I’ve been reminded lately of the unique opportunity we have in those moments when we’re experiencing

weakness

to turn our gaze on Jesus.

To turn the focus of our heart and mind to Him, to be reminded that it’s in those moments that we can be the

strongest

we’ve ever been, because His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

It’s the truth. We can bet our life on it & build our life out of it.

When my knees are knocking, what better time to bow them and allow Jesus to fortify my foundation.

Take that, Satan! Just when you think you’ve got me…when I’m anxious and trembling and looking to the left or the right, I can be reminded that it’s in those moments that I can experience the truth of God’s Word in my life, practically and applicably.

So – how do you turn your gaze, when you’re tempted to be looking around – at others’ reactions of you, at yourself & your own failures?

Prayer. Even a one-word prayer.

“Jesus.”

It sets our minds on the One that can set us back on our feet. Reminds our hearts that we have a Father in Heaven the loves us, and a Savior that daily pleads our case. Replaces the whispers of doubt with bold assurance that we’re not abandoned, left helpless to do things on our own.

Weakness can be redefined in God’s Kingdom. And so can we!

Kari Jobe “You Are For Me” from Nathan Corrona on Vimeo.

I read a blog post recently that gave words to a thought I’ve had for a while now –

the thought that when we ‘know’ God’s Word, His Truth – and by know, I mean intellectually – but we don’t ever put it into practice – we don’t experience the truth of it – that we open ourselves up to doubt.

Doubt -faith decay

We allow room for our broken, fallen nature & the enemy to come in and question whether or not what we know to be real is really real.

Does it really mean something?

Does it really transform lives?

Because it’s not transforming me…it’s not changing my life. It’s not making others thirsty around me for what I have.

I think this happens a lot when we don’t persevere in what God has put before us. We don’t experience the power and the blessing and the Presence of God like we would if we were obedient to put our hands to the tasks He sets before us.

Now, please don’t misunderstand me. I’m a grace girl. It’s by grace that I have been saved, through faith, not of anything that I have done, but by a gift from God Almighty, not by works – so I can never boast that I have done it. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

I absolutely believe that God has made a way for me to be reunited with Him & my life is to be lived in response to that, as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).

What I’m referring to today is the truth of Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We were created to do good things – things that allow us to experience God’s Truth, His Power, His Presence, all around us.

“Things” that show others that don’t know God around us that He is real. That He is love.

And I think that sometimes we, I, forfeit those experiences – those faith-building, God-confirming experienced when I don’t follow through on the “good works” that He has set before me to do.

And maybe worst yet – others don’t experience Him in ways that they could if I were.

Can you relate?

But there is Hope! Today is a new day! A new day to experience God’s Truth by persevering in what He has put before me to do!

“My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” – Lamentations 3:20-24

Persevere in doing good – don’t give up! Press in and take hold of God’s promises.

Sometimes – most of the time – I don’t follow through with my own, personal goals.

Sometimes -most of the time – I think that I forfeit what God offers on the other end because I don’t finish.

I start out, zealous and motivated. And then slowly, gradually, I start to lose sight of where I’m headed. I allow other things, maybe even ‘good’ things, to enter my schedule, my time, my attention – and I stop. I don’t experience God in ways I could have if I had

but

persevered.

Can you relate? Are there promises in God’s word that you don’t feel you’ve ever taken hold of?

Benefits that He has to offer that you’ve never felt were bestowed on you?

Can you look back and see where maybe you got distracted from pursuing them, pursuing Him?

“You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD” – Jeremiah 29:13-14a

We have a God that can be found! He doesn’t hide from us, but beckons us to Himself and even draws us to Himself.

“Draw near to Me, and I will draw near to you.” James 4:8

Galatians 6 states that we will reap what we sow. If we persevere in doing good, in seeking God’s way, we will reap God’s way – His benefits, His blessings, Himself.

The Prince of Peace becomes our Peace.

Jehovah Rapha, the Healer, becomes our health.

The great Comforter becomes our comfort.

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings (Lord, help me to desire this), becoming like Him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:7-14