It is so amazing when we take a moment to see God’s hand in our lives, especially when we are desperate for His help. The story Mr Lucado shares in the beginning of chapter 8 called “Fear Dethroned,” is exactly one of those moments. It talks about God’s amazing Grace as He provided, the way only He can. Please check out the great story. Then the author says that God will do the same for us as He states, “You have his Spirit within you. Heavenly hosts above you. Jesus Christ interceding for you. You have God’s sufficient grace to sustain you.” (p97) Then he points us towards St Paul’s thorn in his flesh. Three times he prayed for God to take it away, yet God told him that His Grace was sufficient. (see 2Co 12:7-9) You see, there is Saving Grace, then there is Sustaining Grace. Mr Lucado says, “Saving grace saves us from our sins. Sustaining grace meets us at our point of need and equips us with courage, wisdom, and strength.… Sustaining grace promises not the absence of struggle but the presence of God.” (p98) And with God, there is nothing we can’t endure.
It is because of God’s Sustaining Grace that we do not need to fear. God will meet every need, as we simply trust Him to do so. We can never exhaust His Grace, for it is as Endless as His Love. Listen to Mr Lucado’s words and please take them into your heart: “Watch an ocean wave crash against the beach. Will there never be another one? Of course there will be. No sooner will one wave crash into the sand than another appears. Then another, then another. This is a picture of God’s sufficient grace. Grace is simply another word for God’s tumbling, rumbling reservoir of strength and protection.” (p99) We can plunge into God’s Grace and never find its limits, so be assured, God will make sure we can endure whatever comes our way. Know that when we are most desperate for His Grace is when we are most aware that it is always with us, because He is always with us.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
October: Reformation of Our Hearts: “Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine” by Max Lucado
<>< Peace, Diane
