Personalizing the Psalm 91 Prayer of Protection
Trusting God is a choice. You know He is trustworthy, and you know you’re supposed to trust Him, but do you? Do you believe at your core that God will protect you? Do you deeply and confidently believe that every time you go to God He will be there for you? You know the answer should be “yes.” But life’s circumstances can cause us to doubt at times.
There’s a way to persuade your heart of God’s character, so your confidence in Him remains strong. The simplest way to say it is, believe the Word of God. But there is a process to believing the Word of God. Not just agreeing with it, but allowing it to be your core truth, no matter what.
“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.””
Trusting God is a choice. You know He is trustworthy, and you know you’re supposed to trust Him, but do you? Do you believe at your core that God will protect you? Do you deeply and confidently believe that every time you go to God He will be there for you? You know the answer should be “yes.” But life’s circumstances can cause us to doubt at times.
There’s a way to persuade your heart of God’s character, so your confidence in Him remains strong. The simplest way to say it is, believe the Word of God. But there is a process to believing the Word of God. Not just agreeing with it, but allowing it to be your core truth, no matter what.
Decide that you will believe the Word of God, especially what it says about God, in spite of your circumstances. Choose to believe that it is true above all.
Personalize the Word. When applicable, see God’s Word as a personal promise to you. A good way to read the Word to accomplish this is to change it to the first person, as if it’s written about you or you are writing it yourself.
Confess the Word. “Say of the Lord He is your refuge and fortress.” Say it, or confess it because it is already true of you, not to make it true.
Psalm 91 is attributed to Moses. He most likely wrote this poem after experiencing God’s power in His personal life and after seeing God deliver the Israelites from Egypt. These phrases were facts for him from his experience with God.
You may currently be in a situation where you need these promises to be true. Rest assured, God is no respecter of persons. God is who He is, no matter the situation. You can always assume that God will be Himself in any circumstance. Experiencing specific facets of the character and nature of God is not a matter of convincing God to be God for you, it’s being persuaded in your heart that this is who God is.
Confessing the Word of God in the first person until it feels like your truth is a powerful exercise. I have reworded Psalm 91 below to read in the first person. Read the confession section aloud to anchor your heart in God’s promises and character. You don’t have to whip yourself up into an emotional frenzy, but say the words with conviction, acknowledging that God is who He is. He is the great I AM. He will not change.
The spiritual tipping point of experiencing these facets of God in your life happens as you believe. All things are possible for those who believe. Doubt keeps you from experiencing God’s influence in your life. As you get rid of doubt and make God’s Word your truth, something happens in your heart that allows you to let God be these things for you.
Try it now. As you read the first-person statements, tell your mind that God’s Word is true and that God’s character doesn’t change. He is a protector, no matter where your mind drifts. You may read statements that are hard to believe. Choose to believe the Word. Choose to believe the truth about God. This is who He is. I am not suggesting that my phrasing is THE Word of God. If you would prefer to personalize Psalm 91 in slightly different phrasing, do so, make this process your own.
Say of the Lord!!!
First Person Confession of Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I dwell in the secret place of the Most High. I am hidden with Christ, in God forever. I am so close to God that His shadow covers me. Nothing can harm me because I am seated with Christ in God.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
God is my refuge. God is my safe place. Being in God is like being in a strong tower that nothing can break into. I can trust God. I will trust God. I do trust God. I trust God because God can be trusted.
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.
He will deliver me from the traps of the enemy. He has delivered me from the power of darkness and has translated me into the kingdom of his dear son. He will protect me and deliver me from disease in the land. No pandemic can harm me because God is my protector, and I am safe in Him.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
He holds a powerful shield in His hand, and he stretches His arm over me to protect me. I am safe from the enemy and disease because I rest in the strength and power of God, who actively protects me.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
I have nothing to be afraid of, during the day or at night. God protects me when I sleep. God is with me when I sleep. I fall asleep aware of God’s presence. If I become fearful in the night, I can turn the eyes of my heart to God, and he is there to comfort me and give me strength. I can willingly turn to God at any moment and be strengthened by Him. He is already willing, and able to help me when I am afraid. I have nothing to fear because God is with me.
