Are you overwhelmed: body, soul and/or spirit? This morning we prayed specifically for you who are struggling. I don’t mean a general struggle because we all struggle daily, even moment by moment. We prayed for you who are seriously struggling, overwhelmed in body, soul AND spirit. I know what that feels like.
We pray for you; I pray for you daily! As I lift my family up to the Lord, I often lift you up as well.
Every Monday morning at 9:30 AM CST we pray together corporately. And you’re always welcome to join us on our Free Conference Calling call or in our zoom room. Check out our Events Page and our Calendar!
We are body, soul and spirit.
And we can be Overwhelmed in Body, Soul & Spirit
1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.“ ESV
Oftentimes we are attacked physically, soulfully, and spiritually all at once and it can be quite overwhelming to the point that
instead of taking care of our physical bodies, we just wanna pull the covers over our heads and give in.
in place of taking every thought captive, bringing our will under submission to God, checking our emotions and aligning them with God’s word, we just wanna give in to the pity party.
in lieu of of crying out to the Lord and seeking His word, and asking others to pray for us, we just want to turn away and give up.
When Overwhelmed, Trust in God!
We are reading slowly through the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5.
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
A few things stand out to me quite vividly!
To be blessed by God, means…
To be blessed means so much more than we think it means. It means to be enriched, happy = with great happiness, fortunate, prosperous = with abundant goodness, delighted, content, even blissful! When’s the last time you felt blissful!?
It implies to have the capacity to enjoy union and communion with God! When’s the last time you felt united with God?
It also means God will not turn away from us or despise us; instead, He will like us, respect, admire, adore, and desire us as His own when we are poor in spirit! Have you forgotten that God loves you? How much He loves you?
Most importantly, He is the one who gives us promises of power to fulfill all that He asks of us as He inwardly transforms our hearts by His grace; and HE does all this for us! Have you forgotten that the hardest work is HIS!? He isn’t asking you to do anything too hard. He has equipped you and will enable you to do what He asks!
To be poor in spirit we have only one remedy – to trust in God and rely on Him for everything. We are to be humble and totally dependent on God for everything and to surrender completely to Him. Again, to trust only in Him! In what areas of your life (body, soul & spirit) do you need to trust in God, this moment, this day?
When you feel so overwhelmed, physically; soulfully with your mind, will, and emotions; and spiritually, don’t give in and don’t give up. Even if you feel like it’s just a baby step, step toward God; trust in Him.
When Overwhelmed, Remember God:
God gives you promises of power to fulfill all that He asks of you as He inwardly transforms your heart by His grace.
Overwhelmed woman celebrating, remembering God!
How do YOU take that baby step toward God when overwhelmed?
I cried out to Him and admitted I didn’t want to!
Then, I asked friends (NACWE sisters actually) to pray for me and miraculous healing happened!
I trusted God (even if on what I felt was a “small scale” or considered a baby step.
He met me there. He empowered me. He transformed me!
We Can Help!
This month we’re focusing on Leveling UP our Facebook & Instagram Lives, Reels & Stories.
Next month we’re focusing on Leveling UP our Blogging and Writing!
Now I’m encouraged to write a blog a week through the end of the year!
Yesterday, I wanted to crawl under a rock!
Today I want to conquer the world!
I pray the same empowering for you!
Lord,
When we feel overwhelmed, remind us that You bless us. You want to enjoy communion with us. You love us. You give us promises of power to fulfill all that You ask of us and You inwardly transform our hearts by Your grace. Remind us to trust in You and rely on You for everything. Remind us to take even small steps toward you. Remind us to take even small steps to care for our physical body, our soul – mind will and emotions, and our spirit.
Thank you for making us poor in spirit and offering us Your kingdom of heaven!
With God as my CEE = Chief Executive of Everything,
National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs President https://nacwe.org
CEO of RHEMA 3E Services (Enlightening, Encouraging & Equipping you through Counseling, Coaching, Writing & Publishing, Retreating, Consulting, and Commercial Property Leasing)https://rhema3eservices.com
“Jeremiah” Children, grab your sword! It’s time to learn about the power of prayer!
