His Grace Is Sufficient
I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for me and my family during this difficult time. I went to the doctor and my blood count is going back up and the pneumonia is better as well. I still have to go in for yet another EGD soon.
I have had time to reflect on my situation and difficulties and think of the words of Paul. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:7-ff, "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me 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.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
I have found during this difficulty I have been leaning and resting on God for help and strength. I have come to terms with my illnesses and have found that his grace is truely sufficient. My faith has grown and stretched in the last year and half. I have seen his power displayed in my life in every aspect. I am so glad that I serve a God who love and cares more than I can comprehend. I truely understand what Paul says, "When I am weak, then I am strong."
How have problems or difficulties influenced your faith and Christian life? How have you seen God's grace being sufficient in your life? What do you think of these words from Paul? How is his power made perfect in weakness? Why don't we boast all the more gladly in our weaknesses?
What do you think?
Share your thoughts.
posted by preacherman @ 9:33:00 AM
35 Comments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtRLj3K4IDU#
Hello Brother!
Good to hear you are doing better, prayers will continue indeed.
I have never been through such an illness as you have, yet.
But I remember a preacher friend/co worker of mine I worked with in Arlington,TX back in'01-03He had MS and it was aggressive. I would help him out a lot as I was the Youth Minister and he was Pulpit Minister.
I learned more form him in three years than I did from any other teacher, preacher,professor, or theologan, (with the exeption of my Dad). He showed me God's grace through his fire and determination daily. His name was Tommy, and I love his to this very day for showing me God in a different way.
Wrestling before the Father for you....
Glad to hear that you are feeling better! May God continue to bless you and your family!
I love that passage of Scripture. It's just like God to use our weakness to show His strength, love, and desire for relationship.
Really glad to see you back! Thank You Jesus!
It's great to hear you're getting better!
I can't really say I've had health struggles comparable to yours, though I've had tough years in other ways. It helped me to remember that our struggles are temporary ("light and momentary" as Paul put it).
Praying that you continue to continue.
Hey Kinney! I'm glad to hear that you're doing better. Wow, you've really been through it, eh?
God bless you!
Good to hear some good news on your health front. As far as your questions go:
Since I haven't had any serious health problems I'll equate everything to the challenges we've gone through as move towards being truly non-denominational:
1. In my case they allowed me to get over some of my fears. I have more and more a fear (or respect) of God rather than man.
2. As the church of Christ denomination around us tries to isolate us as in kicking us out of a local Bible Camp - I now see how God can replace a blessing with another. In our case it's been finding another camp and having more and more unchurched people coming to us.
3 and 4 - When we are "weakened" we have the chance to depend on God more.
Kinney,
I am very glad to see another post from you, letting us know how you are doing. You and Tess are still in my prayers.
I have not gone through any prolonged health problems. ( I had surgery for something, but it was resolved fairly quickly.) However, our 8- or 9- year struggles with infertility and the adoption process were difficult years. The results were positive when we received our son. He is our gift from God.
Praise the Lord, Kinney! And great questions.
I think my faith grows through the faith of others around me at time, when I have little or next to know faith at all. Their faith God has used at times during those weak periods.
May God richly bless you and your family! You are a blessing and inspiration to me!
Preacherman,
Glad to see you back.
I think it is the difficult times that helps our relationship with God.
In my life right now I cannot say, "His grace is sufficient."
Hi PreacherMan,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my analogy of the prophecy seen in the Jewish wedding ceremony.
Times are difficult these days. Financially.
My wife, has been out of town for the last three weeks receiving training for a job she accepted. Now, I want to give you some back ground: Vicki is an insurance Broker. She sells anuity products and teaches piano, as well.
Because of the economy, Vicki has not been able to do well in insurance. So, she attempted to be hired at a finance firm. At the end of the day, she was literally #2. So, she accepted a job outside of her expertise in advertising.
She has been in Pennsylvania for two weeks and currently has one more week of training before she will begin marketing here in Richmond. Now, here is where I see God's favor. She feels she will love this marketing/advertising job. But, she much rather would have had the Finance Firm position.
Well, yesterday, she called and surprised me. A month ago, the firm told Vicki she was #2 and they went with someone else. However, the firm contacted her yesterday and said they had made a mistake on selecting the other person. The firm is going to vacate her position in one week and Vicki will begin when she arrives home from her commitment to receive this training in marketing. Sadly, it put Vicki in a position of having to realize her loyalty. But, somehow, we believe it is from The Lord.
Vicki and myself accepted the innitial rejection and she took her Christian spirit elsewhere with joy. And I think the Bible says to do everything with out complaining. In all things, be joyfull. In some way, I see this as a Job experience. Rewarding her for her never ending faith that The Lord is in charge.
Glad you're back and doing better. Our times of weakness showcase God's strength and love more than our greatest achievements ever could. Thank you for your encouraging words and example.
Just to let you know that even though we've never met, I've been praying for you...Glad you're feeling better.
http://hebrewsc13v2.blogspot.com/
Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog site!
Sorry to hear you have been going through tough times.
Someone once said that God sometimes has to get us on our back to get us to look up.
Many of the great classical Hymns of the faith were written in the midst of very difficult, trying times.
Thanks for your kind words about my blog. I am also glad you are feeling better.
Hope I am able to have further contact with you in the future. You are a very thoughtful writer.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a message. Glad to hear you have been progressing.
Glad to hear you are better Preacherman.
You are in my families prayers
Grace and Peace to you, your wife, and children. i thank God for you, my brother.
Glad to hear that you are feeling better! I can certainly relate. "God is sufficient" seems trite and used, it is nonetheless true.
