---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 7/24/2008 7:49:29 AM
Subject: The Word of His Grace

Dear People who Keep Company with God,

We are in a season where the Father seems to have work on His mind. Jesus told us, "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. (John 9:4). I want to draw your attention to the word we, meaning the Lord is encouraging us to do the works of the Father. "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 21:35). Jesus also told us that one of the secrets to doing the Father's work is knowing the Father's love. "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing (John 5:20). Actually, the word love in this particular verse is the Greek word phileo, meaning a friendship type of love. The Father shares with His friends what He is doing, so receiving this friendship love from the Father is the foundation for doing His works. This is available for every believer.

Another thing we should pay particular attention to now is ridding ourselves of vain activity. When I say vain activity I am not simply talking about carnal or sinful activity, although, it certainly includes those activities. I am also talking about activities that may be "righteous in nature", but are not what the Father desires for us to do during this season.

But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, " Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:40-42

Like Martha, when we involve ourselves in vain activities it is a distraction that only satisfies our flesh. It can be gratifying in the short term, but it really is false and misleading and will rob you of creativity and your ability to do the things He is actually calling you to do. Over the long term it will burn you out and cause you to withdraw from the very things the Lord has for you. This is the downfall of many Christians.

It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

One of the ways the Father shows us what He is doing by the presence or absence of heavenly pleasure. If we will pay attention we can actually sense or discern the pleasure of God on what we are doing. I believe we are in a time where there is much pleasure from heaven on healing, miracles, signs and wonders. Whenever the subject of these are brought up, I begin to sense His pleasure.

Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. Acts 14:3

Like the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34) the Father will release the word of His grace to those who will reach for it. I believe this is the operational message of the kingdom of God being at hand and is certainly the message the Lord Himself will testify to by granting healings, miracles, signs and wonders being done by our hands.

Many Blessings, BW