Newness of Life Standing in Grace.

  Do you have a favorite color?  Mine is undeniably green, and for a myriad of reasons.  One of them is that it is the color of life, new life (think spring), and even more significant, as a child of the Maker of Heaven and earth, it is the color of eternal life I have because of the life, death, and rising again of His Son, Jesus (think Easter).
   Living in the desert for a few years now, I miss the lush green grass commonplace in the Southeast. I even miss the simplicity of standing in it. In a land where colored gravel covers the yards mostly, grass is a welcome sight in Phoenix. The richness of the color and the scent of the fresh cut is something to be savored. I even miss mowing the grass, enjoying that satisfaction of a job well done, even if it seemed to take a little effort to complete. It all leads me into thinking of God's grace (His unmerited favor toward us).  I like the acrostic - God's Riches At Christ's Expense.      
  Interestingly, we need not ask for grace when we pray.  If we have trusted in Jesus, we actually are standing in grace. Though, at times it seems like it requires effort, we can know that it is ultimately and astonishingly His effort alone that gifts us with the beauty of grace.
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." - Romans 5:1-2
  Grace is also something to be savored, leading us to thankfulness to God in relating with Him in prayer and praise.
  And what of satisfaction?  God's amazing grace enables us to live a grateful and contented life whatever circumstances or dreams may come.   
  Chuck Swindoll has succinctly captured the truth - "God's grace says, 'I've picked up the tab.  I'll take care of everything inside and out.  Accept it.   Believe it.  It's a declared fact. '"
   So, first we have our standing in grace and then grow in lavish greenness of newness of life in His care.
A prayer:
  Father, Your amazing grace is more than we could ever imagine, but please help us to see more and more how great You really are and live to bring glory to You and tell others Your Truth. In Jesus' name I ask. Amen.