Grace And Strength

The Lord’s response to Paul’s request for healing the thorn in his flesh (whatever it was)  is interesting. 

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul was focused on the thorn—the suffering—and Jesus was focused on His grace and strength.

While this verse has brought comfort and hope to many throughout the ages, it is also challenging. 

You will never face a trial that our Lord is unable to guide you through it according to His grace and strength.

During two bouts of cancer, I personally learned the value of His grace and the power it provides. 

Paul is saying we can rejoice in the valley, knowing we have the power of Christ resting upon us. 

Walking By Faith

Genesis 12:1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

In essence, God said, “Don’t worry about anything; just follow Me. When we get to where we’re going, I will let you know.” 

Abraham wouldn’t know it when he saw it. He had to walk by faith.

Most of us would hesitate with such a proposal. We like to know the details—where we’re going, how long it will take to get there, and what kind of accommodations we will have when we arrive. 

Eventually, God will ask us to step out in faith and follow Him. There will be no additional information. In that moment, if we choose to follow, we will have to walk by faith. 

Walking by faith requires total surrender. Anything less is not walking by faith. 

Follow the Lord and trust His word. His way is always best. 

Worthy Is The Lamb

 As Jesus takes the book from the right hand of God, a magnificent praise service erupts around the throne. Believers will understand, as never before, the sacrifice on Calvary—the precious blood of Jesus redeeming us from sin.

Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

This glorious worship service is unlike any we’ve ever seen. The apostle John continues to write as Jesus reveals to him the future. 

Revelation 5:11-12  And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Every child of God of all ages and from all over the world will be there praising the worthy Lamb for their salvation. 

The angels can’t sing the song of redemption because they know nothing of sin and redemption, but they are praising their Creator. 

On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand

The Israelites had strayed from the Lord and forsaken Him. In an act of divine chastisement God allowed the Midianites to overtake them, and the people suffered under their heavy hand. So God chose Gideon to lead His people out of bondage. 

All Gideon could see was fear, but God saw a mighty man of valor. This courage wouldn’t be found within himself, but given of the Lord.

Judges 6:12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

Often the Lord uses the weak and inadequate to accomplish His will.

God will never ask you to stand without providing the strength and wisdom needed within your heart. You may not know it but God does because He placed it there.

When we realize that we are not standing in our own ability but in the Lord’s, we are well on our way to becoming victorious.

The Power Of Hope

Hope is a powerful thing.  G. K. Chesterton said, “There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.”

The Bible teaches us that biblical hope is something entirely different than the wishful thinking of the world. 

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Believers can have hope in the resurrection, knowing the dead in Christ will live again. 

We can have hope in the rapture. When Jesus comes to take His bride to Heaven, we will go with Him. 

We can have hope in seeing loved ones waiting for us in Heaven and what a profound experience it will be to see Jesus.

We can have hope in trials, knowing Jesus see us through.  

Yes, we can have hope. It’s eternal and powerful. It gives joy, peace and blessings to our hearts. 

What Is God’s Will For You?

If you were to have a face to face encounter with the Lord Jesus and could ask Him any question, what would it be? 

Saul (later named Paul) met Jesus on the road to Damascus and asked two important questions, Acts 9:5-6.  

Who art thou Lord?  This is the single most important question in all of life. Who is Jesus Christ to you? Your answer determines where you will spend your eternity. 

Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? This is the second most important question in life. God’s will and His will alone should be the heart’s desire for every child of God. 

He has a big plan for your life. Do you know what it is? If not, be meek, teachable, open and yielded to God. 

Listen for His voice in His Word, His people and His Spirit. He will reveal His will.

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him..

Jesus And The Ark

Were it not for the grace of God, Noah would never have known about the flood that would have killed him or the Ark that would have saved him. Both of those insights were the gift of amazing grace. 

Genesis 6:5,8 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually . . . . But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 

Noah survived the flood because he believed God, built the Ark and entered it by faith. 

When God shut the door of that Ark Noah was on the inside looking out, and the world was on the outside looking in. 

Can you see how the ancient Ark pictures Jesus? If you can, then understand this: the wrath of God is about to be poured out on this world. There is only one place where safety and salvation can be found. 

We don’t have an Ark, but we do have a Savior and His Name is Jesus. He died for your sins on the cross; He rose from the dead and He is calling you to come to Him for salvation. He is calling you to be saved. Seek Him.