Thursday, March 31, 2011
My grace is sufficient
Last Sunday, Pastor Matt encouraged us with the story of the feeding of the 5000. He told us that God can use us for His highest and greatest purpose when we are at our lowest and weakest moments. One of the verses he referenced was 2 Corinthians 12:9, "...my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness..."
But do we really believe this to be true? And if it's not true, do we really have any hope at all? The fact of the matter is that we all get weighed down by a plethora of weaknesses. My struggles happen to be depression and doubt, along with anxiety and anger. Maybe your entanglements have more to do with self esteem issues, jealousy, lust, or greed.
Where do we go if we don't believe this verse to be true? The answer is simple: we must fall on our knees. God is good at wrestling. Remember his match with Jacob thousands of years ago? He can take you on as well. So, if you are doubting that HIS POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS, then challenge the Lord! Ask him, "Are you sure Lord?" Let Him defend Himself because I'm certain He will show up!
For starters, think about where you're weak and how the Lord has already shown up. For me with my depression, I sometimes wonder why the Lord won't just remove this thorn from my flesh. And then I start to think through all of the ways that He has blessed me: my legs and arms, my breath, my faithful husband, my healthy and energetic children, etc. The list starts to get so long that I can't help but lose sight of the darkness.
Of course our weaknesses seem overwhelming; often times they simply are too much for us to handle. And that's why we need to drop to our knees, place our face down upon the ground if necessary, and submit it all to the Lord. When we SURRENDER, He hears our cries and He begins to transform us into His perfect image, where truth and love reign supreme. During the process of transformation, HIS GRACE BECOMES SUFFICIENT FOR US AS HIS POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS.
It doesn't happen over night. We must wait patiently for the Holy Spirit to give us the faith to see and to believe. So, while we wait, let's remember that, "...our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).
Since we live in an imperfect and evil world where Satan still has some power over evil and sin, let's remember to "...put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition...take up the shield of faith. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God" (from verses 13-17).
If you still don't believe that HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, FOR HIS POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS, don't worry! I'm not here to judge you. It's frequently hard for me to grasp its veracity too. But we can hold each other up and cling to God's word as we go through this journey together, one day at a time. Keep the faith fellow believers. Life on earth is hard, but remember that heaven will be amazing!
But do we really believe this to be true? And if it's not true, do we really have any hope at all? The fact of the matter is that we all get weighed down by a plethora of weaknesses. My struggles happen to be depression and doubt, along with anxiety and anger. Maybe your entanglements have more to do with self esteem issues, jealousy, lust, or greed.
Where do we go if we don't believe this verse to be true? The answer is simple: we must fall on our knees. God is good at wrestling. Remember his match with Jacob thousands of years ago? He can take you on as well. So, if you are doubting that HIS POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS, then challenge the Lord! Ask him, "Are you sure Lord?" Let Him defend Himself because I'm certain He will show up!
For starters, think about where you're weak and how the Lord has already shown up. For me with my depression, I sometimes wonder why the Lord won't just remove this thorn from my flesh. And then I start to think through all of the ways that He has blessed me: my legs and arms, my breath, my faithful husband, my healthy and energetic children, etc. The list starts to get so long that I can't help but lose sight of the darkness.
Of course our weaknesses seem overwhelming; often times they simply are too much for us to handle. And that's why we need to drop to our knees, place our face down upon the ground if necessary, and submit it all to the Lord. When we SURRENDER, He hears our cries and He begins to transform us into His perfect image, where truth and love reign supreme. During the process of transformation, HIS GRACE BECOMES SUFFICIENT FOR US AS HIS POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS.
It doesn't happen over night. We must wait patiently for the Holy Spirit to give us the faith to see and to believe. So, while we wait, let's remember that, "...our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).
Since we live in an imperfect and evil world where Satan still has some power over evil and sin, let's remember to "...put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition...take up the shield of faith. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God" (from verses 13-17).
