Grace: A 5 Day DevotionalSample

There is an audio attachment for this devotional. You can [ download the audio ](https://plan-audio-cdn.youversionapi.com/uploads/supplemental-audio/8a03db9f-1ce9-4a8d-9f56-93dbca2b3f0a.mp3) if you wish. G - Grace is a gift. WHAT IS GRACE? 2020 was a front-row seat to the revelation of or perhaps the magnifying of a great divide that has been buried, downplayed, ignored, or even worse, hidden in plain sight for far too long. In the last year, we have all witnessed a change in ways unimaginable. The entire world has been warring against a disease that has plagued the four corners of the world, baffled the brightest minds of science and medicine, and changed the way we move individually and collectively in society daily. This new normal has harshly impacted the lives of people everywhere, placing unmeasurable and unsustainable demands on everyone regardless of race, creed, socio-economic background, or color, having no respect for persons with sickness and death overtaking the young and old alike. With government mandates that limit the movements of citizens and imposed requirements in place i.e. wearing masks in public and social distancing, there has been a diverse outcry from people everywhere. In response, the world has displayed defiance to the tune of a “freedom song” whose lyrics speak more of an individual’s rights and entitlement than it does to brotherhood, community, or liberty and justice for all with the least concern being shown for those who are suffering the most. In these unprecedented times, people are hurting and searching for answers. To that, I say  GRACE is a great place to start. In delving deeper into the word GRACE I find that it takes on a  more defined and targeted meaning for such a time as this. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the  power of Christ may rest upon me.” KJV GRACE is a gift. It is the: Gift of Responsibility And Accountability shown With Compassion And Empathy In pulling the word apart I came to understand that GRACE is where God's strength and sufficiency co-exist intentionally and perfectly with OUR WEAKNESS. But what does that mean exactly and how does it apply to your life today and every day? GRACE is indeed a gift and if we freely receive it from God and others, we should freely give it to others as an intentional and targeted part of walking out our lives daily. (Cross Reference Matthew  10:5-8) So, when in search of GRACE for ourselves (from God or people) we should be reminded what grace truly is. We should be willing to extend it to others understanding that if any one of these actions (Giving/gifting, responsibility, accountability, compassion, or empathy)  can be eliminated in an extension of grace from ourselves to others is in fact NOT GRACE at all. John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He GAVE (offered/gifted) His only begotten son. That whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."