Scripture

It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.

~Hebrews 11:21, NLT

Quote

Nothing hinders spiritual growth more than pretense.

~Watchman Nee

Paul said, “If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.” He also said, “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” Yet again he said, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” How do we glory in weakness? This has always puzzled me. I don’t know about you but there is nothing in me that wants to be weak. The fact is, I am weak, but it is not because I desire to be weak. A part of the aging process is that you lose energy and strength as you grow older. Some of you cannot relate to this, but small things like opening a bottle cap become hard. Making a fist is hard for me and jumping or running are out of the question.

At one time Jacob was young and energetic. He was also a schemer and a hard, hard worker, but on the way home he had an encounter with God and his wrestling match with the Angel of God left him with a limp. From that day on, Jacob walked with a crutch. God transformed Jacob but not overnight. In his old age, Jacob became a prince, a respectable and admired patriarch. He held no political office and yet he blessed Pharaoh. We all know that the greater blesses the lesser. Not only did God use the man with the limp; the man with the limp learned the meaning of true worship. You see, Jacob didn’t just learn to lean on his crutch {staff}, he learned to lean of God. He learned to live by faith. The bad hip became his best friend. God used this physical weakness to make Jacob strong spiritually.

I think we all want to be polished and perfect, but the truth is: God uses our imperfections to humble us and then He pours His grace into those who bow their heads, not those who lift them. This is what makes the weak strong in the Kingdom of God. They have submitted themselves to God.

Extra

Getting a little mist as I walked to the office. Perfect for my rye grass. My turnip greens are not doing that well but I think it is the warm weather. We still have okra, peppers, water-melons and tomatoes vines that are green. We have not had a killing frost at 1120 Iron Man. I’m not complaining: it is wonderful.

I know all the working stiffs are thrilled that it is Friday. I like Fridays but I like Sundays more. Two more REVIVAL services coming. Sunday night at the POINT and the 17th at New Center. Pray for Spencer; He has the message Sunday night.