Grace

Well, my friends, I know you have been praying as the trials in my life have gone down to a simmer (as opposed to the boil they were at last week:).

My Abba Father never ceases to amaze me. So many times this last month (and in the past - I'm a slow learner), He has reminded me that all the grace I need to make it through this minute is already mine. But not the grace for the next minute, the next hour, the next day. He will give me that grace when I need it. His grace is sufficient for now.

Often I have found myself panicking and worrying about things that are going to happen. Will such and such work out? What will happen if so and so does this or that? How will I make time for this or that? And in these minutes of panic, I so often hear my Father faithfully reminding me, "Jenny, are you trying to borrow grace for something that will happen in the future? Remember, My grace is sufficient for NOW. You can't expect My grace to be here now for something that is in the future. Just trust Me and keep doing the next thing, taking the next step, walking down the path I have for you. The grace you need will be there the minute you need it. Don't be afraid. The spirit of fear doesn't come from Me."

And when I heed His advice, it is as if the winds and the waves of my worry immediately cease - just as the winds and the waves of the storm stopped as soon as He told them to be still. The trials are still there, but they no longer threaten to drag me under. And like Peter in the storm, I can "walk on water" if I keep my eyes on Him and take the next step.

My friends, how often do you attempt to borrow grace?

Prayers

I am facing challenges in multiple parts of my life right now. I would covet your prayers for wisdom, endurance, and strength. I know my Abba Father is using these things to "burn away the dross" in my life and make me shine more brilliantly for Him.

I read a book once with such a striking title that although I have forgotten most of the book, the title is still with me. The book was called Gold Fears no Fire and chronicled the persecution of Chinese Christians. The title meant that people who have been purified so much they are "pure gold" do not fear being put in the fire.

But I have much still to undergo in the purifying process and I do fear the fire of trials! The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much and so I would covet yours!

Wait

This poem has spoken to my heart many times. I ran across it tucked away in my Bible and wanted to share it with you.

I used to think I would reach a time in my life when I was not waiting on anything. I now know there will always be things in life I am waiting on. And although God calls us to actively wait, waiting is hard, nonetheless.

Wait

by Russell Kelfer

Desperate and helpless and longing I cried.

Patiently, lovingly, my Lord replied.

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate and the Master

so gently said, "Child, you must wait."

"Wait? You said, Wait?" my indignant reply, "Lord, I

need answers. I need to know why.

Is Your hand shortened or have You not heard?

By faith I have asked and am claiming Your

Word. My future and all to which I can relate

hangs in the balance and You tell me to wait?

I am needing a yes, a go ahead sign, or even a no,

to which I can resign. Lord you

promised that if we believe, we need but ask,

and we shall receive.

And Lord, I've been asking and this is my cry,

I'm weary of asking, I need a reply."

And quietly, softly, I learned of my fate as my

Master replied once again, "You must wait."

So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut

and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"

He seemed then to kneel and His eyes wept with mine and He

tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead, cause the mountains to run.

All you seek, I could give and pleased you would be.

You would have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.

You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.

You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair.

You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me

when darkness and silence were all you could see.

You'd never experience that fullness of love

as the peace of my Spirit descends like a dove.

You'd know that I give and I save for a start,

but you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart,

the glow of My comfort late in the night, the

faith that i give when you walk without sight.

The depth that's beyond getting just what

you asked of an infinite God who makes what you have last.

And you'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,

what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.

Yes, your dreams for that loved one overnight might

come true, but oh, the loss if I lost what I'm doing in you.

So, be silent my child in time you will see that the greatest of gifts

is to get to know Me.

And though oft may My answers seem terribly late,

My most precious answer of all is still wait.