There are terms that we need to understand in certain dimensions that are involved in our receiving what is available to us in Christ. One such term is GRACE. The other one is MERCY. We also need to understand PEACE. There are various aspects or dimensions to our understanding of these words.

Grace is defined as unmerited favor. This is when we consider the aspect of our salvation in which God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself as seen in 2Cor.5:17-19. We are saved by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, Eph.2:8. Grace is the undeserved blessing, a free gift from God. When Paul, the apostle says that Timothy should be strong in Grace (2Tim.2:1) and to Titus he says Grace that appeared has come to teach us certain things, it looks like there is another dimension of Grace. Or when God told Paul that in view of thorns in his flesh, His grace was sufficient for him, we must be considering a new dimension to our understanding of grace. This new dimension is Grace is the Divine Enablement of God operating in a human being who has received the supply of Grace. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ which means that the standard for truth and the ability to live up to it come from Jesus. He is called the TRUTH Himself. The ability to do the Word comes from the supply of Grace. Grace comes from God through our Lord Jesus Christ to those who are humble enough to admit their inability to do the Truth with the right motives and please God. He gives grace to the humble and resists the proud. The proud are those who want to count on their ability independent of God.

Mercy is defined as compassion, tender mercy, kindness, and an outward manifestation of pity. God's mercy stops us from getting what we really deserve in our sins. In the Old Testament, mercy has to do with God's covenant love that extends to a thousand generations. When the psalmist said His mercy endures forever in Psalm 136, he describes the creative attributes of God and reckons that His mercy endures forever. He also described how God delivered His people by destroying their enemies and reckons with His mercy; it is because of His covenant love (mercy) that He destroyed the destroyer of His people. This introduces us to a new dimension of His mercy. It is the power of God to protect us from destroying influences in our lives. It is by His mercy we are not consumed, the prophet said in Lamentations 3. His mercy not only protects us but also destroys whatever wants to destroy us.

Peace means harmonious relationship, not just lack of trouble. Peace is a force in the spirit that can calm the troubled seas. Let His peace rule your hearts and keep your minds from disturbance. Col.3:15-16; Phil.4:6-8.

There is a basic difference in how those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord can receive from the Lord and how those who have not made Jesus Lord of their lives can receive. Jesus, by His sacrifice, has made all things available to us. They are ours for the taking (by Faith). The others plead for the mercy of God and God gives them in His love for them. The children have it as theirs, others beg for it.

OBTAINING
Establish the provision in the Word of God. God has made His provision known to us by the promises in His Word. He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through His precious promises. (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Get in touch with the reality of the provision through study and meditation in His promises. Whatever you can find in the Word, labor in study to show yourself approved unto God.

Get the Word established in your heart, sow the seed, feed your heart till it overflows with the reality of the provision. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

Establish in your heart that you are in Christ. He has qualified you to obtain. Col.1: 11-12. What you need is available and you are qualified to obtain, so what stops you? Spend time with the Spirit of God to show you how to operate the principles of His Word to get results. Apply the Word through the spoken word in prayer and confession. When you worship God in the abundance of His provision, you enjoy fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Whatever He says to you, do it.

Whatever dominates your thoughts and words grows bigger inside you. Let it be the Word that is growing inside you not the problems.

You can obtain by the Word and by prayers and you may get extra help through the laying on of hands. The right relationships around you will play a major role in your obtaining. You cannot be in blatant rebellion against the Word of God and expect Him to keep pouring out the blessings.

When you meet resistance get into warfare and demand that Satan takes his hands off your blessings. It is your right to demand this. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Roll all your cares on the Lord and pray expecting things to change. No matter what happens, do not change what God says by your experience, rather change your experience by the Word of God. God is not going to start failing with you! Watch your heart and keep all offences out. Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

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Rev Kola Ewuosho.