EMPOWERMENT THROUGH GRACE

[Albert Finch]

"..therefore be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 2:1

God's grace is undeserved, this means that God's goodness is not expressed to each of us because we are good; it is given to us because He is good! Sometimes it's hard to even wrap our minds around this fact. This is because most of us have, in reality, believed that grace is based upon performance and our religious works. However, receiving grace from God has absolutely nothing to do with our performance at all; it is completely based upon undeserved favor.

If God's favor were based upon our ability to do right and perform well, then we would not need His grace.
We would then believe that because of our own abilities we have been blessed. This is such a deceptive lie of the enemy. He does not desire that we embrace the revelation of God's grace.

BONDAGE IN FEELING PERFORMANCE-ORIENTED

"And if by grace, then it is no longer of works: otherwise grace is not longer grace." - Romans 11:6a

There is bondage in feeling as if you are continually "missing the mark." Performance-oriented people experience difficulty resting in God, which is linked to God's grace. We can spend many years believing that God is disappointed in us if we didn't quite measure up to His standards.

We can also be deceived into believing that God's blessings are linked to how well we perform – as if His blessings were dependent upon our "good behavior" or "religious performance." This false belief sets us up for even more failure and disappointment. It becomes cyclical.

If we are ashamed, there is no confidence to boldly run to Him for grace and empowerment to transform. Shame and guilt robs us of our confidence to run boldly into God's arms – in fact, it causes us to run away from Him!

God knows we will never be perfect. He does not desire perfection due to our own strength for that would be "deserved favor." Grace is undeserved favor. The Lord desires for us to know that He is daily perfecting us through His divine grace. To believe that "it is up to us and our own ability to become transformed" is to believe that "the finished work at the Cross was not effective". Jesus Himself was perfect and, therefore, we are blessed and empowered to live holy through Him.

"through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." - Romans 5:2

Many of us have been blinded concerning how to receive God's blessings. The Accuser of the Brethren has lied to us and said that God's blessings are based upon "works" rather than simply because God loves us. Remember God IS love! You cannot separate God from love. He blesses us simply because He loves us.

WALKING IN THE SUPERNATURAL AND DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE

"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably..." - Hebrews 12:28

Many might ask what the connection is between grace and the supernatural. We can't walk in the supernatural without His grace!

Our faith needs to rest upon Jesus and the price He paid for the sick to be healed, the poor to be blessed, people to be set free, etc. If we focus on Jesus and His ability to heal the sick many of us would experience more miracles. Because we haven't seen the miracles for which we cry out, many times we feel that we didn't "perform" well and, as a result, we will shrink back from stepping out and praying for the sick or for demons to flee, etc.

When Jesus came to earth, He brought Heaven with Him. He came so that He could live in us – we became the Tabernacle for the Spirit of God. It is His ability in us that will empower us to experience more of the supernatural.

"To them God has chose to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." - Colossians 1:27

RIGHTEOUSNESS

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:21

Some of you may also believe that you are not "righteous" enough for God to use you. When I mention the word "righteousness," many people immediately think that it involves more performance and perfect behavior – a list of "do's and don'ts" from God. Righteousness is a gift from God and cannot be earned! (See Romans 5:17). Be assured that you are already righteous in Christ. His Spirit lives in you and, therefore, you are qualified to walk in the supernatural! We need to step out and do it!

The Accuser of the Brethren has yoked many of us with guilt and shame because when we "mess up," we believe it has affected our righteousness. If you are hearing those words from the enemy, then he has targeted your future.

ACHIEVE YOUR FUTURE

The Accuser of the Brethren came against many in the Bible who God used mightily. The Bible is full of stories about people who were living in ordinary circumstances and empowered to do the impossible.

God sees much in you! He desires for you to boldly run to His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) right now to receive a fresh empowerment to achieve His PURPOSE for your life (your DESTINY in Christ). Don't allow past shame or guilt to hold you back any longer. The Lord desires to release His blessings to you today. Receive it; believe it and it is yours!

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
https://afministry.ning.com/