Grace and mercy give hope...

It's very common that grace and mercy are used as synonyms.  But, they are different.  God in his great mercy, gave us the greatest gift anyone has ever given - grace expressed through Jesus.  We celebrate his coming to earth at Christmas time and the hope he brings. 

So what's the difference between grace and mercy?  Dr. David Jeremiah puts it this way:

Mercy withholds the knife from the heart of Isaac.
Grace provides a ram in the thicket.

Mercy runs to forgive the Prodigal Son.
Grace throws a party with every extravagance.

Mercy bandages the wounds of the man beaten by the robbers.
Grace covers the cost of his full recovery.

Mercy hears the cry of the thief on the cross.
Grace promises paradise that very day.

Mercy pays the penalty for our sin at the cross.
Grace substitutes the righteousness of Christ for our wickedness.

Mercy converts Paul on the road to Damascus.
Grace calls him to be an apostle.

Mercy saves John Newton from a life of rebellion and sin.  (He was a slave trader.)
Grace makes him a pastor and author of a timeless hymn.  (He wrote "Amazing Grace".)

Mercy closes the door to hell.
Grace opens the door to heaven.
 
Mercy withholds what we have earned.
Grace provides blessings we have not earned.

Tomorrow we will look at why it is so important to understand why we need grace - especially at Christmas!


Special Gifts

God tells us in his Word that we are to take care of widows and orphans.  There are many opportunities at Christmas to bless them.  Last year we started a new family tradition.  Both of our mothers are widows and we want to bless them and their friends with something that will be fun.  So, we put together Ladies' Night Out Boxes.  It includes a Walmart gift card (they can buy groceries for a dinner with friends or go to a restaurant of their choice with friends), a movie to watch, goodies to eat during the movie and snowflake ornaments so everyone can have something to remind them of the night.  I had black and white gift boxes that I put tissue paper in, then all the gift items and topped it off with a silk poinsettia.  I hope they will feel pampered and loved!

Hmmm... I think I may have to compose a poem to go along with the box.  Won't that be fun?!