GRACE
Friday – May 19, 2017
Greeting to all from Patti and me at The Three Minute publications. It is Friday and the day I remind us all to pray for the Church, the ekklesia, those who have not only been called out of the world system but accepted the call into the Kingdom of God. The Church is in a sad state, filled with traditions and Jesus told us plainly that the traditions of men are without the power of God. People everywhere are crying out for revival looking for God to pour out revival upon us. The Holy Spirit of God has already been poured out upon all flesh and available without limit to all flesh from the day of Pentecost. Revival comes from our alignment with God. One could argue for example that the ministry of Jesus was a continuous revival. Well He said that the things He did we were to do and even greater things. It follows than that if we do what Jesus did we will get the same result as Jesus. Yet, why do we cling to our traditions with the hope that if we sing it one more time, say it one more time, do it one more time we will get a different result. That is insanity ladies and gentlemen. The clog preventing the expression of revival is us. Doing the Word (love) in faith (believing God and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him) is the key to revival. A major problem is; what many believe to be the Word of God is a doctrine of devils. Let us each ponder this with all sincerity. Now back to our primary text in the Book of Ephesians and the Apostles parting words to them and to us.
Ephesians 6:21-24 (KJV)
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Today I am moving into the final verse of this Book of Ephesians and our final teaching from this Book. Starting Monday we will move into a new study which will be of the Book of Hebrews. My main topic today will be Grace and how Grace is released to be operational. This should be instructive as regards to the coming revival as well. There have been pockets of the fire of God here and there since the day of Pentecost but this final revival, this final outpouring (out of us) will be above all that has been seen, it will include a huge harvest of souls, it will be sustained, and will culminate in the catching away of the saints. For the Church which is in revival (revitalization, renewal, restoration, recovery, and rebirth) it will be a wonderful time but some will unfortunately remain in gross darkness confined by the traditions of men.
As we meditate on Ephesians 6:24 we see an essential and key relationship between the function of Grace and love. We cannot have the Grace of God operational in our lives without obedience to the Word of God, the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The Grace of God is the Holy Spirit of God. There are many words all of which refer to the Holy Spirit in the Bible just as there are many words which may refer to the same person. Associated with each descriptive word is an associated or expected function or manifestation. The word Grace (grace) is commonly translated as favor, the favor of God. However, there is no favor without a person granting the favor. Our eye is not to be on the favor but on the One granting the favor and that is our Heavenly Father by the agency of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 5:12 (KJV)
12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
The Blessing (the empowering aspect of the Holy Spirit) is manifest in the righteous (those in right standing with God). And favor encircles the righteous as a shield. This shield should not be thought of as a circular instrument one holds up as a defensive weapon but more like an encasement like an eggshell. The encasement (compass) is formed by the Holy Spirit. Just what or who do you suppose can penetrate that encasement without our invitation? No one, not the devil, and neither can other people. The problem is this, through tradition, lack of study, lack of proving the Word, lack of faith, and lack of love we throw the door wide open for the devil to steal, kill, and destroy in our lives. Stealing, killing, and destroying in our lives is not the will of God, it is not God working all things together for good, it is not God working something out of us, and it is not the luck of the draw, just a part of life, it is a manifestation of a lack of faith and love. When will we awaken and not be led of the flesh but be led of the Spirit?
It is my hope and prayer that these teachings from the Book of Ephesians have changed our lives. If they have not, it is not a failure of the Word of God, it is our failure to receive and implement.
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
MAILING ADDRESS: 3 Rosswood Green Lane, Unit Two, Oakland, Maine 04963