I am not afraid of any disease or pestilence. Sickness is not from God, health and protection are from God. He gave me a robust immune system, and His spirit is giving me abundant life. The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is giving life to my physical body. I am not afraid of any disease because God’s mighty arm protects me.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
Even if people get sick or lose all their money because of what is happening in the world, I can trust God and God will protect me. God is actively protecting me, even at this moment. I can feel His protection because God loves me and chooses to protect me. Because I am safe in the Lord, I will not be destroyed like the wicked. I am the righteousness of God in Christ.
9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling
No evil will happen to my family or me, and no disease can come into my home because God is my refuge. God is a protector, God is a healer, and God is my redeemer. I am safe and protected in God because He is my protector.
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Not only is God protecting me, but He also sends angels to keep me healthy and safe. God’s angels are real, and they are active in my life. Everywhere I go, God’s angels go before me to clear a path of protection for me.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
Even if I encounter an enemy of God, a difficult situation, a disease, or any other hardship, God is there to protect me and walk with me.
I acknowledge verses 14 through 16 as God’s answer directly to me. This is not just God’s answer to my confession, and this is a direct promise from God to me.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”
I love God because He first loved me. And because I love Him, He will ALWAYS deliver me and lift me up, far above the circumstances of my life, and far above the plague or destruction in the world. Because God loves me and I love Him, God will protect me. I know the authority of God, I know the character of God. God is a protector. God is MY protector.
I can call on God, and He WILL answer me. I can expect to experience every facet of the name of God because He loves me, and I love Him. If I am in trouble, I can reach out to God, and He will ALWAYS be there to help me, protect me, and show me the way out of my trouble. I WILL follow and obey Him because He loves me, and I love Him.
My God, my Heavenly Father loves me. He promises to satisfy me with long life. I do not have to be afraid of disease and destruction on earth because God actively protects me by giving me health and long life. I trust God because God can be trusted. I choose to believe the truth about what God says of Himself, and I choose to accept the promises He has made to me. God keeps His promises, and I will trust Him every moment of my life.
More first person confession resources:
Find more translations of Psalm 91 here: https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/91.htm
Stay Connected with Me
Subscribe to my email list: http://eepurl.com/dMcXIE
Subscribe on YouTube: Weekly Sermons | My Podcast
Become a Resource Member
Become a supporter of Forward Ministries.
The Secret to Living by Faith
The just shall live by faith, but you must know that you are justified to approach God for grace confidently. When you believe you are justified, you'll live by faith. When you live by faith, you'll access grace. When you access to grace, you will live by his spirit and obey him from the heart. You must be convinced that you are justified through the blood of Christ so you will remain confident before God and not disqualify yourself from receiving from him.
Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Our faith is not in our faith, it’s in him. Living by faith is not living by the strength of my ability to believe. Living by faith is living persuaded of all that Jesus has accomplished on my behalf. If I am facing something in life that Jesus affected on the cross, I have the right to believe that what Jesus paid for should be the reality in my life rather than the temporary circumstance I may be facing.
“As you believe the truth, you will access the grace to walk in the truth”
We can’t obey God in our own strength. We can’t please God in our own faith. In fact, like Jesus, we can do nothing of ourselves regarding spiritual fruit. Thankfully God gives us grace to live the abundant life. God’s grace teaches us to live holy. And grace strengthens us to rise above sin and failure. When properly accessed, God’s grace becomes everything we need to live a godly and fruitful life.
We must use faith to access grace. Keep in mind that faith is a response to what God has done in Christ. Faith is not your own capacity or strength to believe. Faith does not convince God to give you grace, grace is always available. Faith acknowledges that we are weak, and He is strong in us.
Faith says yes, Jesus, you already paid the price and have already given it to me by your spirit. Now I’ll renew my mind and remind my heart that Jesus is enough. We can then expect grace to come alive in us when we live by faith.
Another key component to living by faith is knowing that you are already justified. If you approach God like the prodigal son, feeling worthless and unqualified, your heart will not be receptive to the good things God has for you that you can receive by faith.
The Just Shall Live By Faith
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoiced in hope of the glory of God.
The just shall live by faith, but you must know that you are justified to approach God for grace confidently. When you believe you are justified, you'll live by faith. When you live by faith, you'll access grace. When you access to grace, you will live by his spirit and obey him from the heart. You must be convinced that you are justified through the blood of Christ so you will remain confident before God and not disqualify yourself from receiving from him.
Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Our faith is not in our faith, it’s in him. Living by faith is not living by the strength of my ability to believe. Living by faith is living persuaded of all that Jesus has accomplished on my behalf. If I am facing something in life that Jesus affected on the cross, I have the right to believe that what Jesus paid for should be the reality in my life rather than the temporary circumstance I may be facing.
As we stand in grace, by faith in Jesus, God’s logos will manifest in our lives and change things. The nature of spirit will change this physical world. This world was designed to be influenced by God’s spirit. God has now placed his spirit in you, so you have the power to influence the world for the Word’s sake. No matter what you see, keep believing that God’s spirit is at work and manifestation is in progress. Like a tree in the winter that will eventually grow leaves and bear fruit, so will the heart that lives persuaded of the finished work of Jesus.
Galatians 3:11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
But again, a key to living by faith in Christ to access grace hinges upon your confidence that you are justified. It’s vital that you know the Gospel and continually persuade your heart of it, so your heart will be receptive to the influence of God’s spirit.
Romans 3:21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22 And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
YOU WILL LIVE BY FAITH WHEN YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE JUSTIFIED AND RIGHTEOUS
YOU WILL ACCESS GRACE WHEN YOU LIVE BY FAITH
YOU WILL LIVE THE ABUNDANT LIFE IN EVERY AREA THAT YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS
BELIEVING THAT YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS BY FAITH IN HIM, AND THAT YOU ARE JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, SHOULD RESULT IN A HEART THAT THINKS SPIRITUALLY AND CONTINUES TO LIVE PERSUADED OF THAT FINISHED WORK, WHICH RESULTS IN WALKING IN GOD’S INFLUENCE IN YOUR LIFE.
Jesus Lived By Faith
Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
How do you live on the Word’s that come out of God’s mouth? How do we live under the influence of this unseen spirit that is active in our lives?
Knowing the written is paramount. The living Word of God is in you, but it will verify the written Word. Jesus went to the written Word, and it became strength for him. You can do the same thing.
You can go to God’s Word and feed on it, and it will become strength to you. Think of the situations you need God to move in your life and then discover what Word you need to live by. Not just in practice but for strength. Do you trust that planting his Word in your heart and mind will be strength and life for you?
It takes faith to believe and experience the fruit of God’s word in your life. But your faith doesn’t make it work, it simply aligns your heart to experience what is already seeking to grow into your life from God. So faith is more about assuring your heart in the promises of God, it’s not about trying to get God to move for you. Faith is assurance that God keeps his promises and Jesus already qualified you for them.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. 2 This is why the ancients were commended. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see!!!!
Meditate in His Word until His promises and what He says is possible is more real than what you’re facing. Use it as a lamp to light your way. Feed on it to think spiritually, so you'll stay in faith and live by every word that God gives to your heart, which ultimately is his grace working in you. Then you will be led and taught by God.
We Live By The Faith of Jesus
Allow me to add one more layer of nuance to faith. When we are born again, we place our faith in Him to be saved. From then on, we have the capacity to be empowered by His faith. Faith is a gift (grace) from God that works just like wisdom or a word of knowledge. The gift of faith will arise from your heart when you take the time to persuade your heart of the character and trustworthiness of God.
When the gift of faith comes alive in your heart, you can do what Jesus did. You can follow and obey God as Jesus did. When you allow yourself to be empowered by the faith OF Christ, you are truly living by faith
Galatians 2:19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith OF the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
DON’T NEGLECT GRACE GO TO HIS WORD TO RENEW YOUR MIND AND BECOME EMPOWERED AS IT BECOMES ALIVE IN YOU.
When faith access grace, it becomes power for us.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Believing that you are righteous by faith in Christ and that you are justified by His blood will result in a heart that thinks spiritually and continues to live in Christ’s finished work. You can not live the abundant life Jesus came to give you in your own strength, you need His grace.
When you live persuaded of your righteousness in Him, your heart will apply His Word, and you will follow Him and obey Him. Do everything you can to stay in faith toward God and expect His grace to be alive within you; when you are weak as well as for everyday living. Trust in Him for everything. Know His Word and apply it to your life’s circumstances. When you live this way, you will see God’s blessings and promises overtake your life beyond your wildest imagination.
I pray you watch the full sermon above. As always, this article is a snapshot of a much bigger picture in the sermon. I pray it’s a blessing to you.