If you still don't believe that HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, FOR HIS POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS, don't worry! I'm not here to judge you. It's frequently hard for me to grasp its veracity too. But we can hold each other up and cling to God's word as we go through this journey together, one day at a time. Keep the faith fellow believers. Life on earth is hard, but remember that heaven will be amazing!
Labels: Bible, encouragement, grace
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Saved by Grace
What if you died today? Do you know where you would go? Most people become extremely stressed out when they have to discuss the topic of death. Whether it involves the planning of a will, someone's life insurance policy, or just religious beliefs in general, people frequently prefer to avoid the topic.
When you see those corny commercials where the wife and husband happen to wander into the kitchen for a late-night snack at the exact same minute, you sense the fabrication of the scene. You'd bet a million dollars you were about to watch a life insurance advertisement. And, usually you'd be right.
Why is it that we avoid the topic of death? Or, at the very least, why does it make us shift uncomfortably in our seat, no matter where we're sitting? I think it's because we prefer to be alive, so it makes the topic of death or of dying a pretty uncomfortable one. But, here's the real deal: death is cool. Unlike the phony life insurance commercial that's supposed to give you the warm fuzzies, the Bible offers hope and eternal life in Jesus Christ.
When you do come face to face with conversations pertaining to death, grab your Bible. Not that you shouldn't get all of your practical financial issues in order pertaining to passing away, but your peace with the Creator should come as the biggest priority. As I was driving up a long road after dropping my three kids at school, the concept of God's grace was really soaking in to my thick skull covered by medium-length brown hair.
While I've had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ since I was ten years old, I was really blown away during my time alone in the car by the fact that there's nothing I have to worry about spiritually before I die. I don't have to stress about the "what ifs" before dying because Jesus is my bridge, my peace, and my full payment. Sometimes death seems stressful because you might think, "Well, I have to do this, this, and that before I die...how stressful not to know when it will be?"
The thing is, if you walk with Jesus, HE is your all in all. He is sufficient. Doesn't that blow your mind? Of course, your life should demonstrate your love for Him on a daily basis, but you don't have to worry about the incidentals. He's taken care of them. You already have your "Get out of Jail Free" pass.
The popular verse that shows up in the background of NFL games is the basic truth of our faith. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." But, some people want to complicate the Gospel's simplicity by saying, "But you also have to do this, that, and the other thing. It's not just because of Jesus."
The next verse states, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." You see, it's not really about you, it's just about Jesus. He won't bully His way into your heart, but once He comes in, He's there to stay. Revelation 3:20 says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." It does not say, "If you do all of these other things too." What a relief, huh? While I definitely love LIVING, I'm pretty stoked about dying too. Heaven is gonna be the party of the century, so we better start sending out our Evites now.
When you see those corny commercials where the wife and husband happen to wander into the kitchen for a late-night snack at the exact same minute, you sense the fabrication of the scene. You'd bet a million dollars you were about to watch a life insurance advertisement. And, usually you'd be right.
Why is it that we avoid the topic of death? Or, at the very least, why does it make us shift uncomfortably in our seat, no matter where we're sitting? I think it's because we prefer to be alive, so it makes the topic of death or of dying a pretty uncomfortable one. But, here's the real deal: death is cool. Unlike the phony life insurance commercial that's supposed to give you the warm fuzzies, the Bible offers hope and eternal life in Jesus Christ.
When you do come face to face with conversations pertaining to death, grab your Bible. Not that you shouldn't get all of your practical financial issues in order pertaining to passing away, but your peace with the Creator should come as the biggest priority. As I was driving up a long road after dropping my three kids at school, the concept of God's grace was really soaking in to my thick skull covered by medium-length brown hair.
While I've had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ since I was ten years old, I was really blown away during my time alone in the car by the fact that there's nothing I have to worry about spiritually before I die. I don't have to stress about the "what ifs" before dying because Jesus is my bridge, my peace, and my full payment. Sometimes death seems stressful because you might think, "Well, I have to do this, this, and that before I die...how stressful not to know when it will be?"
