"The Most Awesome of Gifts"

After spending the night in the ER with his wife, Lori, who was experiencing severe abdominal pain due to gall bladder complications, my brother Billy Joe, sent me this message this morning:

"When Jesus promised He would send the Comforter, He promised us the most awesome of Gifts."

What a wonderful message, and what an awesome reality. Even through long, dark nights of pain and suffering, the comfort our Lord promised is present and presiding in our lives.

Following my own physical challenges last week, while the pain for now has subsided mostly, I am still somewhat weak. This morning when my brother sent me those "SWEET 16" words above, it added new strength to my heart, mind, soul, and body.

Of course, my brother, is referring to the promise made by Jesus on the eve of His Crucifixion. In John 14:16-17, hear that promise for your own life:

^"16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; ¹⁷ Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (KJV)

Thank you Father God, for Jesus, our Elder Brother, Who did not leave us as orphans but sent The Comforter, The Holy Spirit, to be with us and to live in us. Amen.

Grateful

If We Study the Life of Christ...

The believer who studies the life of Christ as the promise of what his/hers may be, learns to understand how the "Without Me you can do nothing," is but the forerunner of "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." We learn to glory in sufferings, to take pleasure in necessities and distresses for Christ's sake; for "When I am weak, then I am strong."
-- Andrew Murray

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Where is God?

We have hardly thought through the immense implications of the mystery of the incarnation. Where is God? God is where we are weak, vulnerable, small and dependent. God is where the poor are, the hungry, the handicapped, the mentally ill, the elderly, the powerless. How can we come to know God when our focus is elsewhere, on success, influence, and power?
-- Henri Nouwen

ALL JOY TO YOUR WORLD! ALL PEACE TO YOUR SOUL!
Grateful

Apostles. Fools. This World's Garbage.

(9b) ...apostles, like people condemned to die in public as a spectacle for the whole world of angels and of human beings. (10) For Christ's sake we are fools... we are weak... we are despised... (11) To this very moment we go hungry and thirsty; we are clothed in rags; we are beaten; we wander from place to place; (12) we wear ourselves out with hard work. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; (13) when we are insulted, we answer back with kind words. We are no more than this world's garbage; we are the scum of the earth to this very moment!
-- From 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 (GNT)

In Faith! By Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Feeling Weak and Helpless? REMIX

Not too long ago, I shared thoughts similar to the ones below, but this morning the same thoughts were very strong on my mind. So, enjoy the REMIX:

"As long as you feel your own weakness and helplessness, you will find help from above."
-- John Wesley

That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
-- The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT)

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

God Gives Strength to His People

(33) Sing to the One Who rides across the ancient heavens, His mighty voice thundering from the sky.
(34) Tell everyone about God’s power. His majesty shines down on Israel; His strength is mighty in the heavens.
(35) God is awesome in His sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God!
-- Psalm 68:33-35 (NLT)

Those of you who are familiar with my blog know that I have no problem repeating the good stuff from time-to-time. :-)

There is a song written by Stephen Curtis Chapman many years ago that I refer to from time-to-time in my writing. The song has been and still is a soundtrack for renewing my mind in the strength of the Lord. Indeed, His Strength is Perfect When Our Strength is Gone. So, here's a repeat link below. Be encouraged:

Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzKo25QKPsY

I am weak but He is strong! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Grateful

Are You Weak? He is Strong!

I've come to realize that whatever spiritual independence is, it is not strength. In fact, I know that spiritual independence is in reality weakness in denial. We must not deny that we need God and each other. We especially need God.

Spiritual independence is the entry way to spiritual suicide. Spiritual Independence properly defined is self-centered ego, yes, the very essence of sin. And Romans 6:23 (NKJV) warns us with these 6 words: ...the wages of sin (spiritual independence) is death.

Actually, the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:3 might be properly paraphrased like this: Blessed are (the poor in spirit) those who admit they are spiritually dependent upon the Lord.

2 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT) ends with this declaration of spiritual dependency on God: For when I am weak, then I am strong. In other words, if I declare rather than deny that I am weak, I confess spiritual dependence on God and His strength becomes mine.

The "Jesus Loves Me" children's song says it best:
Little ones to Him belong; they are weak but HE is strong!

And another songwriter said it this way: His strength is perfect when our strength is gone.

Good news! Are You Weak? He is Strong!
In 7 words? Turn from sin. Turn to Him. Totally.

ALL JOY!
Grateful