I should be packing. Jason is laboring away at work. Moriah is napping and THIS stuff is just TOO good.
Paul said:
"To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." (Ephesians 1:27-29, ESV)
CHRIST IN YOU, the HOPE OF GLORY. THIS is the gospel, THIS is the good news. This is what we should proclaim. Paul didn't struggle to proclaim this himself. He drew his energy from HIM. He struggled with HIS energy. When I am trying to live out of my own resources and trust in my own self-sufficiency, I can remember Paul. He drew from Christ, living within him, to be His energy as he proclaimed the message CHRIST IN YOU, the HOPE OF GLORY.
This is TOO good.
Now time for packing.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
His Grace, Power, and Ephraim
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" (2 Corinthians 12:9a, ESV).
The more I start to understand grace, the more grace I have for myself. Paul wanted to be rid of his weakness, and asked that it be taken away. And Jesus spoke to him, that HIS GRACE was sufficient. Jesus seems to know what's best for us. What will draw us to Him for EVERYTHING and remove the obstacle of pride/self-sufficiency. It's pretty amazing to rest in the promise that HE WILL carry out the good work in us that He began!
I have been marking off the days on our calendar with a big X on each one...we have but 4 weeks left in our little town called Ephraim. It has truly been the perfect town for us. God moved us here in His perfect time. THIS is Jason and I's US home. It's where we met, where we got engaged, where we have met some of our lifelong best friends. The support I've felt from our home ministry team has been overwhelming, there is always help when we need it. As eager as I am to move on to the chapter we have been waiting for, I know I will be eager to get back here to be with the Church. We love the body of believers here. We love the messages of grace. God has an incredible sense of humor. I have learned more about God's grace in Utah than in any other state..we are in UTAH. The surrounding and majority religion preaches grace "...after all we can do..." (2 Nephi 25:23, Book of Mormon) which, of course, is not the Bible's take on Grace. In the majority religion here, there is one requirement after the other, you are judged by your worthiness, and have no guarantee of living with the Father after death, it is so sad. Since I have been in Utah, between Park City, Provo, and Ephraim, I have heard more grace preached in Christian churches than I ever have before. It is so exciting that God is allowing the message of grace to flourish here, especially in a state that so badly needs it !
So we are savoring our last days here...and packing it all up. Leaving here will truly be sad, but we will be back!
The more I start to understand grace, the more grace I have for myself. Paul wanted to be rid of his weakness, and asked that it be taken away. And Jesus spoke to him, that HIS GRACE was sufficient. Jesus seems to know what's best for us. What will draw us to Him for EVERYTHING and remove the obstacle of pride/self-sufficiency. It's pretty amazing to rest in the promise that HE WILL carry out the good work in us that He began!
I have been marking off the days on our calendar with a big X on each one...we have but 4 weeks left in our little town called Ephraim. It has truly been the perfect town for us. God moved us here in His perfect time. THIS is Jason and I's US home. It's where we met, where we got engaged, where we have met some of our lifelong best friends. The support I've felt from our home ministry team has been overwhelming, there is always help when we need it. As eager as I am to move on to the chapter we have been waiting for, I know I will be eager to get back here to be with the Church. We love the body of believers here. We love the messages of grace. God has an incredible sense of humor. I have learned more about God's grace in Utah than in any other state..we are in UTAH. The surrounding and majority religion preaches grace "...after all we can do..." (2 Nephi 25:23, Book of Mormon) which, of course, is not the Bible's take on Grace. In the majority religion here, there is one requirement after the other, you are judged by your worthiness, and have no guarantee of living with the Father after death, it is so sad. Since I have been in Utah, between Park City, Provo, and Ephraim, I have heard more grace preached in Christian churches than I ever have before. It is so exciting that God is allowing the message of grace to flourish here, especially in a state that so badly needs it !
So we are savoring our last days here...and packing it all up. Leaving here will truly be sad, but we will be back!
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