Power Pray: Grab Your Sword!
Dear “Jeremiah” Children,
God has a plan for you. It includes a hope-filled future! He hears you! He restores you!
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile”
Jeremiah 29:11-14 ESV
Let’s talk about prayer!
Power Pray: Grab Your Sword!
Do you ever wonder what life would be like if we spent as much time dwelling on powerful and positive thoughts as we do on weak and negative thoughts?
I’ve been reading a book called Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney. It’s simple. He says that we should pray using the very words we read in God‘s Word, the Bible!
Grab Your Sword!
I’m reminded of the words in Hebrews 4:12.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Imagine the power of praying the words of the most powerful Being we know and love. Imagine the power of praying with a sword in our hands!
Power Pray!
What does that look like?
Let’s pray together.
Read Psalm 1:1-2.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night”
Psalm 1:1-2 ESV
Pray:
Dear God,
I want to be blessed by You. Please bless me and those I love! I want to delight in Your law and Your instruction. I want to meditate on Your Word day and night. Help me to more fully understand what that even means; and then help me to consistently read and give serious and careful thought to Your Words and apply them to my life! Amen
It’s Your Turn!
Raise that sword! Pray that powerful Word! Try it and see what happens – not just in your prayer life, but in your whole life!
Grow in intimacy with God, and partner in His Grace in your business; purpose to follow God’s standards in business toward your best impact in His Kingdom!
Throughout the process of choosing our path and ordering our steps with the Lord’s guidance, we must keep in mind the purpose of our work and service: the purpose to follow God’s standards toward our best impact in His Kingdom!
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Now What?
Grow in intimacy with God, and partner in His Grace in your business; purpose to follow God’s standards for the best impact in His Kingdom!
Our Charge as Christian Entrepreneurs:
WHAT are we to do?
Confirm Our God-Given Calling
Purpose to Follow God’s Standards
WHY? To impact His Kingdom!
HOW?
Grow in Intimacy with God;
Partner in His Grace in our business/ministry.
WHAT are we to do?
Confirm Our God-Given Calling
Purpose to Follow God’s Standards
WHY? To impact His Kingdom!
HOW?
Grow in Intimacy with God;
Partner in His Grace in our business/ministry.
Confirm Your God-Given Calling
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Confirm Your Calling and Election His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:2-11, ESV
Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 2 Peter 1:10
I can’t tell you how many times a group member or coaching client has started, stopped and restarted a brand or a project. Most of the time we discover together that they were working toward a goal God never called them to in the first place.
I ask the Lord often for clarity and confidence regarding what He wants me to do. I shudder to think I might be on a path He did not design for me.
Once we stop, back up a bit, and implore the Lord about His calling on their lives and work, most clients soar forward with passion and newfound joy!
Do you need to ask the Lord for clarity of conviction where His calling on your life and work is concerned?
He will answer!
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15.
Purpose to Follow God’s Standards
In her last chapter, NOW WHAT? from Grace Over Grind, Shae states
“…you can embrace the invitation laid before you to embrace a new standard, one that seeks God’s best, testifies of His amazing grace, and ultimately has greater Kingdom impact.”
Shae Bynes, Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can’t
What is God’s Standard? What is His best?
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh, that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Psalm 119 Holiness (2 Peter 1:15-16) His ways are right and pure. They enlighten us and cause us to rejoice! (Psalm 19:8)
It’s a lofty journey, but one worth taking!
How will you realign your life and work according to God’s standards and precepts?
Heaven forbid that our life and work tasks might be a waste of time and for nothing good. Even worse would be that our life and work tasks might cause someone to stumble or cause them harm!
I want to make a difference, even in small ways, and to hear God say “‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.’ (Matthew 25:21, 23)
He promises us:
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19
Grow in intimacy with God.
Again, Shae states,
…go even deeper and allow God to mature and grow you in grace. 2 Peter 1:2-3 says “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” Growing in knowledge comes from applying what you have heard and what you have seen from Holy Spirit, yielding undeniable testimonies and spiritual wisdom. As you grow in truly knowing Him, His grace will be multiplied to you.
