In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us (Eph. 1:7-8).

What does it take for a marathon runner to power through the final miles?  Grit … determination … willpower … Oxygen!

To take in adequate oxygen in those final miles, even the fittest runners open their mouths. Of course, they don’t think that by opening their mouths they’re going to manufacture oxygen. No amount of human effort could do that! Instead, the runners open their mouths to take in what is already surrounding them.

In the same way, we shouldn’t read our Bible or pray or worship God with the expectation that we’re going to manufacture God’s grace for us.  His free, unconditional, unlimited grace has already been fully provided by the work of Jesus. 

When we read God’s Word, pray, and worship, we are relishing the grace that’s already been provided for us so that the joy of the Lord would be our strength (Neh. 8:10). 

We are not manufacturing grace by our performance of these Christian disciplines. We are practicing these disciplines because we rejoice in the grace they reveal and are strengthened by the joy they promote.

So, use every means of grace to breathe in deeply the beauty of God’s grace that every verse and every prayer and every true act of worship celebrates!

 Ready, set, breathe! Breathe in the goodness of God by using his Word, worship, and prayer to fill up your heart with celebration of the grace that is his free gift for your forever joy. 

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace that you lavishly supply through Jesus Christ. Help me this day to use every means of grace you provide to breathe in the goodness of your care so that your joy would be my strength.