WEEKEND BLOG- GO WHERE THE GRACE IS!

 Grace has always been a subject that intrigued me. I've observed that the topic is either overly-generalized and abused, or poorly defined and ignored. Furthermore, many years ago, when I first started my traveling ministry, the Lord led me to do an in-depth study on the matter. What I discovered was that there were so many different opinions and ideas about grace that it made it difficult to dissect and understand. In fact, in some cases, reference materials contradicted each other. 
Moreover, even today, if I write about grace, there will inevitably be a difference of opinion and definition due to the variance of resource materials people draw from or how they interpret the matter. So, I broach this blog with sincere awareness.

According to a wide range of biblical resource study materials grace can be defined from an extensive scope of concepts. Today, however, rather than go into those, I want to focus on a principle of living that is fundamental to any human being, and if applied, opens the door to success and fruitfulness.

All too often, I watch people doing the very thing that opposes their welfare and accomplishment toward lasting fruit. In desiring to make a mark or pioneer something out of the ordinary, they ignore one of the most basic biblical principles necessary to success. By saying this, I am not inferring that we should just go with the flow of what people think and want for the sake of feeling comfortable. That practice generally results in an unhealthy form of compromise that ends up with the need to sell yourself out to do something against your values and purposes. Sometimes you have to swim against the current to make a stand. However, even if doing so, you need grace, or favor, as one of the definitions for grace reveals to fulfill what you have to do in your life.

Grace, or as sometimes-translated favor, is essential for fruitfulness and success. Without it, you accomplish little. But when you’re desperate to do something worthwhile it is very easy for you to hastily go where favor is not! Learn to go where the grace is! I’ve listed the most pertinent references concerning grace or favor with others for your further study. Please note, this is not a short list.

GEN.30:27; 32:5; 33:8; 34:11; 39:4,21; 47:25,29; 50:4; EX.3:21; 11:1-3; 12:36; NUM. 32:5; RUTH 2:2,10; 1SAM 2:18; 20:3; 27:5; 2 SAM.14:22;  16:4; EST.2:17; PS.45:2; PRO.1:9; 3:22; 4:9; 22:11; ACT 4:33; 1 PET.3:7

There are numerous biblical accounts where various individuals involved in all sectors of society needed grace to accomplish what God had given them to do. In some instances groups also required such.

Laban needed favor from Jacob because he recognized that he'd been blessed by the Lord because Jacob was present. (Gen 30:27)   Jacob needed favor with Esau  and acted in a manner that would gain him that favor. (Gen. 32:5; 33:8, 10,15) Joseph, even though a slave in the house of Potiphar and Pharaoh, had favor. (Gen 39:4 KJV) Ruth needed favor with Boaz to reap grain in his fields without being endangered. (Ruth 2:2,10) Esther found favor with King Ahazerus and became queen. (Est. 2:17) Moreover, the Hebrew children got favor in the sight of the Egyptians just before the Exodus. (Ex. 11:1-3; 12:36). These are just the tip of the iceberg.

When you go where grace is people want to help you and appreciate who you are. They’ll work for you and seek to make your work and life easier, especially when it’s a difficult task. Additionally, God gives this wonderful condition when you need it most. Therefore, you need to be constantly aware of your need, and in prayer, seeking God for grace to be manifested in your life. Why would you want anything else?

Sadly, many people make things in life extra difficult for themselves simply because they don’t realize that grace or favor is often granted to them when they behave in a manner that is sincere and inviting. I’ve listed the following attitudes that attract favor as demonstrated in the biblical illustrations.

            1. CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU SAY AND HOW YOU SAY IT!

            2. DEMONSTRATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS SAID AND DONE, AS IT WILL AFFECT OTHERS.

            3. APPEAL TO THE SENSE OF DIGNITY AND REASON EACH PERSON HAS. DON’T BE MANIPULATIVE IN THIS! BE SINCERE!

            4. DO NOT BEING GREEDY FOR FREEBIES! BE WILLING TO WORK AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES.

             5. ALWAYS BE SINCERE. SINCERITY IS A RARE THING AND WHEN  YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF IN THAT MANNER, PEOPLE TAKE NOTICE.

             6. GODLY CHARACTER!

      7. INTEGRITY

     8. BE RESPECTFUL OF AUTHORITY!!! WOW COULD I WRITE ABOUT THIS ONE!               

                       

Interestingly, most people need favor, and seek it when they are afraid of something not happening the way they want it to. Don’t let fear be your motivation. Believe God for favor and it will come. If you fear man and circumstances and you'll find yourself enslaved to the people you need favor from.

Take a look at what grace and favor results in!

1. FRIENDSHIP  WITH  PEOPLE  IN  HIGH PLACES OF  AUTHORITY,  FINANCE,  OR SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE! 

             Joseph had favor with numerous leaders. People who have favor rise to the top at the right time.

       2. PROSPERITY- INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE!

3. WHEN YOU HAVE FAVOR YOU ARE ENABLED TO  MINISTER FREELY AND IN YOUR  FULL CAPACITY!

               This freedom is the result of people trusting you. There is no suspicion. They want to hear and see what you can offer.

        4. PEOPLE WITH FAVOR HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BRING DELIVERANCE AND HELP TO WHOMEVER THEY INTERACT WITH.

        5. SELF PRESERVATION

                 When you have grace you experience safety and self-preservation. Evil finds it very difficult to trouble you.

         6. FUTURE SECURITY

Finally, it is important to recognize that, at some time in your life, you may experience sovereign “seasons of favor”. Take note of them. When those seasons end, it’s generally time to move onto something else. In saying that, I am not implying that when things get tough, you make excuses for your own inadequacies or the difficult relationships and flee the work you need to be doing. God expects us to grow up and handle things in new levels of grace as we develop. Nonetheless, if favor shuts down, and serious persecution and slanderous activity increases to the point that you can’t function fully, you need to examine what is happening and possibly step back till you receive new instructions or new favor through vindication.