TRADE IN “I CAN’T!” FOR “I AM HELPING ME!”

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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Can you identify?

·      I can’t get up early or stay up late to have quiet time with God. I need more sleep than most.

·      I can’t make my mind stop worrying. I’m wired anxious.

·      I can’t share my faith with strangers. I don’t have the gift of evangelism.

·      I can’t practice hospitality. My home is too small, I’m too busy, and I can’t cook.

·      I can’t ________________________________________________.

Standing on holy ground, Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God, yet he wasn’t a bit timid to make excuses for how he couldn’t obey God (Exodus 3, 4).

Moses said, “I can’t!” God said, “I AM!” “I AM WHO I AM. This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation” (Exodus 3:14-15).

Before we come down too hard on Moses, let’s be frank. The guy was right. On his own, he couldn’t do what God was asking him to do. None of us can. We need I AM! We need His Son, His Spirit, His Word, His power, His help, His strength, His wisdom, His guidance, His timing, His resources, His people, to do what He calls us to do.  His grace is sufficient. His power is perfect in our weakness.

Billy Sunday said, “An excuse is the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie.” We can make all kinds of excuses for ignoring God’s whispers and commands. I’m too busy, I don’t feel like it, it’ll be awkward, I don’t know where to start, it’s too difficult, costly, and more. Moses had his own set of excuses and God’s anger burned against him. The good news is that God didn’t give up on Moses and He won’t give up on us either.

Think on I AM’s promise as you turn from your “I can’t” to God’s call. He says to you and me: do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

Think on it: On an index card write an “I can’t” that you’ve spent most of your life believing. On the opposite side write, “I can do everything through I AM who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

Faith sees the opportunities while unbelief sees the obstacles. Are you arguing with God about something He wants you to do?

Warren W. Wiersbe

grace and peace,

Lenae        

Trade in Grumbling for Gratitude

At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”

John 6:41

The classic game show, Let’s Make a Deal, is centered on deals offered by the host to select studio audience participants. The traders weigh the offer in hand to an unknown prize behind one of three curtains. Sometimes it’s a trade up. Sometimes it’s an unwanted prize like a junked car. Always there’s the draw that the deal behind the curtain is better than what they possess right now.

There’s nothing new under the sun. In John 6 the people were pursuing their deal breaker: bread. On a mountainside located on the far shore of the Sea of Galilee Jesus fed 5,000 with five small barley loaves and two fish. After they had eaten, they envisioned what they hoped was behind curtain number one: a king who would give them their fill of bread and other physical advantages.

Jesus knew their motives and withdrew from the crowds. The next day they tracked Him down on the opposite side of the sea. They were hungry for more bread and benefits. They craved what didn’t satisfy. Jesus offered them something infinitely better.

He revealed what was behind the next curtain. I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day (v. 35, 40).

Here’s the deal. You can have temporal bread or living bread. You can eat physical bread like manna and yet die or you can eat the bread from heaven and live forever.

Their response? They grumbled! They were offended. Many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.

Think about it. How many times has God’s best gift been right in front of us like Jesus’ physical presence was to these Jews, and we’ve grumbled instead of receiving it with gratitude, we walked away instead of giving thanks?

What elusive deal are you and I chasing that we think will make life better than it is right now? May the cry of our heart not be for more bread, money, time, recognition, success, fame, or _____________________ whatever you’re chasing. May the cry of our heart be, “Just give me Jesus!”

Think on it: What is the last thing you grumbled about? Will you trade it in for gratitude today? If so, how?

Give me, Jesus. Give me, Jesus. You can have all this world, just give me Jesus.

African-American Spiritual

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1O_Jf_fdkI

grace and peace,

Lenae        

Are you on Pinterest?

Are you on Pinterest? Do you have a GEMS board that the rest of us could follow? First CRC Lynden has a Pinterest board they're willing to share and they would love to see your ideas! Search for First CRC GEMS to follow them and feel free to share your Pinterest boards in the comments here for others to follow. Search for Julie DeJong Ball on Pinterest in order to follow my GEMS board as well!

Thanks to First CRC - Lynden for getting the ball rolling on sharing our pins!