Tag Archives: Grace

God’s Benefit Package 

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Psalm 103:1-5 NKJV Bless (ḇâraḵ) the Lord (JEHOVAH), O my soul; And all that is within (midst, among, inner part) me, bless (ḇâraḵ) His holy (sacred-set-apartness) name! 2 Bless (ḇâraḵ) the Lord, O my soul, my And forget not all His benefits (compensation; make a mends for a wrong done unto you): 3 Who forgives all your iniquities (perversity, depravity, guilt) Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems (avenge, revenge, ransom) your life from destruction (pit (of Hell), the grave) Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies (compassion), 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed (to make anew, to repair) like the eagle’s.

So I remembered that the title sounded very familiar, so I did some digging in my notes, and back in March of 2023, I’d written 

The Lord’s Benefits Package

Psalm 103:6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.

So this is a Psalm of David, the “Man after God’s Own Heart.” Another powerful praise song to the Lord. Just look at the first verse: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!” I cannot read that without breaking out in song. That verse alone is powerful and could stand by itself. 

Yet he goes further in the following few verses to remind us of something which might be just as powerful: “Don’t forget the Benefits of our relationship with God.” When I heard the word ‘Benefits,’ I was struck by the thought of a benefits package that comes with some job offers. These packages include medical coverage, life insurance, dental insurance, a 401 (k), holidays, and paid time off. So in that same spirit, I noticed a couple of things: 

  1. Medical Coverage: (vs 3….Who heals all your diseases; vs 5 So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s). We receive healthcare from the Great Physician. Jesus went about healing the sick (Matt 4:23). He took the beatings, wounds, bruises, and humiliation upon Himself, then healed us with His stripes (Isa 53:4-5). Just like Abraham, Caleb, Elisha, and Samson, He will give us renewed (Renewed: to rebuild; to renew; to repair) youth/supernatural strength. Our Healthcare is covered by Jesus’ Blood. 
  2. Life Insurance: (vs 4 Who redeems your life from destruction). Life insurance is a benefit that’s only paid out after someone’s death. When Jesus died, He redeemed (Redeem:  To buy back a relative’s property….to marry his widow….deliver…purchase/ransom) our lives from destruction (Destruction:  a pit; a trap; ditch; grave); He bought our lives back from being trapped in a ditch, like Joseph. 
  3. Dental Insurance: (5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things? Jesus will fix our mouthed; we will speak faith and life (Eph 6:19). We will declare God’s goodness (Rom 2:4). He will also satisfy (Satisfies: to sate; fill to satisfaction; to have enough; have plenty.  supply (someone) with as much as or more of something than is desired or can be managed) us with His overflow of Favor (Ps 23:6). 
  4. 401 K: (vs 3 Who forgives all your iniquities). The Retirement account is designed to provide for you after you have retired. Jesus finished the work on the cross; He declared it finished (Jn 19:30). Understand what He finished on the cross; all was forgiven. He forgave our iniquities (Iniquities: Perversity; evil; mischief (Perversity is a deliberate desire to behave unreasonably or unacceptably; contrariness.   OR the quality of being contrary to accepted standards or practice).  Cambridge’s Definition of perversity: the quality of being strange and not what most people would do or expect: Sexual behaviour that is considered strange and unpleasant by most people.  Let all that marinate; His blood covers all.

The Lord’s Benefits Package is one-of-a-kind and covers everything you could possibly need. It will make you declare just like David: Bless the LORD, O my soul!

What Are You Striving For

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Acts 24:16 NKJV This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Paul was before the Governor of Caesarea, Felix, after being plotted against by the Jews in Jerusalem. Here he is pleading (via a carefully crafted sermon) as to why he does not deserve the bogus charge the Jews had made against him, and to tell Felix and whatever audience was there about Jesus and “the Way,” that which we call Christianity. Yet as he is sharing these words to the Governor, Paul makes this statement: so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” 

So what exactly was Paul saying? 

