“Every breath we draw is a gift of God’s love; every moment of existence is a grace.” – Thomas Merton

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Listen to my song “Changed” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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1 Corinthians 15:9-10

For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective.

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St. Paul is a profound example of what God’s grace can do.

He was the ultimate persecutor of the first Christians, literally responsible for dragging them off in chains to their imprisonment and even deaths.

And what did the risen Christ do as a reprisal to Paul?

He selected him to be a very special Christian evangelist.

This is a prime example of God’s restorative justice instead of retributive justice.

Paul’s mystical encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus resulted in an instant awareness that he had been horribly wrong.

Paul was taken under the care and tutelage of the early Christian disciples and within a few years, he was one of the most zealous preachers of the gospel!

Paul knew his conversion was not by any merit or good work of his own, but by the total grace of God.

Have you experienced God’s grace?

I have experienced it numerous times.

It’s when you receive something good when you did nothing to deserve it.

As a matter of fact, you may have deserved something quite opposite.

Don’t get me wrong, punishment is required sometimes in this world of laws and rules.

But hearts and lives are rarely transformed by punishment.

There must be some form of compassion, some measure of grace given, or many people will remain bitter and angry.

We need more people who want to channel God’s grace into this world.

How else will God’s kingdom come to life in this time and place?

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Listen to the song of the day “Changed” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!