Monday, March 30, 2009

Grief + Grace = Glory

II Corinthians 12:7-10 "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' 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."

Grief + Griping = Gloom...this tends to be the equation that fits in most people's lives. It has been in my life before. But I'm happy to say that grief + grace DOES = glory. I've let God's grace enter into my life in the last year and I can say "GLORY!!!". I have experienced the glory in the midst of my grief. Praise the Lord!!!

II Corinthians 11:23-30 These are too many verses for me to quote here but I encourage you to go and read these passages of Scripture. If we had gone through even a little of what Paul had gone through...some of us would turn our backs on God. But God's grace got him through. Many of us reject God's grace and stay home from church when they have a headache or sore throat...yet they will go to work with the same ailment. It takes God's grace to get through such things as what Paul experienced. Nothing BUT God's grace.

II Corinthians 12:7-8 "...a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me." Paul had a thorn in his flesh and he asked God three times to take it from him. But God chose not to remove it but rather to give him the grace to endure. God's grace is MORE than sufficient. We need to remember that "no" is still an answer. He will not always say "yes". If God says "no" then He has something better ahead because of that "no".

God's grace is unlimited. It is not only enough but it is more than enough. God's grace cannot be found in a bottle, a pill or a psychiatrist. God's grace ONLY comes from God. It is a greater and more perfect fix than any of the fixes that this world tries to get. At the end of Paul's life he did not say he quit the race or that he gave up the fight. He said he finished his course. He knew the Source of his comfort.

God's grace IS sufficient. It's not was...it's not gonna be...it's not might be...IT IS!!! God IS!!! Verse 9 "...My grace is sufficient..." That means has been...is now...and is going to be in the future. If you have a thorn...God may choose to leave it in our life but God will give grace to us as we see God leave it there.

10 comments:

Theresa's Notes said...

Hello Theresa here from A Note From Theresa. Just dropping by to say I'm back on the web and two pictures of our new house is posted.

Have a blessed day!

TO BECOME said...

Great Post, sister Julie. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and Biblical promises with us.They were a blessing. Grace is a wonderful thing to have. Thank God for wonderful grace. connie

Unknown said...

Thanks for this encouraging post Julie. The scriptures were very helpful to remind me of some things I already knew but needed a new focus on!

Unknown said...

Dear Julie
I again have been Blessed by on of your touching posts. God's Grace and love is all we ever need. Nothing from a bottle can give us the peace we need like the peace we find in our Lord. His grace will always be sufficient for thee. God Bless you my sweet friend. In Christ. Lisa

Leah said...

Sis Julie, I'm looking forward to giving you a big hug tomorrow night. Lord willing, I'll see you soon.

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Theresa...Thanks for letting me know. Love you!

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Connie...Yes...God's grace is certainly amazing!! Praise the Lord!! Love you!

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Pam...Praise the Lord for those reminders!! We all need them don't we?

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Lisa....You are so sweet!! I love and appreciate you so much!!

Sis. Julie said...

Sis. Leah....I look forward to that hug!! I can't wait to see you!! Love you Sis!!

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