  1. This being so:Paul was acknowledging the Truth of what he believed in and who he believed in. Jesus is “the Way,” but the Way is also what they called all those who followed Jesus. Ultimately, he was letting Felix know that everything he did was because he believed in Jesus. 
  2. I myself always strive: Paul wanted this audience to know that in every effort he made, every action he took, he took painstaking (requiring immense care and meticulous attention to detail) efforts to ensure. He did not take anything for granted or take steps haphazardly. He was very intentional in everything he did. 
  3. to have a conscience without offense: So, what was he so careful about? To maintain a moral consciousness without any malicious intent to harm anyone. In this case, not to cause offense (not leading others to sin by one’s mode of life). He did not want to cause anybody to sin because of his actions. We live in a day of constant acknowledgment of people’s shortcomings, whether in government. official, teacher, church pastor, or the President of a country. It seems that every day, someone will do something to lead others astray or cause offense. After all, these Jews were about to kill Paul if they could, but Paul wanted Felix and us all to know that he carefully chose his actions in a way to ensure that nobody fell because of him. 
  4. toward God and men: The thing about Paul is that he had lived much of his early life being offensive. Both to God and men. Remember, he was persecuting the early church so much that Jesus told him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 22:7). So then, I guess it was only right that, after meeting Jesus on that Damascus road, he would strive never to cause offense again. 

This leads me to ask: how are we living our lives? Are we living in a way to lead others to sin, or are we being diligent, disciplined, and deliberate to live lives that lead people to the Christ that Paul believed in??

That’s the Way Love Goes

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1 John 4:17-19 NKJV Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

OK so I guess I was having a Pastor Jamal Bryant moment with the title choice today (Pastor Bryant is known for his very provocative sermon titles).  However, when I read these three verses, and read them together it was the first thing that popped into my mind.  Why?

Maybe it was because it’s the title of a song that somewhat redefined Janet Jackson’s entire singing career.  That song and that album turned Janet from an international singing super star, who had just rose from under the shadow of her famous brother, to a global sensation and sex symbol who had now put herself among the same plan as her brother because she had displayed a new side of herself that no had ever expected.  WHAT??  Then why would I see John’s words and think of this secular star.  

One my brain could be a little warped and these three verses are considered the Consummation of Love; that word consummation means the completion, achievement, attainment, execution or conclusion of love.  It denotes the action of making a marriage or relationship complete by having sexual intercourse. The completion of the covenant. Just as this song and album completes Janet’s quest to become a global phenomenon this section of scripture consummated Jesus’ Love Toward Us when HE died on the cross for our sins.

The crazy thing is this; each of these verses have been preached, taught, meditated on and had entire conferences centered around them.  But when you read them together.  It just makes everything Crystal Clear!!!  

Love Consummated (or perfected)

  1. Perfect Oneness-(The Two Become One): Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.  
  2. Perfect Security: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
  3. Perfect Pursuit: We love Him because He first loved us.

This radically changes how you see a relationship.  Because our relationship with God was perfected the minute He had Jesus come to earth to live and give His life so that we all would be able to be loved.  Jesus made it possible for God to truly demonstrate His love for us.  The cross allowed us to become one with Jesus and be seated at the right hand of God.  Because of His sacrifice, sin which kept us apart from God was destroyed, removed as a barrier to Him.  Now He could pour out His great love toward us like never before.  We were able to literally become One with God (John 17:22 NKJV And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one).   

