3,224 active users!! |
|
|
| Clovis Evangelical Free Church |
Wil Owens | Clovis, California
|
 |  | 559-292-3344 |
|
|
|
 Good, honest, pointed self-evaluation is a healthy thing. I often find myself doing this during my prayer time. I cry out to God over my sins, my failures, or just the weaknesses of my personal life that are not necessarily sinful but they do restrict me from my potential for the Lord’s work. In this light, my strengths and weaknesses come to light, very evident, clear light. And that’s good. It enables me to pray specifically regarding specific areas in my life, in my heart. It is good to give attention to our weaknesses, whether we mean our sinful inclinations or our restrictive behaviors such as shyness, lack of courage, etc. When we recognize our weaknesses, we recognize our desperate need for grace, and that’s always a good thing! We know we need grace to resist temptation. We know equally well we need grace to be a bold witness for Christ when the opportunity arises. We need grace to reverse a pattern of withdrawal into intentional engagement with those around us. We need God’s help! So we pray for grace concerning our weaknesses! Therefore, when God answers, He gets the praise. We know when we say “NO!” to that which normally so easily besets us that God’s grace is at work! We know when we speak up to share truth instead of cowering away that God’s grace is at work! We know that when we have something helpful to say instead of being silenced by questions or criticisms that God’s grace is at work. In our weakness, He is made strong! That’s why we pray about our weaknesses! We need help and God gets the glory! However, with so much attention given to our weaknesses, we often totally ignore our strengths, and that may be an indication that we are not thinking rightly about the areas where we are living rightly! We tend to look at our weaknesses as areas where we need grace, lots of grace. On the other hand, we tend to not even think about our strengths during our prayers. After all, we’re doing pretty good in those areas, right? That’s the problem. We think WE have those areas under control. WE are doing a fine job against those sins or in those personality traits. These are OUR strengths. Ahh, the old enemy of pride hides in every corner, doesn’t he? The truth is if we do have any strengths, their root is in the grace of God as well, not in our strength, will, determination, capability, etc. Strengths are gifts to be thankful for not accomplishments to enlarge our egos. Both strengths and weaknesses are occasions to pray about grace. For weaknesses, we need grace, so we beg for it. For strengths, we’ve been given grace, so we praise God for it. And we dare not take a single strength for granted. What is a strength today may be a weakness tomorrow. In the end, we rely upon God in both instances. In the end, we are the recipients in both instances. In the end, God gets the glory in both instances! Weaknesses AND strengths point to God’s grace! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PAST BLOG ENTRIES |
|
I love Thanksgiving! In fact, I make a special effort each year to make sure my family and I observe Thanksgiving. Commercially, Thanksgiving is often totally ignored. Stores stacked with Halloween costumes and Halloween candy are dramatically...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
|
|
|
|
|
The presidential debates have ended and November 6 is right around the corner. Now that President Obama and Governor Romney have been asked some questions, as believers, we need to ask ourselves a few questions before we head to the...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
|
|
|
|
|
“We see that our salvation and all its parts are comprehended in Christ (Acts 4:12). We should therefore take care not to derive the least portion of it from anywhere else. If we seek salvation, we are taught by the very name of Jesus that...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
|
|
|
|
|
Today, all across the globe, Jewish people will embark on a 25 hour period of intensive prayer and fasting. It is known as Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement. It is the hope of every Jew who participates on this day, to whatever degree, that God will...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
|
|
|
|
|
During our recent trip to Kenya, our team had the privilege to meet Abraham and Sarah. They are members of Search And See Church, Tiriki, Kenya. Abraham is lame in both feet and so moves around by pulling his body with his hands. He is a man of...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
|
|
|
|
|
I recently read President George W. Bush’s Decision Points. It was an enjoyable and insightful read for me. I must say though, the one story that was extremely disturbing was when Bush recalled an evening his extended family spent with Rev....[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
|
|
|
|
|
The Purpose of “God with Us”: A Christmas Meditation God with us - the Glorious Incarnation Dwelling with us - such holy condescension God for us - the Wondrous Crucifixion Dying for us - accomplishing Redemption God in us -...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
|
|
|
|
|
Some of the most wasted space in America is found on church signs! Rare is the sighting of a church sign that broadcasts scripture verses. You may find the occasional John 3:16, which is great, however, it may as well be the only one in the Bible...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
|
|
|
|
|
Who would have ever believed just weeks ago that an event would occur in Iceland that would bring international travel and engagements to a halt? Of all countries that weld power and sway, no one would have suspected that an event in far away and...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
|
|
|
|
|
| · Page 1 · Found: 12 entries · Jump: [1] 2 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
