Anytime we receive a gift, we receive something we didn't earn. The Bible says that God has a gift for you. Grace is the free and undeserved gift of God's unconditional love and complete forgiveness. God is so great that He gives you His grace to erase all of your past sins and to give you a fresh start in a new life. We each have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23) The wages of our sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus. (Rom. 6:23). We all have a deep need for forgiveness. We all need God's grace... "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. Once you accept Christ as your Savior, there is nothing you can do that would cause God to love you any less and there is nothing you can do to cause him love you any more. God's grace is sufficient for you (2 Cor. 12:9). G.R.A.C.E is really God's Riches At Christ's Expense.

It is through Jesus' death on the Cross that all of our sins are wiped clean, and by his blood that these sins are not only forgiven, but also forgotten. After we accept the free gift of grace given to us through Jesus paying the price of our salvation, we then begin a new life in Christ. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, He sends the Holy Spirit into us to begin a New Spiritual life in Christ.

You were created with value and worth. God wants your life to count. God loves you and created you to have a personal relationship with Him. Being a Christian and accepting God's Grace is NOT about religion...it is about a personal RELATIONSHIP; with a Living God- Jesus Christ. Life becomes a journey with Christ and He wants us to enjoy an incredible life free of condemnation. "I have come that you may have life and life more abundantly "(John 10:10). We have access to our heavenly Father through Christ. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6).

Focus on this verse and repeat it over and over..., "For I know the plans you have for you -declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Wow! Isn't that wonderful? This is just one of the many, many promises of hope that God has for you. Jeremiah 29:10

How do you receive this free gift of Salvation and Grace that is available to you at no charge?...Where do you begin?

You are not going to believe how simple it is:

You can begin you personal relationship with God by receiving Jesus Christ by faith through prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God. He knows what you mean even when it is difficult to express yourself.

First - You need to SURRENDER all your pain and burdens, and TRUST in God to carry these for you ...it is time to let go of trying to control everything in your life- you can't...it's way TOO much.... but God can! (He is really, really BIG and can handle it all). Give it ALL to Him!

Second- CONFESS your sins, and ask God to FORGIVE you. ....even if you don't feel like a sinner- we ALL are....either in thoughts, words, or deeds- it just happens, because we are human- we truly cannot help it- we are born into sin through the fall of Adam and Eve. God will not only forgive you, but He will also forget your sins and take away all the pain and guilt associated with all of these sins.

Third- Ask God to CHANGE YOUR HEART and fill it with His HOLY SPIRIT - Ask God to fill your heart with the abundance of peace, love and joy that can only come from HIM.

A guideline for a simple, yet life-transforming prayer is:

"Dear God, I know that my sin has separated me from you. Thank you that Jesus Christ died in my place. I ask Jesus to forgive my sin and to come into my life. Please begin to direct my life. Thank you for giving me eternal life. In Jesus'name, Amen."

That's it!! That is all it takes to transform your days to ones that 'you just want to get through'- to days where PURE peace, love, and joy will be truly present in your life.

By receiving God's Grace in your life, your heart WILL change. His love will flow through your heart and reach out to touch others. If you are willing to allow God to answer these prayers, and allow the Holy Spirit to change you from the inside, He will- this is His promise.

1Peter 5:10, "In His kindness, God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So, after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation."

Choose a life Centered on Christ for a Firm Foundation. (See diagram of a Grace-filled women.)

Many of you may be thinking... Will God accept ME? Am I worthy? If this is so, then you are the perfect candidate, and you are the one He is calling. You are the one God desires to give grace to. God accepts EVERYONE, no matter how deep the sin. In fact, There is absolutely NO sin- GREAT or SMALL- that God's Grace does not cover- God truly uses sin for His Glory. The power of Christ's transformation within you absolutely exceeds all understanding!

It is time to let go of the past and TRUST in God for your future....... Claim His Love for you today- It is free, and offers the promise of ETERNAL peace in your life.

Pastor Gary Hewins of Community Bible Church- Highlands, NC assisted in writing this article.