[SPEAKER_00]: Grace is a gift most of us don't know how to receive.
[SPEAKER_00]: We've been so inundated with the earthly systems of give and get and work and earn that Grace is a concept few ever fully grasp.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yet it's grace alone that has the power to transform lives.
[SPEAKER_00]: Grace alone has the power to bring freedom to the captives and by grace alone we are saved.
[SPEAKER_00]: Today we're launching a new series taking time every day to discover and receive the grace of our good and loving father.
[SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast.
[SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from 2 Corinthians 12, verse 9, Scripture says, but He said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
[SPEAKER_00]: Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
[SPEAKER_00]: It seems like every day I discover new ways in which I am weak and in need.
[SPEAKER_00]: Whether it be sin, physical exhaustion, or emotional dependence, I'm constantly discovering my need for help.
[SPEAKER_00]: But daily, I also discover a God who is wholly sufficient in all the ways I'm weak.
[SPEAKER_00]: Daily I receive rejuvenation from my Heavenly Father, who seem to take these weaknesses
[SPEAKER_00]: Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 129, but God said to me, my grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.
[SPEAKER_00]: Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
[SPEAKER_00]: What great comfort we can find in the words of Paul here?
[SPEAKER_00]: And what amazing love are Heavenly Father has for us that He would bestow His sufficient grace upon us.
[SPEAKER_00]: We serve a God who turns our greatest weakness into our greatest strength.
[SPEAKER_00]: In His grace, all He asks of us is to have a heart open, willing, and receptive to Him.
[SPEAKER_00]: Our God is one who comes down to us and lays down his life that we might live through him.
[SPEAKER_00]: He's the king of kings who washes the feet of the very men who would betray him.
[SPEAKER_00]: He's the God of compassion who heals the sick and spends time with the sinners rather than the pious.
[SPEAKER_00]: He has given up any form of personal gain in order to devote his entire existence to paving the way for us to have restored relationship with our heavenly Father.
[SPEAKER_00]: We serve a God whose grace is wholly sufficient for us.
[SPEAKER_00]: In fact, it's only in living by his grace that we are made strong.
[SPEAKER_00]: Your Heavenly Father says, my power is made perfect in weakness.
[SPEAKER_00]: In Christ, we can boast in our need for our need is our greatest asset.
[SPEAKER_00]: Christ demonstrated through his ministry that he works powerfully when people simply acknowledge their need of him.
[SPEAKER_00]: from the woman desperate to touch his garment.
[SPEAKER_00]: Does that kiss the tax collector?
[SPEAKER_00]: To the paralyzed man lowered through the ceiling.
[SPEAKER_00]: God works incredible miracles in the lives of those who come before him with all their brokenness and need.
[SPEAKER_00]: His power is made perfect in those who simply cry out to him in desperation.
[SPEAKER_00]: In contrast, we see those in Scripture who come before God thinking they have at all and therefore receive nothing from Him.
[SPEAKER_00]: Mark 10, 17, 227 tells us of a rich young ruler who came to Jesus asking for his help but was unwilling to trade worldly success for eternal relationship.
[SPEAKER_00]: In response to the young man's unwillingness, Jesus says, how difficult it will be for those who have wealth
[SPEAKER_00]: I don't believe Jesus was just talking about monetary wealth here, although money is most definitely included.
[SPEAKER_00]: I believe Jesus is making a statement about anyone who feels satisfied in themselves and the world apart from God.
[SPEAKER_00]: You can be poor and still receive nothing from God because you live pridefully without acknowledging your need.
[SPEAKER_00]: One of our greatest gifts is weakness, because in acknowledging our weakness, we make space for God to move and work.
[SPEAKER_00]: Those who are satisfied with worldly success, pleasure and possession, make little room for the incredible wealth of love, peace, passion, and joy.
[SPEAKER_00]: God longs to give those who simply acknowledge their need of Him.
[SPEAKER_00]: You see, this life is not about possession, whether it be little or much.
[SPEAKER_00]: It's about the posture of your heart toward God.
[SPEAKER_00]: The abundant life God longs to give you will only be received in areas where you acknowledge your weakness and need.
[SPEAKER_00]: the thief hanging on the cross who acknowledged his own sin, received the gift of eternal life.
[SPEAKER_00]: Not the Pious and Successful High Priest, who in his pride fought to crucify the very Savior he had been asking to come.
[SPEAKER_00]: Poster your heart today, as all those who have received the incredible wealth of the Lord's love have before you.
[SPEAKER_00]: Ask the Spirit to show you your dependence and need of God if you don't already know it.
[SPEAKER_00]: Ask God to humble you, and make you receptive to all He longs to give.
[SPEAKER_00]: May it be His grace that is sufficient for you today, rather than your own strength.
[SPEAKER_00]: May it be His power that proves strong in your weakness, and may you experience today all the sufficient grace your Heavenly Father longs to give.
[SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, reflect on your own need of God.
[SPEAKER_00]: Ask the Spirit to reveal to you your weakness.
[SPEAKER_00]: Spend time acknowledging your own sin, selfishness, pride, and brokenness.
[SPEAKER_00]: Second Corinthians 129 says, but he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you.
[SPEAKER_00]: For my power is made perfect in weakness.
[SPEAKER_00]: Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
[SPEAKER_00]: And next, receive the grace God longs to give you.
[SPEAKER_00]: Spend time receiving His love and enjoyment over you.
[SPEAKER_00]: Receive the love for goodness, joy, and peace.
[SPEAKER_00]: Your heavenly Father longs to pour out on the broken and needy places of your heart.
[SPEAKER_00]: Psalm 147-3 says, He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.
[UNKNOWN]: Thank you.
[SPEAKER_00]: and last.
[SPEAKER_00]: Ask God to move and power through your life today.
[SPEAKER_00]: Ask Him to guide and help you accomplish what is set before you today through the power of the Spirit.
[SPEAKER_00]: Philippians 413 says, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
[UNKNOWN]: Thank you.
[SPEAKER_00]: No matter how gifted you are, God will always work through you to greater levels than you could accomplish on your own.
[SPEAKER_00]: Surrender your life to him and allow him to lead you to a lifetime of his unmarrieded favor.
[SPEAKER_00]: Every day, as you wake up, acknowledge your dependence on God that your day may be lived in the abundance available to you.
[SPEAKER_00]: There is no better prayer you could pray in the morning than one asking God for His love, grace, and power in acknowledgment of your need for Him.
[SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for listening to today's podcast.
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh with Versailles team.
[SPEAKER_00]: If this space is meaningful for you, if it's producing fruit in your life, would you let us know about it?
[SPEAKER_00]: We'd be honored if you believe a rating or review or feel free to reach out to us at podcast at Versailles team.org.
[SPEAKER_00]: Whether by listening, praying, sharing, or giving, thank you for being a part of this space we're making for God's presence.
[SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you see Him.