By The Grace of God

By The Grace of God

We have moved forward year after year. Prayerfully coming to understand more of God’s word. Embracing His purpose for our lives, and the ministry of this church.

Father is revealing and strengthening as we understand His Word, and follow His principles. What a compassionate, understanding, and forgiving, Father. His Son has redeemed us, restored us, and empowered us. “All things are possible, in His name”

In Luke 15 Jesus tells us the story of the prodigal son. When he came home and his brother protested the celebration the father replied.

Luke 15:31-32

“31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.

32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’” Awesome

Genesis 32:10-12

10 I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies.

11 Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children.

12 For You said, ‘I will surely prosper you and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which is too great to be numbered.’”

Jacob speaking to God about his deceptions.

We know that this reunion went well. God is faithful. Even to hear the prayer, and keep His promise to someone with failures and mistakes. “By the Grace of God”

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Verse 9:Message and then he told me, My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness.

How much clearer can this be. God is not demanding perfection. Humility and loyalty are the principles He builds upon. take your eyes and your mind off your fears and your failures. Focus your eyes and your mind on the gift of God within you.

This was part of John the Baptist response when he was questioned about being the Messiah.

John 1:27

It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.

Jesus said this about John The Baptist.

Luke 7:28 KJV

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

Success in Christ is not about your family tree. Your education or your perfection. Our success is built on our ability to reject our will, for The will of God. To recognize that it is not me, but Christ in me. To move forward with humility, and dependence on God.

Yes we must strive to be the best that we can be. Rejecting temptation to sin. To walk our own path. Just remember that when you become great. The least of these will be greater than you.

Paul said this to the Philippians. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Love the way the Message says it.

Philippians 4:13 Message

“Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am”

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:15-16 Message

15 We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin.

16 So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

For some it is time to reject the excuses, and embrace the mercy. Life is not over because you have an issue.