Tag Archives: strength

Every good and perfect gift

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Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

 

Do you like to receive gifts? According to Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, authors of The 5 Love Languages,  receiving gifts is one of the ways some people best express and receive love.

 

What comes to mind when you think of “the best gifts ever?” For some the answer might be jewelry. For others technological gadgets, new tools. It has been said that “the best things in life are free.” If you agree you might think of a quiet walk in the park, watching a beautiful sunset, spending time with someone you love, or watching a child in a moment of discovery.

 

Certainly, forgiveness and life itself would be included in your list of ‘best’ gifts. But how do we achieve these? Your world view will lead you to one of two conclusions: “best gifts” either result from our own efforts and deeds or they come as a gift of love from God. Sometimes we receive these gifts and sometimes it seems we are oblivious to them.

 

There is a fable of a man who died and went to heaven. Upon arrival he was given a welcome tour where he was shown many great mansions and wonders. Coming to one building with no windows, he asked to go in but was encouraged and his guide to not pay any attention to it. The man insisted on seeing it and once inside he discovered a huge trove of beautifully wrapped presents. Looking closer he saw that each one had a tag with his name on it. Asking why they were here, the man was told, “These are the blessings you were freely given in life, but never received; they are gifts you never opened and so never enjoyed.”

 

God describes His very best gifts in the love letter He wrote to us, the Bible. When we receive and open these we discover forgiveness, eternal life, love, peace, joy, and hope. We receive undeserved grace and mercy, compassion. We are filled with strength, wisdom, and courage. When we enjoy His gifts we are embodied with goodness, faith, perseverance, contentment, and the character of the living God. We don’t earn these by our own doing. They are free gifts from a loving God who knows the true desires of our heart and longs to graciously give them to us.

 

It’s true. The best things in life are free: good and perfect gifts from our Heavenly Father – love, life, laughter, friendship, forgiveness, freedom, and so much more. Receive and open the gifts He freely offers you today and every day. Live thankfully and share them with others and discover yet another great gift, the joy of living.

 

Every good and perfect gift is from above.  James 1:17

 

 

Finding strength in weakness

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One ad for the movie, “God Is Not Dead” reads, “I am not Christian because I am strong. I am Christian because I am weak and know I need a Savior.”

 

We like it when we are strong, don’t we? It is exciting to be energetic and full of life, ready and able to take on the demands of life. God’s Word often tells us to be strong and courageous. It’s the stuff of heroes and champions. Life seems good when we are strong.

 

But what about when we are weak? When there is simply not enough strength to carry on, when others have to carry your load, and sometimes carry you? Who says, “Look at the weakling. I want to be like him? Let’s choose her – she’s the weakest?” And while everyone prays for strength at some time or another, who prays for weakness?

 

We all face weak moments – sometimes in the face of temptation, sometimes in the face-off against a formidable foe. Sometimes we are weak in the battle of our mind. Sometimes our body reaches its breaking point, where the storm walls fail to hold back the devastating storm. Face it, any thought that we are the captains of our own destiny or masters of our own fate, are illusions of our mind. But . . .

 

We need not fear our weakness, as painful as it. As humiliating as it feels, our weakness is actually our key to strength. It’s found in the children’s song: “I am weak but HE is strong.” Colossians 1:27 holds the secret to our hope: “Christ in us, the hope of glory.” Paul learned the secret: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. . . I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

 

We want strength and vitality, but can we be content in weakness? If Christ is really in charge, then yes. We think our goal is success, but really our goal is to be found faithful in the challenge. Weakness, the experience of being at the end of ourselves, is the opportunity for Jesus to reign in us. Our faithfulness is His invitation. Even if weakness is for a lifetime, it is still momentary compared to eternity, and of little consequence compared to the weight of eternal glory.

 

Be strong and courageous…even in weakness.

 

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

 

 

Be steadfast – stand firm

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Pushed against the wall, seemingly oppressed on every side, exhausted and yet we so often automatically look to what strategy we can employ to resolve the problem. But often the strategy that bests serves us is not to dive forward, not to launch a new attack in our own effort, but to remain steadfast and stand firm.

 

“Stand firm,” we are told, once we are fully protected by God’s armor (Ephesians 6:10+). “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong (1 Corinthian 16:13). “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).

 

What does it mean to remain steadfast in the middle of a battle? To be steadfast is to be a different kind of victor. Using dictionary terms a steadfast victor is loyal, faithful, dependable, steady, true, constant and trustworthy. S/he is determined, resolute, relentless, single-minded, unwavering, unhesitating, unfaltering, unyielding, and uncompromising.

