Sunday, June 23, 2024

Grace, our never ending Supply!

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:19-20 NKJV

 Grace is the absolute Good News of God's Love and Goodness, demonstrated and displayed in Jesus Christ. Grace is not a theological topic, it is not simply a new message of Christianity. Grace is the person of Jesus Christ. Grace is an ever-present and abundant supply, always available to meet our needs in every area of our lives.  

 Grace is our supply. Paul during a time of trouble and tribulation and tempest, declared by Faith that the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ would turn the situation around for his deliverance. God's grace is an abundant and never-ending supply in moments of need, uncertainty, or hardship. Whatever the demand Grace supplies.

 Grace is abundant in its supply. Grace is not scarce, or limited. It is never-ending and its reach knows no limits. Grace is limitless, infinite, and overflowing, ready to meet every demand. No matter how great the need is, His grace is always more than sufficient.

 Grace is unearned and unmerited. It is not earned or achieved, it is freely given by our Loving Heavenly Father. It is available and accessible to all who seek and ask for it, regardless of their past actions or current state.

 Grace is our ever-present help no matter what we face.  Grace supplies and sustains believers through all challenges faced in a fallen world. Grace provides strength, hope, and resilience, enabling individuals to persevere and find peace amidst adversity.

 His Grace is ever present. This is a wonderful reminder of His divine presence in our daily life. Because of Grace, we know we are never alone, and He is for us and never against us. God's Grace is with us always. He is our supply.

 Grace is our only hope and trust for victory in this life. Believing in the never-ending supply of God's grace cultivates Faith and trust in God's provision. This mindset encourages reliance on divine support and supply rather than solely on our efforts, performance, and ability to "get it right." 

 No matter the demand He is our ever-present help and full supply. No matter the circumstances or challenges, divine support, supply, and provision are always readily available. Fully embracing and trusting in His Grace transforms our outlook on life, enriching our spiritual journey and deepening our relationship with our Good Father. 

 The demands could be relational trouble, family problems, or dealing with difficult people in our work life, home life, or in our community. God's Grace supplies, patience, wisdom, kindness, and even the right words and responses in challenging or tense situations. His Grace is enough. 

 Oftentimes, the demand comes from Law. That is the stipulations, the burdensome rules, and regulations traditional religion likes to place upon us. Thanks be to God though we are no longer under Law but Grace. We can freely fellowship and commune with our Father without the distractions of man-made rules.

 For Christ is the end of the law, so now there is righteousness for everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 MOUNCE

 2 I know they love God, but they don't understand what makes people acceptable to him. So they refuse to trust God, and they try to be acceptable by obeying the Law. But Christ makes the Law no longer necessary for those who become acceptable to God by faith. Romans 10:2-4 CEV

 Christ is the end of the Law. Righteousness is only found in trusting Jesus alone. We are delivered from the Law.

 But now we are delivered from the law, having died to things in which we were bound, so that we may serve in newness of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter of the law. Romans 7:6 MEV

 We are no longer under the Law. The Law no longer rules over us. We follow Christ by the Spirit, not by burdensome demands of the written Law. 

 No matter what we are dealing with in this life, we can rejoice knowing His Grace supplies and is our ever-present help in trouble. His Grace is enough. He is always for us. Whatever the demand His Grace is the supply and we are never lacking, because His Grace is limitless and overflowing. 


 Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sunday, June 9, 2024

Grace, Faith or fantasy?

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 MEV
 

The Gospel is the Grace of God revealed and manifest through Christ. Grace is the unearned, undeserved, and unmerited favor of God. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the proof of things we can't see, and the conviction of their reality. Faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to our natural senses. 

 Grace and Faith are power twins of victorious Christian living. Grace has provided all things for life and godliness. The Redemptive work of Christ fully and freely paid for and provided all the fullness of blessing, healing, peace, wholeness, forgiveness, and eternal life.

 Grace made this available. Though it is ours freely, we must receive it. Faith receives what belongs to us because of Jesus' Finished Work. In essence, Grace makes and Faith takes.

 This is the Good News of receiving abundant Grace and living by Faith. Grace provided and Faith reaches out and takes it. Jesus' work of redemption gives us hope and peace in this life. This is not fantasy. We can trust in God for help, healing, and hope on this side of heaven.

 Believing Grace has already provided all we need is not chasing a fantasy or "pipe dream." We have hope in this life. This is a tangible hope. This is not living in the realm of make-believe.

 God is actually Good! The Scriptures bear this out. He fed the children of Israel with manna daily. He provided water from the rock. He fed the five thousand. He declared He wills for us to prosper and be in health. We have a Good Father we can actually put our trust in.

 Perhaps, some make the assessment that Faith is fantasy because they claim they don't see the power and presence of God today. Religious tradition, the scheming deception of the enemy makes Faith appear as fantasy. It distorts Faith and trust. Therefore what some people claim Faith is, isn't really Faith. They may call something faith but it isn't the God kind of Faith.

 Some have the faith that waits. This is a passive waiting, not patience. This type of faith is characterized by passivity. It waits for something to happen without taking proactive steps. While waiting on God is sometimes necessary, this type of faith can lead to inaction and missed opportunities because it lacks the component of active trust.

  Some have a faith that merely speculates. It is an uncertain faith.  This type of faith is marked by uncertainty and hesitation. It speculates about what might happen but lacks conviction. Speculative faith often leads to doubt and indecision, preventing believers from stepping out confidently in God's promises. It is not fully trusting our good Father.

 Some even have a faith that merely wishes and hopes. This is a nursery rhyme faith. That is the same as looking into the sky and twiddling our thumbs saying Twinkle twinkle little star. This is a faith that Wishes and Hopes. This faith is more about wishing and hoping rather than being fully persuaded. It lacks the deep conviction needed for confident action. Wishing and hoping without being fully persuaded often result in disappointment and a lack of tangible results.

 When we fully trust in the love of God and rest in His goodness we will walk in the God kind of Faith. We will have a fully Persuaded Faith. Romans 4:21, "And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.This type of faith is characterized by an unwavering belief in God's promises and His ability to fulfill them. It is fully convinced and does not waver regardless of circumstances.

This Faith compels us to speak out. We will have a confident declaration;

 Mark 11:23: "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says."

  We will Speak with Authority. This faith speaks God's promises with authority, believing that what is spoken will come to pass. It declares the end result with confidence.

 At its core, Faith is about having a positive and confident view of God. Faith Believes that He is a good Father who is faithful and just and always acts in our best interest. Faith involves agreeing with God's perspective and declarations, regardless of external situations. It’s an unwavering trust that what God has said is true and will come to pass.

 True faith is in two places. It is in the heart. It’s a deep-seated belief in God’s character, promises, and power. This internal conviction shapes our worldview and our reactions to life’s challenges. It is also in our mouth. 

 Faith is not just about internal belief but also about verbal confession. Speaking in agreement with God’s Word is a powerful act that reinforces our faith and brings it into reality. The words we speak in agreement with God shape our reality. Confession is a powerful tool for believers. When we speak the Word of God over our lives, we align our circumstances with His promises. 

 Faith, trusting in God is not a fantasy we Christians hold fast to. It is not a fairy tale. We can confidently take God at His Word. 

 God has provided all things because of His Goodness and great Love. His Grace has procured and provided all we need in this life. Faith reaches out and takes what Grace has already made. 

  Regardless of our challenges, we can stand firm on the Word of God and trust our Good Father. The Word is not fantasy or make-believe. The Word of God is a powerful force in the life of a believer. By continually confessing and standing on His promises, we invite His transformative power into every area of our lives. Remember, the Word is working mightily in you and for you! Keep speaking it, believing it, and watching it come to pass



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