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Listen while you read: "Come Let Us To The Lord Our God"1 (Lyrics) |
As my body deteriorates and my weakness becomes more and more discouraging, I wonder what Paul means when he says:
2 Corinthians 12:9b – "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (NIV)
For me, weakness means failure and inability to cope with the day's activities, but now, as Christ's power rests on me, everything changes. My weakness is not lost time anymore. God's grace is carrying me through with amazing power.
Today, I sit in my old apartment writing this devotional. Yes, I did not move. It's a long story, but here I am, stuck, living among boxes that are too heavy for me to move. Yes, my physical weakness burdens me. How does Jesus use it? Things are working out in ways that I never anticipated.
For many of us, "weakness" is spiritual. Do we try to cope, only turning and talking with God when we realize our failures? Do we only rarely ask the Holy Spirit for help as we struggle? I face my problems day by day, but I trust the Holy Spirit to work everything out to His glory and my peace.
The amazing thing is that when the Holy Spirit turns us around in a new direction, something wonderful happens. It feels as if God has touched me with grace, and my heart blossoms as the unexpected happens. Yes, that's grace! There are sometimes little things happening that I had given no thought to previously and not planned for, but now as they happen, they fill me with joy and peace, for I can see God's hand in them.
This morning, for example, as I turned over in my bed to get up, I realized that I felt different: I had slept well for a change. I easily got up and started writing the manuscript for my new book — the story of my life. Everyone had been asking me about Bermuda, and so today, I just started typing. The Lord was giving me the words, and with no struggle, they came to my fingertips. It's wonderful and reassuring. Yes, the Lord does care!
I am following the Lord's guidance and not my own worries. I feel energized as I take all my worries to the Lord for guidance. You and I need to pray for each other as we open to the Lord when we feel lost and lonely. Yes, God is nearby. He will answer as we stand amazed and humbled that He is actually working in our lives, saving us from our fears and our struggles with physical weakness. All that we need is to trust Him fully. He is there beside us, comforting us.
Yes, God's power is made perfect in our weakness. That is why, for Christ's sake, we can delight in weakness, for when we are weak, then we are strong with Jesus' Spirit leading us.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, we give You our hearts and trust You to fill them with Your guidance as we tackle the hard choices that face us today. By Your grace, we know that our way is planned by You and that all will be well. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Wonderful testimony Iris. God bless.
What an encouraging message. Thank you so much and praise to our Lord!
Thank you for your words and wisdom Iris – may God continue to bless you.
Dear Iris – You are such a “faith filled” and courageous woman. May God bless you.
Oh Iris, Praying for your situation and for help in coping with life’s challenges. Blessings.
May God continue to bless you and strengthen you to face the days ahead. I continue to pray for you every day, Iris.
Thank you for your words of encouragement! I wish you continued success with your life story. You are indeed an inspiration to others!
Thank you for today’s devotional Iris, and best wishes for your new book. The Bermuda you will write about was a much different, perhaps more idyllic Bermuda than it is today.
God’s Blessings be with you.
I hear you. I am 87 and so ready to go. SO much pain. And unable to take any pain pills as they don’t touch it. I just tell the Lord each morning. ”Here I am, Lord.”
Thanks for your message.
Thank you, Iris, for today’s message. It was good to read that you are able to enjoy your writing. Hope you are not in physical pain.
God be with you.
Blessings.
Iris I really appreciate how you are sharing your journey.
I too am older now with physical challenges and the Lord helps with them.
And heavy boxes are a challenge!
Would really like to knows how it all turns out.
Hi Iris
Your devotional was just what I needed to read. As I grow older I am aware that I am not able to lift many things but like you I have experienced the mercy of Christ too – so thank you for your wonderful reminder today.
(Ontario)
Iris, thank you for your timely devotion. I too am struggling with the ravages of age, however it is always a Blessing to know our Lord is always near and still has a plan for us. What joy to “be still and wait”. You are truly an inspiration.
