---By Grace Through Faith

-"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
--(Ephesians 2:8-9)

-The supreme force in salvation is God’s grace. Not our works. Not our talents. Not our feelings. Not our strength. Faith is not born at the negotiating table where we barter our gifts in exchange for God’s goodness. Faith is not an award given to the most learned. It’s not a prize given to the most disciplined.

Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved,....."-(see text).

We, like Paul, are aware of two things. We are great sinners and we need a great Savior. Salvation is God’s sudden, calming presence during the stormy seas of our lives. Death is disarmed. Failures are forgiven. Life has real purpose. And God is not only within sight—He is within reach!
--The Grip of Grace/ML
[We prefer to get salvation the old-fashioned way: We earn it. To accept grace is to admit failure, a step we are hesitant to take. We opt to impress God with how good we are rather than confessing how great He is. God does not smile on our efforts, works, and meditations. No, He only wants a truly repentant heart and a contrite Spirit. Come to the Father today, He is waiting for you. He loves you so much that He died to take your sins upon Himself. That is how He paid our sin-debt. A cruel death on an old rugged Cross 2,000 years ago. PAID IN FULL! All we have to do is admit we are sinners in need of a Savior. Confess sins that He brings to our mind, and believe Jesus already paid for our entrance into Heaven. Only believe, all things are possible.
Some have asked, "Why did He have to die?" Because 'Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.' ]
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-"Old Rugged Cross" / by: Alan Jackson~
<http://youtu.be/F5sqgohg6q4>