Dear KKIM Family,
God is whispering to us all, “My grace is sufficient for you.”
“Because power is perfected in weakness,” says the Lord.
Over the last couple of years we have been praying for Lynne Buggs, sister of my Boss Tim. One of my favorite parts of life is getting to know people. I have known Tim for almost 15 years…….I got to know Lynne through a couple of emails, About a year ago I had a wonderful conversation with Lynne and Tim’s brother Rick. You can tell that this family is full of love for each other and especially for Lynne. The last email I got from Lynne months ago, was just thanking all of us here at the Cup for praying for her. Lynne passed away to Heaven yesterday. This Cup is dedicated to her life here on earth where she served as a wonderful testimony to us all as we go through struggles………..
In my devotions yesterday I was reading On Suffering…….Suffering just like Lynne had been through………..All of us have been through some degree of suffering……..Look around, there is plenty of suffering going on…….Chuck Swindoll writes this on Suffering in his book on Paul……….
This is a good time to correct faulty thinking. It is not always God’s will that you be healed. It is not always the Father’s plan to relieve the pressure. Our happiness is not God’s chief aim. He doesn’t have a wonderful (meaning “comfortable”) plan for everybody’s life–not from a human perspective. Often His plan is nowhere near wonderful. As with Saul, His answer is not what we prayed and hoped for. But, remembering that He is forming us more and more into the image of His Son, it helps us understand His answer is based on His long-range plan, not our immediate relief.
Thankfully, in the midst of that suffering, He gently whispers, “My grace is sufficient for you.” As with Saul, His grace supplies more than e need to endure whatever it is that threatens to undo us. Let me amplify that thought. His grace is more sufficient that your strength. His grace is more sufficient than the advice of any trained counselor or close friend (though God uses both). His grace is sufficient to carry you through whatever your own, unique “thorn” may be. His grace–that’s the ticket.
Would you like to know why? “Because power is perfected in weakness.” What an amazing statement from the Lord! And all this time we thought power was perfected in success. We’ve been taught all our lives that it is achievement that makes us strong. No. A thousand times, no! Those things make us proud and self-sufficient and independent. The painful thorns make us weak. But the good news is this: When we are weak, He pours His strength into us, which gives an entirely new perspective on pain and suffering, hardship and pressure. Those stresses and strains drive us to our knees. It’s at that point our God comes through.
And so? Let’s stop looking for someone or something to blame. Let’s cease the incessant building of straw men only to set them on fire so we can say, “Ah ha! That’s the reason my misery is so great.” Don’t go there, my friend. Suffering is not about identifying the cause; it’s about focusing on the response. I plead with you–do not miss that! It’s about willingly accepting God’s plan, no matter what the circumstance. It’s about finding contentment in God’s grace, regardless.
What a wonderful message from Chuck Swindoll. I know Lynne heard the whispers of God………..I know my Mother did when she was passing away to heaven from cancer…….Let us continue to pray for Corbin Hayes, he is the 13 year old that was swept into the Rio Grande here in Albuquerque last Thursday, He still has not been found. Let us pray for his family, that the Peace and Strength and the Grace of Our Almighty God be with them all. Let us pray for Charlie Hickman who has a tumor on one of his lungs. Charlie and his wife Lavella have served as mentor’s of mine for years. They are such wonderful people of God. Charlie and Lavella have given so much, until it hurts, to God’s people over the years…….They would rather give than take!
Let us pray………..
Lord, thank you for your children, Lynne, Corbin, my Mom and Dad, Charlie and Lavella, who have impacted many lives. Let us learn from the lives of these Godly people. Even thou Corbin was just 13, he reminds us to slow down and listen for Your words. Let us value each other and learn from each other. Thank you Lord for your Grace and Strength. In the name of Jesus, AMEN!
Today my friends……….. listen for God…………………He is speaking to you……..
In the Love of Christ, Dewey Sharon and family
Ps….. I just want to thank my wife, Sharon and Jennetta for all they do to get the CUP Posted. Sharon helps me write and Jennetta makes sure it get’s posted. The CUP would not be poured without Sharon and Jennetta. God Bless you both!
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