Shae Bynes, Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can’t
I want to be growing always!
Think of the most intense time of growth with the Lord in your life.
What were the specific catalysts encouraging that growth?
What do you need today to begin a deeper time of growing in the Lord?
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
He calls us His fellow workers. 1 Corinthians 3:9 We are partners of the Gospel. (Philippians 1:5) We work together with Him. (2 Corinthians 6:1) We are also called to greater responsibility and held accountable. Blessedly He gives the growth! (1 Corinthians 3:7)
Comment below and tell us how we can pray with and encourage you along the path God has laid before you!
emphasis
Your Turn
Challenges:
In what areas of your business/ministry will you strive to grow in intimacy with God and partner in His Grace?
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What will those who notice this change actually see?
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Journal for 5 minutes asking the Lord very specific questions about your business/ministry and recording His answers! _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
POST an encouragement on Facebook in the ACHIEVE Coaching group: Karen Bourg Companies
Join our Thursday Prayer Calls by phone via free conference calling. All Thursday 8am CST Prayer Calls can be accessed by dialing 1-712-775-8968 / conference code 620259
Blessings,
Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Numbers 6, ESV
24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
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God is a God of Order, and through Him we can be orderly in body, soul, and spirit! By God’s Grace, every minute we spend organizing and ordering (body, soul, and spirit) can produce extraordinary results!
NACWE Members http://nacwe.org ) declared 2021 the year of Leveling UP for Christian Women Entrepreneurs.
For the entire month of February we focused on leveling up our organization(s) – on being organized, optimizing opportunities and tools, managing time, productivity, and efficiency! I immediately thought of my father-in-love’s disordered physical space and very ordered mind! I wondered what our God of Order says about being ordered in body, soul and spirit.
Join me for an initial look! Father God, Help us to be ordered and organized in all dimensions of our lives (body, soul and spirit) and in ways that please You! Amen.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
God is a God of Order in All Things
But all things should be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40
ALL things: But all things should be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).
We are body, soul and spirit:
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
God is a God of Order – Body, Soul, and Spirit
I want to want to (want to desire to) be orderly and organized in body, soul and spirit! Even when I don’t want to! I want to!
It’s hard!
I am physically tired. Lord, heal my body.
I fight against a pervasive mindset that says large tasks are too overwhelming and I might as well not even tackle them! Lord, free me from defeatist thoughts!
I disobey when God asks me to invite Him in every day. Lord, forgive me for rebelling.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
My body doesn’t feel like His temple!
Have you ever thought through how many hours it takes to care for the body God gave you? If you add together hours for sleep, cleanliness, nourishment, exercise, and more – maybe hours for healing when you are physically challenged, it can easily add up half of your day!
During a health crisis, I have had to learn to give myself time to care for my body, to be orderly about it (I hate taking meds so a schedule is crucial), and most importantly, to remember that my body belongs to God, and to seek refuge and wisdom from Him.
What do you need to do to care for your body, His temple, now?
God is a God of Order for your Soul (Mind, Will, & Emotions)
And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37
A pastor once defined our soul as our mind, will and emotions.
You can have an ordered mind.
Yikes! I want to stop writing this! Too many personal convictions crop up!
Have you heard about the book Men are Like Waffles; Women are Like Spaghetti?
The basic premise is:
Men compartmentalize / divide into sections or categories their lives and thoughts. They even have a “nothing” compartment. Wife: “Honey, what are you thinking about?” Husband: “Nothing!”
Women entwine their lives and mix their thoughts throughout like a pile of spaghetti; there is no “Nothing” compartment!
I can’t speak for others, but I have to agree that this is true for me and Fred most of the time!
A clean desk is a sign of a sick mind!
For years my father-in-love always had a sign on his desk that said, “A clean desk is a sign of a sick mind!” And therefore, there was assuredly nothing “sick” about his mind! Now, you can’t find the sign or his desk! He’s not distracted by this holy mess. As a lifetime missionary, he has written hundreds of books, booklets, and seminary courses for those sharing and accepting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Obviously, God’s Grace is sufficient in his life in spite of what appears to be extreme physical disorder.
