Grace Is Sufficient

This morning in my reading I read these powerful words from 2 Corinthians 12,

...A thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.  But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 
Therefore (Paul speaking) I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

As I read through these words it brought to mind a song by Shane & Shane titled "Grace Is Sufficient." So I thought I would share the lyrics with you.  As you read through this passage and these lyrics remember that whatever you face today: health struggles; relationship struggles; grief; another typical Monday at the office; another bill; difficult decisions - whatever it is remember that HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT! 

What are you gonna do
When the doctor comes
Into the waiting room
Puts his hand on you
And says I'm sorry?

What are you gonna say to God
When all you do is pray to God
To take the thorn away?
And all you hear Him say is:

My grace, My grace
My grace is sufficient
My grace is sufficient

What are you gonna do
When your neighbor walks
Into your living room
And you to tell him
Who could deliver them
Like He delivered you?

What are you gonna say to God
When all you do is pray to God
For them to know His name
And all you hear Him say is:

My grace, My grace
My grace is sufficient
My grace is sufficient

It's all you need

What are you gonna say to God
When everything you prayed to God
Came your way but you forgot to thank Him?
And all you hear Him say is
My grace

O LORD, Be Gracious to Us

This morning I read this great prayer from Isaiah 33:2

"O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble."

It is important that we remember that God doesn't owe us grace. Grace is His choice. Yet we stand in need of His grace every moment of the day, and as we approach a new year I for one will be begging God for more and more. Let me encourage you to make this verse your prayer too!

First Post

I do believe it is fitting that 2 hours before writing my first official blog-post i was reading in the gospel of Luke and came across Jesus parable of the wedding feast. You know the one where he suggests that the guest to a party start in the cheap seats and if they get invited to sit in a seat of honor all the better and all the more honor - the conclusion: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

I don't write this to claim that I have mastered humility or that "I've written the book on it" (just a side note C. J. Mahaney actually did write the book on it and i highly recommend it if you don't own it). No, i point out this passage because my intent in starting a blog isn't to highlight me in anyway, and if I ever do begin to highlight me, I invite those 2 readers (that may be a stretch) to lovingly remind me of this initial blog.

So what is my purpose in starting a blog? In one word: Grace. I want this blog to be about God who is gracious, Christ who graciously took my sin and punishment, the Spirit who by grace patiently continues to shape me into the image of Christ. Yes, I want this blog to communicate gracious words that will build you the reader up in the faith.