Stay Connected with Me
Subscribe to my email list: http://eepurl.com/dMcXIE
Like on Facebook
Subscribe on YouTube
Become a supporter of Forward Ministries.
Be Bold and Confident When You Approach God
God wants to help you when you are weak, but you must be bold enough to go to Him when you need help. Don’t allow the guilt and shame of failure to keep you from going to God. He already knows what you’re going through, and He already punished Jesus for your mistake.
You know we can go to Him for mercy after we sin, but do you know you can go to Him for grace before you fail? There’s even better news; you don’t just go to God for help in failure, continually asking for forgiveness; you can walk away changed. There is mercy to forgive and grace to help strengthen you, so you don’t repeat the same sin habits. That is the power of grace.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoiced in hope of the glory of God.”
God wants to help you when you are weak, but you must be bold enough to go to Him when you need help. Don’t allow the guilt and shame of failure to keep you from going to God. He already knows what you’re going through, and He already punished Jesus for your mistake.
You know we can go to Him for mercy after we sin, but do you know you can go to Him for grace before you fail? There’s even better news; you don’t just go to God for help in failure, continually asking for forgiveness; you can walk away changed. There is mercy to forgive and grace to help strengthen you, so you don’t repeat the same sin habits. That is the power of grace.
How To Get Grace To Work
There is a pattern and process to accessing grace by faith. The Word of God tells us how to use faith, and we can trust that grace will come alive in our hearts when our faith is focused properly.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoiced in hope of the glory of God.
Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 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 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Placed by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Here’s the pattern. Our faith is in Christ and the work He has done for us. Our faith is in the fact that He has given us righteousness as a free gift. Because of this gift, we have access to God for mercy and grace to help. His grace helps us by making us strong in our inner man.
We can conclude that our inner man is continually before God’s throne, receiving mercy and grace. Stand in that faith, so grace moves from your inner man to your outer man.
Be Bold and Confident
We “enter” that place with boldness and confidence because our confidence is in Christ and what He accomplished. And again, He accomplished making you righteous before God and qualified you to be a partaker of the saints' inheritance in light.
You belong there. You belong with God, you belong before God, and you are qualified to receive help from Him.
There is an element of repentance involved in going into God’s throne room for mercy and grace. We do confess our sins to God in this process, but confess means “to say the same thing.”
TRY THIS: Envision yourself before God saying, “God, you set me free from the flesh, you set me free from the Law, I am righteous, I am not a sinner, the sin that’s killing is not my master, you are my master. I want to glorify you with my life. Thank you that you placed all your wrath for my sin on Jesus. I open my heart to receive grace to strengthen me. Thank you for forgiving me, and thank you for helping me.”
It’s important to clear your conscience before God, but also expect to walk away with the power to change. Don’t hold on to your guilt and shame and call it humility. Feeling bad for your sin doesn’t cause God to forgive you. The blood of Jesus does. Acting contrite as if you’re sorry for your sin and seeing yourself as dirty before God is still self-righteous. You’re still trying to relate to God based on your behavior.
Don’t stand before God conscious of your behavior, stand before God conscious of your identity in Christ, and watch grace radically empower you beyond all you can ask or imagine.
Confess your identity before God and receive the power to change!!
Living Under Grace series
I pray you join us at Forward Church in person or online. Join us live on YouTube or Facebook Sundays at 10 am EST. Watch this series on YouTube.
Stay Connected with Me
Subscribe to my email list: http://eepurl.com/dMcXIE
Like on Facebook
Subscribe on YouTube
Become a supporter of Forward Ministries.
How to have Spiritual Strength
I think it’s safe to say that you want God’s will accomplished in your life. Am I right?
To live the way He would lead you to live and see His will accomplished in your life, you must follow him when He leads. The problem is; we don’t always yield to His leading. You want to in your mind, but your heart sometimes desires another way. Not because your heart is evil, but because your heart may be more persuaded of your own understanding in any given area.
I have more good news, you follow God better than you realize. I’m positive that you follow God regularly without even being aware of it. As a new creature in Christ, you are hard-wired to follow God from the heart without intellectualizing the process. Seeing, hearing, and obeying God from the heart is natural for you as a child of God.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoiced in hope of the glory of God.”
God wants to help you. He wants to give you strength to live in the abundant life Jesus inherited and shares with you. God helps you by giving spiritual strength to your inner being. Do you know how to yield to that strength and be empowered by it?
