Grace Applied(Prov 3:34 / I Peter 5:5, 6-11)
Prov 3:34..."Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly."I Peter 5:5-6..."Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."
Each day our steps are ordered from Faith to Faith and Glory to Glory. Increasing in our Spirit, walking more and more in righteousness As the WORD of God is a "lamp to our feet and a light to our path."
But within this daily walk, we are reminded that we once were lost and then found. We once separated ourselves from the 99, but the shepherd came and brought us back into the flock.. At one time filled with the spirit of Satan and had to be delivered.
What brought us through these hardships?
Let us dive into "Grace Applied"
Grace: Kindness & Favor
(hb: ch¨ºn - khane)
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"It is the unmerited (not earned) favor of God. Not earned in the natural eye because we have done so much wrong."
Grace is God seated on his throne, opening heavens clouds and with eyes and heart, showing compassion upon his children."
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But what moves the Creator of heaven and earth? What makes the Alpha & Omega, who has all the blessings, honor, power & glory on the throne to move in such a way?
(1) RELIEVES PRESSURE
Everyday life takes it toll on us. Where we are so worn out and beat down with nothing to give. It's time to let God step in and take over.
We have pressure from...
Marriage
Parenting
Finances
Job
Spiritual pressure
Physical ailments
Just Life choices in general
But Jesus gave us a 'Great Invitation' in Matt 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Let me tell you exactly, more so specifically what God has just done for you. He has sent a Grace Agent to mediate your current circumstance. Someone has to shout about that. No one else can act on our behalf.
Personally, he sent a Grace Agent twice this week for me.
Ex: Running out of Gas
Ex: Not having all the rent
What I want to say is...
Stop crying because Grace is on its' way
Dont worry about the bills, because Grace has already spoken on your behalf.
Don't fret, God has poured Grace on the barren place in your life
Hallelujah! Amen!
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(2) RESTORES THE BROKEN
Peter is our example for this point. The main disciple, strong willed and spirited to speak his heart and ready to defend his Master, Rabbi, Savior and Friend at any time. But those same attributes would be the very thing that would get him into trouble.
John 13:36-38
"Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice."
What Jesus is really saying here is that, you say your life will be laid down for me, but are you ready to deal with the consequences? Are you ready to deal with the aftermath of your words spoken and your actions taken?
He further compounds his downfall but cutting off the ear of the Roman soldier named Malchus in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18:10) putting him further into spiritual death.
However, Peter was one last, good, strong mistake away....from being used.
That mistake came at his denial of Christ as he was taken away.
Mark 14:66-72
"And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, and thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest (1st nail). And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again (2nd nail). And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak (3rd nail). And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept."
Such shame has befell him, leading to his DIS-GRACE. How can he bring himself out of the hell he has placed himself in.
Eph 2:8 (KJV)
"For by GRACE we are saved through faith and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God."
Eph 2:8 (AMP)For it is by free grace (God¡¯s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ¡¯s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God."
Rom 5:20
" But where sin abounded, Grace did much more abound."
His sin is also the beginning of our restoration.
Mark 16:7
"But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you."
When the Lord/God has your name on his tongue, he's up to something. Let us imagine Peter in a lowly, sorrowful state. Can you imagine the impact it made in his life to know that the one he just not long ago denied, is the same one that brought him back to a high calling?
Even with all of that, there is one important factor.
OUR POSITION
What is our position with God?
A: Being Humble
(Not proud, arrogant (cocky), a lowly state, in subjection, submitted & committed)
His desire for us it to always be in position to receive what he holds in the heavens for us. But we must learn to transition from standing to bending. It is a matter of attitude when you're going through.
In this state you are saying, Lord, I am ready to hear. Let me eyes, see, let me ears hear, let me heart follow, let my mind be subject unto you.
