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My Grace Is Sufficient For You
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Paul, speaking in 2 Corinthians 12 of his “thorn in the flesh” (given to him, a messenger of Satan to buffet him, lest he be exalted above measure), said that he pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from him. In response, the Lord Jesus said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Grace is what God does for us, and has done. Paul said, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Christian, as we approach Good Friday and Easter Sunday this week, be filled with the joy of the Lord, knowing that you have God’s grace in all that you do for Him and in Him. In our infirmities, His power is available to work in and through us, to strengthen us and to accomplish something good. We need to call on Him. When we are reproached for our faith, His grace is sufficient in our weakness, for His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We need to ask him to give us the words to speak and the power to live for Him. In needs, in persecutions and distress, these are our opportunities to see God work in miraculous ways in our lives, to draw closer to Him than ever and to be built up in our most Holy faith.
His grace is sufficient. He has done the ultimate deed for us, in sending His Son to die for our sin. He has done that for us, as we were dead in sin in our weakness. He has given us eternal life in Christ. We could not work to achieve that, He has given it freely to us.
Paul said, “This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh (Gal. 3)?
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Col. 3:17).”
We received the Spirit of God by the hearing of faith. We can not do the work of God in the flesh. We need to do all things after coming to Him, then do them in His power. This is something that I need to be reminded of constantly, as it is so easy to get off course and to trust in my own strength. But I have the Spirit of God, His grace, His strength perfected in my weakness, “to press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead (Phil 3:12-13).”
We have access to the throne of the Creator of all things, our Maker and Father. He will give us all things that we ask in His name, to accomplish His will. But we need to ask. We need to spend time in prayer, worship and study in His Word. We need to access His grace and allow His Spirit to work in and through us. Let us come to that throne often every day. Let us seek His will first, and His power first before we venture out in His name.
Oh merciful Father, empower us in your Spirit. May our strength come from you. May our every step be led and moved by You. May your Son be glorified in my life today. Be strong today Lord, in my weakness.
Article submitted Wednesday, April 08, 2009 & read 2443 times.
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» left by Teresa(1,654)(2 years 301 days ago.)
Hi Brian, what a timely and encouraging message. I always look forward to your devotionals. I am blessed. Praise the Lord. And I say Amen and Amen to your closing prayer! TeresaRespond to this comment
» left by Bart(23) (2 years 300 days ago.)
Brian,What timing. Exactly what I needed to hear today, and to apply to my life. God grace is great!Blessings my friend,BartRespond to this comment
» left by Brian Farrell(246)
Thank you so much for the encouragement and feedback, Bart! We serve an awesome God! Isn't it mind boggling how God works all things together, giving us exactly what we need when we need it? God's grace is great! The Lord bless your life and ministry.
Brian
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» left by Michele LaPointe (2 years 266 days ago.)
I have always loved the Scripture verse "My strength is made perfect in weakness." God sure knew what He was doing creating us with all our weaknesses and failings, didn't He? It provides a perfect opportunity to show His glory!!!MicheleRespond to this comment
» left by Marijo Phelps from mountain meadow in CO (2 years 165 days ago.)
We are such a "works oriented" society that this is a much needed piece - thanks for sharing your thoughts on His most incredible grace! MarijoRespond to this comment
» left by Brian Farrell(246)
Yes. Marijo. It is so easy to get caught up in works. It has been such a blessing to see the process more like a tree producing fruit then a factory pushing out new product! (See pastor Chuck Smith's book "Why Grace Changes Everything"). May the Lord richly bless you.
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» left by Mary from Vancouver, WA (1 year 343 days ago.)We appreciate your comments!
I had a melt down today with some Christian leaders, disagreements, and I choose not to show up to a meeting tonight as I emotionally felt spent and frustrated. Hiding in my bedroom, the Lord told me that His grace is sufficient in my weakest times...those emotional roller coaster times...when even our spirit filled friends are not agreeing to agree..ugh..but God understands my weakness and His love and power through grace obtained by Jesus' life given for mine..will enable me to rise up and not hide from disagreements but embrace and thank Jesus for Grace sufficient for every need 24/7. MaryRespond to this comment
» left by Brian Farrell(246)
I'll be praying for that situation, Mary. It is so disappointing to argue with fellow believers. But, the Lord can and will work through that. He may even bring something very beautiful from it. Just lean on His great love for us and His mercy toward us. He knows that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak- and He loves us and died for us anyway! His presence and love is all that we need. Even when Joseph suffered wrongly in prison and as a slave in Egypt for 13 years, the Scripture says,
"But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden (Gen 39:21)."
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