Grace Upon Grace
By Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of August 15, 2021
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 uneasy 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 disgrace 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 (Eph 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 Peter 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" (Eph 3:20 NLT).
In Jesus’ Mighty Name.
Amen.
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.