You already do it, you just aren’t always aware intellectually when you do. The good news is, you don’t have to earn it. You can’t do anything to convince God to give strength to you, you can only yield to it and receive it freely by faith.
Grace Is God’s Power Working Through You
The active spiritual force of God’s spirit living through you is GRACE. Grace is God’s divine influence in your heart to give you capacities and abilities. The easiest way to receive grace and live under God’s power in your heart is to cease from the efforts of your own flesh. You don’t have the kind of strength it takes to change your desires and bear the fruit of God’s spirit in you. But He’ll give it to you.
When it comes to bearing the fruits of the spirit, or operating in a gift that God inspires in you, or living in the power of His righteousness; the more you stop trying to do those things in the strength of your flesh and depend on His Spirit to strengthen you with His grace, the more you will live under the power of grace.
Paul gives us a functional description of grace working from the hear in Ephesians 3.
Ephesians 3:16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
This sounds a lot like Romans 5 where Paul says we access grace by faith. Faith doesn’t convince God to give you grace, it responds to and receives the spiritual influence God is already extending to you, in your heart.
Keep in mind, faith works by love. For you to access grace by faith, you must first be aware of God’s love for you and be willing to respond with love toward him. This is the cycle of love and faith, which will access the strength God is trying to give you.
You could say it this way, if you can humble yourself and allow God to love you into wholeness, you will be in the best heart posture to receive the grace that comes with His love.
Paul prays that you would experience God’s love in your inner being or your heart. His love makes you whole, to the point that you are filled to the fullness of God. He actually gives you strength to experience His love so you will be whole and complete in Him. That strength is GRACE.
The Love Faith Grace Loop
God loves you and gives you GRACE to experience the spiritual, transformative power of His love for you. It’s like a love loop that begins with His love for you, to which you respond by loving Him, to which He responds by giving you power, to which you trust Him to give you power, to which He responds by giving you wisdom in how to follow Him, to which you respond by obeying Him from the heart.
How To Practically Live In Grace
I think it’s safe to say that you want God’s will accomplished in your life. Am I right?
To live the way He would lead you to live and see His will accomplished in your life, you must follow him when He leads. The problem is; we don’t always yield to His leading. You want to in your mind, but your heart sometimes desires another way. Not because your heart is evil, but because your heart may be more persuaded of your own understanding in any given area.
I have more good news, you follow God better than you realize. I’m positive that you follow God regularly without even being aware of it. As a new creature in Christ, you are hard-wired to follow God from the heart without intellectualizing the process. Seeing, hearing, and obeying God from the heart is natural for you as a child of God. (see God Removed Your Sin Nature)
There is one nuance I must mention, you effortlessly obey and follow God from the heart in the areas your heart is established in His Word and your new creation identity in Him, which makes the primary goal; having your heart established in the Word of God.
When I say “Word of God,” I do mean the Bible, but I specifically mean that you’re influenced in that given area by God’s ways, His logic, and His truth. To have your heart established in His Word, truth, and grace is to not only know what the Bible says but it is also to be fully persuaded that His way is THE way in that area. Whether it be behavior, sexuality, relationships, emotions, finances, etc.…
Establishing Your Heart In Grace
You have victory in the areas where the Word of God is established in your heart. If you're struggling with a particular area of life, you simply need to get the Word established in your heart in that area, pretty simple.
How do you get the Word established in your heart?
There are many ways, may I suggest meditating on the Word. Meditate in His Word in the areas you want to persuade your heart of His perspective and His truth.
There’s a process to your heart being persuaded through meditation. This is not a formula, these are just key elements in getting the logic and ways of God beyond your conscious mind and rooted in your heart. Keep in mind, meditation is simply thinking about something until it becomes true to you. We do this all the time with fear, worry, and doubt. Now it’s time to do it with God’s logos.
The Process of Meditation:
You have the correct information (scripture)
You decide that God’s logic and perspective are true
You become willing to believe His logic more than your own understanding
Now that you agree with His Word mentally, you think about it until it changes your emotions
As you are holding His truth in your mind and heart, you send away thoughts and emotions that are contrary to what His logic (Word) says
You repeat this process as many times as it takes until your natural responses are in alignment with His logic
Homework
Create a confession plan, There is power in your words. There is great power in hearing yourself speak God’s Words. Your homework assignment is to create a list of scriptures and statements in the area you’d like to establish your heart in God’s grace and speak it out loud at least twice a day. Speak out the Word until your feel the emotions of the truth behind what you’re saying. If you just speak it without feeling it, you’re sending a subtle message to your heart that you don’t believe it.
