(Read Mat 14)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We have been studying the life of the Apostle Peter. Our study has brought us to Matthew 14. For the past few weeks we have been looking at Peter’s famous walking on water incident. Yesterday I was led to go back to the story to take a step back and look at it through the lens of God’s unearned, amazing and inexhaustible grace. Today I am led to go back to it once again to talk about “The unforced rhythms of God’s grace”.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- Matthew 14 opens with Jesus learning of the death of His cousin, John the Baptist. In true Jesus fashion, He responded in whatever way the Father wanted. The Kingdom of God had taken a blow and God was ready to strike back. The Father sent Jesus out to heal everyone in His area who was sick. Jesus then fed a crowd with fish and loaves. The miracles were not forced. Jesus did not have to cry out to the Father to help. Jesus simply flowed in the unforced rhythms of God’s grace. The supernatural did not come by human effort, it came simply by human submission. This is still how it happens today.
- After feeding a crowd Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him in a boat. He went off to pray. After praying for hours He was ready to catch up with His team. The team was on the water in a boat. Jesus was at the shore without a boat. Jesus did not stress, He did not fall down on His knees and cry out to the Father, and He was not afraid. Jesus flowed in the unforced rhythms of God’s grace. He felt led to catch up with His team, He did not have a boat, so He tapped into the grace of God to walk on water. It was that simple. Unforced and unearned, it was simply the grace of God. This is how God wants you to flow with Him.
- When Peter saw Jesus on the water he felt a yearning to want to join His leader. Peter had finally gotten to the point where he had a desire to not just witness the supernatural, but to actually participate in it. Jesus was flowing in the unforced rhythms of God’s grace and Peter wanted-in. Peter asked for permission, Jesus granted the permission, and Peter got out of the boat. This was unforced, unearned and unmerited; it was an act of God’s grace. Actually, once Peter inserted human ability in the equation, he cut Himself off from the flow of God’s grace and he began to sink. God wants you to learn how to flow with His unforced rhythms of grace. Like Peter, it will take practice, but you will never learn until you start. Resolve to start today!
- Early this morning I took my wife to the airport (which is why Today’s Word is a little late going out). Isabella is with a team from our church going on a Missions trip to Mexico. As I prayed for her and the trip I felt no pressure. My heart had no fear. My soul had no concern. I know this trip IS the will of God. I know the grace is there. I know the Father wants to use the team to BE a blessing to the children of Tijuana. My part is to simply release my faith to access God’s grace. Isabella and the rest of the team members simply need to yield to the unforced rhythms of God’s grace during the trip. As they do, burdens will be removed, yokes will be destroyed, lives will be changed, souls will be saved and healing with flow freely, all by God’s grace. All the team needs to do is discern God’s flow and ride the wave. That’s how God wants us to live. Unforced, unearned, unmerited and even undeserved – it’s grace, and yes, it is amazing!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. The more I study Your grace, the more I release the pressure to perform. There was a time in my walk with You when I took on pressure to do what You have called me to do. I attempted to fulfill my assignment by human strength and it led to pressure, stress, frustration and worry. Those days are over. The revelation of Your grace has changed the way I see myself, You, and others. I now simply die to self. I yield to You. I get out of the way. I humble myself before You. I still myself to the point where I am able to discern Your flow. When I do, I simply tap into the unforced rhythms of Your grace and I ride the wave. None of me, all of You, this is the way I live my life! And the best part is… my life is now the life You birthed me to live! It is amazing. I succeed in life, I will change the world, and I will leave a mark that shall not be erased! But I will not do it by my strength, I will do it by flowing in the unforced rhythms of Your grace! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
