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Prayer Email archive: (12/03/2001) His grace is sufficient |
Dear prayer warriors,
1. Prayer note: His grace is sufficient Many times we take the word grace to mean unmerited favour from God. However, the word grace is used in the bible to have two different meanings based on the context. Many times, it means unmerited favour, other times, it means supernatural enabling of God. [Acts 15:11] But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. In the verse above, grace obviously means unmerited favour. We don't have to work to receive our salvation, it was by God's unmerited favour upon us that we receive salvation. [Romans 1:5] Through Him and for His name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. [2 Cor 12:9-10] 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. Obviously, in the above two scripture context, grace could not have meant unmerited favour, but it means a special kind of enabling, or what I would call supernatural enabling. Why is this important to us? It is important because if we understand the supernatural enabling that God has given us, we will know that God has given us ability to live a better life. God did not just come to give us justification, but He came to sanctify and empower us. You see, God has saved us and given us salvation freely but we are not to stop there. God wants us to move into all of His promises and the only way we can do that is not by our own human strength but by His grace. That is why it is important not just for us to be saved but for us to also be transformed by His power continually. Supernatural enabling means that it is not by your own strength, by your skills, by your education, your intellect etc. When we know that God's supernatural enabling is available to us, we will not look at our own weaknesses and fear moving into things that God has called us into. We will see our weaknesses as a means in which God can be glorified. Many times, people wait to be perfected in a skill, or in their knowledge before they move out into any area that God has called them into, be it in the ministry or in their career. However, if you know that God has released His grace on you, you would be able to move boldly and see God's power working through you. It is like Gideon's army. Gideon's victory was a testimony to God's power and God wanted it that way. God uses imperfect vessels like us to reach out because He CAN enable and equip us. However, this does not mean that I am against improving your skill or talent or knowledge. I am all for it because I believe that we are to also take responsibility to excel in everything that God has given us. However, there is a fine line between depending on your skills and depending on God. Anointing comes from dependance on God and not dependance on the flesh. That's why Paul says when he is weak, then is he strong. I have recently had that problem myself. I have recently been called to serve in the music ministry and play the keyboard in church. I had a problem with my skills and many times I feel that I am too weak to serve in this area. One of these times, I was driving to church to play and God spoke to me and said that He will enable me. True enough, on that day, I surprised myself and found myself playing music impromptu and being able to find the keys that were used by the pastor when she started singing a few songs. I am not one to say that I am so skillful that I can do this all the time but I can say one thing, His grace is sufficient for me for His strength is made perfect in my weakness. If we take this stand in everything we face, we will learn to understand His grace, His supernatural enabling for us to live powerful lives beyond our natural abilities. God is able to do far beyond what we can hope and think. It is called "grace". 2. New prayer requests: i. Prayers for my dad's health please! -- marcela http://mydevotion.com/p.asp?tid=2018 ii. I've not been here for a couple of months, but PTL, plus need your prayer! -- zipporah http://mydevotion.com/p.asp?tid=2019 iii. Pray for family -- everly_nt http://mydevotion.com/p.asp?tid=2023 iv. Please Put us in your Prayers -- guest http://mydevotion.com/p.asp?tid=2024 v. Waiting -- and1reswife http://mydevotion.com/p.asp?tid=2025 vi. salvation -- guest http://mydevotion.com/p.asp?tid=2026 vii. Continue to pray for my mother, Donna -- debra http://mydevotion.com/p.asp?tid=2027 3. Prayer update: i. Praise God. Christain Aid Workers are free. -- guest http://mydevotion.com/p.asp?tid=2020 4. Number of prayer warriors: 1097 We welcome hazelnut, believe in jesus, onedreamer, happynote2, onerose, pastor, jbl, freeinbonds, guildford, lessies, kadi cole, my2001k24 36125, and1reswife, nyyankesfan4ever, greg, jesus freak17, psalm 139, richwilbur, ekristek, goin4it, rlc477, tigerpiano_bear, andrew, hottortoise, theresa, mokant, flopeghud, leejay, mccleskey9, marklynn, bro anthony, bobbell33, verlena, mickey, dt, hurlburt3, pierce, clarie328, agiftfromgod65 and villiers into our prayer group. in Christ, Wai Hun |
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Monday, December 03, 2001 11:59:14 AM waihun | |