We Are Good Enough

 

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.  Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

 

1 Timothy 1:15-16

Paul, the apostle, wrote this.  He was previously known as Saul and his occupation was persecuting Christians.  In fact he held the coats of the people who stoned Stephen (Acts 7:58).  Saul was an evil person.  Right up to his conversion, he terrorized Christians (Acts 9).  He was so evil that he had a tough time selling himself as Christian after accepting Jesus as his Savior.   

Paul preached that if God would save a man as evil as him, then God would save anyone who asked. 

When we ask Jesus into our heart and lives, we are forgiven.  And, that settles it for eternity.  We are all good enough.

 

And, all of this is because God loves us. 

A New Spirit

 

And I will give them one heart and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. They will be My people, and I shall be their God.

Ezekiel 11:19-20

This promise was given to the people of Israel, and it is still for us today.

When we come to Jesus, God creates in us a new spirit. He softens the hardness of our hearts, and leads us in His ways. We become God’s people and He becomes our God.

 

God Holds Things Together

 

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions, or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Colossians 1: 16-17

Man in his finite wisdom tosses around all sorts of theories about the creation of earth, mankind and the universe. Some scientist would have us believe that theories are truth. The truth is theories are theories and although man has searched and searched, there is not concrete proof of any one theory of creation.

What I see is that things seem to work pretty good together. I don’t think gravity just happened, neither do I think that we just happened. I think that God planned it all. I don’t know whether or not it was literally a seven day project. What I do know is what the Bible says: “all things have been created through Him.”

No matter how hard man tries to mess things up, in the end, God holds things together.

A Gift From God

 

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

There is nothing wrong with treating yourself and your family to a little fun.  It does not have to cost a lot of money; it can be as simple as a picnic at a park and playing with your children or relaxing with friends. 

Take time to have fun.  It is a gift from God to enjoy the profits of your work.

Treasures In Heaven

 

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

 

We all like nice things - cars, clothes, jewelry, fancy cell phones, computers and all the wonderful things money can buy. That is why we own lots of stuff. 

 

But more important than the things money can buy is that we live our lives in a Christian manner - showing kindness and generosity and caring for others.   

 

And, that we treasurer that which cannot be replaced—our faith, our family and friends.

All The Promises Of God

 

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,

And He who formed you, O Israel,

“Do no fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name; you are Mine!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,

Nor will the flame burn you.”

“For I am the Lord Your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."

 

Isaiah 43:1-3 

 

When Jesus came, He abolished the Old Testament Laws, and what remained were all the promises of God and these are ours to claim.

 

God says He calls us by name and we belong to Him and He is not going to allow trials and temptations to destroy us.  

 

God says He is the Lord Your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  And, that promise covers everything.

 

Hallelujah!

When I Am Weak

 

For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

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

Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. 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.  Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:6-10

The Apostle Paul was an evangelist.  He was famous and hundreds of people would come to hear him speak and seek to have fellowship with him.  

But Paul faced a challenge that he called "a thorn in the flesh" which tormented him and which he believed was allowed by God to keep him humble. There are a number of theories regarding what this thorn was.  Some think that Paul had a difficult marriage, others think he had failing vision, or a painful disease which interfered with his ministry.  

What did Paul do about this thorn?  He said he prayed for relief.  It did not come, but God gave Paul the strength to continue his ministry through the power of Christ.  Paul discovered that when he was weak, God made him strong.  

We too may face personal difficulties which can impact our ability to serve God and share the Gospel, but like Paul we can persevere and minister to others.

When we are weak, then we are strong.