But he said to me, "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
When I pray, I often catch myself simply wanting God to do what I want, not necessarily what is best or most expedient for those around me or for the good of the Kingdom. I don't like to hear that God told Paul that he had asked enough about deliverance from his problem. Instead, Paul needed to learn that God's gracious strength and mercy were enough to sustain him even in trial. While I know I need to learn this same lesson, it is daunting.
I want God to keep things nice and tidy for me. But then I remember I am a follower of Christ. If I am to become like my Savior, then I have to let go of my requirements on God's answers and open up to God's work to redeem others through me, no matter the personal cost. Only then can I truly know that his grace is sufficient for me!
Thoughts
. "When you face the perils of weariness, carelessness, and confusion, don't pray for an easier life. Pray instead to be a stronger man or woman of God." - Luis Palau
. "It is quite possible to perform very ordinary actions with so high an intention as to serve God therein better than in far more important things done with a less pure intention." - Jean N. Grou
'The Spirit Calls Out'
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." - Galatians 4:6
We have been adopted by God — we are children of the One who paints every sunset! To help us celebrate this incredible blessing, God has sent the Holy Spirit to live within us and to cry out with us, "Abba, Father." Abba — this simple, two syllable Aramaic word for father — was used by babies to call out to their fathers. Jesus, and Paul after him, used this same simple term — Abba — to indicate our tender, close, and dependent relationship with God as our Father.
The Holy Spirit within us guarantees our access to the Father and reminds us by this simple word that we are God's beloved children.
[Message No: 7307]
When I pray, I often catch myself simply wanting God to do what I want, not necessarily what is best or most expedient for those around me or for the good of the Kingdom. I don't like to hear that God told Paul that he had asked enough about deliverance from his problem. Instead, Paul needed to learn that God's gracious strength and mercy were enough to sustain him even in trial. While I know I need to learn this same lesson, it is daunting.
I want God to keep things nice and tidy for me. But then I remember I am a follower of Christ. If I am to become like my Savior, then I have to let go of my requirements on God's answers and open up to God's work to redeem others through me, no matter the personal cost. Only then can I truly know that his grace is sufficient for me!
Thoughts
. "When you face the perils of weariness, carelessness, and confusion, don't pray for an easier life. Pray instead to be a stronger man or woman of God." - Luis Palau
. "It is quite possible to perform very ordinary actions with so high an intention as to serve God therein better than in far more important things done with a less pure intention." - Jean N. Grou
'The Spirit Calls Out'
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." - Galatians 4:6
We have been adopted by God — we are children of the One who paints every sunset! To help us celebrate this incredible blessing, God has sent the Holy Spirit to live within us and to cry out with us, "Abba, Father." Abba — this simple, two syllable Aramaic word for father — was used by babies to call out to their fathers. Jesus, and Paul after him, used this same simple term — Abba — to indicate our tender, close, and dependent relationship with God as our Father.
The Holy Spirit within us guarantees our access to the Father and reminds us by this simple word that we are God's beloved children.
[Message No: 7307]
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