Receiving What has Been Provided by Grace: How do you do that?

The word of God is evidence of all that He has provided. In fact, “everything you need for life and godliness” has been provided by grace (2 Peter 1:3); a free gift to you. God says, “If I did not spare My own Son, but gave Him up for you, won’t I also give you everything else? (Romans 8:32)? It is very clear that all necessary provision is supplied. If it is supplied, God’s wants you to have it. How do you receive His benefits, participate in all that He has done? You follow His instructions.

The Word of God

God told Joshua, who took Moses’ place after his death, “I will not fail you or abandon you”. Then He gave Joshua a command: “Be strong and courageous.” “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on My word day and night, so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and have good success” (Joshua 1:5-8). Notice that Joshua could not be complacent. He was required to listen, believe what God said and participate in the plan. If he did, success was guaranteed. God was essentially saying, know My word.

When God instructs us in 2 Peter 1:3, that He has given us all things for life and godliness, He tells us that it is through the knowledge of Him that we have this. He also says that “Grace and peace are multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord” (2 Peter 1:2). Just like Joshua, we cannot be complacent. Having knowledge of God requires us to know the word of God, to spend time with Him. By this knowledge you have the opportunity to participate in all the blessings, all the promises, all the benefits that have been made available to you.

Your Focus

What do you think about? Your life will go in the direction of your dominate thoughts (Proverbs 4:23). Your mind is transformed to think according to God’s thoughts when you renew your mind to His word; “be transformed by the renewing your mind, and do not be conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). Your thoughts will also steer your emotions. God will keep you in perfect peace if your attention is focused on Him (Isaiah 26:3). You are instructed to think about things above (Colossians 3:2); all that is pure, lovely and good (Philippians 4:8). Keeping focused on what God says and not being distracted, helps you to be in expectation of His desires; it gives you hope. It helps you to have a positive imagination. “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it”, said Sally Ride, first woman astronaut. Although this is not a Biblical quote, it appears to line up with God’s thinking. The word of God paints a picture on the inside of you, in your imagination, and helps you to see yourself, see God, your situations and the world according to His way of thinking. Your positive imagination is hope, based on God’s word. Whatever you consider is the direction of your life.

Faith

Did you know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)? It is impossible to please God without faith because faith is necessary to take everything that He has provided by grace. “You have access by faith into grace” (Romans 5:2), which means you are equipped to receive everything that grace has provided through faith. “Faith is your assurance, the title deed of the things you hope for”, and you hope based on God’s word. “Faith is proof of the things you cannot see with your natural eyes; faith perceives as real fact what is not revealed to your senses” (Amplified Hebrews 11:1). These things not revealed to your senses are all the promises of God confirmed in His word. The message of God, confirmation of His promises, does not benefit you, however, unless it is mixed with faith (Hebrews 4:2). Faith causes you to hope in all that God has said. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). God’s word contains His faith. Do you think Jesus has faith? You are just like Jesus right now (1 John 4:17)! You have the measure of faith (Romans 12:3). But you must use the faith that you have been given. Faith is like a muscle that when exercised becomes stronger and stronger. Faith allows you to participate in everything that grace has provided.

Believing

Believing what God says is also essential in order to receive from Him.

*You learn this through Mary, when the angel announced that she would bare God’s Son; “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45). Mary gave birth to Jesus just as God said!

*Abraham believed what God told him; at his age of 100 and Sarah’s age of 90, they would have son and he would be the father of many nations (Romans 4:17-18). Sarah gave birth to Isaac just as God had promised.

*Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus had died, but Jesus encouraged them to believe that his resurrection from the dead was possible. Jesus said, “Believe and you will see the glory of God” (vs. 40). Their belief resulted in seeing Lazarus alive! (John 11:1-44)

*Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, came to Jesus because his daughter was dying. Jesus however, did not reach the daughter in time. Despite a report that the child was dead, Jesus told the Jairus, “Do not be afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:21-42). His daughter lived!

*Jesus informed the man who came to Him because of his son’s seizures, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23). Jesus healed the son of his seizures.

With each circumstance believing Who Jesus was, His word, and His ability, was necessary in order for these individuals to receive the promise.

Praise

When you believe by faith, praise occurs. You praise even when you don’t yet see the manifestation of what you are believing based on the word of God. You praise because God said it, and that is enough! Abraham praised God while he waited for the promise of a son to come to pass. He praised knowing God was mighty and able to keep His word, even though his body and Sarah’s were aging (Romans 4:18,19). Natural circumstances did not persuade Abraham, only God’s word persuaded him. He judged God to be faithful and he praised him (Romans 4:20). Praise also caused Abraham to “grew strong and be empowered by faith” (Romans 4:20). We are instructed to “rejoice in the Lord always” and “in everything give thanks” (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16). Praise demonstrates your confidence and belief in the Lord not based on what you see, but based on what He said; you trust Him before you see!

What are saying?

The words that you speak are important in helping you receive everything that God has provided for you. God says, “The power of life and death is in your tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Keep the promises of God in your mouth. Let your ears hear what God has said. Let His words bring life. Out of the abundance of your heart, what you believe, that is what you will speak (Matthew 12:34). God demonstrates the power of words by creating the world and everything in it by His word (Genesis 1). He is upholding the universe by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). We have what we say according to Scripture (Mark 11:23).

The woman with the issue of blood demonstrates this power. She heard about Jesus; she had knowledge of Him. She believed what she heard. She acted on her belief and pursued Jesus. She “came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment” saying, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well” (Mark 5:27,28). The result? Immediately the bleeding stopped (Mark 5:29)!

Jesus confirms the power of speaking faith-filled words when He spoke to the storm and there was calm (Matthew 8:26); when He spoke to demons, and they fled (Matthew 8:9). Even the centurion knew the power of words, attributing this power to Jesus to speak a word and his servant would be made well (Matthew 8:8).

Summary:

In LOVE God has provided all things for you, equipping you for such a time as this. Receive His blessing!