Grace and Power...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 7:56AM 
Greetings, Dear Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share a story or an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and friend!
A Quick Note:
I am thrilled to announce the release of my next book: Growing Grateful Kids: Teaching Them to Appreciate an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Places." Let me tell you, I am excited about the message in this book. If you have children at home (or grandchildren you want to influence spiritually), pre-order a copy today. I do believe this book will equip you to parent from a spiritual perspective (but it's loaded with lots of practical application). You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll be inspired and encouraged (that was my goal, anyway). :)
Now on to my topic...
I am excited about what I have to share with you today! I hope I can convey in words what I have in my heart, because it feels like an important message for us all (namely me).
If you are a Christ-follower, you know that grace and grace alone has saved you. You no doubt know or may have memorized this verse:
For by GRACE we are saved - through faith - not of ourselves, but is a gift of God, not by any works, so that NO ONE can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Grace, grace, where would we be without grace? We would be lost. We'd still be orphans. We would not have the identity and inheritance we do now. We get to feast at His table because He invited us, not because we were worthy guests. Thank you, Lord.
But unfortunately, far too many Believers think that's where grace stops. As if to say that grace gets us in the race, but then we take it from there. Saving grace is precious and priceless but there is more to grace, far more, in fact.
Here is another verse to ponder:
And God is able to make ALL grace ABOUND to you, so that in ALL things, at ALL times, having ALL that you need, you will ABOUND in every good work (2 Corinthinans 9:8).
Can I just say, that verse is bursting with the promise of provision! He gives us grace and more grace.
Around this time every year, I start to feel weary from my travels and in deep need of some rest and relaxation. But for me, those days do not come until about late May. The other morning during a powerful prayer time with my husband, I asked God for grace and more grace to carry me through - and not just to get through - I asked for abounding grace to propel me into a place of abundance during my spring speaking tour.
As I boldly asked God to fulfill the promise of 2 Corinthians 9:8, He gave me a picture in my mind of something that surprised me at first. Let me explain. And stay with me, because this is important.
In my mind's eye I saw a picture of the main level of a house, but as I began to boldly pray, my perspective rose above the main level to a hidden upper room so to speak. In this upper level every thing was bigger, more bountiful, and oversized. In comparison, the lower level looked like a Barbie-doll house. The lower level furniture was tiny, like little toys. The 'upper level' was in every way, superior.
The more we prayed, the more I sensed that the upper room represented that place were grace and power fuels us; the place where we function closest to Jesus and where we draw on His strength. When we go at it in our own strength, or we take a God-given assignment and turn it in to striving, we end up on the lower level, where the fruit, the furniture, the sense of perspective are like little toys compared to what we produce when we are in step with Jesus and totally connected to the Vine.
Our Pastor friend Mark Spencer used a candle as an analogy for operating in the grace and power of God. He said, "When a candle burns the wax as it should, you see a constant and steady flame. But when the candle starts to flicker, you know the flame is burning into the wick - which you don't want to happen."
Are you experiencing a steady flame in your life right now? Or are you burning the wick and is your flame starting to flicker? Are you where God wants you to be right now? Or are you running your own race? Maybe you started out with a God-given assignment but now you're grinding it out on your own strength.
It may be time to pull back and seek the Lord. Ask Him for grace and power. Ask Him to redirect your steps so you can find that sweet spot of service in step with Him. Take some time to rest in Him that He might strengthen you and refresh you. Most of all, get a vision of what that upper room, of what that higher level is supposed to look like for you.
How would your life look different with an abundance of grace and power flowing through the work of your hands? What kind of results would seem supernatural to you? I tell you what, that's what God wants for us and from us - a supernatural, exponential return on His investment! Ask God to fulfill this promise in your life. Ask Him to speak to you about life-adjustments necessary in order to function from that place of abundant grace.
As we draw on the Lord's strength for the Lord's specific call on our lives, we will find our greatest joy, our greatest strength, and our greatest results. His highest will for us is our best-case-scenario and the place where we most love to serve. May we all live and function from such a sweet spot.
So sorry for the extra long post. Have a blessed, grace and power-filled week!
~Until next week...
Reader Comments (21)
Thanks for this inspiring post Susie!
Would you be free from the burden of sin?There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;Would you o’er evil a victory win?There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.Refrain:There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’rIn the blood of the Lamb;There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’rIn the precious blood of the Lamb.Would you be free from your passion and pride?There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide;There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow;There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.Would you do service for Jesus your King?There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;Would you live daily His praises to sing?There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.
