Overheard in a Coffee Shop

Yesterday I overheard the following exchange in a local coffee shop. It reminded me so much of my "discussions" with the Father.

An elderly man said, "Father why am I going through this terrible circumstance at this point in my life...after all these years. Please help me deal with it."

The Father answered, "My child, my grace is sufficient for you!"

The man responded, "But that's not enough!"

God lovingly and patiently replied (with his voice raised somewhat from his initial response), "My son, what part of SUFFICIENT don't you understand?"

His redeemed child had no answer but turned away, weeping...knowing that what the Father had spoken was true and trustworthy.

I've been in that man's shoes! So have you! We all have!

His grace WILL carry us through the trial, the tribulation, the turmoil, the terrible storm.

"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. 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 12:9,10 (ESV)

HE GIVETH MORE GRACE

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

- Annie Johnson Flint

Quoting Newton

In the next few days, Lord willing, I'll be visiting Olney, England where the former slave trader and composer of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace, John Newton, pastored. His good friend William Cowper (pronounced "Cooper") also lived in Olney. Between them they wrote many wonderful hymns including Cowper's "There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood". I'll write more after visiting the Cowper/Newton Museum.

William Carey, the Father of Modern Day World Missions also pastored in Olney before sailing for India to open up that dark land to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Here's a quote from John Newton that encouraged me. I pray that it will do the same for you, dear friends:

"If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer—His grace sufficient, His promises unchangeable."
—Attributed to John Newton (1725-1807)

God's Sufficiency

This morning I was reminded again of God's sufficiency for our every need as I read David Jeremiah's e-devotional from Turning Point Ministries.

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9a

David Jeremiah in his Turning Point devotional for today writes:

"Paul was made weak by some affliction, and it no doubt concerned him because of its likely impact on his future ministry. How could he serve if he was sidelined by a serious problem? But God said, "Trust me, Paul. I know the future and your future. I will give you grace to do all you need to do." And He did. Paul became thankful for His weakness because it highlighted God's strength. Just as God knew Paul's future, so He knows yours. If you are worried about your future, perhaps this coming year, especially if you see limitations on your horizon, trust God. The same grace He gave Paul, He will give to you.

Your future is not bigger than God, nor are your limitations larger than His grace. Your faith in Him means your future is with Him."

And from St. Augustine:

"Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love, and the future to God's providence."

And from David or Barnabas, if you please:

"Rest in God's providential care today and trust Him to carry you through. Your limitations pale in comparison to His all-sufficient grace. Be encouraged today, dear friends."

Note: We are experiencing problems with BLOGGER as far as linking to sites is concerned. To check out Turning Point's online devotionals please go to: http://www.turningpointonline.org