An Honest Journey
Power in Our Weaknesses
My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2 (NLT)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8 (NIV)
Have you ever felt overlooked or left behind?
I’m sure many of us can relate to feeling left out at some point in our lives. Maybe it was because of your age, height, appearance, your intelligence, abilities, or lack thereof. Regardless, it’s never a good feeling.
What I appreciate most about Captain America’s backstory is that he didn’t start out with a super talent or physical capability that set him apart from the crowd. Rather, he simply had a big heart…
CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AT MARKED MINISTRY MAGAZINE.
Tags :
Yes Amber…indeed some huge messages that God has conveyed to us here! I used to work with a man who almost completed his journey to the priesthood. But just before being ordained things changed by an epiphany he had, which caused him to be a chemist and get married to a biochemist, a lovely woman who couldn’t bear children; but most important they both went on loving each other deeply, making for a match made in heaven. This coworker friend told me many things from his studies in the monastery, but one that always stands out is how he explained that God’s judgment is perfect as he knows the true heart in each of us, and though His judgment is great and perfect; His mercy is greater!
So as it turns out over the past couple of days I was looking at myself honestly and I didn’t like what I saw, and I’m a person from the time when I was a kid and onward liked myself; always saw the glass half full in my outlook! But here I was now a matured man with many experiences and much more knowledge than back then, but now found I could be critical of myself much more easily than I used to, and this led to my being judgmental toward myself even more. Mainly because in retrospect I can see how I had dropped the ball or repeated the same imperfect behaviors or even dumb habits that do me no good I thought! But, as mentioned here in the full article, “our trials and weaknesses are an opportunity for us to be purified, sanctified, and grow into becoming more like Christ.”
“Jesus is where we find real and lasting strength.” Isn’t that perfect, Amen! Here I was looking at myself and not seeing enough strength to convince me I’ve got it licked! When the truth is none of us have enough or that much strength even if we try going it alone kidding ourselves; we come up short that way every time, hands down! The only way we can have real genuine undefeatable strength is though Jesus Christ because He is our strength; our “armor and power” to make it all the way! Let’s leave the judging to God when it comes to differentiating whether we each have lived up to our potential or whether we failed too much; and by so doing allow God to through His grace to save us from ourselves and this crooked or often what can be very difficult world; as all of it is a blessed opportunity, for Him to work in our lives shaping us each step of the way! As long as we’re willing to accept and work with Him He will continue to shape our lives the way they must be; in order to be the best individuals that we can be!
So looking at this with a new fresh or enhanced perspective; as I was almost beating myself up I started to be frustrated and then felt unworthy because in my own mind I was taking my failures or sins cumulatively seeing them as adding up to a huge disappointment to God; and as this sad view of myself took hold I actually thought maybe I’m not good enough and I can’t make it to heaven. Many would say, Lawrence you’re doing just what the Devil wants, as this is a spiritual warfare we are in and he wants you to feel defeated always pushing any of us to give up the hard road we must walk; say like even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane; when He too was tested! That master of all lies always looking for those with self-doubt; to sneak in and pull down.
But, then yesterday God sent a direct message that couldn’t be any coincidence and through perfect timing of all factors being aligned so that I got a real “God Send” tailor made for me; “there is no two ways about it,” because this occurrence was absolutely God’s way of telling me now when I needed to hear His voice! He said to me that He sees the good, and that is what and all He is interested in; how He already took the imperfection and sin away from us! We just have to accept that fact and appreciate it fully; then our lives fall into place as best they can under the circumstances, while we continue our journey here! We’re not in heaven yet, but we sure are on our way; because we have the Lord walking the whole way with us; each and every step! He doesn’t want us to ever quit or give up on ourselves; because He never does; it’s only us who make that decision!
Praise and thanks to Jesus Christ!
God bless you and yours! 😇 ✝️ 😇 🙏💗
Brother in Christ Jesus,
Lawrence Morra III
Thanks for sharing, Lawrence. May God bless you. I’m glad you were reminded the Lord is with us in each step.
You’re always welcome Amber! Thank you for this great article which really got me thinking about these opportunities that the Lord sends our way; as well as thanking Him for always being there!
Sorry a typo too important to not correct; “real genuine undefeatable strength is through Jesus Christ because”
Lawrence, sometimes I think I’m the only one who thinks and feels exactly what you wrote, even to noticing a typo. 😊 Maybe that’s a good thing, right? But we’re in good company, we have the grace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour. Hallelujah! God’s blessings to you Lawrence. ❤
Hi Susan! I’m very happy to know that what I said about my honest thoughts and feelings in this very important article really aligned well with your own perspective and genuine heartfelt faith in Jesus Christ! Sure is a good thing because; Romans 8:31 says, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Philippians 4:11 “I am not telling you this because I need anything. I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens.”
Psalm 27:1: “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
I bring this up because in conjunction with all of I’ve said I have to face the fact that with all the insight along with absolutely sound advice the Lord spells out to us in the Holy Book, I’d have to be really trying hard to botch things up for myself! This world has no claims on me I belong to our Glorious King, our Savior Jesus Christ! The same goes for all of you of course; and we must do our part having devout faith in Him and follow! It will work out fine; I know it and feel it in my bones; and of course heart of hearts! All good Susan! Great input, thank you my sister in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Good to see you Amber. Thank you for bringing this topic to the forefront, and leading me to the rest of the message. I’m so thankful God and my Savior Jesus Christ do not view me as I sometimes see myself. I will always be a work in progress til the day He calls me home. I am so glad that His Word is faithful and true. Therefore….Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you (me) will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6.
The Lord bless you and keep you,
Susan ♡
Thank you, Susan. I appreciate you highlighting that verse!
God bless you Susan…you said it and so beautifully; it can only inspire! The Master Potter makes a Masterpiece out of any who follow Him; therefore we will reside with him truly at peace in His eternal glory!