.

Paul knew about a man called Jesus who said He was the Son of God and people said this man performed miracles. Paul heard this man Jesus was crucified and he knew others said he was raised from the dead.

All of that was hearsay to Paul.

Then one day Paul was on the road to Damascus and “As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:3-6).

Paul obeyed and he became a follower of Jesus.

Paul believed.

Many many years later in a land far away I went to hear a man speak about Jesus. I believed in Jesus and I knew many Bible stories I’d learned in Sunday School.

Still, that night changed my life forever.

When I walked into Arrowhead Stadium the Spirit of God came on me.

It consumed me.

It was so strong that I started crying and I couldn’t stop.

When I got home I told my dad what happened and he knew exactly how to explain the presence of the Spirit so I understood it was a blessing.

That was sixty years ago.

I can tell you without any doubt that God has never failed me. At one point I was crushed to the point I thought I must have done something to deserve a life change but even then God did not fail me.

Later God called me to go to Seminary. I didn’t understand why but it was a wonderful blessing and I loved every minute of it.

I still don’t understand everything but I do know I have a wonderful happy life now.

God is good and has blessed me beyond belief!

Deborah

acrazyjourney.com