Next we understand the true Security of His love for us.  To be secure is the be safe, have a feeling of safety or even the constant state of being protected against any danger or threat.  Being secure, stable, firm in your place.  I just looked up the three biggest fears of mankind and they are; death, abandonment, and failure.  Man, O could cry crocodile tears right there because that is the way the devil (our enemy) comes at me damn near every day.  Death, he is always reminding me of when my father and grandfather died so why do you think you will live to much longer; showing me a ton of people dying in and around that age.  Then he attacks with abandonment, being isolated loosing relationship focusing on how everyone around me wants nothing to do with me, I’d they had their choice they would be somewhere or be with someone else.  Always pushing me towards isolation.  Let me tell you first hand for a people person that sucks… Yet, let me also tell you what God says to us (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”) Jesus died on the Crosss and was resurrected to the Father, He never abandoned us but gave us Forever Help (John 15:26 NKJV “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me).  We are not alone….

Then lastly, that failure attack!! It is a non-stop attempt to minimize any accomplishment, overemphasize or stress any setback or unmet goal.  It literally diminished almost any success and makes the world come crashing down with any and every inevitable missed opportunity, problem, or unmet expectation.  I see this every single day as a business owner.  It becomes so hard to celebrate the small victories because of the constant thought of one dropped ball bring the whole thing crashing down.  However, when I find myself here I have to recall Jesus’ perfect love which gives me the option to cast all of these cares on Him (1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you).  A big part of God’s perfected love is that He does not force anything, this then causes us to submit ourselves to be loved.  You have to humble you to give all of this stuff in us to God.  When we won’t humble ourselves and allow Him to love us we hold on to the fear of abandonment afraid that if we give it He may decide it’s too much and leave as well not accepting the fact that He cares for you.  His care for us loves the mess out of us.  

God came after us, it was a full out Pursuit.  God chased us down.  To show us why we needed him (the Law; wages of sin); to demonstrate true love (that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us) and lastly giving us blessed assurance (John 16:33 NKJV These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”) He has paved the way for us to overcome and He has made a place with Him forever (John 14:2-3 NKJV  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also).  When we were pursued in the manner that God pursued each of us we cannot help but be loved and then return that love (because He first loved us). 

We need this Love, but the majority of the world does not accept it and they look for it everywhere else.  

But you know what….That’s the Way Love Goes.  

A Touchless Society

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The Modern Day Leper

Mark 1:41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

We live in a day of Touchless Technology.  This technology is used in numerous settings, including restaurants, stores, schools, and was especially vital during COVID.  It allows us to interact with devices and systems without physical contact and was implemented to reduce the spread of germs and viruses.  However, we never returned to interacting with each other.  I believe that while the effects of  COVID increased this trend of usage for safety, today it is used more for convenience, than anything else.  We seem to be looking for convenient ways not to have anything to do with other people.  Sad Right; yet I believe that many people enjoy the isolation. 

Leviticus 13:50 The priest shall examine the plague and isolate that which has the plague seven days.

Isolate: to shut, to close, to be shut up.  

The definition is interesting; shut, closed and be silenced.  Isolation is physically shutting you up and shutting up the community around you.  In isolation the enemy’s voice often becomes the loudest, and in isolation we remove our access to some essential needs.  

What needs: of the top 5 things that are documented as critical needs for a newborn, like being fed, good hygiene, and safety, is the Parental or Caregiver’s affection and interaction.  The affection and interaction include holding, cuddling, talking to, and responding to the baby’s needs; each are vital for the emotional well-being of the child.  Well just like for the baby, Affection is very important to us as children and adults; it contributes significantly to our sense of well-being, connection, and a feeling of being loved.  This need of emotional and physical intimacy through affectionate touch, hugs, kisses, and words of affirmation are key to grown people feeling secure and valued in a relationship.

Leviticus 13:45-46 “Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’  46 He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.

So imagine this leper who is coming to Jesus; this man’s body is literally deteriorating before him.  Not only the physical pain in his body; but the emotional pain of utter neglect had to be excruciating.  A Middle Aged man in Jesus’ day would be married with a pretty large family. So you would have to think that this man had been isolated from the city, from his neighbors, from his wife and from his kids.  Yet not only isolated from them, the very ones who loved him.  But rejected by them because they did not want to catch what he had.  Ridiculed by the people of the city because they treated the lepers lower than vermin.  An even ostracized by the religious leaders as they proclaimed their leprosy was tied to their sin.  Imagine being berated physically, emotionally and spiritually for weeks, months, or even years.  We don’t exactly how long this man was with this agonizing disease but we do know it was long enough that when he went and told the people and church leaders what happened many believed because they knew his condition.  

