I always thank my God for you. I thank him because of the grace he has given to you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:4 NIRV
Grace and Gratitude
A small community west of Ottawa could be turning into a wintering hot spot for the stately and graceful trumpeter swan. The once nearly extinct bird has rebounded in numbers across Ontario thanks to the hard work of dedicated volunteers. Now, residents of Almonte are enjoying the musical stylings of a flock that has taken a liking to the calm, shallow waters of the Mississippi River. According to neighbour Larry Maynard “I think they’re gorgeous-looking animals. We love the sound, we love the company, and you hear it at night as well, it’s very pleasant to hear.”
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If there is one word that describes everything about the Christian life, it is grace. Someone described grace as – God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense – and that is true. It is by God’s grace that we are saved. It is by God’s grace that we live day by day. Every good and perfect gift, the Bible tells us, comes from the Father – and they are all given by His unlimited grace. Paul describes it this way in 1 Corinthians 1:4: “I always thank my God for you. I thank him because of the grace he has given to you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I often wonder if I’ve been appreciative enough to God for the grace He offers me day by day. He knows how grateful I am for the gift of eternal life that brought me into relationship with Him. I thank Him for that all the time. But Paul reminds us here that we need to thank Him for all He supplies – by His grace. Do we?
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley