Grace Upon Grace

Some time ago, during quiet time, our Lord revealed to me that He is pouring out His grace on those of us who prioritize His Spirit of Grace first—not solely in our hearts, but also in regards to our time and tasks.

It’s so easy to pick up our to-do lists first, but God desires to take us beyond our goals and accomplishments. He desires to breath on our daily lives to lighten our load and help us move forward with Him in greatness by His Spirit.

Romans 8:6 TPT reminds us that “… the sense and reason of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.”

So, as we trust the Spirit of Grace and relinquish the dis-grace of our own priorities, we can receive more of His grace-power.

Psalm 73:26 TPT is quick to remind us of Him as our power source by saying, “Lord, so many times I fail; I fall into disgrace. But when I trust in you, I have a strong and glorious presence protecting and anointing me. Forever you’re all I need!”

Here’s something else to keep in mind: Since one of the definitions of grace is “ease” (Strong’s #5543), when we feel un-easy about something, it could very well be that God’s grace is lifting off of that something and onto something else. In this way, He will invite us to trust Him and move forward with Him, not wanting us to miss His best.

When faced with this kind of transition, and we feel uncertain as to whether it’s God or the enemy or even us, we can lay the issue on the altar, and ask our Lord to make it crystal clear.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I awakened to receive immediate, specific instruction from Holy Spirit regarding three concerns I had been praying about. God made it very clear to me that He had a better fit for me in each of these three situations and He revealed next steps.

This is one way that we abide in Him during transitions.

In these situations, I’ve learned that any dis-appointments will fall away to divine appointments of destiny when we obey Him; and the dis-grace of lesser things will give way to His grace of abundant life.

We can choose to hold onto John 1:16 NLT, which says, “From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.”

Obedience to His Spirit enables God’s radiance in us to shine brighter. Obedient lovers of God will become more of a reflection of Him to make an even greater mark with Him for Kingdom’s sake.

So, as we choose to come increasingly into His light, God can accelerate us (Ep 2:7).

During moments of God’s gracious outpouring, He can make it as easy as 1-2-3 for us when we yield to Him (1 Pe 1:23). We can experience greater peace and grow under His refuge as we taste and see that our Lord is good in new ways to us (Ps 34:8).

Many have already moved on from former things into the awestruck wonder of God’s grace-power. They are realizing the beginnings of His higher life for them.

Some are even now coming into the “Never have I ever” phase. This is a Word-phrase our Lord revealed to me very recently that describes pinnacles of His goodness. He’s bringing His lovers into moments, situations and things that are brand-new-to-us, first-time-ever, unique, serendipitous and beautiful (as in appropriately and perfectly fitting; lovely). Experiences of the goodness of God that will stop us in our tracks, leave us in awestruck-wonder, thinking and saying, “Never have I ever!” This means places, opportunities and things, which we will know only God led us to receive. This includes gifts that are part of His preparation to build us for our promised greater blessings just ahead, especially in the next four years.

Many are in the place of Amos 9:13-15 MSG, which says, “‘Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.’ God’s Decree. ‘Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I’ll make everything right again for my people Israel: They’ll rebuild their ruined cities. They’ll plant vineyards and drink good wine…’ God, your God, says so.”

So, friends, let’s continue to put on His new nature as He grows us upward. Let’s remember Ephesians 4:23-25 AMPC, which says, “And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.”

In our dependence on Him, let’s reflect His strength of grace wherever He guides (Ps 84:7).

Pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord,

Thank You that You and Your grace are enough (Jn 1:16).

Thank You for helping me walk out Philippians 3:12–14 TPT, which says, “…I run with passion into His abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me His own. I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus.”

“Now all glory to” You, Lord, “who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ep 3:20 NLT).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

Obedience Strategy: Signposts – Part 2

One day, as I prayed for a prominent evangelist, The Lord showed me a vision in my mind’s eye. This evangelist was driving alone in his car along a four-lane divided highway. He was moving at a steady pace with his eyes straightforward; and there were no other cars on the road. 

Suddenly, he came upon a roadblock—an orange and white striped barricade—just before the end of the asphalt. 

He stopped and pondered.

Then he backed up and turned onto an access ramp that he seemed to miss before. This access ramp led him onto a superhighway with many lanes.

Within seconds, the evangelist merged onto a new path with countless other travelers—all heading in the same direction and moving at a much higher speed than before. 

This superhighway was a perfect fit for the evangelist. He was happier in this momentum.

So, friends, what accelerated path does God have for you in this hour?

The Lord reveals His way to us so we can know and obey Him more for our benefit and the benefit of His Kingdom.

There is an inherent value in obedience. Where there is obedience, there is an alignment of authority, order and power—first inwardly, then outwardly.

Psalm 119:117 TPT says, “Lift me up and I will be safe. Empower me to live every moment in the light of your ways.”

Psalm 119:72 TPT says, “The words you speak to me are worth more than all the riches and wealth in the whole world!”

God’s revealed Words are “joyous treasure” when we love Him (Ps 119:111).

They are our heritage.

As we obey the revelation-understanding of God’s precepts, we become increasingly established in His ways to assert power over evil and take dominion—by His dominant Spirit.

Consider Joshua and Caleb, who were best known for their careful obedience and wholeheartedness, respectively.

These two leaders understood they needed to first reconcile with God’s truth before stepping out in great exploits.

They understood God’s Word to be a life guide to fruitfulness.

They understood God’s commands to be boundless and limitless and their adherence to them to be a requirement for Kingdom expanse (Ps 119:96). 

They understood “the regenerating power of God’s Word” works as a life preserver against degenerate forces, enabling them to overrule and accomplish divine purpose (1 Pe 1:23 NSFL Bible note; Is 55:11). 

They understood that to live and not die in battle, to be successful and prosper, to receive the fulfillment of God’s promise, they had to believe (cling to, rely on, trust in) God. They also had to yield the fullness of their hearts, their will to God at every signpost—His revealed and enduring commands for miraculous victory.

Joshua and Caleb knew there was protection in obedience and that they couldn’t lose when they obeyed God’s unique strategies for each battle.

From the beginning, The Lord instructed Joshua by saying (Joshua 1:7-8 MSG):

Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed.”

So, friends, our prayer should be “Make me passionate and wholehearted to fulfill your every wish, so that I’ll never have to be ashamed of myself” (Psalm 119:80 TPT).

Every shared strategy from God to His beloved is a beacon that leads to an expanded manifest victory. We experience this when we abide in The Lord.

John 15:7 TPT says, “But if you live in life-union with me and if my words live powerfully within you—then you can ask whatever you desire and it will be done.”

God’s straight teachings affect the flow of life we receive. And our every step in light will be a step toward greater wisdom (Ps 19:7, 119:105, 107).

Proverbs 8:33-35 TPT reveal this by saying, “Listen to my counsel, for my instruction will enlighten you. You’ll be wise not to ignore it. If you wait at wisdom’s doorway, longing to hear a word for every day, joy will break forth within you as you listen for what I’ll say. For the fountain of life pours into you every time that you find me, and this is the secret of growing in the delight and the favor of the Lord.”

So, for our sake and the sake of the Kingdom of God at large, let Psalm 119:56 NIV be our prayer. It says, “This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.”

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.