What does this have to do with Touchless Technology?  We have unknowingly created a bunch of lepers today as we in general have disconnected physically and emotionally.  Just like the leper isolated, lonely and ill repute (the state of being held in low esteem by the public).  The impact of lack of touch and affection, can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and even decreased relationship satisfaction.

Phones and other tech have replaced simple dialogue, conversation and even just being present with others.  Hugs, holding hands, cuddling, and normal physical contact is missing.  And just look at the impact below of what we miss, taken from a summary of studies:

*Emotional connection:
Physical affection like hugs and cuddles releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and feelings of closeness, which is crucial for men and women to feel connected to their partner. 

*Self-esteem boost:
Receiving affection can significantly enhance a person’s self-esteem and sense of worth. 

*Stress reduction:
Physical touch has been shown to reduce stress levels in men and women. 

*Communication tool:
Affection can be a powerful way to express love and appreciation, even without words. 

Although the technology has Changed Jesus Remains the same.  When we’re isolated and alone; Jesus is always willing  (“I am willing; be cleansed.”) to touch us!!  His touch restores and makes us whole.  

Mark 1:41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

My Security is In Jesus 4

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We’re in part 4 of a word of encouragement from the Lord for those of us bold enough to admit we’re insecure. God has a Secure place for us. We learned in Part 1 that we can each declare that “I Praise God; For Choosing Me to Love ; For Bringing Me Home and For Accepting Me As I Was.”

For Bringing Me Home

Eph 1:5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Isn’t it so powerful that God chose to bring us home to be in His family. The truth is we can be confident of a few things according to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:

1. We’re His Child: having predestined us to adoption as sons. We have been predestined; which means to predetermine, to decide beforehand, to adopt (the action or fact of legally taking another’s child and bringing it up as one’s own); to become sons/daughters of God. God made this decision well before we were born (before anyone was borne for that matter). The term as sons in Greek speaks of the same relationship that God was pleased to establish with the Israelites; and the condition of the true disciples in Christ; and those who by receiving the Spirit of God become sons of God. Each of these demonstrates just what a special position we’ve been blessed with as sons.

2. Were His Decision: by Jesus Christ to Himself. Jesus made the decision to adopt us as sons while the Triune Godhead before the foundation of the world. However, after making the decision, Jesus Christ followed up and executed the decision on the Cross as Messiah. Truly amazing; Jesus, the Son gave His life so that we might switch places and live in the Son.

3. Were His Pleasure: according to the good pleasure of His will,. Finally, we need to comprehend this last piece. We please God!!! But it’s not what you think; we don’t please him by how good we act nor what nice deeds we do. We please God because we believe in our hearts what Jesus did on the cross and have declared with our mouths that Jesus is our Savior. Jesus pleased God so we wouldn’t have too. We bring our Daddy pleasure and they is so Sweet.

We praise God because He chose us; He loves us and He made a home for us in His family and allows us to be ourselves. Paul’s text lays out a tremendous path for us to receive God’s insatiable love for us and I hope you can appreciate it; I’m learning to more and more everyday.

My Security is In Jesus 3

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We’re in part 3 of a word of encouragement from the Lord for those of us bold enough to admit we’re insecure. God has a Secure place for us. We learned in Part 1 that we can each declare that “I Praise God; For Choosing Me to Love ; For Bringing Me Home and For Accepting Me As I Was.”

