Time of Grace

Since we are living in a time of grace, we should recieve it from God and each other. We should also extend grace to others. Grace, when used properly should thwart all of the wiles of evil. Grace does three things: Brings peace with God, promotes peace with others, and purifies everyone's intentions. First, peace through Jesus Christ with God allows people to rest at ease if they are believers. This will give a new start to someone who is struggling with life. Grace will promote peace with others because that is exactly what will come to people who have been at odds with each other. How good it is for the offender and the innocent to recieve and give grace. Finally, grace, if used properly, will purify intentions. Everyone's intentions should not be ill in a time of grace. The one who recieves the grace should know that the one who gives it means it. Likewise, the one who gives it, should do it because he or she loves the person who recieving it. Now that type of grace is real peace. This grace comes from Jesus Christ. He has shown us what we must do to have peace. When will His children, and the rest of the world see this? God help us, each one, to understand this and take part in it.

Jerry Hill was a man of God who understood self-sacrifice in a day when everyone is out for themselves. A day when most Christians are satisfied simply to show up for church one hour a week then go back home to their comfortable lives. When some would allow the issue of desiring to simply sleep in to deter them from worship. He was a rare man who looked at church as an opportunity to serve God and his neighbors instead of seeking how the church could serve him. He did not worry about what benefit that he recieved from going. He only wanted to be near his brothers and sisters in Christ, and more importantly, in God's Presence. One might ask, can a church, or more specifically, Mecca replace a man like Jerry? There are three things about Jerry that must be mentioned before one can arrive at an answer to this question: He was a man of prayer, He was a servant of God, and He loved his family. First, Jerry was someone who prayed beautiful sounding prayers. But one must understand that these were not showy prayers. These prayers could only come from someone who had an initimate relationship with Jesus Christ. These prayers covered all the bases. If there was a problem, Jerry was one of, if not the, first to pray with whoever needed prayer. He understood the need for intercession. Oh, if only more Christians would understand this concept! He was willing to seek and listen during prayer; it was not just a one-way conversation. Jerry would not be satisfied to sit on the sidelines and let others serve. He was ALWAYS one of the first to get his feet wet by jumping in in support of a ministry. He did not depend on the pastor to do ministry because he understood what it means to be part of the universal priesthood in God's Kingdom. Jerry went on visitation, had prayer groups, taught Sunday school, performed care ministries such as hospital and shut-in visits, encourage his pastors with his faith, led men's groups, and even spoke at other churches. Many realize that he looked at giving as a part of being a servant. He did not let money stand between him and helping someone. Finally, Jerry was a man, with the help of his wife, who led his family into a relationship with Christ. He got up everyday and%2