Power is made perfect in weakness...

God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. [Ephesians 2:6-10, NIV, emphasis mine]

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness!" [2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV, emphasis added]

"Incomparable riches"...it begs to ask the question, doesn't it? A question that many times is swept under the rug - never to be discussed? Hidden in a drawer - never to be open? Buried in a grave - in the secret life of pleasure and gain of worldly possessions...but a soul that is lost forever!

So let me ask it...Are - we - rich?

Over the weekend - I had the awesome opportunity and privilege of attending a weekend seminar with Chip Ingram at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove in Asheville, NC - and this is the question Chip threw out during his Saturday afternoon teaching. It was tough, direct, and cut to the souls of many sitting in the room. It was uncomfortable at times for many - including this guy - to hear the Truth and allow the Holy Spirit to examine, speak, reveal, correct and equip our minds, souls and hearts in gaining an answer to a very powerful question: Are we rich?
Immediately our minds may think of wealth, status, image, power, influence, or the worldly possessions that one is/has gathered in the conquest of becoming rich. But, we are not of this world...are we? And so let us answer - not from the perspective of this broken and fallen world, but from our posture and position of an adopted Son or Daughter of our Heavenly Father. Our "incomparable riches" come not from a life of worldly gain - but from His power made pefect in weakness. For it is in His Grace we find "incomparable riches" and "because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our sin!" [Ephesians 2:4, NIV]
We are rich because of the death and resurrection of His One and Only Son! Our Lord and Savior - though fully God, fully man and fully innocent - carried the sin the whole world [including yours and mine] on His back, was nailed to the Cross, died and rose again - and in this expression of God's Love extended unmerited and unconditional Grace to you and me so that we may be made right with God...pure, holy and set free from our sin...through Christ Jesus alone! He is the only way, the only truth and the only life - and in Him lay hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge...and the incomparable riches of God's Grace, Love and Freedom! And in our weakness - His Power is made perfect - and His Grace is sufficient!

Move Update:
And that is where we are at today...the adversity, struggle, preparation in the "wilderness" has worn us out and has intensified! We are truly exhausted and are broken clay jars! Don't get me wrong - it truly was an incredible weekend of teaching, renewal and prayer at the Cove for this guy - and an awesome weekend full of "restoration" for Kel and the kids at her mom and dad's...but we received yet another "blow" and scheme from the enemy over the weekend. I am not going to begin lying now...it is tough right now...and we would not be vertical, if it were not for the riches found in His Grace and Mercy in our lives. We don't know how He is going to work out this home deal and move - but we stand firm that "Our God will supply all our needs according to the riches in glory in Christ Jesus!" [Philippians 4:19]

After getting back from the Cove - I touched base with Stan yesterday, when he informed me there is yet another set back in the purchase of the home they desire to buy, and yet another delay in their move - and now, they are not sure "when" they will be moving. And of course the enemy is desperately trying to sow a seed of doubt - and lie to us that "we can't wait". But our response is simple: "Really? Are you kidding me?" For this whole time of preparation has been about God teaching us to trust His timing - and find strength as we wait and hold upon the Lord! That is what the life of Jackson is about...waiting on the divine healing, provision and deliverance found in the incomparable riches of God's Grace, Love and Mercy! And even though the enemy continues to bring these wicked schemes, we know this is not our battle, but the Lords...but it still is tough to discern and continue to walk by faith and not by sight!
And after a long day of confusion, bewilderment, and perplexing conversations - Kelly and I cried it out last night! We both hate to cry...but, we could not hold back the tears! We cried for more than an hour and half in sheer silence...and begged God not to turn a deaf ear - just as David did in Psalm 28 - and that He would release, provide and deliver us! We are 9 weeks out ya'll from the birth of Jackson...can you believe that...and our backs are up against the wall, right now! We are truly between a rock and a hard place - as Tony Evans would put it!

There is no doubt that Stan and Karen's home on Sahara Drive is the home God has led us to...and the schemes of the enemy only affirm that Promise! For when the enemy attacks...it means you are "advancing the ball" in the Kingdom of God - and that is the last thing the enemy wants to see and experience! And oh how foolish we are to think the enemy even has any power in this...for he is only a giant that falls at the perfect placement of weak small stone and the weak shout of righteous men walking around a fortified city - only by the Grace of God!
So we lean in to His Word and His Promise that He will provide and deliver! His plan...His provision - that is the Kingdom dynamic! Don't know where, when and how it is all going to play out...but we Trust that it will - because the Holy Spirit has clearly laid this home on our hearts as a place for the advancement of His ministry and life to be launched - and man are we ever excited!

So we surrendered and laid it all at the Foot of His Cross and Throne of His Grace last night as we cried out to our Savior, Master and Lord! He is with us wherever we go - and in Him we embrace the "incomparable riches" of Love, Mercy and Provision - because of His Amazing Grace! He calls us to get up...get going...and not to be afraid or discouraged! "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." [2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV]

And so I plead with you to please pray - right now - in the way the Holy Spirit guides and directs you! Stand firm on the Promise found in His Word...that "the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results!" [James 5:16, NLT]

Lord, we confess our sin to you...and it is not about us or this house...but it is all about you! Lord - Glorify Your Name today, and thank you - for the "incomparable riches" that are contained, expressed and demonstrated in your Grace! Help us right now, Lord - do not turn a deaf ear...for we are your people crying out in desperation for provision, guidance and wisdom that you Promise in your Son, our Savior - Christ Jesus!

All Eyes on Jesus...