For Choosing Me to Love

Eph 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

There is something so satisfying about being selected; someone choosing you for a special recognition or honor. The thing that makes your selection even more incredible is the selection source. Obviously, the bigger, more powerful, more recognizable and well known the organization or person is that selected you the more amazing the recognition becomes.

Back in my youthful days, I was selected by an organization called “Big Brothers/Big Sisters” of the National Capital Region as their Big Brother of the year. It was an incredible honor and one I cherish to this day. It was special, because they choose me out of a very large number of volunteers, the organization was Nationally known and it had significant resources and respect around the country.

So much so that a few months later I was chosen by the President of the United States, George W. Bush, to be on his panel of mentors for his international mentoring initiative. The President was known Worldwide, much more than the DMV area. He was much more powerful, with many more resources; an his position as President garnered respect across the Globe and that was who chose me. Wow

So now imagine what this means, we are now:

1. Known: He chose us. The He in this text is simple; the God of the Universe. No one is more well known; more powerful; more respected. There is a trending term “I Am Him,” which means that this person is as dominant figure. Well, God is the originator; he told Moses “I AM WHO I AM.” The original “I Am Him,” chose us. Each one of you reading this post, regardless of who you are, where you’re from, what you’ve done He chose us. He chose us because He knew us (Jer 1:5); and contrary to our own beliefs, God knows us and even knowing everything about us He still chose us (Ps 139).

2. Family: in Him. When I got married, I chose my Wife to become a member of my entire family. Not only did I have to trust her with my heart but also with those who were the very closest to me. My wife inevitably was making the same decision for her and her family. Here we have the Almighty God; maker of Heaven and Earth deciding that we are special enough to trust us with His heart (not knowing that He would ultimately give us His heart) and to trust us with His family (You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself). Our neighbors are God’s family and He trust us to treat them with love and respect.

3. In His Timing: before the foundation of the world. God decided to choose us well before we could ever choose him (Jer 1:5). We were not even a twinkle in our parents eyes (always thought that was a corny saying), when God made up His mind to send Jesus to take on our Sin. Because of His timing we can see that God knew everything about us and what our lives would be; so we can realize the God has always loved us. He decided long long ago that we were worthy of His love; and worth giving the one He loved the most to ensure we could experience His most precious LOVE. That is pretty special!!

4. Holy In His Presence: that we should be holy and without blame before Him. We’ve been made Holy; spotless and without Blame. In His presence, we are full of Joy (Ps 16:11), rest (Matt 11:28), peace (Phil 4:6-7) and protection (Ps 91). There are a ton of benefits from being in the Lord’s presence, here we learn that in His presence we are without blame. This is because of what Jesus did on the cross. He took on our Sin and exchanged it for His Righteousness. His Righteousness; because of Christ sacrifice on the cross; He has presented us to God faultless (Jude 1:24). Therefore, in God’s presence we are holy and without blame.

5. Loved: in love. The entire foundation of our identity and our security is found in love. In the Love of God for this world (Jn 3:16-17); God’s Love for His Son (Jn 15:9) ; Jesus’ Love for Us (1 John 4:9-10) and Our love for Ourselves (Matthew 22:39). This verse tells us that we are Chosen; as Family; in His presence and in His timing all based in love. God Loves Jesus soooo much (Jn 3:35; 5:20); He gives Him all things and all of Himself. God Loves this World, so much that He sent Jesus to die for it (Jn 3:16-17). in love, We are able to learn ourselves and love what God loves about us; Ps 139:17-18 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

God fully knows you; His love for you is special and abundant. So much so, that He chose you as His love interest, He brought you into His family. He has plans for you in His timing and desires that you be in His presence….and it’s all done in LOVE.

The Miracle of God’s Grace

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2 Cor 12:8-9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul more than any of the Apostles of Christ received a wealth of revelation regarding God’s Grace; he had a unique understanding, that he graciously shared with the body. We misinterpret His Grace often often; we’ve heard it taught in many different ways but what is His Grace and when do we need it. Very short answer; Everything and Everyday (min & hour)!! In Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthian church, he gave an incredible lesson on God’s Grace and if we do a little digging into his words, we will be able to see the Miracle that is God’s Grace.

