Enough is Enough!

What a week it has been.  Have you seen the hand of God in the last week?  I can tell you with all sincerity that I have seen God at work in many ways.  The last week has been difficult in our community and in my ministry, yet through this difficulty, God reigns!

How about you?  What is going on in your life that has you wondering how much more you can take?  Are you at a place where you are thinking to yourself or maybe even telling others, I just can't take anymore!  ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!  When will it stop?  Maybe you are wondering what it is that God is trying to teach you through this season of your life.  Maybe you are wondering if God even cares.  I pray this is not the case, but maybe you are wondering if God even is...

I can assure you, God most definitely is!  He is and  He cares.  He cares about you more than you can imagine.  He knows everything going on in your life, the good, the bad and the ugly!  Ecclesiastes 7:14 tells us that He made the good days and the bad!  His desire is that we run so hard and so fast toward Him that we cannot be deterred by the circumstances of life.

See, Enough is Enough is the right attitude.  Enough is Enough is exactly the mindset we should have.  But we need to have it in the right context...

In 2 Corinthians chapter 12 Paul is talking about this thorn in his flesh that God allowed in order to keep him humble.  See, Paul was an incredible man of God who was devoted to sharing the Gospel and suffered greatly for his devotion to Christ.  He pleaded with God to remove this thorn and I am reminded about how we ask God to take away the bad things in our lives.  We ask Him to deliver us from the struggles we face and stop the pain and suffering we experience.  His response to Paul in 2 Corinthians chapter 12 is the same response He has for us today... Enough is Enough! When Paul pleaded for the 3rd time to have this thorn removed Jesus said (Verse 9), "My grace is sufficient for you.  My power is made perfect in weakness"  See, His grace is enough for you and I!  And enough IS enough.  Be encouraged, the Jesus that spoke to Paul wants to speak into your life today and help you be victorious in your struggles!  He wants you to cast your cares upon Him!  Enough IS Enough!  My challenge to you this week is to read  2 Corinthians chapter 12 1-10 and ask God to speak to you.  Are you spending time with Him daily?  Are you seeking His will for your life?  I am praying that you do!

Waiting on Him,
ML

A Little Help from My Friends!

As I was reading in scripture this morning I was reminded about the men God has put in my life over the years.  I am referring to Godly men who have been accountability partners, mentors, encourager's, challengers, reminders, teachers and just friends.  Since the time I began walking with Jesus at the age of 23, there have been a handful of guys that have really poured into me.  God has allowed these men to impact my spiritual journey by allowing us to experience things together and learn from each other while at the same time, helping to keep one another accountable.  These relationships continue to impact me today.
I am reminded about a time when I came out of Lowe's or Home Depot (I don't recall which one) and there was a guy struggling with getting a huge box in the back of his truck.  I think it was one of those entertainment centers you put together.  It was very large, very heavy and very cumbersome.  He was trying all kinds of ways to get it in the truck.  The cart kept rolling away,  the box would slip off and once I think it came all the way off the cart.  I was able to assist him and  in about 3 minutes it was loaded, tied down and he was on his way.  I am not sure how long he would have struggled if I had not stopped to help.  There are so many benefits to working together.  I think about my partnership with my wife and how much easier our household is to manage because of her incredible help.  I think about my ministry and how God uses my pastor to partner with me to help me accomplish what has been set before me.  I think about my men's accountability group that meets on Thursday mornings and how we sharpen each other and spur one another on to love and good works.
See, we were never supposed to do life alone.  We read in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil, for if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up."  This verse is not only referring to a physical falling. (I have fallen and I can't get up! Sorry, couldn't resist the reference)  There are times in our lives when we are feeling beat down and discouraged.  Times when we fall and fail.  Let's not try to pick ourselves up alone.  Allow the Holy Spirit to knit you together with other Godly men (or women for you women readers, same principle)  This is God's design for living in community.

Be Blessed.

Waiting on Him,
ML

Magic Cure!

This post could make me famous!  It is entirely possible that I could change the world with the information I am about to share.  Disclaimer: There is nothing new under the sun.  I did not come up with this incredible information, however, I discovered it during my study this morning and in the interest of preserving marriages and relationships everywhere I want to share this insight. 
I have been married to my incredible wife for 18 years.  There is no question that she was an undeserved gift from a merciful God.  If you can imagine, we have had some difficult times along the way.  We did our pre-marital counseling in our 4th year of marriage and because of that, stayed married.  One of the hardest things for us to overcome was our inability to effectively communicate with each other.  I wanted her to hear me out and see things my way and she wanted me to hear her out and see things her way.  That is the tendency of humans.  The world tells us that it is all about I, Me, My.  I rediscovered some things in the book of Proverbs this morning that spoke to my heart.
Proverbs 18:2 says that "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in expressing his (or her) opinion"  See, if we are going to communicate effectively, there must be more than one person involved.  I am so guilty of thinking my way of thinking is paramount.  This is a prideful and selfish way to be.  Next we see Proverbs 18:6- "A fool's lips walk into a fight and his (or her) mouth invites a beating".  It is amazing to consider the amount of damage and destruction we can do with our tongue.  Wouldn't we (speaking to myself) be better off taking a moment to calm our emotions and submit what we are feeling to God before we turn loose of the weapon which is our tongue?  See, Proverbs 18:10 gives us an out- "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are saved" This principle applies to all relationships.  Relationships with spouses, parents, friends, family, are all gifts to be treasured.  Let's be slow to speak and quick to run into that strong tower.
My challenge to you is to take an inventory of how often you are using your mouth as a weapon of destruction versus a tool of love and encouragement.  Be blessed.

Waiting on Him,
ML

Prove It!

You know that 3 word expression everyone throws around? We say it to our spouses, our kids, our parents, our close friends, and maybe even to people we barely know. You know the espression I am talking about. It's easy to say and maybe not so easy to do! I LOVE YOU! It rolls off of our tongues as easily as hello. But do we really mean it when we say it? Is it a genuine heartfelt expression of truth or just words? See, Jesus told us He loved us anthem He died for our sin. The point is, He proved His love through action, not in word only. In the book of John in chapter 13:34-35 Jesus is challenging us to love each other. He means to love in word and deed! Prove our love by loving with our mouths and with our feet. He goes on to say that others will know we are His because of this love. Give it a try today. Love like you never have before!
Waiting on Him
MlL

Michael P. Lane
Student Minister Grace Comm. Church
912.661.0548