Grace Times Grace

by Friday Friend | | 7 comments

Friend to Friend

When my daughter Noelle was in 3^rd grade, she had a clever multiplication exercise called “Minuto Loco” which means crazy minute in Spanish.

The kids had to see how many multiplication problems they could solve in one minute. The first “Minuto Loco” exercise was on the twos. Once they mastered the twos, they could move on to threes and so forth.

But my daughter had a problem. She was getting stuck after only a few seconds and her incomplete sheet bore testimony that multiplication was not her favorite subject. Most of her other classmates were at a higher number than she was.

My husband James went into full-on tutor mode. He made flashcards. He printed out multiplication practice sheets. Each weeknight, he would drill Noelle for a few minutes.

Maybe you are facing a problem like my daughter Noelle. You’re completely stumped. You have problems at work. You’re wondering how to fulfill all your commitments and remain sane. You wish things were better with a friend or family member. Thinking of solutions is like staring at a blank piece of paper. The good news is you are not alone. You have a tutor in the Holy Spirit who can teach, comfort, and guide you.

Invite God’s multiplication to work in your favor.

Grace times grace. Grace may be defined as the unmerited or undeserving favor of God to those who are under condemnation.

Peace times peace. Peace is the concept of being complete or sound. It’s not just the absence of hostility; it’s the presence of harmony and living well. The Apostle Peter greeted believers with the words “Grace and peace be multiplied to you.” He knew the believers needed that encouragement and likewise, modern believers do too.

How can you multiply God’s grace and peace in your life? Reading in 2 Peter 1:5-7, you discover when believers diligently strive after a deep knowledge of God and of Jesus, God multiplies grace and peace to them. Peter instructed believers to make every effort to add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love to their faith.

I have good news about my daughter Noelle. After spending time with her father, Noelle eventually tamed “Minuto Loco” and actually became one of the multiplication leaders in her class. Her diligence paid off.

And yours will too.

The more you spend time with God and the more you obey His Word, the more you’ll find grace and peace multiplied to you, past counting in your life.

Now that’s math anyone can get excited about!

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, I want more of Your grace and peace in my life. I will be diligent to study and obey the commandments found in the Bible. Thank you for multiplying grace and peace in my life. You know the challenges I’m facing today. Come and shower me with your grace. Fill my life with the peace that is beyond human understanding.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

What problems are you facing in your life right now? Ask God to multiply grace and peace in those situations – that’s His part. Make sure you are being diligent to know God and obey His commandments – that’s your part. Read 2 Peter 1:5-7 and pray about adding those virtues to your life.

More from the Girlfriends

Today’s devotion is from speaker and author Arlene Pellicane. You can watch her multiplication loving daughter Noelle in this video about Arlene’s book 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom. In this book, you’ll learn how to become a mom who is characterized by joy, not stress. Visit www.ArlenePellicane.com for more resources including a monthly Happy Home Podcast.