Glad to hear about you improving. You are in my prayers every morning.
Just hello :)
I'm glad to read that you are getting better.
Preacherman,
I am glad you are doing better. I wish we all could say, "His grace is sufficient." It is hard to do. It takes trust and faith in every life situation.
Thanks for your comments on my blogs thekingpin68 and satire and theology. I shall reply to both. By the way, Wade of Wade's Rantings in my blog links is also Church of Christ in Texas.
I am always looking for blog links.
Russ:)
Preacherman,
Sorry to hear about your health issues. Yes...it does seem that it's in times like these that we are more convinced that His strength is sufficient for us. We would never deny this, of course; but sometimes don't think about it when all is going well.
As Christians, our relationship to God in Christ is always as a child to a Father. Our heavenly Father never forgets this and always treats us as Children. We, however, can sometimes forget, or lose sight of this intimate relationship. But when we go through difficult times, we realize once again (though we never really forgot) that He cares for us as a Father to His children; we realize, by the work of His Spirit within us, that He wants to strengthen our faith so that we never forget who we are, as His children, and who He is, as our Father.
I don't think the Biblical understanding of God as our Father is very well understood by those who don't think He ever wants His people to get sick or go through tough times in this age, in this world. I believe they miss out on one of the most intimate ways that God relates to us as our Father--comfort! When our children are sick or are undergoing difficult circumstances, it is a blessing to them and to their parents when they can "rest" in the care of Mom and/or Dad; when they can know the comfort of their parents. And, of course, it's a blessing for the parents to extend their comfort to their child. I have no doubt that our heavenly Father takes great joy in comforting one of His children.
Intimate moments are sometimes the most powerful in situations like these. Prayer and communion are sometimes realized in difficult circumstances like at no other time.
I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts with you. Thanks for stopping by today. I look forward to spending some more time here.
Hey preacherman... one more here who is glad that you're feeling well enough to write. Continuing to pray for you.
And thanks for stopping in at my place...
I believe that ultimately, God's purpose in suffering is for us to draw closer to him. It is all about relationship. Unfortunately, not everyone draws closer to God in adversity. Perhaps we all have a problem with this until the adversity is so huge we have no other choice. But our Dad is always there, waiting.
I think that is what Paul means when he says "When I am weak, then I am strong." It is when he recognizes his dependance on his Dad, and calls on Him, that he has strength beyond imagination.
Hey Kinney,
Glad your doing better, but honestly I am responding to the anonymous comment if they're still around.
Anonymous, what is going on in your life that makes you feel God's grace can't cover it? I am honestly concerned not picking a fight.
Steve V.
gucci outlet, louboutin outlet, longchamp handbags, tory burch outlet, longchamp outlet, true religion jeans, louis vuitton outlet, air max, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton, jordan shoes, burberry outlet, tiffany and co, louis vuitton handbags, michael kors outlet, kate spade handbags, ray ban sunglasses, air max, oakley sunglasses, michael kors outlet, louboutin, tiffany and co, oakley sunglasses cheap, kate spade outlet, michael kors outlet, prada outlet, burberry outlet, michael kors outlet, nike shoes, coach factory outlet, nike free, louboutin, polo ralph lauren outlet, louis vuitton outlet stores, chanel handbags, christian louboutin shoes, prada handbags, michael kors outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet, coach purses, michael kors outlet, coach outlet store online, true religion jeans, ray ban sunglasses, longchamp handbags, coach outlet
insanity workout, north face jackets, giuseppe zanotti, chi flat iron, ugg boots, p90x, birkin bag, longchamp, ferragamo shoes, rolex watches, herve leger, hollister, canada goose, babyliss pro, ugg australia, canada goose, canada goose jackets, reebok outlet, ghd, soccer shoes, ugg, nfl jerseys, nike roshe run, north face outlet, valentino shoes, mont blanc, celine handbags, nike huarache, new balance shoes, canada goose outlet, ugg boots, canada goose, mcm handbags, beats by dre, bottega veneta, wedding dresses, soccer jerseys, marc jacobs, canada goose uk, mac cosmetics, ugg pas cher, vans shoes, jimmy choo outlet, instyler, uggs outlet, asics running shoes, lululemon outlet, abercrombie and fitch
insanity workout, north face jackets, giuseppe zanotti, chi flat iron, ugg boots, p90x, birkin bag, longchamp, ferragamo shoes, rolex watches, herve leger, hollister, canada goose, babyliss pro, ugg australia, canada goose, canada goose jackets, reebok outlet, ghd, soccer shoes, ugg, nfl jerseys, nike roshe run, north face outlet, valentino shoes, mont blanc, celine handbags, nike huarache, new balance shoes, canada goose outlet, ugg boots, canada goose, mcm handbags, beats by dre, bottega veneta, wedding dresses, soccer jerseys, marc jacobs, canada goose uk, mac cosmetics, ugg pas cher, vans shoes, jimmy choo outlet, instyler, uggs outlet, asics running shoes, lululemon outlet, abercrombie and fitch
lancel, canada goose, timberland boots, pandora charms, thomas sabo, moncler outlet, hollister, canada goose, moncler, hollister clothing store, converse, ray ban, louis vuitton, rolex watches, iphone 6 cases, oakley, juicy couture outlet, vans, karen millen, pandora jewelry, ugg, moncler, air max, supra shoes, swarovski crystal, swarovski, pandora charms, moncler, moncler, converse shoes, gucci, ugg, louboutin, montre homme, air max, hollister, coach outlet store online, links of london, baseball bats, juicy couture outlet, ralph lauren, parajumpers, moncler, toms shoes, wedding dresses, moncler
Post a Comment
<< Home