NorMel House Devotions

  Grace. What is it? Do we need it? Google AI says, “In Christianity, grace is commonly understood as a divine gift, an unearned favor or blessing from a higher power…Essentially, it is something good that is given to someone without them having to earn it.” While this is true, it doesn’t even remotely come close to the full explanation of what grace truly means for us. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” So, we know that we are all sinners, unable to do good. So, yes, we all need God’s grace. Romans 6:23 tells us why this is important to know: “For the wages of sin is death.” However, it goes on to tell us why we can have hope, continuing with “but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 3:23-25a says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation...

 Sometimes words escape me. Actually, if I'm being honest with myself it happens more often than not. Oddly enough, in both manners of speaking. There are times when I don't think and words just come out, and there are times that no matter how much I want to say something I just can't get it out. When there are no words to adequately describe my emotions, when I'm left speechless by something good or bad. When I see the devastating results that sin can have on our world I often want so badly to impart some great words of wisdom or comfort but there simply aren't any words coming to mind. My heart at times weighs heavy in my chest and it's in those moments I have but one choice. Only one thing makes sense at a time where grief has taken over: prayer. "Let Thy Will be done, dear Father, and give me strength and a willing heart to accept it". God knows better than I ever can, and though I may not understand He will turn all things to the good of those who...