Sufficient…

Sufficient…

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:7-8

One of the more difficult concepts for a believer to grasp is the suffering we are allowed to endure in life. James wrote: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) Likewise, Peter affirmed there is an inheritance reserved in heaven for us “who through faith are shielded by God’s power.” And he encouraged: “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:5-7)

Testing. Suffering. Affliction. These come to us to refine and strengthen our faith. When we reach the end of ourselves … when we are emptied of our own strength … then we have the opportunity to see God begin His work within us. And that is precious lesson to be experienced! Jesus foretold His followers that in the world we would have troubles and tribulation; but He also encouraged, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Indeed, as Paul sought through prayer to be relieved of demonic harassment and torment, Jesus reminded him, “My grace is sufficient….”

How blessed it is to know that the resources of the Lord for us are sufficient!

His Word is eternal and it stands firm in the heavens. ~ Psalm 119:89

His Truth is immutable and extends to all generations. ~ Psalm 100:5

His Mercy is abundant and endures forever. ~ Psalm 118

His Blood is fully propitiatory and atones our sins. ~ Romans 3:5

His Resurrection is the boundless power of our living hope. ~ 1 Peter 1:3

His Peace is more than enough to calm our hearts. ~ John 14:27

His Grace is ample to meet every spiritual need. ~ Ephesians 2:7

His Love is inseparable and everlasting. ~ Romans 8:35-39

His Presence is fullness of joy. ~ Psalm 16:11

Oh, my friends, I pray that you will know the complete sufficiency of our Lord Jesus Christ! For out of His fullness, we have all received grace in place of grace already given. (John 1:16) There is nothing you will ever lack in Him. “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” (Colossians 2:9-10) Yes, Jesus is sufficient, and I encourage you to simply rest in His strength!

Have a Blessed Day!

Affliction…

Affliction…

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ~ 2 Timothy 4:5

Affliction … a cause of persistent pain or distress. It can be the source of hardship or great suffering. We associate it with difficulty, trouble, trial, tribulation, agony, and travail. In other words, affliction is most uncomfortable and we desire to avoid it at all costs. And yet, for believers, affliction and hardship … trial and tribulation … serve a purpose in the development and growth of our faith.

As Paul and Barnabas made their missionary rounds, they spent time strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. They reminded new converts and local leadership, “We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22) Indeed, a follower of Christ should expect to endure afflictions of all kinds is their service to Him. As Jesus taught: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

Jesus said in the end times His followers would be not only persecuted but put to death … hated by all nations because of Him. (Matthew 24:9) Yet, Paul would later pose: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:35) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Indeed, many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19) And we would do well to remember the afflictions we suffer are often used by the Lord to correct and discipline us. (Hebrews 12:4-8)

James advised: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) This is easier said than done; however, the end result will be worth it. As Peter encouraged: “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter:6-7)

My friends, do not loose heart as you endure affliction in this life. “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. So, we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

This is my comfort in my affliction: Your word has revived me and given me life. ~ Psalm 119:50 (Amplified)

Have a Blessed Day!

Power…

Power…

For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me His prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the Gospel, by the power of God. (2 Timothy 1:6-8)

There is a power that we have been given by God … the power of His Holy Spirit! What Paul shared with Timothy, is the same power that Jesus promised His earliest disciples. He told them: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. (Acts 1:8-9)

From the context of both passages, we can readily discern the power we receive is given for a purpose … to be witnesses … to testify about the Lord Jesus Christ! Moreover, Paul indicates that we are empowered to “suffer for the Gospel.” As Paul asserted to believers in Corinth: “The Kingdom of God is not in word but in power!” (1 Corinthians 4:20) Indeed, the Holy Spirit is given to activate us … to energize us for service and ministry … to advance the Kingdom of God! For these reasons, He gives us power, love, and self-discipline!

Notice the power we receive is not for our own use. When Jesus had called the Twelve together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases; and He sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1-2) On another occasion, Jesus sent seventy-two others to evangelize. The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And Jesus said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:1-3; 17-20)

My friends, the power we have been given through the Holy Spirit is solely to glorify our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! And God has deemed us worthy of this calling! For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) Indeed, God works in us to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. (Philippians 2:13) Thus, it is through His power that we are able to serve Him….

Have a Blessed Day!

Ashamed…

Ashamed…

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:20-23)

Embarrassment. Humiliation. These words describe our inner feelings when we are ashamed of our actions, character, or relationships. Think of the last time you felt ashamed. Recount what you did or said that caused you embarrassment or humiliation. Did it afflict your conscience with regret or remorse or fill you with inner turmoil? Do you remember the occasion and being ashamed? This is what sin does to us. This is what rebellion and disobedience to the Word of God causes within us. It is the conviction of the Holy Spirit within believers that is meant to bring us to confession and repentance.

When we fail because of our sinful human nature, a believer will feel ashamed. We have displeased God and we know it! A chasm, a separation has occurred and we want restoration. Like King David, we plead with God: “Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:9-12) We do all this because we have disgraced God and feel ashamed of ourselves.

Yet, there is another aspect to the word “Ashamed”. It has to do with our reluctance or unwillingness to do something because we fear shame, embarrassment, or humiliation. Consider what Jesus said in Luke 9:23-26 in this regard: “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (See Mark 8:34-38) Perhaps, this is why Paul admonished Timothy: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me His prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the Gospel, by the power of God. (2 Timothy 1:7-8)

As Peter encouraged: “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” So, let us join with Paul and declare: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

Have a Blessed Day!