As I drove to work earlier this week, I felt an overwhelming sorrow. Like anyone else, I could choose to be sad about facets of my life, but my hope is in Christ so that isn’t an option and this sorrow wasn’t from anything personal. I felt God’s heart. He was grieving…
I began to pray. The day before Christ arrest and crucifixion He prayed for His disciples and even future believers like us (John 17:20-21). Christ had a lifestyle of prayer which was clearly established through the pattern seen in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John).
So Tuesday morning I prayed, I prayed like Jesus prayed…for future believers. I prayed for those that God was speaking to directly, sometimes in a still small voice and other times more vocally in an ostentatious thunder. I prayed for those that God was speaking to through others, TV, social media, & creation…I prayed for all those the Father was beckoning. As I prayed, I heard lyrics from a prophetic, or spontaneous, worship song…”He’s pleading for your life” and almost cried. I prayed for the hearts of future believers, that our Father would massage and soften their hearts to receive our words. I prayed that their ears would be opened to hear our message. I prayed that those God is fighting for wouldn’t be as Israel in Christ’s times, unable to see…perceive…or receive Him.
This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,‘ When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear,and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to meand let me heal them.’
Matthew 13:14-15 NLT
I grieved in prayer for the most part of the morning and once I felt better I went on to the next thing. Until that afternoon, I heard “Grace Running Out,” and I knew it wasn’t finished…
WHAT IS GRACE?
We commonly hear grace is “God’s unmerited or undeserved favor,” and it is, however CHARIS means much more. Often neglected at the mention of grace, but as important is God’s ability to empower us to be like Him (1 Peter 1:16). So that we are able to walk worthy of the vocations and purposes He has called us to (Ephesians 4:1).
A more complete definition of grace makes reference “of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.” (Thayer and Smith. Greek Lexicion Entry for Charis)
What does Grace Running Out mean?
I sense that time is running thin and that God’s favor over some is depleting because of our misdeeds, they naturally separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2). I’m not referring to an occasional slip or someone whose mind has decided it wants God, but actions haven’t so quickly followed. I’m speaking to those that know God, know that He wants more, those who know what He requires but continue to believe that God’s grace will allow for more time ⏰⏰⏰. God wants us to go beyond honoring and professing Him with our lips and being estranged with Him in the heart (Matthew 15:8).
Some of My Story
I married extremely young and during the separation process I not only separated from my spouse, but I separated from God. I began to live contrary to what I’d learned through a personal relationship with Him. Living life and having fun became a priority for me, but then there was a shift. I randomly started having fainting spells. I became severely depressed and battled with anxiety, I dropped around 30 pounds on an already slim frame…then I had my first seizure. I came to on a stretcher with medical workers saying “why is the heart rate so high?” Did I mention I had developed a heart issue, it was overworking itself all the time…I was only 26, I was too young to have all those problems. I was prescribed medication for depression, anxiety, my heart, hyperthyroidism, and epilepsy…back then the thought of medication and smell made me nauseous. 😖😖😖
When I stopped yielding myself to God, I slowly removed myself from His covering and protection. It wasn’t that He wanted these things to happen, but I just refused His advances for help. After a couple of years of that and more I decided to choose God again. I never had another seizure, my heart regulated itself and I don’t take medication for depression/anxiety, which I had been told I would need for the rest of my life. Actually, I don’t take any prescribed medicine at all! My life isn’t perfect, but I’m safe in the hands of the One who is perfect (John 10:28-29).
A Call for More
We have many things to tell you about this. But it is hard to explain because you have stopped trying to understand. You have had enough time that by now you should be teachers. But you need someone to teach you again the first lessons of God’s teaching. You still need the teaching that is like milk. You are not ready for solid food. Anyone who lives on milk is still a baby and is not able to understand much about living right. But solid food is for people who have grown up. From their experience they have learned to see the difference between good and evil.
Hebrews 5:11-14 Easy-to-Read Version
There are people that you must reach, people that God has designated for you to encounter. It is impossible to be bound to sin and be free to be used by God. “Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong” (Hebrews 12:13 NLT). The freedom Christ gives will inspire you to give Him your all! Whatever we make ourselves slaves to is our master and I’m asking you to choose to let God be the only One who rules over you (Romans 6:16).
God is saying to His people
Arise and wake up
There are lives depending on you. People waiting in the balance. People waiting to hear…souls that are hopeless waiting to be awakened by your words…My Words.
Arise and wake up
Take your rightful place. You will no longer carry the spirit of a victim but behave as you are a Victor!
Christ has redeemed us from the curse, let us live in accordance to that truth! (Galatians 3:13)
Revised 7/24/15 12:50pm. The following was added:
Actually, I don’t take any prescribed medicine at all!
“Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong” (Hebrews 12:13 NLT).
My case isn’t typical I do not advocate anyone coming off of prescribed medication without consulting your doctor & the Great Physician***