Revelation 7:13-17 Just then one of the Elders addressed me: "Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?" Taken aback, I said, "O Sir, I have no idea—but you must know."Then he told me, "These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they've washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. That's why they're standing before God's Throne. They serve him day and night in his Temple. The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes."
I'm leading a bible study on Revelation-- I love it!! It is very humbling and most days I feel very inadequate. 2 Corinthians 12:9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
God bless you- praying for more of Him in your life!
Ladies, and Suzie I want to thank you all for the wonderful words. I love to talk about Jesus with people and I really look forward to this "cyber" fellowship!
Rebecca I loved what you posted, especially the scripture in Revelation.
I think the church would experience a huge revival if people would set aside their own work as you described Suzie, and then truly seek God for that Grace and guidance.
Your words Suzie are always so anointed, and inspiring, and so timely. I am so glad I have found your ministry.
This weekend I am speaking to a group of women on the topic of God's love. I had my talk nearly written last week but when I read it to my husband we both knew that it was just no good!
Nothing was flowing, I felt so discouraged and fearful because I knew I would be speaking a week later.
Clint told me to take a break and I just went to the Lord and begged Him to give me the words - His words - His message. I sensed Him just saying "don't try and figure it out - I will give you My words, just trust." And so I went to bed, woke up and again sensed Him saying the same thing. That morning the kids were playing well and so I took my opportunity to work on my talk. I got on my knees and again said - Lord speak because I got nothing! I felt Him saying, first just be with me and so I grabbed my Bible and opened it up looking for encourgement for my weary soul. As I was reading, He totally filled me with a new perspective and since then the talk really seemed to write itself!
I am constantly asking for His words to fill me. I don't want to get in the way of His message - His heart. I just feel so blessed and honored to be able to be His mouthpiece!
Tonight I'm saying my talk to Clint - hoping it goes over better! :)
The talk is entitled "CHOSEN: Believing God's Heart for You, Sharing His Love with the World."
I'd appreciate your prayers as a finish preparing and for when I do speak and for the women who come. I can't wait to see what God has in store! I speak this Friday.
You continue to be in my prayers as well, Susie!
Great chat on the treadmill today!
I like the challenge to look for results that would be supernatural. There are definately areas in my life that will only be changed by supernatural intervention. And then the glory has no where to go but Him!
Exciting, exciting stuff!:)
Soul nourishment never feels long, it is like a good dinner, you want to linger over it...
Praying to be able to continually walk in the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit.
Blessings!Kathy
I went to YouTube and listened to Keith and Kristyn Getty. Loved them! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks too for sharing that powerful passage from Revelations. Love it. Love it.
I too love the cyber-fellowship we enjoy here! All of you share such wonderful insights. I'm telling you, there is so much more to grace than we know. I feel as though I am just scratching the surface of what God has made available to us. God's grace moves mountains into the sea; His grace gives strength for the task before us and His grace supernaturally fills us when the well is dry. His GRACE is sufficient for us, for power is perfected in our weakness. May His power be displayed in all of us! Blessings to you!
I attended the Appleton Alliance Woman's retreat at Elkhart Lake in WI. Thank you so much for your amazing and inspiring words! You were such a joy to have and I find such a comfort in your presence. Thank you so much!
Monica Riske
I am SO behind on my post replies! Yikes! But I really want to know how your speaking engagement went! I think we all do! When you get the chance, let us know!Blessings to you, my friend!
What a simple definition! Love you to pieces, my friend.
I'm really with you on this. We looked for super-natural assistance on the event that followed Kev's hospitalization. We were wiped out and in deep need of His grace. And boy, did He come through! His power is definitely perfected in our weakness. His results were far better than any we could have produced in our own strength. Thank you, Lord. See you soon!
You are right about that. When something nourishes the soul, it is good to linger and pause and ponder for a while. I am so grateful you stop by each week!Blessings to you!
So glad this blog post ministered to you! May God pour out a fresh dose of grace on you today!
Blessings~
So nice to hear from you! I really love your engaged heart for the Lord. Just today I thought of you and your precious church. I worked out at the Y to guess what CD? Mandissa! I listened to "True Beauty" and "God is Speaking" and several other great tunes. It reminded me of our time together. What a great memory. Bless you and all of my sisters in Indiana!
Thanks for your note! I'm telling you, our time with Appleton Alliance is embedded in our memories as one of our favorites ever! We so loved our time with you and we thank God for the many ways He moved in our midst! Bless you, bless you.