Wednesday, April 18, 2007

"Graced" To Handle It!

"Grace be unto you." - Philippians 1:2

The same circumstance that conquers others won't conquer you - if you've been "graced" to handle it! How could Paul maintain his joy through beatings, betrayals, shipwrecks and imprisonment? Because God told him, "My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9 TM). Grace will enable you to pastor a difficult church, care for an aging loved one who requires much time and patience, pray and never let go of a prodigal son or daughter, and keep your faith strong in the face of overwhelming odds.

When does grace come? When you need it most! Listen: "We will find grace to help us when we need it" (Hebrews 4:16 NLT). God won't give you tomorrow's grace today. But like the manna in the wilderness, when you awaken each morning it'll be there - grace equal to every need. One of the greatest mistakes you can make is envying others or trying to be like them. Why? Because you may have equal talent, but unless you are equally "graced," you won't succeed. Actually, getting what they have could bury you instead of bless you.
How does grace come? Listen: "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up" (Acts 20:32). There it is; in the pages of God's Word you'll find a solution, or the grace to handle it, learn from it and come out stronger. So the word for you today is - "grace be unto you."

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