Lessons Learned in My Weakness
August 27, 2017
Ephesians 1:11-14
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believe, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
It is good to be back behind the pulpit (or music stand – as the case may be). I have just been through one of the weakest times of my life. For three weeks I couldn’t walk across the street without experiencing angina. That was tough not being able to go on my pray walk every day. But I learned a lot from my difficulty. I want to share a few things I learned with you today.
Some of you have been on this journey of mine for some time. You have feared for me, prayed for me, and stepped in when I needed you most. Thank you so much. My kids have been involved in the fear and trauma since they were teenagers. I had my first heart attack when they were in high school. Now all my grandkids are either in high school or graduated and they have shared this struggle with me all their lives. I hate being the cause of so much anxiety.
Of course Julie has been with me in all difficult times. When we lived on peanut butter and crackers in college – she was there. She was there in the early days of my ministry when we moved into our home that had the sheetrock hanging in shreds and Julie had to stack up wooded boxes for shelves in the kitchen. When God blessed us with a nice home and church – she was there when that first heart attack almost killed me. She was there every time for the 10 times they went into my heart and put in 14 stents, she was there when the defibulator was inserted into my chest and when I woke up from a triple by-pass operation, there she was. I’m beginning to think SHE’S BAD LUCK! Not really. I wish everyone could have someone with them to share the trials - and the blessings of life like I am blessed with.
The first thing I have learned through all this is 1) God is AMAZING!
The Bible says, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
God is amazing! To think of His Creation, including you and me and our bodies – it blows my mind! I thrill at the colors I see in the flowers and trees on my daily walk. The color, the shading, the texture – how fantastic it is to me. I won’t even get into the sounds and the feelings and the smells God created us with. Then think about the complexity of our bodies and how God heals out hurts and diseases. TEN TIMES they have been in my heart fiddling around! God has seen me through every time. I can’t help but praise Him. God is amazing and so deserving of our praise and devotion.
Secondly, I learned that it is in weakness I am most strong. Paul said,
“And (God) 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. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
When I was young, especially before I came to Christ, my self-esteem was in my strength. Many times, showing off, I would lift the back end of a small car up onto the sidewalk. I would lift girls above my head with one hand. Once I lifted a small trailer house up so my dad could change a tire. My reputation and esteem was in my strength. When I came to the Lord, He taught me that my self-worth was in Him – in His love for me. But you can imagine how tough it is for old people, who were once strong, to not be able to lift over 5 pounds. When your wife has to lift things for you and you call on your grandkids for their strength – it’s pretty humbling.
With Paul, I have found that it is when I am weakest – that I am most strong. First of all, God is my strength. He is my life – literally. Secondly, when I am weak – my family; my church family; my friends from years back, become my strength. When I didn’t have the strength to pray – your prayers lifted me up. When I didn’t have the strength to do what needed doing in the church – you took over for me. When I felt weak and weary – your love lifted me up. Thank you so much for that.
A Third thing I learned in my trials is “There is no fear in love.” The Bible
says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.” 1 John 4:18
I am in a place in my spiritual walk where I know God loves me. It is hard for me to believe even now. To think that this awesome Creator; the one who made the stars and sun and planets – the solar eclipses and the meteor showers – and the life this world is teaming with – this God; this awesome Creator – this brilliant, all powerful being – not only knows me – BUT LOVES ME!
That is almost unbelievable. I know how selfish, stubborn, cold, hardhearted and a whole bunch of other bad stuff – I am. My heart is inclined toward evil continually – as God said in Genesis. It is only by His grace I can walk in obedience and holiness. I can take no credit for it. This God loves ME, this despicable person. His love is certainly not because of my goodness – and yet I know God loves me – How? The Bible tells me so – and the Holy Spirit bears witness with my spirit. I believe I am loved – not because of my goodness – but because of HIS greatness! He is big enough to not only create this incredible world, but to love us as His children. And because I know I am loved – I had no fear lying on that cold table in the operating room. Perfect love cast the fear out.
Before I ever went into surgery I had settled matters with my Heavenly Father. I felt like I had more to do in life yet, but I yielded my will to His. If He wanted to take me home – I was ready. So I couldn’t lose! Either I would come out better and stronger and able to serve Him or I would step into the most euphoric, amazing eternity I could imagine. It was a win-win for me.
I think fear stifles you and the stress of fear hinders the healing process. We don’t have to fear. Do you know how many times the Bible says, “Fear not”? I looked it up. The Bible says not to fear 365 times! Coincidence? I don’t think so. Every single day of the year God is telling us not to be afraid.
You say, “But you don’t know my situation! I don’t have the money to pay the bills!” Fear not.
“But I just got the doctor’s report. I may have cancer!” Fear not.
“Have you seen the world today? We are all gonna die!” Fear not.
If you are in a love relationship with Jesus (the Creator) you can’t lose! His perfect love cast out fear. Don’t be afraid of anything. Fear is non-productive.
One last thing I will share with you. God works out all things for good. Remember that verse most of us learned in the beginning of our walk with Jesus?
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
Those horrible things that happen to us – they aren’t horrible after Jesus gets done with them. He works them out for good. I was thinking the other day how blessed I was to have a massive heart attack when I was 42. It changed my priorities real quick. I felt like I would live forever. I took my strength and my health for granted. I didn’t think about it. It just was. After that wake-up call – I woke up. I realized we all are one heartbeat away from eternity. A lot of things that were important to me – suddenly weren’t. A lot of things that weren’t important to me – were! For the last twenty-five plus years I knew that each day could be the day I stepped into glory – and I needed to be ready for it.
Let me end with this question to you. Are you ready to step into glory? Are you ready for that nuclear attack; environmental disaster; or sickness; or the Lord’s return? It’s coming – that’s a fact! It is just a matter of when.
The last Scripture we read, Romans 8:28, is followed with God’s plan for you. Listen to what it says,
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” Romans 8:29
God created you to become like Jesus. We are to be Christlike in all we do. You job is to put off the old self and put on the image of Jesus, Ephesians 4 tells us. I don’t know how long I have on this planet and I don’t know how long you have. But I know God knows the number of your days. Let make them count for Jesus. Next week I will share with you how you can do that.
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We are one in the bond of love
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We are one in the bond of love
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We have joined our spirit, with the spirit of God
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We are one in the bond of love
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2. Let us sing now, ev'ry one,
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Let us feel His love begun;
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Let us join our hands that the world will know
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We are one in the bond of love
