TOTAL CHANGE

       For all have sinned and fall short

          of the glory of God and are 

            Justified freely by His grace

              Roman3:23-24

       In The Grace of Giving, Stephen Olford gives an account of peter Miller, a Baptist pastor who lived during the American Revolution. He lived in Ephrata

Pennylvania, and enjoyed the friendship of George Washington. 

    Michael Wittman also. lived in Ephrata.

He was an evil-mind man who did all he could to oppose and humiliate the pastor. 

      One  day Michael Wittman was arrested for treason and sentence to die. Peter Miller traveled seventy miles to Philadelpia on foot to plead for the life of the traitor.

"No, Peter," General Washington said, "i

cannot grant you the life of your friend."

"My friend!" exclaimed the old Preacher.

"He's the bitterness enemy I have." "What?" exclaimed Washington. "You've

walked seventy miles to save. the life of an enemy? That puts the matter in a different light. I'll grant your pardon." and he did.

     Peter Miller took Michael Wittman back home to  Ephrata--no longer an enemy but a friend.

     Miller's example of grace and forgiveness flowed from his knowedge of God's sacrifice for the human race. Because God forgave him and sacrificed His Son for Him, he found the grace to sacrifice for his enemy. 

Although most of us know God's grace and love for us is great, sometimes we have to be reminded that His love never fails--even when we do!

     At the Pan American Games, United States diver was asked how he coped with the stress of international diving competation. He replied that he climbed to the board, took a deep breath, and and thought, "Even if I blow this dive, my mother will still love me."

Then he would strive for excellence.

     At the begining of each day, take a deep breath and say, " Even if I blow today, my God will still love me." Then assured of His grace and quickness to forgave, go into the day seeking a perfect score!