Yours In Abundance Scripture Reading – 1 Corinthians 1:3 (NLT)

"May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace." 

The Epistles or letters to the churches that we find in the New Testament have this all important prayer as letter A in the alphabet of the Christian experience and expression, for those of us who belong to the forever family of God. That coming from our acceptance and living relationship that we have with our Heavenly Father as we see in today's text that both grace and peace would be evidence of that. Please when you have time take time to check out the importance of these in each one of our lives as the church of Jesus Christ. You will find them in: 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 2 Thessalonians 1:2, 1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:2, Philemon 3, 1 Peter 1:2b, 2 Peter 1:2, 2 John 3 & Jude 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When you have a few moments, stop, close the door, and look these up and allow the Holy Spirit to speak.

Do we get it?????? Right after the writer of the letter to the church and city identified himself, they immediately prayed that grace and peace (some adding in mercy and love also), would flow from us. Grace of course is God's Unmerited Favor, or as someone said: God's Riches At Christ's Expense. 

Peace flows from our relationship with and through Jesus and is not to be circumstantial, changing with the blessings, or trials that God is allowing us to walk through. 

Mercy is getting (and giving out) exactly what we do not deserve (each and every day from our Father). 

Love of course is primary - of first importance: patient, kind, humble, gives way, forgiving, hopeful, enduring, never giving up, always believing.

And so may these be ours, not only in a measure, but may these be, 'Yours In Abundance' for the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Prayer Heavenly Father may I exhibit grace, peace, mercy and love in abundance. May these be the hallmarks of Your church the body of Christ in a world so needing the touch of Jesus. Forgive us Lord when I have been or we have been less than these. Use me I pray in Jesus name. 

Memory Verse:  Philippians 2:10a NLT"__ want to _____ Christ and ____________ the mighty _______ that raised him from the _______.”