The thing is, if you walk with Jesus, HE is your all in all. He is sufficient. Doesn't that blow your mind? Of course, your life should demonstrate your love for Him on a daily basis, but you don't have to worry about the incidentals. He's taken care of them. You already have your "Get out of Jail Free" pass.
The popular verse that shows up in the background of NFL games is the basic truth of our faith. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." But, some people want to complicate the Gospel's simplicity by saying, "But you also have to do this, that, and the other thing. It's not just because of Jesus."
The next verse states, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." You see, it's not really about you, it's just about Jesus. He won't bully His way into your heart, but once He comes in, He's there to stay. Revelation 3:20 says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." It does not say, "If you do all of these other things too." What a relief, huh? While I definitely love LIVING, I'm pretty stoked about dying too. Heaven is gonna be the party of the century, so we better start sending out our Evites now.
Labels: Bible, death, grace, Jesus
Monday, November 16, 2009
Letting Go of the Small Stuff!
Letting go of the little things is essential if you want to be happy. Whether it's with your friends or with your spouse, you need to drop the small stuff. If a friend says something that seems offensive, try to give her the benefit of the doubt. Even if you're pretty sure she meant to be rude, let it go. "Let it go?" you might ask, "even if she intended to irritate me?" Yep! Even if she judged your financial status or insinuated that you have a messy house, it's worth it to move on.
What about your spouse? He can give off a skunk's share of grumpiness too. Like when he intentionally grunts under his breath to inform you that he hates your nagging. Or, when he slams a cupboard a bit harder than normal, just because he's had a bad day. Maybe your hubby just frustrates you because of his lack of follow-through. His socks might literally leap out of the laundry basket from shock if they ever ventured into the right bin. Maybe it chaps your hide when he leaves the milk out or doesn't put away the bread after making his sandwich. You know they're pretty small things though compared to how much he loves you and how he makes you laugh.
Letting stuff go applies to your kids as well. They can pack a surprising punch, even though they're little and cute. The other day, my kids told me that my sister's car was way cleaner than ours. The statement was truthful, but it still made me feel like a dork. Was it worth stewing over? Nope. Or, like the time my son said something about my tummy looking big. While his comment was slightly rude for a six-year-old, it wasn't worth hanging onto. I've actually been looking pretty good lately, so I wasn't gonna let my skinny little son's comment get me into a foul mood.
Whomever you find irritating, it's worth it to give a little bit of grace. Letting the small stuff go actually makes you happier and healthier. When you hold onto each comment or each act of frustration put upon you, you're the one that suffers. You feel the weight of the issue while the other person goes unaffected. While it might seem like you benefit somehow from stewing over a feisty remark, the truth is that it prevents you from having a joyful day.
Some things are actually worth digesting the heck out of, like a conversation that deals with your family's value system or a major upcoming decision involving a move or a job-change. Issues of faith and commitment are uber-important as well. But, most topics don't comply with the cost benefit analysis of a full-on blow-out. And even when the important topics are broached, they should still be evaluated with a grain of salt. Both parties should also incorporate a methodology that gives each person a fair turn to share his or her side of the story.
Obviously, topics involving extended family can tip the scales of user discretion and serenity. For example, someone says, "Your mom said such-and-such." Or another blurts out, "My sister was offended that you blah-blah-blah." They're relatively important scenarios, but not worthy enough to wreck an entire weekend. Even the upcoming holidays can bring on a variety of heated discussions. Will you travel for Turkey Day and Christmas or make the fam come to you? What will you work on before the holidays, the bathroom that's needed to be repainted for over a year now or the landscaping that's looking a little bit weathered? Will you serve turkey and ham or just ditch the messy kitchen scene and eat out instead?
The question you have to ask amidst all of these things with your friends, spouse, kids, and extended family is, "Will this matter in a week or two?" If the answer is "NO!" then you need to let it go. If it will seriously still be an issue after seven to fourteen days, you can at least sleep on it for a few days before raising the drama-level to a red alert. After a solid night's rest, if it's still putting a kink in your neck, then find a sensible time to discuss it with reasonable expectations of how it might be resolved. Remember to make respectful "I feel" statements instead of using "You always..." ones.
