#041
ONE SIZE FITS ALL
  
NO – I DON’T THINK SO!
This statement is not true when we consider the variety of ways our Lord works in our lives. The one thing we all have in common is that:
HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT
For
Our Every Need
In John 11, we read about the death and resurrection of Lazarus when Jesus said in verse 4: “This sickness is not unto death, but for the Glory of God, that the Son of God might be Glorified thereby.”
DIFFERENT GLORIES
All flesh is not the same flesh. (I Corinthians 15:39). There are celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies: but the Glory of the celestial is one, and the Glory of the terrestrial (earthly) is another.” (verse 40).
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in Glory.
THINK ABOUT IT
 
When Jesus heard that Lazarus died, He raised him from the dead. But, when He heard that John was beheaded, what did He do? Did Jesus go and raise him from the terrestrial (earthly) dead and put his head back on him?
No! John the Baptist suffered and died for the Glory of God. God’s Grace was sufficient for John the Baptist. God’s Grace was sufficient for Mary and Martha and Lazarus. God’s Grace is sufficient for us.
I STAND CORRECTED
 
God has placed a beautiful young mother in my life. He uses her to teach me. Although I believe strongly that God’s Power in His Words, when spoken in faith, produces change for the better in our lives…I also believe NOW that His Grace is sufficient in all situations.
I also believe that EVERY situation can be used to Glorify God…to give Him Glory.
I’m certain I totally frustrated my young friend yesterday as I stressed the importance of the authority God has given us to speak His Word.
This single mom (not single by her choice) has a young son who is diagnosed with diabetes, and a lovely young daughter to rear. She works two jobs and still wonders at times…WHY (lama?) God seems to allow these things to go on in her life. She told me that God must allow it or it wouldn’t be this way.
She stumped me. I really didn’t have an answer for her until I walked into my den, flipped on a Christian channel, and heard the testimony of:
NICK VUJICIC
 
[You can look Nick Vujicic up on the Internet just by typing his name in the Search.]
First born child into his devout Serbian Christian family, Nick Vujicic was born in Sunnybank, Brisbane, Australia, limbless, missing both arms at shoulder level, and having one small foot with two toes protruding from his left thigh. Initially his parents were devastated, however Nick turned out to be otherwise perfectly healthy.
His life was filled with difficulties and hardships. One such hardship was not being able to attend a mainstream school because of his physical disability, as the law of Australia required, even though he was not mentally impaired. During his schooling, the laws were changed, and Nick was one of the first disabled students to be migrated to a mainstream school. He learned to write using the two toes on his left "foot", and a special device that slid onto his big toe to grip. He also learned to use a computer and type using the "heel and toe" method (as demonstrated in his speeches). He can also throw tennis balls and answer the phone (also demonstrated in speeches).
Being bullied at his school, Nick grew extremely depressed, and by the age of eight, started contemplating suicide. After begging God to grow arms and legs, Nick eventually began to realize that his accomplishments were inspirational to many, and began to thank God he was alive. When he was seventeen, he started to give talks at his prayer group, and eventually starting his non-profit organization, Life Without Limbs.
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LAMA, LORD?
WHY?
Why did You Allow us to be created different; to face different trials and tribulations? Do we all want to be a Nick Vujicic or Joni Eareckson Tada? Or a Lazarus, or John the Baptist, or even Job?
Often we think about relating to Job…considering that in the end, after enduring (being tested), God gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10). Are we accepting our “testing” so that we can avoid the trials, or that we may gain worldly goods or recognition, or, are we sincerely seeking a way that God will be Glorified in our lives where we are today?
DURING TIMES OF TESTING
I truly believe we are growing during these times. It is often our questions that lead us to better ways to Glorify God. One thing I do hope we all learn is that the devil constantly throws this question at us as he has through the ages. “What have you done to deserve this?” And we will often ask ourselves, “What am I doing wrong to cause my life to be like this?”
Just as Christ’s disciples asked Him in John 9:2-3.
“And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
“Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”
ACTION FOR TODAY
How can the works of God be manifest in us today?
  
so
I don’t know what shoes you are wearing today.
I don’t even know if you have two feet.
All I Know
is
That my young friend recognizes that God does allow some things. And she has learned to accept where she is today as God, in His Grace, finds ways to answer her questions. She knows God is Good and so do we. In her heart she is able to cast down many of the lies of Satan…that is why she can continue to ask LAMA? And receive answers, perhaps only a little at a time. But, her shoe fits for today, she may wear a different kind tomorrow.
By, the way…this little lady does have a love for shoes in the natural.
  
HAVE WE MISSED THE POINT?
Is it likely that we do things to adjust the comfort in our own lives instead of seeking how we can Glorify God even when we are wearing uncomfortable shoes? When our toes are pinched? Or even if we have no toes? When the finances aren’t coming in to buy a New Pair of shoes?
Shouldn’t we be seeking to Glorify God no matter what shoe we are wearing today? Let’s find a way today to:
GLORIFY GOD GLORIFY GLORIFY GOD
That the works of God should be made manifest in us.
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Xala Bread 2008 
