A few words, from the Word, for the week. I encourage you to go back into your own Bible, reread what I post, and I CHALLENGE you to interpret it for yourself and to take it out with you into the world. (usually easier said then done, I know... but if it was easy, it wouldn't be a CHALLENGE...) :angel:
The scripture this week is from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. (NIV)
"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's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
For those with as bad a vocab. as mine!
conceited-having an excessively favorable opinion of one's abilities, appearance, etc.; proud.
Additional readings:
2 Corinthians 13:9-11
Romans 3 (pretty much the whole chapter. Kinda runs together)
Romans 7:7-25 (read SLOWLY... a lot of "do's"... kinda confusing. lol)
My CHALLENGE to you (and to myself) for the upcoming week:
-We all fall short of the glory of God. We all sin. I HATE this. It's like Paul said... I do things I don't want to do... it drives me nuts. I get frustrated. BUT... God's grace is sufficient for me... always. So... how do you respond? Do you continue in the rut that you're in, or do you realize the amazing grace God has provided for us so that we can have life to the fullest?
-When you feel you are falling short... remember that Gods grace is sufficient. Then... live your life like you ACTUALLY believe this. Be repentant... but be joyful!
Prayer:
Thank You God... Thank You! You are the God of forgiveness and mercy. You show us love and mercy, yet you are just. You encourage us to do righteous thing... THEN, when we fall short, you pick us back up and lead us onward. Thank you for this. New life. Thanks. It is in Christ's name I pray.
Amen.
Additional stuff/updates:
I've got to say... 2 Corinthians has officially become my favorite book of the Bible... SO FAR, that is. lol. Paul had some really good things to say to the Corinthians, and I have learned a lot from listening. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving this week!
Truly words to live by. When I read that I am led to remember that God can only use broken things. He has no time for things that are whole, and unbroken, for it is the broken that He can work His Greatest power upon to do awesome things.
"His Grace is Sufficient" I am going to carry that in my heart this week.
