February 26, 2021
Grace, Unmerited Favor
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Philippians 4:6-7 Message)
My beloved, the third equally important step to move from fear to faith is Supplication. (Philippians 4:6-7) Says: ‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by 1. Prayer and 2. Supplication, with 3. Thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV). The third keyword to focus on in this scripture is Thanksgiving. In Greek, the word ‘Thanksgiving’ means ‘good or well.’ It denotes a general good disposition or an overwhelmingly good feeling about something. Since it is a compound word, it also means an outpouring of grace (favor) and of wonderful feelings that freely flow from the heart in response to someone or something. Paul taught that when you earnestly ask God for something special – you must match it with an earnest outpouring of Thank You Sir, showing Him your deep gratitude. The request has been made known, and the manifestation of your prayers answered has yet to be, so it is appropriate for you to thank God for answering your requests. When you do that reveals your Faith in Him to answer your prayer requests. I do not only desire you to come boldly before My throne and ask boldly, but it moves Me when you express your gratitude. Have you ever given to someone generously and they never took the time to say: ‘thank you’? You don’t give anything – expecting something in return, but a kind thank you is appreciated even by Me, your Heavenly Father! I love to hear my children show their gratitude to Me for being so good to them. I am a Good Father! From this day forward make it a practice to be as passionate about your Thanksgiving as you are your prayer requests!
