Wednesday, January 2, 2013

All I Need





“’ My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
 Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
 so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

               The Apostle Paul had a chronic problem-which he referred to as a thorn in his side. He asked God to take it away. When Paul prayed about it, God gave him a peculiar answer.

“‘My grace is sufficient’” God chose not to honor Paul’s request. Instead He worked through the condition. God spoke of grace—His unmerited love. He told Paul His love was enough to see Him through.

 “‘. . . my power is made perfect in weakness.’” God says something here that seems to be a paradox. His power is perfected in weakness. What does He mean? When we can’t do something because we aren't strong enough to handle the issue, He, at our request, takes over and works through the circumstances and turns it into something that glorifies Him.

”‘. . . I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses.’” THE MESSAGE translation of Bible has an interesting interpretation of these words. “I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness.”
”‘ . . . so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’” Paul wanted God to be seen instead of him. Paul, who previously persecuted Christians, wanted the LORD to be seen, not him. He didn’t want to stand in the way.
               Do we let things get in the way of the LORD-between Him and us? Yes, sometimes we do. It happens because we are human and we have shortcomings. This happens when take our eyes off of Jesus and put them on other people.
               Because of God’s grace we are privileged to walk with Him each day. As we walk with God we represent Him to those we meet. This happens in the market place, in the doctor’s office, at the park, and just outside our front door.

                  It is my goal in 2013 to lean more on God’s grace
                A rendition of a hymn I love by a group I have seen. One of the singers is from my area.   Wonderful Grace of Jesus

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4 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Rhonda: Thank you for stopping by.I have a special memory about that song.I was in a large meeting as a part of an Annual Conference of our former church. The words were on the overhead screen. I was concerned if people would know the parts without the music in front of them. When we came to the chorus, everyone seemed to divide into their respective parts like professional musicians. I felt as if I'd been led into heaven.

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  2. Wonderful Grace of Jesus, Greater than all my sin...How shall my tongue describe it, Where shall its praise begin? I love that song too. Especially love to sing the chorus with all the parts. That's one of those songs that thrills my soul...oh how I miss singing the hymns of faith that we love.

    GRACE...a wonderful word for the year. God's Grace... Grace that is greater than all my sin...yes...Thank you, Lord.
    Thank you for sharing this with us today. Blessings to you.

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    Replies
    1. Pamela: Thank you for stopping in. I love the old songs. I like the praise and worship but I miss the old songs like these about grace.

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