Receiving from God

Podcast message by Pastor Eddie Lawrence from Grace House Church in Florence, Alabama.

Many believers know about God's promises intellectually but fail to experience their fullness because they don't understand how to receive from God. The foundation begins with understanding that receiving and believing are coupled together - those who receive Christ by believing in Him are given divine authorization to become God's children. This isn't just about Jesus being acceptable to you; He must be Lord of your life, and the way you received salvation through faith is the same way you continue walking with Him.

God's heart toward His children is revealed in Romans 8:32 - if He didn't spare His own Son but freely gave Him up for us, how much more will He freely give us all things? The Holy Spirit helps us understand what has already been freely given to us. These blessings exist in past tense - they've already been provided and are waiting for us to receive them. Sometimes we don't receive because we feel unworthy, doubt God's promises, or fear disappointment, but God wants us to be active in receiving rather than passively waiting.

When we begin receiving from God, what we receive brings restoration to our lives. Every person has been damaged by sin, and while salvation makes us righteous positionally, restoration is an ongoing process involving renewed mindsets, retrained behaviors, healing from past hurts, and replacing lies with God's truth. God doesn't force this restoration - we must willingly consent to receive His work in our lives. This leads to supernatural rest, which isn't just physical rest but freedom from striving and religious performance. Instead of working for God's approval, we learn to work from a place of rest in Christ's finished work, confidently embracing our identity as His children.