6-16-20   THOUGHTS
Good Morning Church.  I was doing some research a few days ago, and I ran across a writing from the Red Bluff, CA church of Christ website.  I want to share it with you in this time.  We have all had the thoughts below in this CV19 time.  
For when I am weak, then I am strong    

                      Bible Study, Discipleship / By Gary Dent
Finding strength in times of weakness is a hard thing. I think that one of the things that makes dealing with hardship so difficult is the fact that it reminds us that we really are not in control of a lot of things that happen to us and those we love. And we don’t like the feeling of not being in control. The Covid-19 pandemic is hard not merely because it is a serious disease that can potentially cause death, it is hard because it causes so many ancillary problems that come cascading down upon us in a relentless torrent of additional challenges which soon prove to be unmanageable. Millions are out of work and have no idea of how they are going to pay the bills. Those who are still working have to figure out a way to work and simultaneously take care of the kids who are not in school. And then we need to figure out a way to buy toilet paper, and go stand in line at Walmart (and worry about the guy behind you who doesn’t seem to understand the difference between 6 feet and 6 inches), and topping it off is the overriding sense of loneliness of being isolated from our extended network of family and friends. How do we find the strength to deal with it all?

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Paul suggests that we accept the reality that we are often not in control. In fact, he points out that the key to finding true strength is when we accept the reality of our own weakness. In many ways we are truly powerless …and we must accept that reality! I am powerless to control whether or not someone I love gets sick. I am powerless to control whether or not other people do the things I think they ought to do.  I am powerless to control whether or not the people I love feel happy and secure, or that they think I am doing the things that will magically make them feel happy and secure. Only God can do those things, I can’t. God is the one who is in control, not me. It turns out that the moment we accept our weaknesses and limitations is the precise moment when we can truly see the full display of God’s power and the awesomeness of his absolute authority over all things. I pray that God’s grace may allow me to see that my weakness and limitations are actually opportunities for me to stop and rest for just a moment, to take a breath and be ready to place my trust and confidence in the God who truly is in control …of everything.

My Prayer:
Almighty, all powerful wonderful and loving God, we come to you with praise and love and awe. Help us Oh God to dwell on your awesome nature and being.  Teach us to know how frail we are. Help us to learn about weak and strong.  May we rest in knowing you as the one in control of our world and our eternity.  You, and only you are our rock, you never change.  Teach us to die to self and live to you Oh God!  Give us peace from knowing you are in control.
          In the name of Jesus           Amen