"Grace, Thanks, Joy" - 01/22/14 - Genesis 30,31

"blessed them, and then set off for home. (31:55)

My eyes were opened up to another gift from our ABBA last night during our Women's Bible Study.  We are going through 1000 gifts by Ann Voskamp, and it focuses on "grace".  This one question and discussion afterwards has embedded itself within my heart.  My heart, rising up and pushing fresh tears to my eyes, leaving a wet trail as they course down my face.  And even though I have studied, came away knowing my Savior broke bread with one who would betray Him, came away knowing He did this for me - my heart has never been touched as it has been last night.  His Words we opened up to and read, lingered in the air about us, alive and touching each woman who sat around the table.  Heart transformation from His Word.  His Word which is so alive.

4. Read Matthew 26:26-29 and ! Corinthians 11:23-26.  When Jesus broke the bread and offered the cup, He spoke this beautiful word:  Eucharisteo.   This one word captures three distinct and powerful ideas.  how did Jesus reveal each of the following in His institution of the Lord's Supper ( the Eucharist)?              Grace,               Thanks,            Joy"

The Greek word for Grace is "Charis".  I had never noticed before that it is completed surrounded in the word of Eucharisteo.  Much like I am completely covered and surrounded by Him in His Word.  Christ is God's Grace for me - for you - for all of us who accept Him.  He gave us Christ - the Ultimate Sacrifice - to cover our past, present, and future sins.  Without Christ, no one can be saved, stay saved, or grow as a Christian. 

Grace is the oxygen we Christians need to breathe. 

It was the word "Thanks" that has gripped my heart and won't let go. 


In the Scriptures, it tells us, "Before".
Listen carefully - "BEFORE" - He broke the bread. 
"BEFORE" - He poured the wine. 
Each time, He gave Thanks to our ABBA. 
Our Precious Savior, our Christ, our Jesus, our Babe in the manager - He gave THANKS. 
He gave THANKS knowing He was giving the symbols which represented what was coming. 

He gave THANKS - knowing He - He - would be on The Cross. 

He - He - who would be separated from His ABBA, our ABBA, before He went home, to sit at the right hand of ABBA. 


And why?  LOVE. 

His focus was always on Heaven.  He knew what was to come.  He knew, He wrestled in the Garden, alone with His ABBA, He knew all that was ahead.  And still He made the free choice to continue on.  To be The Ultimate Sacrifice, not only to cover our sins, but so we could have The Holy Spirit - here within us.  Our Helper. 

He showered upon us Grace. 


He did it with thankfulness. 

And He did it with Joy. 


After The Last Supper, "They sang a hymn and went directly to Mount Olives." (Matthew 26:30).


A hymn.  Extending a time of praise and worship to ABBA. 


"and went directly to Mount Olives."


The place where we see His Gift of Grace, as He continued in His steps to The Cross.