Thoughts on Grace

THROUGH GRACE
I have received salvation
Eph 2:8 8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

I have received the free gift of righteousness
Rom 5:17 17For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
Rom 5:21 21so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 11:6 6And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

I can be who God wants me to be
1 Cor 15:10 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

I can overcome weakness
2 Cor 12:8-9 8Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

I am justified through Christ’s redemption
Rom 3:24 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

We must learn to be strong in grace
2 Tim 2:1 1You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

Paul understood that if his young disciple did not grasp the magnitude of grace he would fail to accomplish all that God had for him. Likewise if you and I do not understand, live in and offer grace we will not accomplish all that God has intended for us. Grace is vital to the success of the Christian walk because “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Mark 10:27

In order to accomplish all that God has for us to do we must constantly live in a state of grace.

As we live in grace and become who God wants us to be the church then becomes what she is supposed to be and does what she is supposed to do. Live with a greater perspective. Understand that the grace freely given to you is for the betterment of the bride of Christ that His will can be accomplished on this globe.

Take a Nap

Things that make leading worship difficult:
1. Spiritually unprepared
2. Physically tired
3. Mentally unprepared

Solutions:
1. Consistency in devotions and other spiritual disciplines is vital for spiritual leadership. This is first and primary in your “to do” list.
2. Get plenty of rest the night before your morning service(s) and a nap (if possible) before your evening service(s).
3. Practice, practice, practice. Know where you are going and what you are doing at all times.

If you do these three simple things, you will find yourself being more alert and successful as ever. However, if you fail to accomplish these three things you are greatly decreasing your chances at operating at a high level.

- PN