(Read Matthew 15 and Mark 8)
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 and our study has brought us to Matthew chapter 15. In this chapter Peter asked Jesus to explain something He said. Jesus explained, “The bad things people say with their mouth come from the way they think. And that’s what can make people wrong. All these bad things begin in the mind: evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual sins, stealing, lying, and insulting people.” You will never change until you thinking changes. Paul said, “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Rom 12:2).
Today we will look at how God expects our experiences with Him to change the way we think, to the point where our heart and mind expect the supernatural. For this thought I will take us to Mark chapter eight. By this chapter Jesus had already fed 5,000, 4,000, walked on water, and stopped storms with his words. You would think the disciples’ hearts and minds would be conditioned to expect the supernatural by this point. But as was often the case, the disciples disappointed Jesus.
Jesus got into a boat with His disciples and they quickly came to Him with a problem. Whoever was responsible for bringing the food forgot and all they had was one loaf of bread. When Jesus heard them talking about not having enough food He was frustrated. Jesus realized their minds had yet to be renewed. Jesus said, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
- When you are Born-Again you are no longer natural to this world. The supernatural is supposed to be natural to you.
- When you are Born-Again you have a new Spirit, but an old mind. Your mind must be renewed in order to maximize your new reality.
- You will never consistently operate in God’s supernatural power until your mind is renewed to expect it (by faith) and accept it (by grace).
- God’s power has NOTHING to do with your power. His power comes freely, by grace, for His plans and purposes. Your role is to simply believe and receive.
- The grace of God will empower you to do what you could never do without God. But your mind must be renewed to release limits.
- The experiences God affords you are designed to help grow your faith to the point where you are open to all He wants to do in your life by grace.
- Every experience with God is supposed to cause you to think differently.
- Divine encounters with God are supposed to help you to think the way He thinks – unbounded, unrestricted, and unlimited.
- We are supposed to have the same impact in this world Jesus did. We are called to continue what He started.
- You are supposed to live ‘Just Like Jesus’ in this world, but you never will until you see yourself the way He sees you.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. The more I learn about Your grace, the more my mind is renewed to accept it. I know I am limited, but You are limitless. Jesus had an expectation for His disciples to operate in the supernatural. Jesus expected them to do what He was doing. Jesus even said that we would do what He did, and even greater works. I have an expectation of the supernatural. I am ready to live my life with a mentality that sees NO LIMITS. So I die to self in order for You to freely flow through me. I decrease, and You increase in me daily. I am open to whatever You want to do in, with and through my life. You are my Lord, You are my king, You are my God, I worship You and I live for You! I give You my life and I am ready for whatever You want to do. Your Word teaches me that I am supposed to live just like Jesus. By faith I agree with Your Word. I declare, “As Jesus is, so am I, in this world.” Not because I am worthy, but only because of Your grace. My mind is conditioned to EXPECT Your power to flow in my life daily. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
