BECOMING A PEOPLE OF BLESSING

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My oldest believer son just sent me the latest edition of the book The Grace Outpouring – Becoming a People of Blessing by Roy Godwin and Dave Roberts. I had read the book in 2008 when it was released and was impacted significantly by its content. It’s the kind of book that changes your perspective of Jesus, His work, and the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives.

Roy Godwin and his wife Daphne through an amazing set of circumstances (miracles) become directors of a beautiful Welsh Christian retreat centre, Ffaldy-y-Brenin. However, Roy, who had been an active evangelist and businessman felt out of place in a retreat centre where Christians came to recharge and reflect.

Daphne was convinced from the miracles that occurred for them to get the posting that they were where God wanted them to be and she convinced Roy that he needed to take it to the Lord. His prayer and how God answered it is amazing. Within hours of Roy’s prayer there was a knock at the door. “The tall and middle-aged couple calling on us were unknown”.

“Hello, I hope you don’t mind us calling like this, but could you tell us what this place is?” The reason for their visit was eventually revealed.

“Well, we were driving along here, and we don’t quite understand it, but we were compelled to come up your drive. From the sign, they knew it was a Christian retreat centre but that meant little to them.

Daphne got them a cup of tea and Roy eventually explained to them that in this place lives get changed because God is real. Roy then took them on a tour of the retreat with its beautiful views of the valley and surrounding hills. The final destination was the chapel. “There they seemed to sense something of the presence of God, although they might not have been able to articulate what was happening to them. They sat down rather speedily, rather heavily, as though their legs had gone weak.” Roy was prompted to create a new tradition. We have a rule here of how we respond to our visitors. We like to bless them before they leave. May I bless you?” They had no problem with that so Roy simply said, “I bless you in the name of Jesus to know God, His purpose for your life and His blessings on you and your family and the situations of your life, Amen.”

They started to weep. The sense of the presence of God was tangible. Roy felt led to leave them alone with God so left the chapel. It was time for God to do what He wanted to do with that couple.

The next day another knock on the door and the same enquiring words. At last as Roy went through the social pleasantries it was dawning on Roy that this was God’s response to his prayer. When Roy eventually took them to the chapel the Holy Spirit came with even more power and the couple wept profusely.

Later that day Roy and Daphne prayed: “Lord we like what you are doing and we bless what you are doing. Lord, would you please do more of it?” And He did. In fact, God started to send so many people that today there is a reception area for them where they are greeted by team members.

If you are not blessing people try it: Asking people, if you can bless them is an offer few people refuse. We are not saying, “Can we pray for you in a general way?” We are not putting a difficult burden on those doing the praying. Blessing someone is simple and easy. The Holy Spirit comes because when you bless, you reflect something the Father is doing and speaking words the Father desires to be said. God desires to bless His creation. A simple prayer is “I bless you in the name of Jesus to know God, His purpose for your life, and His blessings on you and your family and the situations of your life.“

APPROACHING GOD TO FIND GRACE

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What do you do with the following Scripture? Most do not believe it is possible.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

There’s little consolation in knowing God is your Creator unless you know what He’s like. It is only when you know God by searching His Word will you be able to approach God with confidence. Moreover, you will not do that unless you have total confidence in God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation. The two best ministries I know of to help you gain that confidence are Creation Ministries International (CMI) and Answers in Genesis (AIG). Become followers and supporters, God will bless you for doing so. Also, for me, fulfilled prophecies were confirmation that the Bible is the inspired work of God.

“And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:19-21

To a devout Jew, the notion of unhindered access to God is scandalous. Yet by God’s grace and for His grace, that access is ours. Because of Christ’s work, God’s door is always open to us. Let’s enter freely and frequently!

God’s grace is constant, and not stationary. It keeps moving toward us day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. It’s always there when we need it—and there’s never a moment we don’t need it.

The grace that saves us is also the grace that sanctifies and empowers us. God’s power isn’t needed just by unbelievers to be converted. It’s needed by believers to be obedient and joyful. We can look back at the day we first experienced the sunrise of God’s grace. But grace is a sun that never sets in the believer’s life.

