God’s strength

DEAR GOD: May We All Reflect on His Omnipotence, Love, and Mercy

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God's Mercy Displayed - Logos Sermons

 

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV) “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

God’s Unyielding Grace

In our lives, we often find ourselves faced with challenges and weaknesses that seem insurmountable. It is in these moments of vulnerability that the true nature of God’s grace shines through. The verse from 2 Corinthians 12:9 serves as a poignant reminder that God’s grace is not just sufficient—it is abundant, powerful, and unwavering.

God’s grace is unyielding, a divine force that transcends our human limitations and imperfections. It is through His grace that we find strength in our weaknesses and hope in our despair. The omnipotent God, in His infinite love and mercy, extends His grace to us unconditionally. This grace is not earned or deserved; it is a gift freely given to all who seek it.

The Nature of God’s Grace

God’s grace is multifaceted, encompassing various aspects of His divine character. It is:

  1. Unconditional: God’s grace is not contingent upon our actions or worthiness. It is freely given, regardless of our past mistakes or shortcomings.
  2. Redemptive: Through His grace, God offers us redemption and reconciliation. It is through His grace that we are forgiven and restored to a right relationship with Him.
  3. Empowering: God’s grace empowers us to live lives that reflect His love and righteousness. It enables us to overcome our weaknesses and challenges, living in a way that honors Him.
  4. Sustaining: In times of hardship and suffering, God’s grace sustains us. It provides the strength and endurance we need to persevere and remain steadfast in our faith.

Reflective Questions

  1. How have you experienced God’s grace in your own life? Reflect on moments where His grace has provided you with strength, forgiveness, or hope.
  2. In what ways can you extend God’s grace to others? Consider how you can embody His love and mercy in your interactions with those around you.
  3. What are some areas of weakness or challenge in your life where you need to rely on God’s grace? Take a moment to surrender these areas to Him and trust in His sufficiency.

Scriptures to Reflect On

  1. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
  2. Romans 3:23-24 (ESV): “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
  3. Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”

Prayers for God’s Grace

Prayer for Strength Heavenly Father, I come before You acknowledging my weaknesses and limitations. I thank You for Your unyielding grace that empowers me and sustains me. Please grant me the strength to overcome my challenges and the faith to trust in Your sufficiency. May Your grace be evident in my life, and may I reflect Your love and mercy to those around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Prayer for Forgiveness Gracious God, I am humbled by Your unconditional love and mercy. I confess my sins and shortcomings, and I ask for Your forgiveness. Thank You for the redemption and reconciliation that comes through Your grace. Help me to walk in the newness of life that You have given me, and may Your grace guide my every step. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Prayer for Guidance Lord, I seek Your wisdom and guidance in my life. In times of uncertainty and doubt, I lean on Your grace to lead me. Illuminate my path and help me to discern Your will for my life. May Your grace provide the clarity and direction I need, and may I trust in Your perfect plan. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Final Thoughts

God’s grace is a profound and transformative force that touches every aspect of our lives. It is a testament to His omnipotence, love, and mercy. As we reflect on His unyielding grace, let us be reminded of the boundless love that our Heavenly Father extends to us. May we embrace His grace, allow it to shape us, and strive to share it with others.

 

 

DEAR GOD: Your Word Is With Me Always~

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In the beginning was the Word, And the Word was with God, And the Word was God-  John1:1 (NKJV)

There are many people in the world with so many different views of life overall-and with different views come different lifestyles and, different beliefs.  Sometimes different views can be frustrating.

I love God and recognize Him as the one true God.

He is the one true Sovereign being, the one true Living God.  The Creator of all things.  It seems so simple to those whose belief is so strong. Trust in Him, run to Him for counsel, guidance, and communication.   We love His Word, because it comes from His heart and is meant for our hearts.  For those with faith there is no other way -He is our comfort and our world is secure knowing Him and loving Him.

He is my everything.

On the other side of the coin is the “non-believers” who simply believe the world started with a “Big Bang” and their theory is based on “Scientific” research.  Well, again, for those with faith-God is the Master Scientist-He created all things.  The non-believers on the other hand, see God as a “Myth” and His very Word-as nothing more than a fable put together purely for entertainment value.

This is what I referred to in the first paragraph – “it can be frustrating” when people’s views are the antithesis of your own beliefs.  Especially when it comes to GOD.

Do you want to scream sometimes, when hearing individuals say, “boy I was so lucky.”  Luck?  Are you kidding— luck?   There is no Luck in life. Instead, there is GOD who is behind all things at all times.  The Lord is our safe haven, our shelter, our best friend, our “go to person” for all of your activities of everyday life.

