John 1:16
16 For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]
We are full on, in the heights of holiday hustle and bustle. From Church, to work, to youth sports the month of December is full throttle. During the month of December there is almost not a single day on the calendar that we don’t have filled with something relating to one of the categories listed above.
I am sure you can relate. I am sure you, like me, are more intentional about connecting to the Prince of Peace during this time of year. For the Cahill House Christmastime is not for the faint of heart… I am continually reminded that God’s grace is sufficient…
Speaking of Grace, in case you missed it last Sunday, during my sermon and Council Meeting I made some comments regarding the Grace of God pertaining to our Church in moving forward in 2025.
I said that 2025 will be a year of new and increased Grace from God for our Church body. That we would experience a new sense of God’s favor and grace over the things we are called to do. I said for those who sincerely press into Jesus and His call for their lives, that they would see a radical work of Grace transform them, that would cause others to stop and say “look at what God has done”.
I truly believe this to be a word from the Lord for us individually and corporately at First Church. If you believe that you belong in this community of believers here at 890 Overton Plaza, you will experience a radical work of Grace over your life in 2025. I am praying and declaring that now, even as I write this, that God’s grace would increase over your family, health, finances, dreams and goals for 2025. I believe wholeheartedly that this is the word and will of the Lord.
I know, you probably think I am way too confident and a little crazy in saying this. I don’t blame you, It feels crazy to speak so boldly, but I do have confirmation that this is the Lord…
This week as I was checking off another activity from the calendar (working concessions for a middle school basketball game) a friend who I used to go to Church with many years ago approached me. We see each often at different youth sports events, we always exchange hello’s, but we have never had much conversation about Church otherwise. Until last night, while I was working the popcorn machine she told me she had a dream that she knew was from the Lord and she knew she was supposed to share with me.
She told me in the dream she was on a cruise ship. In the cruise ship there was a room where they were holding a large Church service. I was there at the service as the leader or pastor, but there was also a woman who was lining people up and prophesying over people one by one. As she watched the woman prophesy over them, she heard the word Grace, and also the Scripture address John 1:16. From there she woke up.
I told her how much that meant to me to hear, because I had just told my congregation that 2025 would be a year of God imparting supernatural Grace to us. She was also encouraged, and we parted ways to do our concession duties. Of course, I looked up the Scripture address, it’s the verse about Jesus’s abundance and grace being heaped upon our lives. For me this is incredible confirmation of what God is speaking to us, His Church, that we the Bride (or maybe the woman in the dream) need to prophesy over ourselves and others as we head into 2025 that God would impart new levels of Grace over us.
And so, as we close this year celebrating our Savior's birth, I think we need to prepare ourselves spiritually to receive a new level of grace from God. Of course, we are starting Jan 1 fasting, and I will talk more about that later. But I want to make you aware of some practical things we can do to make ourselves a better conduit of God’s grace heading into 2025.
Be intentional about forgiving and letting go of grudges. Nothing hinders God's grace flowing through our lives like unforgiveness. If your heart is bound in un-forgiveness you will miss this outpouring of Grace.
Getting radical about repenting and breaking out of hidden sin. Find an accountability partner you can confess to. Make lifestyle changes. Lose friends who are bad influences. Whatever it takes! Don’t get sleepy, distracted and worn out staying comfortable in hidden sin. You will be much more satisfied, uncomfortable filled with grace, then you will ever be complacent filled with sin.
Become laser focused on what you're called to and let go of the distractions. Grace is a gift from God to accomplish His will and call for your life. It must be stewarded in order for it to increase. You cannot steward Grace if you are distracting yourself with back up plans. He is not gonna bless activities that are taking you away from your call.
I hope this helps, and it’s ok if you think I am crazy. I probably am, I am also here for you. So if you need more clarification or help with anything mentioned above, reach out! Otherwise let’s finish 24 pressed in and expectant for what He is doing now, and what He has planned for 25.
Love,
Pastor John
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