The result of dismissing inconsequential matters not only makes you happier and healthier, it gives you more time to work on other stuff. For example, you could bless someone else with an uplifting email or a relaxed phone call rather than a heated whining session. Think of the possibilities with your spouse. Instead of a one to two hour argument over whatever it was, you could do something else more interactive (use your imagination :)). The guys reading this post have just awoken from their slumbered state and are now attentive and enthusiastic. Just remember to keep things light this holiday season by extending grace to those you love.
Share how you've decided to chill out more about life's smaller details. We'd love to hear from you.
What about your spouse? He can give off a skunk's share of grumpiness too. Like when he intentionally grunts under his breath to inform you that he hates your nagging. Or, when he slams a cupboard a bit harder than normal, just because he's had a bad day. Maybe your hubby just frustrates you because of his lack of follow-through. His socks might literally leap out of the laundry basket from shock if they ever ventured into the right bin. Maybe it chaps your hide when he leaves the milk out or doesn't put away the bread after making his sandwich. You know they're pretty small things though compared to how much he loves you and how he makes you laugh.
Letting stuff go applies to your kids as well. They can pack a surprising punch, even though they're little and cute. The other day, my kids told me that my sister's car was way cleaner than ours. The statement was truthful, but it still made me feel like a dork. Was it worth stewing over? Nope. Or, like the time my son said something about my tummy looking big. While his comment was slightly rude for a six-year-old, it wasn't worth hanging onto. I've actually been looking pretty good lately, so I wasn't gonna let my skinny little son's comment get me into a foul mood.
Whomever you find irritating, it's worth it to give a little bit of grace. Letting the small stuff go actually makes you happier and healthier. When you hold onto each comment or each act of frustration put upon you, you're the one that suffers. You feel the weight of the issue while the other person goes unaffected. While it might seem like you benefit somehow from stewing over a feisty remark, the truth is that it prevents you from having a joyful day.
Some things are actually worth digesting the heck out of, like a conversation that deals with your family's value system or a major upcoming decision involving a move or a job-change. Issues of faith and commitment are uber-important as well. But, most topics don't comply with the cost benefit analysis of a full-on blow-out. And even when the important topics are broached, they should still be evaluated with a grain of salt. Both parties should also incorporate a methodology that gives each person a fair turn to share his or her side of the story.
Obviously, topics involving extended family can tip the scales of user discretion and serenity. For example, someone says, "Your mom said such-and-such." Or another blurts out, "My sister was offended that you blah-blah-blah." They're relatively important scenarios, but not worthy enough to wreck an entire weekend. Even the upcoming holidays can bring on a variety of heated discussions. Will you travel for Turkey Day and Christmas or make the fam come to you? What will you work on before the holidays, the bathroom that's needed to be repainted for over a year now or the landscaping that's looking a little bit weathered? Will you serve turkey and ham or just ditch the messy kitchen scene and eat out instead?
The question you have to ask amidst all of these things with your friends, spouse, kids, and extended family is, "Will this matter in a week or two?" If the answer is "NO!" then you need to let it go. If it will seriously still be an issue after seven to fourteen days, you can at least sleep on it for a few days before raising the drama-level to a red alert. After a solid night's rest, if it's still putting a kink in your neck, then find a sensible time to discuss it with reasonable expectations of how it might be resolved. Remember to make respectful "I feel" statements instead of using "You always..." ones.
The result of dismissing inconsequential matters not only makes you happier and healthier, it gives you more time to work on other stuff. For example, you could bless someone else with an uplifting email or a relaxed phone call rather than a heated whining session. Think of the possibilities with your spouse. Instead of a one to two hour argument over whatever it was, you could do something else more interactive (use your imagination :)). The guys reading this post have just awoken from their slumbered state and are now attentive and enthusiastic. Just remember to keep things light this holiday season by extending grace to those you love.
Share how you've decided to chill out more about life's smaller details. We'd love to hear from you.
Labels: family, friendship, grace, happiness, holiday, spouse