A clean desk is a sign of a clean mind!
We have a serene little house on the lake that we rent through AirBnb. Thanks to Vicki, a friend that watches over and cleans the house for us between guests, it is uncluttered and pristine! Everything is in its place! I’m amazed at the progress I make when I stay there for get-away work days. There is little to distract me, once I’ve spent sufficient time on the water, of course. I have written my “magnum opus” dissertation and several entire books at such a place.
And yet, O Praise the Lord; He commands us to order our thoughts/minds.
He commands us.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
Plus, He promises us peace!
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
God wouldn’t command us to order our minds if, through Him, it wasn’t possible!
How do you need to organize and order your mind today?
You Can Have Ordered Emotions
I’ve worked with families in crisis since 1995. It’s hard enough to keep our emotions in check when things are going well, but even harder during times of turmoil and suffering. Fellow counselors and I talk often about the heightened emotions in the counseling room and how it draws our emotions toward turmoil as well.
He commands us.
Do not be anxious.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Be strong and courageous. Joshua 1:9
Be angry and do not sin… Ephesians 4:26-27
He tells us how.
In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
Hold back your spirit. Proverbs 29:11
Be slow to anger. Proverbs 15:18
Walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-24
Let love be genuine. And hold fast to what is good. Romans 12:9
Plus, He promises us …
Peace: The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
A mind of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).
Good will come from all things (Romans 8:28).
A glad heart (Proverbs 15:3).
God wouldn’t order us to order our emotions if, through Him, it wasn’t possible!
How do you need to organize and order your emotions today?
God is a God of Order for your Spirit
I have confidence that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are ordered beings.
God is Spirit
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24
His Word pierces and discerns thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38
What does the Bible say about my spirit, as a daughter of the All-Mighty triune God?
We are spirit
He calls us His spirit children. (Romans 8:16)
Our spirit returns to God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
We are heart
There is an element of “heart” in our soul (especially in our mind, will, and emotions).
And there is a greater element of “heart” in our spirit.
Keep/Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23
Let not your hearts be troubled. John 14:1-2
Perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18
God wouldn’t encourage us to guard our heart/spirit if, through Him, it wasn’t possible!
How do you need to guard your heart/spirit today?
Admittedly, many of us fall somewhere in between extreme disorganization and uncluttered & pristine in body, soul, and spirit!
This is where I live and work most of the time – somewhere between extreme disorganization & uncluttered and pristine. In some areas, I have to have things organized; in other areas, chaos ensues.
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26; Mark 9:23 & 10:27; Luke 18:27)
God wouldn’t encourage us to order our body, soul and spirit if, through Him, it wasn’t possible!
Claim it! Amen!
Your Turn
Challenges:
1. Post in a prominent place in your workspace:
With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
2. Purpose to start each week/each day asking God to order your steps in body, soul and spirit/heart. What does that look like specifically for you?
3. Spend 5 minutes asking the Lord specific questions about order, and record His answers.
POST an encouragement on Facebook in the ACHIEVE Coaching group: Karen Bourg Companies
Join our Thursday Prayer Calls by phone via free conference calling. All Thursday 8am CST Prayer Calls can be accessed by dialing 1-712-775-8968 / conference code 620259
Blessings,
Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Numbers 6, ESV
24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
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God’s Grace and Power Are Sufficient for Your Life and Work (Working God’s Way)
God’s Grace and Power are Sufficient for your Life and Work because He is Sovereign over all things!
God’s Grace is Sufficient. He is Sovereign!
God’s Grace is the foundation upon which the Gospel message is built. His grace is our source. Because He is sovereign, we can trust Him to offer grace where it is needed!
God is Sovereign over the universe, our salvation, our suffering—over everything!
Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. … And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:12-13
Examples of God’s Sufficient Grace in Scripture
Consider David
Even when he lied, lusted, lay with Bathsheba, stole, and killed—God saw his heart and loved him. David turned from his sin and repented.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!Psalm 51:1-2
(These are the first two verses! I love that!)
And God forgave David and offered him grace.
God does this for us as well!
