85. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. For him, there is strength in weakness.

7 January 2021

Happy New Year! 💞

The Lord sustain your strength into the New Year.

Let me share what I wrote 21 September 2017.

“Strength in weakness. 

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

2 Corinthians 12

10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12

7b I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

I took a written examination in connection with a job application for a permanent position. I had to state my strengths and weaknesses. 

At church, we had a training session in preparation for the Encounter God Retreat. Towards the end, we got a partner to pray together about our concerns. I mentioned to my prayer partner that, along with what we just learned, I regard our role as facilitator to handle a participant, as a distinct privilege all by the grace of God. We cannot rely solely on ability, prayer and devoting time on God's Word will even be more important.

Apostle Paul achieved much in his missionary work not because of aptitude, after all he was well-educated having been a Pharisee, but because of his attitude, putting his hope in the Lord through all adversity and persecution. 

As Apostle Paul declared in Romans 8 (God’s Everlasting Love):

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

“Lord, as You have said: Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31). Lord, Gracious God, lead me that I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, and all things will be given to me as well (Matthew 6:33). Lord, You are my refuge and my strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). I praise You, Lord, in Jesus' name. Amen.””

Do you wonder how a mother eagle makes eaglets learn how to fly? Answer: Free-Falling.

Here it is from Our Daily Bread By:  Joanie Yoder

“A mother eagle builds a comfortable nest for her young, padding it with feathers from her own breast. But the God-given instinct that builds that secure nest also forces the eaglets out of it before long. Eagles are made to fly, and the mother eagle will not fail to teach them. Only then will they become what they are meant to be.

So one day the mother eagle will disturb the twigs of the nest, making it an uncomfortable place to stay. Then she will pick up a perplexed eaglet, soar into the sky, and drop it. The little bird will begin to free-fall. Where is Mama now? She is not far away. Quickly she will swoop under and catch the fledgling on one strong wing. She will repeat this exercise until each eaglet is capable of flying on its own.

Are you afraid of free-falling, unsure of where or how hard you will land? Remember, God will fly to your rescue and spread His everlasting arms beneath you. He will also teach you something new and wonderful through it. Falling into God’s arms is nothing to be afraid of.”

Let me repeat.

Are you afraid of free-falling, unsure of where or how hard you will land? Remember, God will fly to your rescue and spread His everlasting arms beneath you. He will also teach you something new and wonderful through it. Falling into God’s arms is nothing to be afraid of.

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. — Deuteronomy 33:27

Amen.

One day my children's children will say, wala ka sa Lolo ko; for him, there is strength in weakness.

Again, the Lord sustain your strength into the New Year.

Maraming salamat.