Have you ever been judged by a friend or acquaintance? Worse yet, have you ever harshly judged a friend or neighbor? One woman in the Bible had been harshly judged and labeled an Outcast by her townsmen. If you can relate to this woman’s experience, Jesus wants you to know that He loves the Outcasts! To do the study, please click on the link , “A Line in the Sand.”
I grew up in a family where my grandparents emigrated from Germany. They worked hard to establish a business, lost it all in the Great Depression and started over and did it again. I was taught that hard work and independence were important traits to have—and they are.
But it’s been revolutionizing to me lately to discover that our helplessness is the very thing that God is looking for in a person. What? Well in the book A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller, chapter 6 is actually about learning how to be helpless in prayer. He says that prayer is all about bringing your helplessness to Jesus. When we finally realize that we can do nothing lasting in our own strength and power and move out of the way and let God work through our weaknesses, then things start to happen. That’s what grace is all about.
Even more amazing, the more we mature in our Christian walk, the more helpless we realize we are, and the more God works through us. Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” And you know what? This is exactly how Jesus prayed and ministered. He did nothing apart from the power of God. “Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner,” John 5:19. So, feeling weak in a situation is actually a great thing. We turn to prayer and bring our helplessness to Jesus who sends the Holy Spirit to empower us.
Don’t see it as a hindrance, but rather see it as an opportunity for the power of God to work through your life. Has this ever happened with you? Feel free to share your comments on the blog.
Pray on!
You have been called. You have been chosen. God has a mission for you. Will you accept this mission? Click on the link to do the study, “Mission Possible!”
It is by grace that we are saved not by works! Worried about your less than perfect track record? God has got you covered! Click on the link to do Take 5!-Saving Grace!