God has made you and me adequate.

God … made us adequate as servants of a new covenant.(2 Corinthians 3:6)

He has given us  abundance for every good deed.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.(2 Corinthians 9:8–10)

So … do you feel adequate? Do you think you have an abundance for every good deed?

I don’t. You probably don’t either.

We know God’s Word is truth. But we don’t see ourselves as adequate or having abundance for good deeds.

This is a case of what is termed “Already-but-Not-Yet.” We already are saved. We already have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.

The “Not Yet” part is that we are in the process of being saved from the power of sin (sanctification). We are in the process of learning to walk in the newness of life. We are being transformed into the image of Christ. We’re getting there, but we are not there yet.

Our adequacy is a truth, but it is also a process.  It is an example of “Already- but-Not-Yet.”

Already

We are saved (John 3:16)

We are children of God

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.(John 1:12)

We have access to God’s throne (Hebrew 4:16)

The Holy Spirit lives in us

The Holy Spirit who dwells in us …(2 Timothy 1:14)

Christ is praying for us (See Jesus is Praying for You)

The Holy Spirit is praying for us (See The Holy Spirit is Praying for You)

We have God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

But Not Yet: We Must Become More Adequate

Pray! We can approach God with confidence. In order to serve Him and meet our challenges we must pray.

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  (Hebrews 4:16)

Rely! We are not adequate in ourselves, so we must learn to rely on God and not ourselves. Be humble.

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.(2 Corinthians 3:5)

Learn! God’s grace is sufficient. When we don’t rely on ourselves, when we know we’re weak and He is strong, we learn His awesome power.

My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.(2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

Grow! We must grow in the knowledge of God. Knowing His Word, the Bible, is key. Determine to study the Bible regularly and deeply.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.(2 Timothy 3:16–17)

Praise God

For the opportunities He gives us to serve Him,

For the challenges He gives us to rely on Him,

For the grace He gives in abundance.

Waiting for the Cloud to move

When the Israelis were delivered from Egypt, a pillar of fire followed them and a cloud led them. When the Cloud stopped, they made camp and they did not move again until the Cloud did.

Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.(Exodus 40:36–38)

God made it clear He was with them, when to stop, and when to move.

How long did it take to break camp? How long did it take to set up the tabernacle and then ready it for a move? Was there any warning?

Since they didn’t know how long they would be at that location, what did they do?

Are you waiting for the Cloud to move?

There are similarities for us. My mom was ready to move to a retirement home about six years before my dad was ready. He wasn’t ready until the sprinkler system broke! She had to wait.

And you are or have been in a season you knew would end but didn’t know when. Maybe your house is for sale. Maybe you are on an (endless) waiting list for something.

As a believer, know for sure that God is with you. If you are sensing the need to move, pay attention. If you aren’t being told to move, wait.

How do you wait?

Surrender the timing to the Lord.

Thank Him for your situation, knowing that He is working. He is giving you a rest period. He is teaching you. He is giving you a place of service.

Be ready when the cloud moves, but until then, strive to live each day in the newness of life. Redeem the time.

Don’t start taking down the tabernacle until the Lord directs!

But then

But, then, move, and wait for the Cloud to stop…

Take Courage

It takes courage to PRESS ON.

In the Christian life, we need courage to act, courage to endure, and courage to wait.

We need to take courage. Courage isn’t something you have or you don’t, it’s an active process to take courage, to gather up courage.

The Bible gives us reasons for courage and promises results from acting courageously in the Lord’s will. Reasons and promises combine into conviction, which results in our ability to take courage in all aspects of life.

Reasons Underpinning Courage

God is with us. Christ overcame the world.

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lordyour God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.(Deuteronomy 31:6)

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.(John 16:33)

Courage for the Sake of…

Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight. (2 Samuel 10:12)

Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him. (Hebrews 12:2)

Results of Courage

Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.(Joshua 1:7)

But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.(2 Chronicles 15:7)

It also Takes Courage to Wait

Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.(Psalm 27:14)

Courage isn’t automatic

Build up your conviction, your reasons to act, endure, or wait with courage.

Remind yourself of God’s promises of His presence and your future.

Make your conviction stronger than your fear.

Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mark 15:43)

PRESS ON!

See also Do It Scared.

Don’t Get Used to the Dark

Have you ever been seated in a very dark restaurant? Your eyes have to adjust to the dark before you can read the menu.

Getting used to the dark is a problem if what you are getting used to is not good.

Deviating from Standards

Pilots have detailed procedures prior to flight. They carefully “walk around” the airplane checking for any problems. They have a checklist to assure they have all the instruments and flight controls correctly set.

Suppose one day they forget to do something and the flight works out well. The next time they also omit that item and everything is fine. Pretty soon, that item is no longer on the check list. They have gotten used to deviating from the safety routine. Deviating from the standard has become normal.

That is true in society as well. We now accept behavior that would have horrified our grandparents. Many (most?) of our movies and TV shows use sin as entertainment. A recent review described a book as “deliciously wicked.” Oh my.

Do We Blush?

Were they ashamed because of the abomination they had done? They certainly were not ashamed, and they did not know how to blush. (Jeremiah 8:12)

Do we blush? Are we light in the world?

Challenge:

When you watch a movie, consciously review what you see against God’s standards, His commandments and precepts.

Pray God shows you when you accept behavior in yourself or others that is not acceptable to God.

Pray to know when to speak about the sins our society accepts.

Pray to be light and salt. (Matthew 5:13-16)

NASA/ESA/STScl–Hubble, Lagoon Nebula

Almighty God

Iam God Almighty; walk before Me, and be blameless.” (Genesis 17:1)

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.(1 Chronicles 29:11)

God Can Do All His Holy Will

God can anything and everything consistent with His character. He is able to do whatever He pleases, all consistent with His holiness. He is working everything in accordance with His will.

All power belongs to Him and nothing and nobody can stay His hand.

Power belongs to God. (Psalm 62:11)

Everything is possible for Him.

With God all things are possible.(Matthew 19:26)

For nothing will be impossible with God.(Luke 1:37)

When He speaks, His word is fulfilled.

Now the Lordhas fulfilled His word which He spoke.(1 Kings 8:20)

When He promises, He performs.

[Be] fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.” (Romans 4:21)

What He has done is what He purposed.

My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.  (Isaiah 46:10)

His Power for His Beloved

He redeems us

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people. (Luke 1:68)

He keeps us

[Nothing]will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 8:39)

I give eternal life to them [His sheep], and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.(John 10:28)

Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.(Hebrews 7:25)

He raises the dead

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.” (John 11:25)

There shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.(Acts 24:15)

His total victory and reign is coming

We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.(Revelation 11:17)

~~~

Almighty God, we praise You. You, our eternal, creator God, have power over everybody and everything from eternity past to eternity future. Your infinite power is beyond our comprehension, yet we thank You for revealing Your power through Your creation, by upholding all things, through Your gracious redemption, and by raising the dead (including us someday). Thank You that You use your power to accomplish all Your righteous purposes. Thank You that through Your infinite power towards us You have redeemed us, keep us within Your love, that You accomplish what concerns us, and, one day, Your almighty power will bring us to You in heaven. All glory and praise be Yours.