You’re not just trying to create an emotional experience, you are actually programming your whole being to believe God’s Word. You are programming yourself to believe it and live from the truth of it.
Here’s an example. Let’s look at the example of peace. Let’s say you struggle with fear, worry, anxiety, or maybe even anger.
Use a Bible study resource to look up those words and know what the Word says about them.
Fear: https://www.openbible.info/topics/fear
Worry: https://www.openbible.info/topics/worry
Anxiety: https://www.openbible.info/topics/anxiety
Then look up what you want operating in your life. Let’s go with peace, joy, and confidence.
Peace: https://www.openbible.info/topics/peace
Joy: https://www.openbible.info/topics/joy
Confidence: https://www.openbible.info/topics/confidence
Copy and paste the ones that speak to you and print them out, or write them down. Keep that list with you and speak them out.
Also, make the passages FIRST-PERSON STATEMENTS.
For example:
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Say it this way:
God has not given me a spirit of fear, God has given me a spirit of power, God has given me a spirit of love, and God has given me a peaceful and sound mind. I have a peaceful mind that God Himself gave me. I can think from this peaceful mind anytime I choose, If I feel fear or anxiety in my mind or body, I can choose to think from the peaceful mind God gave me. Fear and anxiety are not from God. Love, power, and peace are from God. God is giving me love, power, and peace in this very moment, I choose to yield to what God is giving me. I have a loving, powerful, and peaceful mind.
I pray this is helpful your you, try this and let me know how it goes.
Living Under Grace series
I will continue in this series throughout March. I pray you join us at Forward Church in person or online. Join us live on YouTube or Facebook Sundays at 10 am EST. Watch this series on YouTube.
Stay Connected with Me
Subscribe to my email list: http://eepurl.com/dMcXIE
Like on Facebook
Subscribe on YouTube
Become a supporter of Forward Ministries.
Grace Is Greater Than Mercy
We were under the Law, but now we are under grace. We used to be under a system where we had to live up to a certain standard to qualify for God's blessings. Now we are in a relationship with God in which He has made us His children and has given us His kingdom. He has given us everything He has, through Christ.
The issue is that what He has given us is primarily spiritual. Everything that Jesus paid for in our atonement is in us right now, in spiritual seed form. As we exercise faith in Christ, we make room in our hearts and lives for our inheritance to manifest from spiritual seed form to something tangible or substantive in our lives.
Faith doesn't make God move or cause Him to give us things, faith hosts God's presence within our inner man and allows God's spiritual power of grace to build His character and promises into our lives.
God is not withholding anything from us, but what He has given us must be received by grace through faith.
So how do we access grace by faith and experience the power of grace in our lives?
“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
When you emphasize living under grace rather than Law, some people think you're preaching a dangerous message. Why? Because of the confusion about mercy and grace. Because of this misunderstanding, some people hear permissiveness rather than empowerment. Let’s define mercy and grace.
MERCY is when God treats you better than you deserve. God is being merciful when he forgives you, even when you don't deserve it. Mercy is when God doesn't punish you for your sin, even though you deserve it. God is merciful when He blesses you despite your failures. We can look at King David and see God's great mercy in the life of someone who made so many mistakes. God can legally extend mercy to you because your sin was dealt with in Jesus.
GRACE is a supernatural power that works in your heart that gives you capacities and abilities. It's a divine influence in your inner man to strengthen you. God gives you grace through unmerited favor, but grace is more than just favor, it's strength. Grace is available before you sin, but thankfully mercy is available if you do commit a sin.
Mercy is undeserved forgiveness, while grace is a spiritual strength from God that brings about transformation.
You are under grace, not Law. That means you are under a power that strengthens you to live above the power of your flesh. Under the Law you must live for God out of your own strength, but under grace, God gives you His strength to live. God knows you can not live up to His standards in your own strength, so He gives you the ability to live the kind of life He wants you to live.
Even if you fall short of living in His power, He still loves you, forgives you, and counts you as righteous because of the work of Jesus.
