Grace Dynamics: Simplify Your Life & Realize Your Destiny

By Tyrone Morgan Sr

We were created to enjoy relationships, and yet live in a very competitive world. So, we seek significance and security through performance, possessions, position, power and the like. Continuously struggling just to make it or striving to reach and stay at the top of the heap, the top of the ladder or any other figure for success has a way of making life complicated robbing us of the most important things in life.
Grace Dynamics will help you to simplify your life and realize your destiny by understanding and embracing Gods grace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524555597

Tyrone Morgan Sr

Tyrone Morgan Sr. is the cofounder, with Papetra Zeno Morgan, of Generational Blessings Ministries—founded to promote the well-being of our communities through the restoration of the family, where the resources and the righteousness of God are passed from one generation to the next. Tyrone is passionate about relationships and believes they are at the core of who we are as people—God first, others, then self. Tyrone knows something about relationships. He’s the proud husband of Papetra Zeno Morgan for thirty-six years and friend for forty-three years. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren. Tyrone is a certified public accountant, a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, and has served in the local church ministry for three decades in the capacities of elder, deacon, small group facilitator, youth pastor, and lead pastor as well as president, vice president, and treasurer in his community homeowners association.

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GRACE DYNAMICS

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Chapter 1

A Simple Concept Made Difficult

The world that we live in is colored by our collective experience. Our introduction into this world started with a slap on the bottom that provoked a cry. Of course this was necessary for life, but it also was a foreshadowing of the pain that goes along with living in this world.

As we proceeded through infancy, we received grace routinely. All we had to do was cry and we received what we needed. But as we grew, grace faded and performance gradually moved to the forefront. When we took our first steps, what was the response? We received claps and hoorahs for doing so—I hope. Our audience gave us recognition for performance—we had taken our first steps. From this point on, the system of merit kicked in and became a routine part of life. We found ourselves in the midst of a performance-oriented society, and life became a competitive venture.

Many people become disillusioned in this competitive venture because they are not one of the so-called strong. Jerry Butler released a song in 1969 titled Only the Strong Survive. This song epitomized a performance-based society that prevails even today.

The strong should help the weak.

Scripture, however, sheds a different light on this subject. Romans 15:1 states, that the strong should help the weak. Donald Grey Barnhouse, an evangelical preacher, raised an interesting question: who then helps the strong? Well, God does. The reality is that everyone needs grace—from the strongest to the weakest.

Let’s fast-forward to retirement. The retiree generally receives recognition for achievements made over the life of a career. Then, of course, there’s the retirement package, which is merited. So there you have it— performance from start to finish, or so we think. We must keep in mind, however, that dual realities exist: this life and the life to come—the physical, visible world, and the invisible, spiritual world. It is possible that the person who fares well in this life on the basis of performance alone may indeed miss the simplicity of grace, all the while benefiting from it.

God gives the power to earn wealth.

Deuteronomy 8:18 says, God is the one who gives you the power to earn wealth. Consequently, we must understand these dual realities to take full advantage of God’s grace that empowers us to maximize our potential and experience a destiny that includes this life and the life to come. We’ll talk more about these dual realities later in our journey.

Someone once asked me if it is better to be blessed or to know that you are blessed. Well, it seems to me that it is better to know that you’re blessed because it’s a two for one—you’re blessed and you know it—assuming that you trust God for everything.

The Bible teaches that God causes it to rain on the righteous and the unrighteous—that’s common grace (Matt. 5:45). Grateful people realize that the blessing of rain comes from God, and they are apt to give Him thanks for it. Others simply reap the benefits of the rain and never think to thank God for it.

Jesus Christ answered the prayer of ten men who had leprosy. In other words, he extended grace. How many of the men do you think stopped to give Jesus thanks? Well if you said one, you’d be right. Jesus asked the man who returned to thank Him, Where are the nine? (Luke 17:17). In His humanity, Jesus expected that more, if not all, of those who were healed would give thanks. In His deity however, He understood the nature of people because He created the world.

Extending grace is a simple act that can have a profound effect. Consider the impact of a two hundred dollar a month commitment back in 1994 by Grace Giving, a Christian humanitarian non-profit organization. The funds supported Ugandan Pastor Robert Sityo and his vision of starting a Christian primary school in the village of Bukeeka in eastern Uganda¹. At the time, Bukeeka was heavily entrenched in witchcraft, Islam, and a destructive culture that afforded the people there little opportunity to succeed. Pastor Sityo said from that two hundred dollars a month and a simple vision, thousands of lives were changed. He went on to say that Fountain of Hope, the center of Grace Giving’s work in Uganda, established a primary school which educated more than six hundred students. Another twelve students were sponsored and continued their education at a nearby high school. In addition, four Christian churches were planted and continued to grow.

Bukeeka’s addiction to witchcraft diminished because witch doctors left or gave up on their practices. All this stemmed from a simple concept we sometimes make difficult—grace.

Grace Giving is an organization that understands the power of grace.

Life Discussion & Application

Why does our society make it difficult to: a.) appreciate and

b.) experience grace?

Read Deuteronomy 8:18. What can we learn from this scripture about the relationship of grace and merit?

Does scripture provide any insight on God’s expectation concerning the grace that He provides? (Refer to the ten lepers in Luke 17:17.)

