Page 114 - Grace150 Devotional

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in
me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

“God always pours His grace into empty hands.” This beautiful quote by St.
Augustine grips my mind and portrays this image: from the hands of Jesus, a slow
stream-like pouring out from a carefully crafted clay bowl into my feeble, empty
cupped hands. My eyes gaze up in awe of my Father while I’m on bent knee.
When I am a vessel that’s surrendered, not one time, but repeatedly surrendered
of my ways, desires, hopes and dreams, I experience greater clarity of His grace in
my life. It’s this emptying of self that deflates my pride, selfishness, and sin nature.

By abiding and resting in Him, I am allowing Him to live His life through me
(see Ephesians 2:10). In essence, I become a conduit of Christ. I then have eyes
that see, untainted by the ways of the world, eternally focused, yielded, and
worshipful. With the practice of emptying and surrender, we learn to give an
offering of praise that becomes second nature after repetition.
I have learned to practice surrender from books like Grace Walk by Steve McVey,
The Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll, and David Jeremiah’s Captured by
Grace. This process of surrender and praise gives birth to the shedding light of
God’s grace in many aspects of my life.

Lord, fill us with more of You, and less of self, that we would grow in giving
You honor, glory, and praise. Amen.
– Leslie Rebholz

Leslie is married to Mike Rebholz who grew up at Grace. Leslie is the mother of two sons
and she and Mike serve with Cru-Athletes in Action.

DAY 107 grace 150