From the Pulpit ...is Ever and Always Able to meet our Needs

2Corinthians 12:9:

"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

This scripture is awesome and shows how mighty God really is in our weakness. This is evident when we look at what Paul went through with the thorn in his side. Scripture never said what the thorn was, but it did sure bother him greatly. Many think it was the fact that he was in prison away from people that he loved. Others, including myself, think that the thorn was the fact that he had helped kill many Christians including Stephen and this bothered him greatly after he himself became a Christian. I don't know if that is right or not; only God and Paul knows for sure. Then Paul pleaded with the Lord three times that it might be taken away from him. 2 Corinthians 12:8 says, "Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me."

The problem is, the flesh is still corrupt and corrupting all the time, even in an apostle who was given divine revelation and visions from God. But God is greater than Satan and greater than the flesh. Through our brokenness, as God's servants are made humble, then the power of Christ will shine through their lives and in their ministries. As when you read the scripture, we see the thorn greatly pained Paul, but God's provisions was and is sufficient. The verb here is in the present tense. God's grace for personal trials is ever and always able to meet all of our needs.

A story of God's Amazing Grace is about John Newton who wrote the famous hymn called "Amazing Grace."

I bet there have been many times in your life where you have hummed or sang the hymn "Amazing Grace" as I have. It has been estimated that this hymn has been performed roughly about 10 million times every year; how incredible is that!

Many people are unaware of this hymn's history. We sing along to the words and reflect on the words where it has an effect on our lives and how we came to Christ, and how we are so grateful to God for His grace. But knowing the history to the hymn gives us an appreciation in a big way.

"Amazing Grace" was written almost two and a half centuries ago in 1772. The words of this beloved hymn was born from the heart, mind and experiences of John Newton, who was from England. John Newton lived as a slave trader and the journey that he went through before he even wrote the hymn will show his gratefulness to God for His amazing grace.

John lived a very troubled childhood, as his mother passed away when he was only six years old and his father was away at sea. John Newton spent many years fighting against all authority, going as far as trying to desert the Royal Navy when he was in his twenties.

Afterwards, he started sailing on a slave traders' ship. As he returned home to England, a violent and terrible storm hit and it almost sank the ship. It then prompted John Newton to start his walk with God as he started to shout out to God to save them on the ship from the storm.

Unfortunately, as he returned safely to port, John Newton forgot about God and he then became a slave ship master, a profession at which he served that position for many years. He helped bring many slaves from Africa to England as he made many trips there and back; he even admitted to, at times, treating the slaves very despicably. In 1754, after John had become very ill on a sea voyage, he decided to leave his life as a slave trader, the slave trade and the seafaring altogether, as he also decided to wholeheartedly give his life to Jesus Christ, which changed his life forever.

He became an ordained Anglican minister in 1764 and he became a very popular preacher and hymn writer, as he penned 280 hymns, among them the great hymn of "Amazing Grace."

Years later, John Newton fought alongside William Wilberforce, leader of the parliamentary campaign to abolish the Africian slave trade. He described the horrors of the slave trade in a tract he wrote supporting the campaign and lived to see the British passage of the Slave Trade act in 1807.

Now, we can see how the lyrics like: "I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see. Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come. 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home."

These lyrics carry a much deeper meaning than just a sinner's trivial gratitude. As he was close to death at times and blind to the reality of others, John Newton would never have written "Amazing Grace" if not for all his hectic past. Then so many of us would be without these beautiful words that describe our relationship with Jesus Christ as we all rely on God's grace: "'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed."

So what is God's grace? God's grace is His favor and His kindness towards us. Grace is a gift from God and not from our own works, so we don't boast about anything that we did. Eppesians 2:4-9 says, "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might sow the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

God gives grace on all of those who love and follow Him and ask for forgiveness. He brings us things that we need in His perfect timing. He also gave us a conscience to know what is right and what is wrong, free will to follow Him or not; it's our choice. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. " God's Salvation Grace: God gave us all this and so much more because He so loved world and us, where he gave us His son, Jesus Christ, for whoever believes in Him will not die but have eternal life with Him, as he came to save the world, not to condemn it. God has purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and by doing so, He forgave all of our sins; He wiped them clean away. This amazing gift is given when you just simply believe this in your heart. We did not work for this and we certainly do not deserve what God has done for us. God still continues to give us more grace, such as kindness, wisdom and understanding for His Word. What an amazing God we serve! After all, Jesus Christ died for us; He suffered terribly for us. It was nothing like they portray on TV, a few cuts and a little blood. No, it was worse; it was horrible what happened to Him. His wounds were terrible, open wounds all over Him and He even had internal organs showing, totally horrific. Jesus was born to die for us. Isaiah 52:14 says, "Just as many were appalled at you-His appearance was so disfigured that He did not look like a man, and His form did not resemble a human being."

For He loved the world that He gave His only Son. John 3:1617 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

But on the third day He had Risen from the tomb! He defeated death as the scriptures said He would. Matthew 28:56 says, "But the angel answered and said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.'"

After all, Jesus is the resurrection and the life; if we believe this, even though we may die, we will be with Him in heaven. John 11:25 says, "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.'"

