Outfow - Taking Pleasure In Our Infirmities

In 2 Corinthians 12, when the apostle Paul was buffeted by the messenger of satan, he asked God three times for it to depart from him. God's response was to let Paul know that the outflow of His grace was sufficient; that His strength was made perfect through Paul's weakness. Paul knew right then that the grace of God contained the power of God. He gave glory to his weakness knowing that the power of God would rest upon him. Paul exclaimed, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong!" (v.10) How many Christians today are willing to say they take pleasure in those things? Not many. Yet we will receive God's grace and power if we do just that.

©2012 Richard Lewis Jones

Outflow - Just As He Was, So Are We To Be

Christ gave His Church a command to go into all the world demonstrating His Kingdom through the outflow of His love by all who call Him Lord and who are submitted to Him. When we are submitted to Christ, He fills us to overflowing with rivers of living water that flow out of our bellies into a hurting and dying world in need of life, healing and hope. His love is like a river, full of compassion and grace that demonstrates itself through righteous acts. This means we must be doers and not hearers only, vessels through which His Kingdom can be demonstrated in Spirit and in power! Christ went about preaching, teaching, and healing all who are oppressed of the devil. He gave us the authority to do the same. And just as Christ was, so are we to be in this world; full of truth and grace.

©2012 Richard Lewis Jones