Spurgeon is one of my go-to authors, this is what he has to say on grace: “One thing is past all question: we shall bring our Lord most glory if we get from him much grace.” –Charles Spurgeon

What God had to say when He visited Moses on Mt Sinai after the Exodus is relevant here:

“The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there… The Lord passed before him (Moses) and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving (confessed) iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” Exodus 34:5-7

God knows everything, so no sin surprises Him. He knows all our worst secrets (Psalm 69:5). He’s seen us at our worst and still loves us. John Calvin said, “Grace does not grant permission to live in the flesh; it supplies power to live in the Spirit.”

Jesus made it possible for our Heavenly Father to send the Holy Spirit to indwell the spirit of all believers so we have the grace of God in full measure. It is up to us to “die to self” and live with the Holy Spirit guiding our every step.

 God in His grace offers salvation to all people because all people need His salvation. Christ came precisely because not one of us is fine without Him.

For some, “human depravity” (total inability to earn our way to God) may be an insulting doctrine, but grasping it is liberating. When I realize the best I can do without God is like “filthy rags” in His sight, it finally sinks in that I have nothing to offer. Salvation hinges on His work, not mine. What a relief!

God’s children have been saved from the penalty of sin, we are being saved from the power of sin, and we will be saved from the presence of sin. Salvation, sanctification, and glorification are all grounded solidly in exactly the same thing: God’s grace.

THE PROBLEM OF PAIN

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C. S. Lewis said in The Problem of Pain, “The human spirit will not even begin to try to surrender self-will as long as all seems to be well with it.” Our self-will deceives us; in loss, tragedy, and suffering we may finally come to terms with our need for help.

Why do God’s children undergo pressure, suffering, and deadly peril? Paul answers clearly: “that we might not rely on ourselves but on God” God uses our weakness and inadequacy not only to build our character but also to manifest His strength and grace to us and through us.

“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him, we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Paul says, “Suffering exposes our theology. …Suffering will deepen your faith or it will weaken it. …Your suffering is not a failure of God’s plan. …In suffering, God reveals us and reveals Himself. … suffering is the workroom for grace.”

LESSON ON GRACE FROM THE GOD OF GRACE

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SEVEN GRACIOUS MANNERS WE CAN LEARN FROM THE GOD OF GRACE:

Image result for picture of Jesus with Samaritan woman at well

1. GRACE INITIATES NOT INTIMIDATES

Jesus said unto her, “Give Me to drink.” (Vs 7)
Please note how Jesus initiated the conversation by asking for help to meet his real everyday needs. Jesus revealed His humanity – “Give Me To Drink” before His deity “Living Water”. Grace is humble and not too proud to ask – Can you please help me with….?.

2. GRACE IS RESPECTFUL NOT RUDE 

His posture – Jesus sat down with her not stood over her.
Her person-hood – Jesus lifted here up not looked down on her.
Her point of view – Jesus let her finish her sentence and complete her statement.

3. GRACE USES DIALOGUE NOT MONOLOGUE

Jesus asked not demanded. He discussed not debated. He answered not argued. He responded not reacted.

4. GRACE PRESENTS WITHOUT PRESSURE

Jesus didn’t beat around the bush with her , nor did he beat her on the head. He first presented the eternal living water and in the light of that, he pointed out her earthly life style. He took the necessary steps to build a relationship.

5. GRACE IS FIRM BUT NOT AGGRESSIVE

He talked with her. He treated her with dignity (he called woman the same that he called his own mother). He taught her by explaining things clearly. He told her ALL the things she ever did.

6. GRACE INSTRUCTS NOT INSULTS

This lonely and vulnerable soul quickly learns that Jesus does not reject or turn away the socially outcast nor demonises or puts down the spiritually confused
I. Social Outcast – She was half breed, hated by the Jews, divorced five times, etc..etc..
II. Spiritually Confused – She followed her own religious system and was not clear on a number of subjects including that  of worship and  the coming of Messiah
Jesus was patient but not passive. He was firm but not aggressive. The more Jesus spoke to her heart and mind, she more she realized who He was:
a Jew in vs 9; ….. , a greater than Jacob in vs 12;  ….. , a prophet in vs 19: …. , The Messiah in vs 22, 29.

7. GRACE IS COMPASSIONATE NOT COMPROMISING

Jesus was concerned about her heart’s trust more than her human tendency. He was sure of her listening ear once he secured her trusting heart. His words were compassionate without compromise.  His way was insightful not intrusive.

Extracted from Grace Through with Pastor Peter Rahme Inner West Baptist Church, Sydney