6 minute read
Grace Enough for Hard Times
those two verses: 9 Each time he (God) said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (10) That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong (NLT).
Verse nine contains one of the most significant faith statements in the Bible: “My grace is all you need.” Memorize it. Believe it and you have embraced a foundational truth of Christian faith. The more popular translation is “My grace is sufficient for you.” In either translation, it is God’s answer to Paul’s prayer for deliverance from his suffering. It can also be the answer to your prayers.
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Without this letter to the Corinthians, every persecuted Christian might be tempted to wallow in self-pity, moaning about why God allows bad things to happen to good people. But when we read about the troubles Paul faced as a servant of Christ, you and I must admit that God allowed Paul to suffer far more than we have suffered and He provided Paul with grace enough to handle his hardships without abandoning his faith. When you wrestle with your own suffering, you can say with Paul, “God’s grace is all I need.” When doubt knocks on your heart’s door, you can say, “Trouble, my God is greater than you, and His grace is sufficient for every need I face!” God’s power can be made “perfect” in your weakness too. And you can “take pleasure” in your troubles because the power of Christ is as available to you as it was to Paul. So, you too can handle insults, hardships, persecution and trouble in a way that brings glory to Christ.
Paul surprises me by saying he had decided to “boast” of his weaknesses. He even admitted that once he had been “a basket case,” having to run for his life when his friends lowered him in a basket from a window in a Damascus wall. Are you mature enough to “boast” of your weaknesses? I find it hard to do. Our culture values impressive “credentials” and counterfeit “honors.”
Yet Paul had no pride in his own achievements; what he valued most was his relationship to Jesus. Knowing Jesus and serving him was his life purpose. That’s where I want to be, and that’s where I am headed. Are you headed that way. God allows suffering. And He uses it in many different ways to accomplish his will. Sometimes suffering makes us more sensitive servants of Jesus. Like Paul, you may suffer with a “thorn in the flesh” that God will not remove. And you may ask why God does not answer your prayers for deliverance. Well, He does answer your prayers; sometimes He says no or wait.
Learning to depend upon the grace of God, and not yourself, is one of the great secrets of the Christian life. Life works God’s way when you live in Christ and welcome his living in you. Pride causes you to trust in your own cleverness rather than admit your need of God’s grace. But when you admit your weaknesses and turn in simple faith to Christ, his power enables you to “soar on wings like eagles” in the worst of times. That’s when you can celebrate the eternal truth that no matter what you must face, God’s grace is all you need!
Regina passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Feb. 11, 2023.
Our mother, Regina, was one of the strongest women to ever walk this earth and our family was blessed to have her as the head of the family.
Regina graduated from Smiths Station High School in 1957, where she was Miss Citizenship of her graduating class. She gave her all to her family and we will never be able to fill the space left behind by her.
Regina went on to meet the love of her life, Stanley J. Zenisek Jr., in 1961. Together they raised four children. She was a wonderful and loving mother.
Regina worked for Ampex Corporation in Opelika for 35 years where she retired. She was a dedicated employee as a quality assurance technician.
There were many games and activities she enjoyed. Most days you would see her doing crossword puzzles, word find and jigsaw puzzles. She enjoyed playing dominos, card games and bingo. Her love for plants and flowers was always evident and she enjoyed taking anyone who would go for a stroll in the yard to see her many plants. Another activity she enjoyed was fishing and catching shrimp and crabs.
Regina was preceded in death by her father Hayward
Hall, mother Gertrude Littleton Hall and husband Stanley J. Zenisek Jr.
She is survived by her four children: E. Darlene Gullatte, Stanley P. Zenisek, P. Kathleen “Kathy” Patterson (Mike) and Melinda R. Fair; eight grandchildren: Samuel Gullatte, Kathryn Gullatte Luper (Marc), Steven Randolph (Chelsea), Joey Randolph, Jade Randolph, Finn Adams, Sydney Beville, Ashlyn Beville; and three great-grandchildren: Maria Gullatte, Hunter Randolph and Rosie Randolph. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She is also survived by her sisters, Lora (Harold) Jones and Lottie (Eric) Chandler, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were held on Feb. 15 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika.
FAYE BASS
Faye Bass, 80, of Opelika, passed away Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at Bethany House in Auburn. A funeral service was held Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Burial followed at Garden Hills Cemetery.
