Easter is one of my favorite Holy days.  It's the powerful message of God's love for us. Sending his son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for our sins. He redeems us so we can have a relationship with him.  The free gift of grace to all who chooses.
     Grace means favor, goodwill, mercy and kindness. In Greek, the word is xaris; transliteration is charis. Charis means grace and kindness.
        I like the word grace. A picture of a ballerina dancer comes to mind when I think of grace.  The word reminds me of things of beauty because grace is a thing of beauty. Thank you, Lord! (It’s also my youngest daughter’s middle name!)
        A biblical lexicon provides meanings and uses of Biblical words in their original language. From the Helps - Word studies Biblical lexicon of the word grace: “Cognate: 5485 xáris (another feminine noun from xar-, "favor, disposed to, inclined, favorable towards, leaning towards to share benefit") – properly, grace. 5485 (xáris) is preeminently used of the Lord's favor – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is "always leaning toward them").”
       What comes to mind with that description of God leaning towards to give himself to us? What a fantastic description of grace. We are favored by God.
     God’s grace is a free gift given through our Lord Jesus Christ. What is so awesome about grace is that we don’t deserve it. We are born with the stain of sin on us.
 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 NLT
      But because of God’s love for us, He has given a chance for us to be close to Him again through His son Jesus. Instead of receiving the death we deserve, we are given the choice of a free gift. This is grace.
Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.  For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Romans 3:24-25a NLT
        I want to stress the part of that scripture “when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life.” We have to believe, have a firm conviction in Jesus as our savior for grace to work. God gives us a choice. Grace is the gift of salvation for all people!
      For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11 – 14 ESV
“Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.” Romans 6:14 NIV
       There is much more to grace than God’s favor and goodwill. Grace strengthens us. Grace assists in keeping us from sin and keeps us in the faith. Grace influences our hearts to be pleasing to God. It frees us from sin and blesses us. God’s grace points us towards Jesus.
       Grace is a power that only comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Grace is given to those who are humble and who put their trust in Jesus. Be willing to receive God’s grace and be thankful for the grace he gives. Grace is a supernatural power that can keep us from sin. Acknowledge and wield the power of grace in your life.
 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.  1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV
      Don’t be a slave to sin. Speak of the power of grace in your life. Meditate, write down and speak aloud these Bible scriptures of grace. Pray, trust in and obey Jesus. Believe you are worthy to be loved and live by the Spirit. 
Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.
Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! 2Peter 1:2-4 MSG
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV
        I’m going to go back to what I wrote earlier about the word grace reminding me about a ballerina. Grace is both beauty and power, just like a ballerina. Ballet dancers are strong yet graceful. 
                                     I pray you and yours have a blessed Easter weekend! Love ya!

 References:

1. Strong’s Concordance. 5485. Charis.  https://biblehub.com/str/greek/5485.htm   Accessed 1/14/2019
2. HELPS – Word studies. 5485.Charis. Congnate 5485, xaris. https://biblehub.com/str/greek/5485.htm  Accessed 1/14/2019

      I am writing this post because I am compelled by God. My heart breaks because his heart breaks. I am not trying to cause offense. I speak the truth in love.  
       Two weeks ago I attended a talk focused on how to make my city a more equitable place for black girls. The topic made me venture downtown. My passion for girls and women knowing their value to God and my life experiences motivated me to learn more.
     The statistics I learned about the plight of black girls shocked me.
     My heart hurts at the injustice of their treatment. The sole perpetrators of these violations are not done by only one type of people. This maltreatment is done by all races, including their own.
   These girls and women are in unhealthy home and community environments that foster violence, disrespect, self - preservation by any means necessary, risky sexual behaviors, hopelessness and fatalism. A toxic environment influences toxic behavior.
     Outside of the toxic home/community situation they are bombarded with the climate of schools or work. An environment of devaluation, disrespect, low – worth and other micro aggressions beats them down. These conditions are another weight on their fragile psyche.
    The media environment is more detrimental. Many black girls and women esteem some celebrities that have sex appeal, are raunchy, violent and devalue other women. Disrespect exudes from their pores. The false stance of feminism is believed, taking them farther down into the mire of deception.
      The Holy Spirit is grieving. I feel his sadness.
     Injustice against women – predominately black girls and women -is rampant in this world. Justice can’t be served without Jesus. He’s the pillar of truth and equity. He is the real avenger. God’s truth wins.
     God wants you to know the truth.  The certainty of his love for you.  The facts of your value in the world. The good news of Jesus. These revelations can break down barriers. Receive and believe them.
                                                                      5 Truths a woman should know:
1.You are made in God’s image.
So God created human beings[a] in his own image.
    In the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 NLT
2. You are important. God made you with a purpose. He knows about you.
“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Luke 121:6-7 NLT
3. You are beautiful no matter what color you are. God made women and girls as creatures of beauty. God doesn’t make junk. You are unique and special.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Masterpiece means a person’s best work.
4. You are precious in God’s sight. He knit you in the womb! Read all of Psalm 139.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! Psalm 139:17 NLT
5. God loves you. He sent his son Jesus to sacrifice his life for you. He died in your place so you can have a relationship with God. There is no shame or guilt in Jesus.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NLT

      There are many more truths God wants you to know. But I don't have enough space for them. You can find them in the Bible, nature, a child's laughter, a dog's wagging tail, a cats purr, the birds singing, spring flowers, crisp snow, a smile, chocolate, sunshine, hugs, soft blankets....you get the picture. (I might make this post a series, there is lots to cover)
        God loves you with an everlasting love. I love you, too!
Thanks for reading. I love to hear your thoughts.

    Last week during Bible study, we watched a powerful Bible resource video. The video, from The Bible Project, helped us better understand the book of Colossians. 
   This week I went to The Bible Project website and was hooked! "Visual storytelling meets the Bible." - The Bible Project. There are videos for each book in the Bible, videos on themes found in the Bible word study and more. 
      Last night I binged watched their videos and didn't feel guilty. The Bible Project is a compelling, intimate comprehension of the Bible for all ages. I recommend The Bible Project as a supplement to your Bible reading. However, it is to not take place of reading and meditating on God word.
     We need to read the Bible for peace, wisdom, understanding and closeness with God. Daily time in the Word helps us to thrive.
    Below is one of the videos I watched. It is very interesting what it shows about the Old Testament. I pray you visit theBible Project and binge watch these videos!

        Thanks for reading. Have you heard of the Bible Project? What are your thoughts and comments? Love ya!