Consider Rahab
She was referred to by God as a “harlot” three times in His Word! She heard of the God of Israel, sheltered the Israelite spies in her home, saved their lives, and bravely bargained for her life and that of her family.
“I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” Joshua 2:9-11
Rahab lived with the Israelites and faithfully served God from that day on! God willingly offered His Grace.
In my own life, as a young widow, I went out on dates with four different widowers, and I have to admit I did not always honor God in my dating decisions. Looking back, I am sure one of them was not a follower of Christ. Typical of a sinful nature, he’s the one I was most enamored with!
Out of the mouths of babes – My 7-year-old son, Matthew, is the one who told me I shouldn’t look at anyone else but Fred! He actually said, “You’re going to marry Fred Bourg!”
As I write this, I am struck with a new revelation that God offered Fred to our family as an act of His Grace!
My Goodness! Lord, I thank You and pray that I will look upon my dear husband this way from now on! Thank You for this enlightenment! Amen.
In what ways has God offered you His Grace? Take time to thank Him now!
In her chapter on The Sufficiency of Grace from Grace Over Grind, Shae Bynes states:
Working by God’s grace does not mean that you will escape challenges. You will undoubtedly experience trials and undesirable circumstances in your business, but this is where grace meets you. Grace is the empowerment that enables you to successfully do what God has called you to do.
Shae Bynes, Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can’t
…to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, 10
God’s Power is Sufficient. He is Omnipotent!
David Prays in the Assembly:
Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
May we never forget that God’s power is sufficient for any and all things we are going through!
Examples of God’s Sufficient Power in Scripture
God’s Word alone has the power to strengthen us.
Consider Paul
In spite of starting as one of the most zealous enemies of Christianity, bearing this thorn in the flesh (don’t you wish we knew exactly what it was!?); he was transformed! He was given amazing revelations of God’s glory and power, kept from pride, made humble, and became the Gospel’s most ardent messenger as he traveled far and wide taking the message of salvation to the Gentiles!
God transforms us as well!
Consider Gideon
The story of Gideon is told in the Book of Judges, chapters 6 and 7. Gideon was considered the “weakest in his father’s house” and his clan was called the “weakest in Manasseh!” God wouldn’t let him use 30,000 or 3,000 men to conquer their oppressor Midian. He gave him only 300 men to fight. They were victorious! God made the odds so unfathomably small that only God could bring victory!
In my young life, my husband Tim endured 3 different forms of cancer over a period of four years. Our family and friends suffered alongside him. People would come to visit us in his last 111 days in hospital and leave exclaiming, “I came to encourage him, and I am leaving encouraged!” God gave him strength and power when he must have been feeling low (an understatement, I’m sure) in body, soul, and spirit to minister to others. God gave me strength and power after Tim died to live for Him and to care for our three children, then ages 7, 6, and 4!
My Goodness! Lord, I thank You and pray that I will look upon those traumatic times as an era of Your Offering of Power to us from this day forward! Thank you for this enlightenment! Amen.
In what ways has God offered you His Power? Take time to thank Him now!
Again, Shae states
Not only does this grace offer you a lifestyle of unforced rhythm, rest, and divine favor, but according to God, His grace offers the solution to difficulties you will face on your entrepreneurial journey. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, the Apostle Paul shared that when he pleaded with God and asked Him three times to take away the thorn in his flesh, God’s response was “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul goes on in verse 10 to describe some of the weaknesses he encountered; insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. God says that His transforming power is made complete in all of our weakness and that is extraordinary news.
Shae Bynes, Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can’t
Your Turn
Challenges:
What challenges in your life and business/ministry require God’s Grace?
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What challenges in your business/ministry require God’s Power?
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Journal for 5 minutes asking the Lord very specific questions about His Grace and Power in your business/ministry and recording His Answers! _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________
POST an encouragement on Facebook in the ACHIEVE Coaching group: Karen Bourg Companies
Join our Thursday Prayer Calls by phone via free conference calling. All Thursday 8am CST Prayer Calls can be accessed by dialing 1-712-775-8968 / conference code 620259
Blessings,
Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Numbers 6, ESV
24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
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