When a baby came back from being pronounced dead for nine full minutes – was that luck?

When a young man who was diagnosed “brain dead” and in an irreversible coma woke up and had full brain capacity- was that luck?

When a woman looking for her son, she gave up for adoption 25 years earlier showed up at her place of employment working alongside of her- was that luck?

When we were born and were given life – was that luck?

The reason is simple, and only ONE possible explanation to all these things and more- to the point it’s our might Father.

The LORD is the One who is our force, and our protector, and our Creator and our Master hand of guidance. He is the reason for all things and He works His will for our purposes. This is not called luck!  It is called GOD and His mighty hands of grace.

Let’s give thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and thank Him for all that He is, all that He has done, and all He continues to do in our lives. We recognize we must respect one another and keep peace.

Let’s give Him thanks for providing wisdom during the course of the day to overcome situations that are challenging! Let’s give Him thanks for providing His mighty voice as the barometer of morality.  Let’s give Him thanks for everything. He is worthy! He is good! He is Holy! He is LORD!

TO Sum Up

Although there are different views and lifestyles, and we are all different in appearance and backgrounds-one thing is abundantly clear – we all have ONE FATHER and LORD and SAVIOR!

One day, the world will recognize You are LORD and every knee will bow and every lip shall proclaim You as Our Lord and Savior!

But, how fortunate for those of us who recognize this truth right now, how blessed we are. How blessed indeed!

 

“Dear Heavenly Father God -Thanks for providing Your children with necessary tools to promote Your Word, by example-and shining the Light of Jesus Christ’s love to others, thanks for providing the platform through writing to exalt Your Powerful Name and to give You all the glory and honor, we love YOU LORD, and honor You fully and with all our heart and soul, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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Let’s meditate on this mighty verse above in 2 Chronicles, and the verses below and realize the enormous entity that the LORD our God is, and let’s see how we might serve in all we do, today and always as we go forward…
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John 1-5 (KJV) 

All things were made by him; And without him was not any thing made That was made. In him was life; And the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

 

John 9-12 (KJV)

That was the true Light,  Which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, And the world was made by him, And the world knew him not. He came unto his own, And his own received him not. But as many as received him, To them gave he power To become the sons of God, Even to them that believe on his name.

 

John 14 (KJV)

And the Word was made flesh, And dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, The glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) Full of grace and truth.

 

DEAR GOD: You Are The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me~

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The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,

And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

I was taking a reflective journey yesterday, or more commonly known as a “life review” in some circles.  I evaluated circumstances, issues of both good and bad, and although some instances made me grimace with pain upon the introspective thoughts, they all had one common denominator, “God was there every single step of the way.” Amen!

He was with me during tough times, good times. Easy times, difficult times. Happy times, sad times. And during my self-isolation periods of “youth” when I was being bullied over and over again. My LORD is the One who gave me the strength to carry out His plans and purpose for my life. He is the One who instilled the very nature and character and depth of my personality that led to my calling.

It is He who held my hand during my first loss of a family member, my grandfather when I was a teenager. My beloved “Papa” who lived with us in our house since I was a baby. I thought I wasn’t going to make it, but I did. Along with my parents who guided me from my first breath, and siblings. However the main source of “strength” was from the LORD. Only He generated the substance in which I could go on. It was traumatic for me as a youth, this was the first time I faced death. It became peaceful in the end. As I knew where Papa was, in Heaven. And that right there was the quintessential reason of comfort, my faith in God. He was with me, holding me and guiding me every single step of the way.

Proverbs 16:9: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.”

This verse is a reminder that God is always with us, guiding us through life’s journey. Even when we stumble, He is there to help us get back on our feet. He never leaves us and is with us always, just as Jesus’ promised in Matthew 28:20. 

When we ascribe to the commandments and trust in the LORD, we are filled with confidence that we can do it through Christ. We are strong through Christ (Philippians 4:13).

The LORD is the most important aspect of my life. Because without Him, I basically would have “no life.”  It is His light, and His guidance, and His love is why I breathe, why I can be who I am. Only because of Him.

Have you ever “reflected” upon your life?  If so, can you see how the LORD was with you in both good times and bad? Especially in bad times, lifting you and bringing you through it?

“Father, thank You for all You’ve been and continue to be in my life, from day one of bringing me into the world, and this very moment, I live because of You, and I love because of You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”