Grace and grace alone

I'm weary...of course it is Labor Day and just thinking about all I need to do makes me weary.

Maybe I'm just weary of summer...yard work, weeding, watering, harvesting, weeding, watering dead-heading,  transplanting, and weeding and watering.

It's time for a change and just at the right time fall begins to happen and with it changing colors, cooler nights, shorter days, hot steaming tea in the morning, and longer Bible study times.  Ahhhhhh...........


As I begin looking at the book of Galatians, the Spirit begins reminding me of past prayers:
   --for more and more contentment in Christ and Christ alone...
      ---for the "presence" of Christ to be apparent ALL through my days...
          --for awareness of my sin of ungodliness...

And I have a feeling that studying this book, this book of Galatians will be used by God to bring some progress...

And it is all about grace...God's abundant grace. It is the GOSPEL---period.

I know about grace,
   I'm grateful for grace,
       I can define grace--"unmerited favor"...
            But, yet, instead, often-- I don't believe God could possibly have extended his grace to me.

How so??
    Because I'm a terrible sinner...
         I'm a hypocrite...
              I am not good...
                  My house isn't clean enough...
                      I'm overweight...
                         I don't do "it" right...
                            I don't love like I should...
                               I don't serve others like I should....
                                  I didn't raise my kids right....
                                      I, I, I, I, I!!!
         I'm not perfect like I should be by this age...

And yet...

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so than no one may boast.

James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

"Romans 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

I Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Praise God!! It is by grace and grace alone.