g r a c e

In my devotions I've been reading through Romans because I just learn SO MUCH every time I read Romans. Today was chapter 11 and it talked about the great grace of God and how if we look at our works or our actions we obviously fall short, and then grace is no longer grace (verse 5). It's so amazing to me that God sees us and our sin and there's nothing hidden from God. He knows all of our mistakes, and our secrets we try to cover up and keep from others. He sees how we try to create an image of ourselves so others can't see the real person that we are. Yet God chooses us. This is the cool part, when God sees the real and raw us, in GRACE He chooses to love us. And love us, and love us. Nothing can keep us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Its so beautiful and so humbling.

Further along in chapter 11 Paul talks about the branches that God cuts off from His vine, the ones who have fallen away from Him. Verse 18 says that it is not the branch that supports the root but, rather, the root that supports the branch. I just love how God never leaves us on our own. Countless times in Scripture God talks about how He supports us and we are not alone! I love that. In the verses surrounding verse 11, Paul describes how God says he will bring back the cut off branches that have fallen away, if they return to Him. Again, God's grace is so amazing!

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!" 11:33