Our worship song for this Wednesday was shared with me by some special women in my life. When I heard this song by Vickie Yohe, "I'm at Peace", it brought me just that - Peace. My life is in such a transition, its not a bad thing, its just my Father taking me, the ministry, those around me to a new place in Him. Sometimes when everything around you is transitioning you can feel anxiety, unsure and worried. But, when I heard this song, this passage of scripture came to mind, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) The first step in Paul’s remedy for anxiety is to rejoice always (v. 4). He repeats himself to emphasize the importance of rejoicing in all circumstances in order to live a life free of anxiety. The next step in Paul’s remedy for anxiety is to let your gentleness (kindness) be evident to all (v. 5). When you are filled with the joy of Lord, your attitude towards others is transformed. If you are filled with the love of Christ, it is possible to show kindness to everyone and in every circumstance, even those who have offended you. The third step in Paul’s remedy for anxiety is to ask God in prayer for everything you need with thanksgiving (v. 6). The result of your earnest prayers and petitions is that you will have the peace of God, keeping your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (v. 7). Paul's focus was always on the greatness and goodness of God--never on his circumstances. And he experienced the blessing of praise--blessings that are available to us when we choose to praise and worship and trust God, no matter what our circumstances. 

Consider this … What challenges and emotions are you facing in the transitions of life?

Be encouraged and consider making a choice. A choice to rejoice instead of being fearful … trust God instead of worrying and being anxious … to except His plan, His timing and His love. Only then can you experience the total Shalom (peace) that truly does pass all understanding. 

As I was going through a major attack in my life God sent some people to encourage and undergird me and I remember one of them saying, "It is going to take some effort and determination, but God is going turn this around and He will get the glory out of this." At that moment in time I needed to hear that to believe. We all need to hear that sometimes that it isn't too late and the situation will turn around and that we will experience the glory! But sometimes the way our belief is set up…we just can't see the turnaround and we need a reminder.

Martha, didn't see the victory when her brother Lazarus died and Jesus said to her, "Jesus *said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 10:40) Jesus spoke this to Martha just before He raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. Martha complained to Jesus that if He had only been there, her brother wouldn't have died. It didn't occur to her that Jesus would raise her brother from the dead, especially after Lazarus had been dead for four days. She had faith for her brother's healing when he was still alive, but not for him to be raised from the dead after his body was already beginning to decay. Jesus wanted to take not only Martha's faith to the next level, but his disciples and all those who would hear of the miracle to a greater level of faith. He took what appeared to be the worst case scenario and turned it into one of the greatest blessings they had ever experienced. That is why when he told his disciples that Lazarus had died, he said he was glad for their sakes he wasn't there, so that they may believe. Jesus did something they had never personally witnessed before. Yet just because they hadn't seen it, doesn't mean God won't do it! 

There are things God has put in your heart that you've personally never seen done. There may have even been some events that looked like the worst case scenario in your life. Yet God is saying to you the same thing He said to Martha. If you will believe, you will see the Glory of God! You will see done the very thing you thought impossible, for nothing is impossible with God! And you will then experience some of the greatest blessings you've ever experienced!

I want to encourage you that whatever your situation is, whether you lost your job, lost a loved one, going through a painful divorce or diagnosed with a life threatening disease, do not loose faith, there will be a praise after this.  Maybe you are in a very difficult marriage. I want to tell you, there will be testimony after this! Maybe your finances stink. You need to know there will be victory this!  Maybe you have made some major mistakes that are hindering your future, there will be a turnaround after this!  Just believe, wait and expect God's intervention that there will be a testimony of victory and glory "after this"!

"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". — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Essentially in this passage the Lord told the apostle Paul, I am the grace. I’m all the grace you need. God does not dispense strength and encouragement like a pharmacist fills a prescription. God never says, Here, take two of these and call Me in the morning. He is the grace. He is the strength. His presence is the power. All we need comes through intimacy with Him. 

God does not dispense strength and encouragement like a pharmacist fills a prescription. God never says, Here, take two of these and call Me in the morning. He is the grace. He is the strength. His presence is the power. All we need comes through intimacy with Him. Notice that the Lord explains how I’m all the grace you need actually works in our lives: “For my power is made perfect in weakness.” “Perfect” means fulfilled, accomplished, completed, finished. God brings His sufficient and powerful grace to the relationship; all we bring is weakness. All of this is grace because we can’t do anything to deserve what He does for us. And He makes sure the results are perfect finished and complete.

God wants His grace to be completed in your weakness. You never really experience the grace unless you see the need for it. We have a need for everything else, things and people, but truly all we need is Him. His power, His' grace is not fully seen until weakness is fully acknowledged. The moment you are overwhelmed is the moment Jesus says, "I’m all the grace you need".

If you want to live by God’s sufficient grace, you’re not going to catch it falling from the sky as you hurry to your next appointment or to complete the next task. You must go to the fountain and drink deeply. He is the One who quenches your thirst. When you read His Word and are thinking about it, His grace is flowing into you.

He is also the One who wants to go with you every step of the way. And when a trial threatens to overwhelm you, remember His promise: “I Am All The Grace You Need” The Lord is a faithful friend, sustaining you. He is just waiting for you to say, "He is All You Need."