(Texas USA)
Dear Iris Ford,
Today’s devotion has been very encouraging to me. May God bless and continue providing you strength and focus in all your plans each day.
God Bless,
(Kenya)
Hello Iris,
You have no idea of how much encouragement I received from your devotional this morning. Negativity had begun to creep in on account of things I need or want to do, and struggle to manage! Thank you for being the messenger to me today!
All blessings.
(Ontario)
Dear Iris,
As usual I enjoyed your writing. Today really spoke to me as I have now lived with a chronic illness for close to twenty years since diagnosis.
I have learned over the years to take one day at a time and to allow myself rest and do nothing on my really bad days and just let God work. These are days I often feel closest to God. He is my Rock upon which I gain my strength.
Blessings to you.
Thanks Iris. Yes, I am facing severe limitations with a back issue and likely another surgery. I am wondering how I can fulfill my commitments and whether I will have to resign from some things. Physically, I can’t keep up. It is hard to tell people you love that you can’t do it anymore.
I don’t doubt the Lord is with me, but sometimes I don’t see very clearly what He is up to. I don’t doubt that He will guide me, but I’d like to see where we are headed. (in the short term). In my weakness, He is strong. May He continue to bless you with His presence and His peace!
Dear Iris.
When I began reading your devotional shortly ago, I immediately knew who wrote it and didn’t even check until the end. I just felt it in my spirit.
I just love the way you turn a situation into a spiritual reality.
May the Lord give you all the strength you need each day, and there is no doubt in my mind that He will use you with your gifts as you settle into your new home shared by many.
God loves you, Iris, and so do I.
Good Morning, Iris.
I have followed your devotions for some time and feel that I know the personal cost of preparing them that it must take you.
They are always thought provoking and helpful.
I am not exactly sure what you are going through personally but perhaps today’s thought is a good one for you and for all of us.
Thought for Today: Success in life is doing the will of God in one-day increments with the right attitudes of thankfulness and joy. – Robert J. Morgan
One day at a time. Keeping that in mind you will succeed.
I wish you all the very best as you make the decisions that must be made. God will be with you all the way.
Dear Iris:
Thank you so much again for your very encouraging words of faith, I appreciate them as I live with my own physical struggles.
May our Lord bless you and keep you going strong in Him.
Iris,
Sending love and prayers to you this.day. Our Lord God is so faithful and helps us through our weaknesses and will comfort us.
Dear Iris,
You cannot imagine the perfect timing of this devotional. I so often need to be reminded to take my problems to our Lord and this devotional does so very well.
I have enjoyed your Devotional’s in the past and look forward to more in
the future. I pray your ailments ease and you can have many more restful
nights and that your body aches are few.
Good luck with your manuscript.
God Bless you.
It will be a great book, Iris. God’s removed all the distractions.
Bless you.
Dear Iris,
Thanks for your devotional. We human beings are all getting older one day at a time. We can always put our hand in God’s hand.
One older man who had surgery returned to our adult pre-service Sunday School Class saying “One day at a time….”
Thank you for your assurances.
I’m glad you could be back at your computer writing this devotional and your life story.
Praying for and with you.
Hi Iris,
Am praying you will be “unstuck” soon, in an amazing way.
Blessings.
So good to read your devotional today, Iris! It was helpful to read your thoughts as well as good news that you are thinking and sleeping better.
This aging process is often discouraging so your thoughts are particularly helpful!
In other words, when we are finding a situation very difficult, the turnaround may only come when we are able to reframe the situation and get a very different perspective – I guess that means that we turn it around in our minds and see it from God’s perspective. That can be, “Wow” I never thought of it that way!
I`m always glad to see your devotionals, Iris. Please keep them coming! I hope that you continue to enjoy writing your current book.
Blessings!
Hello Iris,
I know our Lord will be walking with you each day and doors will be open for you.
Blessings!
(ON)