 

This is our job, to have the courage to stand firm and remain steadfast in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds. Great courage is born out of great hope. And great hope is placed in a great, powerful, and faithful God.

 

“Be strong and of good courage. Do not fear or be afraid…for the Lord your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

 

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:18-21

 

 

Profit from suffering

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A friend shared a devotional thought from Charles Stanley. He talks about how most of us are quick to avoid suffering, both our own and the suffering of others. It makes us uncomfortable. It often seems so pointless. It takes us far out of our comfort zone, that cozy cocoon in which we like to shelter ourselves and isolate ourselves from pain. But pain and suffering are not without meaning. I’ve written of this in the past, but it bears repeating (at least to my ears).

Like I commented in the “jars of clay” post, suffering can bring us closer to God if we allow it. When confronted with forces we cannot control, we are reminded of how much we depend on God, sometimes for our very next breath. Stanley explains, “Your ultimate purpose should not be to achieve pleasure or happiness, but to know Christ and become like Him. Real trouble facilitates that goal, driving you closer to Him.” Drawing closer to Jesus and others is a profitable result of suffering.

A verse that has spoken to me all through this cancer/Leukemia experience is 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you and my strength is made perfect in your weakness.” Suffering causes us to be more able to receive God’s grace, because we so desperately need it. It’s only in our extreme weakness, when we have no strength of our own, that His strength can be fully manifest and His grace fully received. In the half-dozen or so times that my pain was so great, I selfishly told God this would be a good time to bring me home to heaven. Let’s just escape this pain. But as a friend reminded me, God is such a lover of life, it is so very precious to Him. YOU are so very precious to Him. And so He pours out what you and I need: grace and strength sufficient for the moment. Suffering helps us be more receptive to God’s immense gifts of blessing and sustenance.

Additionally, suffering enables us in a good way to be more sensitive to the needs of others. We are better able to be compassionate toward others because of the compassion we have received from God. The ability to relate with others with increased compassion is another benefit that rises from suffering and adds meaning to your life. As Stanley concludes, “Suffering is never desirable, but your sovereign loving Lord can make it profitable.”

In what ways is suffering weighing you down and killing your joy? Take your eyes off the pain whenever you can and consider in what ways you might allow God to work a blessing in your life and in others.

Waiting

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Day 27
We continue to wait for results of two of the three components to the bone marrow test they did on Monday. This news will give us the first clue about what lies ahead with my particular situation.

As everyone knows by personal experience, waiting often seems harder than actually getting the news. But Nurse Ashley brings perspective by reminding me that my weakest day (today) is better than most patients’ best days. Clearly, without a doubt, when I am weak it is GOD who strengthens sustains me by faith and grace. When I am down, it is HIS joy that I can extend to others. Quite honestly, it perturbs me to find myself frustrated at little things that shouldn’t hold any part of my attention. But even when my eyes fall off the goal momentarily, God is always faithful to draw me back.

While currently serving also to update people about my Leukemia, this blog is NOT about us. It is a tribute to our faithful God who no matter where we go, is always ready and waiting to welcome us with open arms. That is the purpose of Go Light Your World, to spread the good news that there is power and hope for living in a troubled world. It serves to remind others:

“You were created for a specific purpose. You are not alone.
God has a great plan for you. There is hope.”

Bringing the light of Jesus into a dark world is the greatest adventure you will find in a lifetime. Go Light Your World.

Wisdom – Courage – Strength

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Since I accepted the Lord at age 15 I have consistently asked God for three things in my life, based on Joshua 1:6-9. . .
Wisdom (implied)
Courage
Strength.

I’ve always known that if I had riches or talent without these things they would be worthless, and if I had these three I needn’t be concerned with anything else. Now, believe me, there was a LOT of turning to the right and left (v7) in my life! You have no way of knowing how much I turned from God or ignored Him. Even as a “devoted follower” it seems I could not consistently ‘stay awake’ while He prayed in the garden for me. But nonetheless, God has been faithful and ever patient and gracious to grant me my three requests.

On the day of admission to the hospital, my nurse walked into the consultation room wearing a necklace with three words inscribed:
Wisdom
Courage
Strength

I was stunned by this gentle reminder that God has been, is, and will always be faithful no matter what life or cancer throws my way. One day since my diagnosis of Leukemia and I am already on my way to getting treatment!