Expect More than Before!
Believers, I have always been one who seeks a word from the Lord every new year. This year (2025) I heard words that seemed to be repetitive from seasons before. However, I felt a familiar challenge to "expect more than ever before."
I immediately became excited as I thought, "Well, sure, I need to expect more than I have ever expected before! More breakthrough, more finances, more favor, more of whatever I might possibly need!" I thought, "I've got this! I know how to believe more!" Over the years, I've learned what Scriptures to decree, how to fast, and how to worship for the "more"!
I then began to make a mental note of all I needed to do to keep my expectations high. I concluded that more time in Bible study, quoting more Scripture passages and making more godly decrees would be a jump start into breakthrough. After a few minutes of brainstorming, the Holy Spirit inserted something profound. He said, "Sandie, this will not happen because of what you do. This will all happen because My grace will chase you down in 2025."
Now, I have heard spiritual leaders refer to God's grace overtaking us, but this was the first time God actually said it to me! It was almost like His audible voice was speaking loudly and clearly.
Then I had an "aha" moment. I remembered the numerous times I had heard Believers sadly confess, "Surely there's more to living the blessed life. I have tried everything I know to do, and I can't seem to experience the needed breakthroughs!" (Notice all of the times the word "I" was used?) I knew immediately to what they were referring; we should all be experiencing the fulfillment of so many of our promises from God!
But now I was beginning to see breakthrough a little differently. It occurs not because we are working more to achieve it but by simply believing for the grace of God to make it happen. And it doesn't matter what part of our past we are bringing into this new season; grace is greater than our past! And grace will continue to work to bring us from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). Yes, His grace is going to literally chase you down. Believer, stay with me; this message will change your life! (Photo via Unsplash)
Jesus Is Our True North
So often we tend to get off track. We easily slip into religious works rather than entering into His rest. However each of us, as Believers, has a built-in compass and know our true north in Christ. When we've sinned, we know it. When we have bad thoughts, we know it. When we stray from God, we know it. And when we know we are not experiencing all that God has promised... yep, we know it!
Our internal compass always points to Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus is from the Hebrew word that means to save, rescue, and deliver. To say the name "Jesus" is to say "God saves" or "God sózó." Jesus, our internal compass, always points toward sózó (the Greek word for salvation, Strong's 4982). But sózó is more than having a born-again experience. Sózó means that we get so much more because of all that Jesus accomplished on the Cross. Jesus died to give us healing, deliverance, restoration, divine protection, and (I like to say) everything Heaven has to offer! And, speaking of grace, Jesus Himself is grace! Grace is a person and not simply a verb.
Most of us are poised on the edge of something great. We need a door to open. We need a doctor to give us good news. We need a call from our boss saying we have a promotion. We need a child to call and say he/she is coming home. If you are still reading what I am writing, this is for you! You need hope. This article is a message from the Lord. He is empowering you to hope again!
The Woman at the Well Met Grace (Jesus)
Most of us are familiar with the story of the woman at the well. If anyone needed grace, this woman did. She had been married five times and was living with a man who was not her husband. I have read this passage and even taught from it many times, and now I realize that Jesus "chased her down" to provide divine grace for this woman, an obvious sinner. Let me unpack this a bit for you; see if you can relate through your own need to meet Grace this year, face to face.
The account is in John 4. Jesus was leaving one place and en route to another. John explains that Jesus "had to go through Samaria" (John 4:4). Back then, Jews did everything possible to avoid Samaria, but now Jesus "had to go there"? Hmmm. Interesting. The Jews did their best to go around that city, but oddly it says that He "had to go through Samaria." Just why is that? Because Grace was about to chase someone down. There was a woman in Samaria who was heading to a well to get water, but what she really needed was to meet the Well of Living Water and receive grace.
Remember, grace is greater than anything, even adultery. There is nothing so terrible that grace does not cover. Samaria wasn't a place Jesus normally went through, but this time grace was leading the way, because the woman at the well was destined for a time such as this. (Photo via Pexels)
Yes, Jesus "had to go." The Lord is saying to us today, "I have to go right where you are. My grace is going to chase you down! My grace will overtake every sin, every disappointment, every issue..." It doesn't matter what condition you are in today (sin, lust, stinginess, gossip, betrayal, lying, theft, hurt, etc.), His grace is greater. He wants to give you living water.