Faye Bass was a longtime resident of Lee County. Faye was married to Coy Bass for 56 years. Faye is a member of
Central Baptist Church. She loved being a homemaker and managing Bass Mobile Estates. She was a loving wife and mother of two children that she raised in a loving home.
Faye is preceded in death by her father, Grover Hammock; stepmother, E.T. Hammock; mother, Hendon White; grandson, Jamie Bass; brother, Billy Hammock; and sister, Carolyn Harrelson. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Coy Bass; sons: Ben Bass (Candy) of Notasulga, Alabama, and Barry Bass (Terri) of Lanett, Alabama; sister, Nancy Bence of Foley, Alabama; four grandchildren: Kameron Phillips (Corey) of Notasulga, Karson Bass of Opelika, Breana Frantz of Notasulga and Casper Frantz of Notasulga; along with a host of nieces and nephews.
DONALD MAX LIVINGSTON
Donald Max Livingston, 81, of Auburn, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, after a brief stay at the Oaks at Grove Park Memory Care community. Visitation was held Sunday, Feb. 12, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, and a graveside service was held Monday, Feb. 13, at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Max was born July 17, 1941, in Madison County, Indiana, to Howard and Elene
Livingston. He graduated in 1964 from Lipscomb University with a bachelor’s degree in history. Max worked for Sears for 23 years, moving to Auburn in 1972 to open the Sears store in the Village Mall. He was a deacon and longtime member of Auburn Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Reneice Aderhold Livingston.
Max is survived by his wife of 19 years, Elizabeth “Egie” Scott Zachry Livingston of Notasulga, Alabama; children: David (Kathy) Livingston of Hebron, Kentucky, Joel (Christy) Livingston of Christiana, Tennessee, and Stephen (Sharla) Livingston of Auburn; grandchildren: Vanessa Livingston, Jessica Livingston, Kasey (Nick) Messick, Keith Livingston, Kiley Livingston, Benjamin Livingston and Nate Livingston; great-grandchild Henry Messick; brothers: Jim (Carol) Livingston and Dale (Sue) Livingston; a niece, several nephews and cousins. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.
MICHAEL C. MANLEY
Michael C. Manley, of Opelika, passed away at his home on Feb. 11, 2023. He was 77 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlos and
Mary Manley; brother, Carlton Manley; and daughter, Tracey Wilson.
He is survived by his wife, Elane Eastridge Manley; children: Shane (Laura) Manley, Lisa Coggins, Jennifer Day; grandchildren: Randi Beasley, Riley Wilson, Lane Wilson, Tristen Manley, Karston Manley, Courtney Johnson, Isabella Triplett, Abigail Day, Emerson Day, Thomas Day; greatgrandchildren: Everly Nelson, Tidis Johnson, Trip Triplett, Malachi Triplett; brothers: Kenneth (Nell) Manley and Gary (Merry) Manley; and one very special son-in-law, Brent Wilson.
A visitation was held at Providence Baptist Church East Campus on Tuesday, Feb. 14, and a service followed at 1 p.m. with Dr. Rusty Sowell officiating. Burial followed at Providence Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Providence Baptist Church. Frederick-Dean Funeral Home handled all arrangements.
WILLIAM DANIEL POUNCEY
William “Bill” Daniel Pouncey was born to William and Lula Mae Pouncey on Jan. 13, 1942.
Bill was joined in marriage to Sharon Taylor on March 23, 1984.
Bill proudly served in the U. S. Navy for four years.
Bill was born in Glenwood, Alabama, but lived in Opelika, where he went to sleep in death at EAMC on Feb. 10, 2023.
Bill was preceded in death by his father William Albert Pouncey and his mother Lula Mae Bozeman Pouncey, his sisters Barbara Koerner and Martha Nan Sanders.
Bill is survived by his wife Sharon of 38 years, just one month shy of 39, where he was a longtime resident of Lee County. Survived also is his sister Norma Jean Sizemore (Peg), his son Brett Pouncey, daughter Staci Colley (Dale), grandchildren Josh Taylor (Christina) and Kayla Greathouse, greatgranddaughter Chloe Taylor, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill loved his fur babies Libby, Longboy and Pepper.
Bill enjoyed attending meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Zoom with his wife Sharon and was studying with her in the Brochure Live Life Forever. He looked forward to his weekend visits with his son Brett, who often would prepare a meal for Bill and Sharon. He dearly loved his grandchildren Kayla, Josh and his wife Christina. Then there was his greatgranddaughter Chloe, who Papa Bill shared his ice cream with.
See OBITUARIES, page A15