IncreaseSample

Increase brings its own Grace

I remember when my first son, Ethan, was born. My husband, Paul, and I were so smitten and in love with this tiny baby! It was a love as we had never experienced before, and it filled our hearts to overflowing! We were crazy in love! We melted! A thought came to us both separately, and we were amazed to discover that we both thought it. The thought was that we felt sad that our subsequent children wouldn’t receive the same level of love that we had for the first one. We would love them, but not with that same overwhelming euphoria we had with our first. When our second child was born, what a surprise we experienced! There was a new expansion of love in our hearts for this child! It was the same amount of love as the first one, but of course, slightly different since this baby was different in many ways! The same happened with our third, and as each one grew and their personalities developed, the complexity and depth of our love grew as well.

Now, as we look back, it seems silly that we thought we couldn’t love each other with all our hearts and in such an overwhelming way! Other parents have shared similar experiences.

In the same way, many times we doubt our capacity as the Lord births new things, new endeavors, new ministries, and new dreams. We can’t imagine handling it all! But then, when it happens, and we discover new pockets of grace burst open for us, we look back and realize those doubts were just silly. The love flooded in…the finances came…the personal ability to manage new and bigger things arose…the faith to maintain it and keep pressing forward was obtained.

What if there are entire reservoirs of provision just waiting for us? Resources, both tangible and intangible, are ready to pour out abundantly as we cross new thresholds and expand in ways like never before. I like that term, “pockets of grace.” It reminds me that, even though I can’t see it or fathom it now, good things are ready to burst forth into our lives as we say “yes” to God—Yes, to the new thing he wants to do.

This is what Jesus was referring to when he said, “Don’t worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34), because those needs will be met when the day arrives. He wasn’t saying don’t plan; He was saying there is an abundance of some type of grace prepared to pour out to surprise us and bless us as the demands of growth arise. The key is the verse just before: Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

There are times we may need to ask. There are times we may need to pull on Heaven, or speak to the mountain, or rebuke the enemy. Or declare those things that are not as though they were! But know there is a supply ready to flood into the situation, especially in response to obedience to a kingdom mandate.

Here at The Rock Church and World Outreach Center, our pastors speak a blessing over us at the end of every service. Almost always, the words from Deuteronomy 28:8 are used: “…and that everything that your hand touches to do, it will prosper!” It has been declared over you...Do you believe it? Just try, step out, and grasp something new; the Lord will prosper what your hand touches to do for His glory.

Prayer

Lord, thank you so much for working in my life so I can grow and fulfill my destiny. I know you use stretching and risk-taking to draw out new areas of maturity and growth in me, so help me to hear your voice every day as I study Your Word and spend time with you. Then I will keep a “yes” in my heart toward you, trusting you to help me as I step out into new things. Help me draw from you each day a fresh infilling of peace and confidence to overcome challenges. Keep me close, don’t let me get distracted. Fan the flame of passion in my heart to keep burning for you, to keep running for you. I confess, I depend totally on you! All the glory will go to you, God. I will give you all the credit and all the praise. In fact, I’ll praise you even in disappointments and hard times, even before the breakthrough comes! To you be all the glory, Father. To you, Jesus, be the riches and honor, because you paid a high price so we could live like you did, doing the Father’s will, and seeing lives changed with fruit that remains. I love you, Lord. Amen.