Without Jesus Christ, we can never enter into Heaven with Him; this is because He is the only way to Heaven. John

14:6 says, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" No one can come to the Father who is in Heaven except through Jesus, so if you don't have a loving relationship with Jesus, then you can't come to the Father and if you can't come to the Father who is in Heaven, then you won't be allowed to ever enter the kingdom of God, which is Heaven.

We all need to be still, to cease moving and to recognize and understand that He is God. Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

God's Numerous Grace: We know that we have sinned; we sin and we will sin again. We will always seem, at times, to do the very thing we don't want to do and not do the thing that we want to do, even though we all want to do the right thing for God, but fall short of what we want to do. Romans 2:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

We are blessed that God will forgive us each and every time, as long as I repent when I fall. All of our sins, past, present and future are forgiven after you believe in Jesus. Acts 3:19 says, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." Unfortunately, sins come naturally to us but righteousness takes focus. Focus comes from obeying the Word of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to help us. When we try on our own, we always will go and do the wrong thing.

But when we confess each sin, try to learn from it and change our ways of thinking by focusing on Jesus, keeping your eyes on Him and He will forgive us, not just here and there but all the time, God has much more grace for us. Matthew 18:2122 says, "Then Peter came to Him and said, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?'

Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

God's Forgiveness

Grace: Not only are all our sins forgiven when we repent but we will be able to supernaturally forgive others who have hurt us. God helps us all to forgive others that we could not have forgiven on our own, because of the magnitude of the hurt they caused us.

Forgiveness is possible now even when the transgression caused us deep hurt. There are so many examples of forgiving people that deeply hurt them. Jesus even forgave those who nailed Him to the cross. Luke 23:34 says, "Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.' And they divided His garments and cast lots." This kind of forgiveness grace doesn't really take away from the hurtfulness of the transgression, but it provides your soul with the peace you need. It also gives the person that hurt you a chance to repent of the transgression against you, if they so choose to.

Forgiving grace wouldn't be possible without God because as people, when we are hurt, we seek revenge to hurt the person that hurt us and it can also put us into a depression, but with Jesus we are to live like He lives and change our lives to resemble His. If Jesus can forgive the ones that nailed Him to a cross, I'm sure we can forgive those who hurt us and it will set us free.

God's GraceFruits of the Spirit: Every morning, we can begin new all over again. If we fall and made a mistake yesterday, then we can start over with a clean slate today. Every single day is a chance to have a fresh start, act better and start to show more of the fruit of the Spirit. Because of His presence with us, around us and in within us, we always have the chance to do better than yesterday.

Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Instead of only thinking of ourselves, we can show some concern for other people. Instead of being full of anxiety, we can be full of peace and joy. Instead of being so impatient, we can wait on people or things with patience. God's grace will always give us the self-control we need to act with kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness towards other people, and this will bring peace into our lives. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubles, neither let it be afraid."

We are fearfully and wonderfully made with a purpose in our lives that we are to serve the Lord. Knowing God through His Word is essential in life. When we know the purpose in our lives, it sets us free. John 8:36 says, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you are free indeed."

Jesus also said to us that here on earth we will always have trials and sorrows; He never promised us a perfect life because we follow Him.

But we can all take heart because Jesus Christ has overcome it all; He has overcome the world and in Him we will have peace. John 16:33 says, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

WOOD Ministries

Publisher/Sales/Graphic Designer/Writer: Rob Wood wood.ministries.2020@gmail.com

Editor/Writer:

Donna Wood Writer:

Lynne Wood

God is always in control

Book by: Nancy DeMos Wolgemuth, Foreword By Dr. David Jeremiah

Written by: Lynne Wood

Heaven Rules was written by Nancy DeMoss. This book will certainly make you think. On the front of the book are the words Take courage, Take comfort, Our God is in control; those words are so true. You will hear people say the devil is in the details; that is not true. God is in the details because Heaven Rules.

As Nancy says, we must learn the truth of God's word, that He is the eternal King. That means cancer is not king, no pandemic is king, and any financial problems are not king.

Only God is King and everything is held in check by Him. God is good; He will never leave you. He loves you. God doesn't guarantee that we will always be healthy and prosperous and never have any problems in our life, but He will always be there to help you through it.

Sometimes God uses hardships to bring us closer to Him to cling to Him for peace and comfort. Through all the trials we face in our life, we must trust in Him. God knows what He's doing, He is our strength; Heaven does rule.

If you come to God in prayer recognizing His power and His greatness and come to Him in humble faith, God will answer you. The answer to your prayer doesn't always happen when you want it or how you want it to be answered. Because God's ways are higher than ours, we don't always understand His answers but one day we will understand completely. You may not always know what God is doing, but trust Him with everything, because He knows everything. He is our strength and is always present.

Psalm 29:10-11: "The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned King forever. The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace."

Nancy said that if you learn those two verses and keep them in your heart, they will help you through any storm that you may face with the courage to get through them. Just remember that, no matter what, Heaven Rules.

Deuteronomy 6:5: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

Psalm 23:1,2