It's true, we're thirsty for breakthrough, but when we drink from Him, there is an eternal satisfaction and knowledge that we can rest in Him. Yes, we can trust in the fact that He would not promise breakthrough and then not provide for it. If grace is truly sufficient, this means grace will continue to work in us as we move forward and accomplish divine destiny.
Grace Is God's Ability in Us!
It's so important that we understand what grace really is. For many years, the Church has defined grace as "God's unmerited favor." This is a true definition. However, it doesn't really explain what it really is or does; it tells us only that it is free. I love this definition: Grace is God's divine ability working in us, making us able to do what we cannot do in our own ability.
Paul encourages us in Philippians 2:12–13 to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." For years I believed that it was up to me to work hard to not displease the Lord. However, Paul points out that we should work out what has already been worked in us—our own salvation. The Greek word used for salvation here is sótéria (Strong's 4991), which is the noun form of sózó! This actually means that we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling because of the distrust we have in ourselves, realizing that only the grace of God can empower us to fully accomplish the task.
Have you ever tried to change yourself? At the end of the day, have you been frustrated and overwhelmed because you failed to witness change? One of my favorite passages concerning the message of grace is Romans 6:14: "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace" (NIV).
If any of you know my past, you might recall that I have been a Christian since I was a child, but most of my Christian years were tainted with religious legalism. I tried very hard to be pure, holy, and pleasing to God, all in my own strength! At the end of every day, I was exhausted and frustrated. Why? Because I did not fully acknowledge this fact: It wasn't my works that made me holy and acceptable to God, but rather the grace of God and the finished work of Christ at the Cross.
I was holy only because I was a new creature in Christ. What I needed was to experience peace, joy, and victory, and to do that was to receive and continue in God's grace. I needed to rest in the fact that God's grace would continue to work in me what I needed to be! I tried for years to open my own doors rather than resting in God and knowing that His grace was always working on my behalf. (Photo via Flickr)
Our greatest change in life happens at the moment of salvation. In a split second, everything about us changes. How does this happen? Simply by believing. The very instant that we believe God, His divine grace comes into us, and we are forever changed! If the greatest change we ever experience comes because we simply believe, then why don't we continue with that simple child-like faith? Well, could it be because we have allowed traditions of men, religion, and legalism to influence our belief systems? Are we like the Galatians whom Paul rebuked? Galatians 3:3 reminds us of the downfall of human effort: "Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?" (NIV).
Bottom line—to negate the finished work of Christ is sin. Yet, to remain empowered to not sin is to receive and continue in grace. Expect grace to chase you down! You may have heard this phrase before (I know I have), but this is the "now" time to receive it!
In the past, I have written on this particular subject before. However, this article that you are now reading is hopefully reminding all of us that when we came into salvation, the Spirit of God began a good work in us. Should we think that since we are now saved that we can finish the work in our own ability? Absolutely not! Just like we cannot save ourselves by our own efforts, we cannot bring about change in our lives through our own efforts. We are not saved by God's grace to be changed through religious works!
In closing, I want to encourage you again by confidently assuring you that there is absolutely nothing that is greater than God's grace. Grace is greater than everything!
Romans 5:15: "...But even greater is God's wonderful grace..."
It's going to be an awesome year for you! Expect it!
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for watching over us. We ask that this year would be the most incredible year ever because of Your abundant grace. Even though we don't deserve it, You still gave it away. Forgive us, Lord, for getting so busy that we forget to stop and notice the doors that You have opened and closed by Your grace. Help us all to remember to spend time with You, to connect with the Holy Spirit, and to praise You daily. Your Word assures us that Your grace is sufficient for us in weakness, amen.
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Sandie Freed
Sandie Freed Ministries
Email:Â zionministries1@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.lifegatechurch.org |
sandiefreed.net
Dr. Sandie Freed is an apostolic, prophetic leader, author of more than fourteen books, and travels nationally and internationally preaching, teaching, and ministering the Word of God. Ordained as a prophet by Bishop Bill Hamon, Sandie's ministry involves a strong prophetic anointing and spiritual discernment. Her unique gifting is in dreams and visions, and as a modern-day Joseph, she empowers others to interpret God's voice through dreams and visions. Sandie's goal is to always equip the Body of Christ in their callings and empower them through revelation of the love of God. To this day, her best selling book is Breaking the Threefold Demonic Cord: How to Discern and Defeat the Lies of Jezebel, Athaliah and Delilah, which has been taught around the world and is printed in many different languages. Sandie and her husband Mickey co-pastor Lifegate Church in Hurst, Texas.
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