MORNING MANNA             2-23-26

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭9‬

I and just about every preacher has preached a sermon on the words “But God…”. While every sermon would be a little different, Vance Havner sums his message up like this:

No human merit could earn this blessing; no works of the flesh could purchase this treasure, “for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (vs. 8).

How blessed to be able to say,

—“Once I was blind, but God touched me.

—Once I was lost, but God found me.

—Once I was under wrath, but God loved me.

—Once I was under guilt, but God forgave me.

—Once I was dead, but God gave me life.

—Once I walked according to the course of this world, but God turned me and now I walk as He walked.

—Once I walked according to the prince of the power of the air, but God

stopped me, and now I follow the Prince of peace.

—Once I had my manner of life in the lusts of the flesh and mind, but God

gave me a new life, and Christ liveth in me.

—Once I was by nature the child of wrath, but God has begotten me into the family of love.”

And all of this is the free gift of grace if one will by faith in God’s Son come to that second birthday, the beginning of a new life that opens with those two precious words: “But God . . .”

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble,TX