Grace is not something we can earn through works. It has been given to us for free, in the form of Jesus Christ. It’s not based on our love for God, but based on the love He has for us.
John 10:9 - it’s that simple.
God will never fail.
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
God has perfect timing. When you pray and are believing for something, whether that be change or manifestation etc. it is easy to place a timeline on when we expect this change to come. We also may have an expectation on how it will come. This is putting God in a box.
In the period between believing and receiving, we can fall into doubt and feel frustrated that it has not come to pass. But all that will be done, will be done in God's time and in His way.
In Ephesians, Paul writes to a young church that is fired up and passionate for God. In the first chapter, Paul explains our redemption through Jesus Christ; “our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places”. This is to encourage them and to help them know who they are in Christ Jesus.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Therefore, equip yourself with the full armour of God. Remember that we are overcomers, conquerors. We are blessed in the city and in the country, blessed going out and coming in. We are the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath.
And finally, pray. Some call this the 7th piece of armour. The most important.
While we are called to serve, we should be careful that we don’t burn ourselves out. Take time to rest, and remember that we can rest in Jesus. Recharge. We are easy targets when we are tired and weak.
We are called to move forward push out darkness with light, fear with faith, hate with love.
We need to be a church that is agile enough to move with the Holy Spirit.
A church that doesn’t wait or hesitate; when we hear God, we move. One that is continually deepening their relationship with God, filled with the manifest power and tangible presence of Jesus Christ. A church where people have a deepening connection with God that is getting stronger every day.
Acts 1:4-8 - Be baptised with the Holy Spirit, be His witnesses.
We must be acutely aware of the times we are living in. We need to be hearing clearly and accurately what God is saying.
Acts 1:9 - “While they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight”
As He left, He shall return. His coming will not be done quietly, but will be seen and heard around the earth.
Revelation 1:7 - “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.”
Matthew 24:27 - “As the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
Read through to verse 31. Also see Revelation 9:15, 19:19 and 19:11-16
The glorious church is filled with the manifest power and tangible presence of God.
The Glorious Church is:
Without spot or wrinkle - Oneness of faith
Holy and without blemish - Filled with the Holy Spirit
Without wrinkle - Renewed and refreshed