What does it mean to live under grace?
We were under the Law, but now we are under grace. We used to be under a system where we had to live up to a certain standard to qualify for God's blessings. Now we are in a relationship with God in which He has made us His children and has given us His kingdom. He has given us everything He has, through Christ.
The issue is that what He has given us is primarily spiritual. Everything that Jesus paid for in our atonement is in us right now, in spiritual seed form. As we exercise faith in Christ, we make room in our hearts and lives for our inheritance to manifest from spiritual seed form to something tangible or substantive in our lives.
Faith doesn't make God move or cause Him to give us things, faith hosts God's presence within our inner man and allows God's spiritual power of grace to build His character and promises into our lives.
God is not withholding anything from us, but what He has given us must be received by grace through faith.
So how do we access grace by faith and experience the power of grace in our lives?
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoiced in the hope of the glory of God.
It's important to know that Christ HAS justified you, and because of that, you are at peace with God, you are in right standing with God. Your relationship is whole. And because of that, you can live in grace. You keep your faith in Christ, and it accesses grace. But faith is not a power you use to move God.
Faith simply means "to be persuaded of." Great faith is fully persuaded of the character and power of God. Little faith is not entirely sure that God will be who He says He is.
You access grace by being confident in who God is and who you are in Him.
Romans 5:20 The Law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now that we are under grace rather than Law, we can experience life and not death. The Law never produced life for us, it only condemned us and revealed our sin. But grace strengthens us to live in righteousness, which has been given to us in Christ.
Romans 6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Believe it or not, I hear this question often, in various forms. If you preach grace properly, the legalist or mixed covenant believer will always misinterpret what you say. They will think that you minimize sin and advocate lawlessness, which couldn't be further from the truth.
The Apostle Paul encountered that mindset often. He continually explained the mystery of our new birth and pointed people back to the righteousness that's available by faith and not Law. He also continually gave an invitation to live in the power of grace. The invitation to live in the power of grace remains today.
Romans 6:11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the Law but grace.
How do you access grace by faith? You count yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ. This is a mind-renewal exercise. You died, and the life you now live is Christ alive in you. It takes faith to believe and understand that. It takes faith to say that sin has no power over you when you keep struggling with sin. But it's true, you are dead to sin and alive to the power of God available because you're in Christ. As you believe the truth about who God is in you, your heart will allow you to receive power.
Grace gives us rest from our works. Grace fills the void that our weakness creates. Grace is available at every turn.
Do you know how to access grace with faith?
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
The doctrine of grace is easy to understand, but living in the power of grace can be difficult. It's not something you can make happen. It's not something you can earn or activate with your understanding. It's something you enjoy by faith.
The truth is, no one can tell you how to enter into grace by faith other than the Holy Spirit. He is your teacher. But we do have insights into how it works. Paul already gave us one…
Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. Romans 6:13
Apply this Tool for Transformation
How do you offer yourself to God as an instrument of righteousness?
The answer is different for everyone. Some folks stop and pray and receive grace easily and move on. Some people have a few boundaries in place to remind them to slow down and depend on God. Some people have different habits and tools that keep their hearts sensitive to God.
Many people have no real plan to offer themselves to God and receive grace in their time of need. I encourage you to make a plan and work the plan. Ask God to help you. He will not control you or make it happen without you getting your heart involved, but he will help you.
Take some time to use your imagination. What does it look like to face temptation yet walk away without giving in? What does it feel like? What does it look like to make a healthy financial decision? What does it feel like to be out of debt? What does it look like for you to be empowered by God's grace and not allow your emotions to shipwreck your day?
It's between you and the Holy Spirit to work out a way of living where you can turn your heart to Him at any moment and receive power from Him. You don't have to discern a message from Him, you don't have to work a miracle, you don't have to have a vision, you simply turn the eyes of your heart to Him ever so slightly and make room for His grace to strengthen you.
Expect His grace to be there. Lean into it. Remind yourself of a few truths about your new creation identity. Be willing to change, and watch His grace work wonders in you.
I will continue in this series throughout March. I pray you join us at Forward Church in person or online. Join us live on YouTube or Facebook Sundays at 10 am EST.
Stay Connected with Me
Subscribe to my email list: http://eepurl.com/dMcXIE
Like on Facebook
Subscribe on YouTube
Become a supporter of Forward Ministries.