1. First thing we need to address is that God is speaking to us: And He said to me. This is the first miraculous portion of this text; do you recall who exactly Paul was? Paul was a persecutor of those who followed Jesus. He literally had these people jailed, stoned and even killed. Paul couldn’t be more of an enemy of God. Yet, Jesus still spoke to Paul; He actually went way beyond just speaking to Paul, He corrected Paul; He forgave Paul; He equipped Paul and He used Paul to glorify Himself. This is Grace; Jesus made His enemy His Son. This Grace is also extended to each one of us. We were once an enemy of God; yet Jesus corrected, forgave, equipped, and desires to use us. His plans for us are similar to the miraculous transformation of Paul. The Lord spoke to Paul and today speaks to us. What a miracle; God finds us worthy of His Grace

2. Distinction between His Grace and Our Grace: My grace is sufficient for you. The Grace Jesus speaks of to Paul is an inexhaustible empowerment that regardless of what we’ve done or will do; regardless of what we’ll ever need; is available to us in abundance. His Grace is sufficient because it never runs out; this word sufficient actually means to be content, to be enough, to suffice. His Grace however, is always more than enough; because He does exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or think (Eph 3:20). No matter what you and I need, what is burdening us (like Paul’s thorn in the flesh), or even what we don’t realize is (God’s plan Jer 29:11) planned for us; His Grace is more than enough. Yet another miracle of His Grace, it’s Inexhaustible.

3. Our Weakness is His Strength: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. The Lord declares that His strength is perfected in our weakness. That means that every time we feel weak, it is an opportunity for God to show His strength in our situation. Therefore, we need to first acknowledge our weaknesses. Now our weakness is clear to us (and especially to those around us) yet when we don’t acknowledge that we have weaknesses, we are being Proud. Peter actually helps us with this, “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God (1 Pet 5:5). It is by humility that we acknowledge our weakness, but we then must give those weaknesses to the Lord: casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Pet 5:7). When we do this; (Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time), God’s strength will lift us high enough to be seen (witnessed) by others. This means God has the opportunity to demonstrate His Strength in each of us, when we give Him consent (by casting our weaknesses). The miracle is that our weakness draws God’s Strength into our lives.

4. Boast on Your Infirmities: Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. The thought of boasting (the word boast means to glory, joy or rejoice in) in your weaknesses just defies all human logic. We want to glory in our strengths; those things we’re good at. It takes extreme humility to show our vulnerability and to do the exact opposite of what seems right to man. To take joy in or tell others about our weakness or shortcomings is exactly what Paul is doing and exhorting us to do. Being vulnerable and acknowledging our weaknesses gives us the ability to sit back and watch God show Himself STRONG in the very areas need the most. The miracle; is that Strength is demonstrated via our Vulnerability. The things we want to hide are the things that God will use. So Rejoice in the Lord and in your weakness; then God has the opportunity to demonstrate His great power in Us.

That Was Not God

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James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

People like to blame God for many things, horrible tragedies, the actions of some of our loved ones, and even for people in authority.  However, there are certain things that the Bible tells us are definitely not God’s doing, and one of those is temptation.  James, the brother of Jesus is very clear, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  God is not testing you, He does not need to see if you can be trusted.  God knows everything about us, he does not need to figure us out.  

However, while we are tempted by the devil, we’re drawn to the thing we desire (Greek word actually means: lust and longings, especially for the forbidden).  The text says, But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  That word enticed means: to entrap or to allure.  So we are not tempted by God; however, the devil uses our list and longings to allure and entrap us.  Therefore, when we understand that God’s not behind the temptation and that our weaknesses are being used to pull us astray; we can go to God for his help.  After all; And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  (2nd Corinthians 12:9).