StewardLife Lesson 14
STORY:
The pastor announced the final hymn from Lutheran Worship, “Lift High the Cross,” number 311. Bobby found the hymn as the organist played the introductory verse.
After the service, Bobby asked his mother, “What were those tiny notes at the end of each verse?”
Bobby had been taking piano lessons for two years now, and he often noticed things like that. “Those are called grace notes,” his mother replied. ”They are notes that can be played as additions to the notes written. They are there to make the music flow better. They are played to tie together the end of each verse to the beginning of the chorus.”
“Sometimes I think God writes grace notes into our lives to help us get to the chorus,” Bobby rightly observed.
STORY:
Timmy pushed aside his dinner plate. “Ugh! Broccoli again! Why is God so good to us that he even gives me stuff I don't like or want?”
INSIGHT OUT:
Rev. Mike Slaughter, Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, Tipp City, Ohio, recently sent a video crew out on the street in Dayton to ask people, “What is grace?” Viewing the results was enlightening. One of the many replied, “It's what you say before meals.” Virtually every other person had no clue.
Do you know what grace is? Just so you can't be stumped in an on-the-street interview, here it is: Grace is “an undeserved gift from the king, given to one of his subjects out of the clear blue sky with no strings attached.”
At the time of the New Testament, that's the way the Greeks understood the word, and that's the definition brought into the Scripture from their common understanding.
Almost no one uses the word grace in their daily vocabulary. Almost no one knows its meaning. It's not a word we're used to. But now you know. God's grace is: An undeserved gift from the King, given to one of His subjects out of the clear blue sky with no strings attached. First, and most important of all, it's the gift of Jesus. Second, it's everything God gives to you: air, water, food, shelter, possessions, spiritual gifts and talents, life. God gives it all to you because He loves you and delights in surprising you. Receive it gratefully. Manage it.
EXERCISE: "The Radio"
When you tune your car radio today think of the invisible radio waves it receives. An antenna pulls in the signals that fill the air.
Like radio waves, God's blessings are all around you—they saturate life. As a Christian, God's Spirit dwells in you. The Spirit can be like an “antenna.” In connecting with the Spirit, you are able to “tune in” to God's blessings in your life.
Let the omnipresence of God's love and care penetrate your heart and bring joy and delight to you today. With your spiritual eyes, receive and acknowledge His blessings.