What could you do this week to demonstrate your appreciation for God’s grace?

Commit to doing at least one thing for the next seven days that demonstrates your appreciation for God’s grace.

Chapter 2

A Kinder, Gentler Time

What is your favorite time of year? I bet many of you would say Christmas. This is when we wind down from the rigors of another year rapidly coming to an end. Many people take vacations over Christmas; some companies even close their doors a day or two before Christmas right on through New Year’s Day. The holiday season is a special time to spend with family and friends whether at home or traveling to another destination.

Have you ever noticed that people are generally kinder at Christmastime? There’s more chatting among customers in stores. Some are asking others for their opinion on a particular gift item and others are sharing their plans for the holidays. The atmosphere is just lighter.

Then there’s all the excitement that goes along with purchasing just the right present for those on your gift list. We say that Christmas is about family and friends getting together in a show of love to celebrate the birth of the Savior. But would Christmas be the same without gifts? Really, would it? Most of you would probably say no. Just imagine, however, presenting a gift to someone who opens it and marvels that you have given them exactly what they wanted. They are so moved by your generosity, in fact, that they insist on compensating you in some way. Your reply is, No, it’s a gift. Naturally, the idea of compensation for a gift is a contradiction. It has to be one or the other. If it’s a gift, then the recipient can’t pay for it in any way. If compensation is involved, then it can’t be a gift. Romans 11:5-6 says it like this: In the same way then (speaking of those God preserved in the prophet Isaiah’s day), there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. So, the kinder, gentler time is wrapped up in the simplicity of the gift.

Giving and receiving of gifts at Christmas is a part of this special time that brings great joy. I know what some of you are saying, some of the gifts given and received bring great joy; others are simply opportunities for re-gifting (like that ugly green tie Uncle Johnny thought was so slick or the terrible-smelling perfume from Aunt Sally). On a more serious note though, the spirit of Christmas epitomizes grace. Love is the root and grace is the fruit. Therefore, we should give out of love with no expectation of getting something in return.

Love gives.

Indeed, God in His great love has done just that. He’s given His Son, Jesus, the greatest gift of all. John 3:16 says, God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. We can see from this verse that God’s love was the cause of His giving. He was extravagant in His giving because He gave what was most precious to Him. We find in Scripture and in history that God does not call us to do what He himself has not already demonstrated. When we give, we imitate God and contribute to a kinder, gentler time. This approach to life is rewarding.

Experience the it factor.

Consider Luke 6:38: Give and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together and running over. (Luke 6:38). Did you notice the it" factor in giving? There is a built-in benefit for the giver. What the giver receives is greater than what he gives. This is how God has designed it; and, it warms the heart.

While Christmas is a joyous season for some, for others it can be a very difficult time. It is well documented that suicides increase during the holiday season. A job loss can be devastating at a time where so much emphasis is placed on spending and gift giving. The loss of loved ones, family breakups, illnesses and the like can leave people in a very depressed state. All of these factors point even more clearly to the need for God’s grace.

In the midst of the busyness of the season, Angel Tree embodies the kinder, gentler spirit. Each year, Angel Tree gives thousands of gifts to children of parents who are incarcerated. Shey was an Angel Tree recipient. She spoke of her life before Angel Tree and after Angel Tree. Shey’s grandmother had back-to-back surgeries and was really ill. Shey cried every day; she thought her grandmother was going to die. Angel Tree volunteers not only delivered Christmas presents to the little girl, they also prayed for Shey and for her grandmother, and she started to get better. Grace didn’t stop there. An Angel Tree volunteer invited Shey and her brother to a summer camp. There, Shey received the best gift of all—Jesus Christ as her Savior.

God’s grace extended and received makes for a kinder, gentler time. God’s amazing grace is an empowering and dynamic provision for life. It is like a precious jewel with each facet shining as brilliantly as the next.

In the pages that follow, we will see that God’s grace (favor that we do not deserve, cannot earn, and could never repay) is experienced in his attitude toward us, his activity concerning us, and his ambition for us.

Life Application & Discussion

How can gifts reflect God’s grace and add value to life?

Are gifts limited to things that can be purchased with money?

How does the it factor work in giving? (Luke 6:38)

Can you identify some benefits you have received as a result of the it factor of giving?

What are some things you have in your possession that you could give and in so doing experience the it factor?

Commit to giving at least one thing over the next thirty days. The interval could be daily or weekly depending upon what you choose. For example, you could commit to daily prayer for someone’s specific need.

Chapter 3

A Biblical Concept of Grace

Understanding Grace

Grace is an oasis.

Like many terms, grace has nuances that we readily understand and other meanings that may not be as familiar to us. Perhaps what comes to mind most often when grace is mentioned is the prayer uttered before meal time. In another way, many of us understand grace as it relates to an extension of time that is granted when the due date for a term paper or a utility bill has already passed. With respect to athletes (like a Michael Jordan or a Nadia Comaneci), we may say that they perform with such grace. These are all aspects of grace; however, in Grace Dynamics we will explore facets of grace regarding interpersonal relationships and examine its sociological and theological implications. Embracing grace results in our repositioning, reformation and ministry of reconciliation. Amongst the various meanings of grace, it is also an oasis in the midst