Embrace the Grace

by Ron Horner

In a recent gathering, a phrase came forth for people being "stretched" or being taken to a new level in their walk in the Spirit. The phrase: "Embrace the Grace".

For every new level in our growth a new level and degree of grace is available for that level. Not only is it available, it is required for it. The degree of grace you need for the new level is greater than what was needed for the prior level. That's why, when we make a shift to a new level, we must "embrace the grace" for that new level, or "grab the grace" (whichever phrase helps you see it). You may have made the shift to a new level and may be feeling overwhelmed by the differences and if you are, it may be that you have not appropriated the grace that goes with that new level.

Maybe you are in a battle you have never experienced before - the intensity is far more than you are accustomed to. The Word promises that the Lord won't put more on us than we can bear, so a "bearability"…the ability to bear this situation must exist. Philippians 2:13 tells us that God is at work in us making us both willing AND able to do his will and his purpose. God not only makes us willing, He also makes us ABLE! That's good news!

New Levels
You've no doubt heard the phrase "new levels - new devils". You would not be at a new level facing new "giants" if you had not qualified for it by successfully navigating the prior level. God doesn't do premature promotions. He understands the laws of stewardship...after all, He invented those laws.

We have a tendency to want God to deliver us from the situation we are in, but sometimes he doesn't deliver us FROM the situation...He delivers us THROUGH the situation. That's why you need to "grab the grace" for your situation. You're like the boat on the water that hasn't filled up the gas tank yet. You're qualified to be on the water, but unless you tank up with the grace necessary, you won't make it through the coming storm. Don't expect that you will arrive at a new level and not have opposition to you being at that level.

Challenging Who You Are
When the enemy comes against you - He usually is challenging who you are, not what you are doing. Remember Jesus in the wilderness with satan coming to him saying, "If you are the son of God...." (Matthew 4:1-11) The challenges you face are challenging who you are, more than what you are doing! Remember that you are who God says you are, but do YOU believe it? As we successfully navigate a battle and we see the victory of God enforced, we find out a little more that God is well able to bring us through…and not only bring us through, but bring us through triumphantly.

Remember what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ (the anointed One and His anointing) that strengthens me. What you do for God, must be done in His power, not your own. The obligation you have is obedience to the Father...the obligation the Father has to you are the results. When you are challenged by the devil, he is really challenging God, not you. Just embrace the grace and go on through. Don't embrace it passively. Actively reach out and grab the grace that is yours for this situation. If necessary shout out to yourself, "This grace is MINE! I grab the grace for this situation, in Jesus' name!"

You must realize that grace is what enables you and empowers you to successfully navigate new waters. So grab it and go!

Don't be overcome - OVERCOME!

Don't be depressed - PRESS!

Don't be discouraged - TAKE COURAGE!

Just "embrace the grace" and step into the new strength that is your possession! You'll see Isaiah 40:29 come alive for you!

"He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength" (NKJV)

It's time to "EMBRACE THE GRACE!"

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