Diane Virginia: The Power of Grace
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weaknesses.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
Grace….
We say grace before a meal. We speak of God’s grace. But do we really know what grace is?
Grace comes from the word charis and may be defined as “the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life. (Strongs’ Concordance, NT#5485)” Grace is something that happens within the spirit of man.
Paul knew something about grace. He had to, because he had experienced sorrows and extreme difficulties. He had physical ailments as well, acknowledging that he wrote with “large letters” due to his failing eyesight (Galatians 6:11). Indeed, Paul knew troubles, and yet he was inwardly strong. Why? He did not–or perhaps he could not focus–on his enemies or ailments. Instead, he trusted in the power of Christ.
Paul oftentimes wrote from prison. It would take incredible focus for me to do the same, but he sets an example for us. Why could he write with a smile on his face while in shackles? It is because he knew the power of grace. Paul writes Jesus words, “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weaknesses” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV).
Paul’s weaknesses, regardless of what they were at the moment, compelled him to trust in Jesus Christ. He did not allow circumstances to dictate his attitude or his focus. And so, whether he was writing, preaching, or performing miracles, Paul did it to further the cause of Christ with confidence and joy.
Paul suffered greatly but God was with him. Paul writes about his imprisonments, 39 lashes with whips five times, a shipwreck, beatings, stonings, robberies, betrayals from bretheren, weariness, sleeplessness, fastings, and other troubles (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-27) and yet he kept his composure because of God’s grace within him.
God revealed His grace on an ongoing basis within Paul, and this manifested in the ministry he was able to accomplish. For instance, in Acts 27 we read of a God-ordained incident. While on a ship that was sinking, Paul prayed rather than being shaken. Having been led in a dream, he led the guards, asking them to have grace on the prisoners and set them free, and spoiling their plans to kill the prisoners.
Paul said to the discouraged men, “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me”(Acts 27:25 NKJV). Indeed it was. When they reached land, they lost the ship but all of the lives–which numbered 276 people–were spared.
What is more important than the lives physically saved were the lives that were spiritually saved because of Paul’s witness. He took a tough situation as an opportune time to share the power of grace, and the Gospel message.
What about you? Are you facing troubles? Let your focus be upward, and you will discover the power of grace within your life. Furthermore, take tough situations as an opportunity to lead people, as Paul did, to the Savior’s outstretched arms of grace.
Grace….
Christ will reveal His grace within you. Are you willing?
He will empower you with grace to conquer the trial that you face. Most importantly, He will use you as a vessel of His grace.
How are two ways you can you share God’s grace to others in a scary or uncertain time?
Gracious God, help me to model Paul’s reliance upon you, so that Your grace may rest upon my life and spill into others’ lives as the answer they so desperately seek. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Copyright © 2016: The Power of Grace: Author Diane Virginia Cunio; Pen Name Diane Virginia: All Rights reserved
Published (short version): Winter 2015: The Secret Place: Devotional Magazine: M. Ingrid and Wayne E. Dvirnak, Senior Editors: Judson Press: Valley Forge, PA: http://www.judsonpress.com
Meet Our Founder/Administrator
DIANE VIRGINIA
Diane Virginia (Cunio) is an award-winning writer, the founder and administrator of VineWords: Devotions and More, and the author of The Kiss of Peace: A Contemporary Exploration into Song of Solomon. She is working on the sequel, Behind the Veil: Becoming the Ascended Bride of Song of Solomon (both books awaiting publication).
Diane has developed the model for motion-activated musical prayer stations for use in the garden retreat, themed to the places the Bride travels to in Song of Solomon.
She is the editor and a contributing author to Love-Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendships.
Soon to be available will be a children’s book series called, The Cowdoggie Adventure Series.
Diane is the Co-Host of Taste and See Conference with Co-Host Judy Taylor, Lumberton, NC.
Find Diane’s Devotions/Articles at: Answers2Prayer (The Sermon Illustrator/The Nugget), Christian Broadcasting Network, Christian Devotions Ministries, Faith Beyond Fear, Pentecostal Publishing House, PresbyCan Daily Devotional, The Secret Place, VineWords, and other ministries and blogs.
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Thank you, Diane, for such a great reminder of how God’s grace is not only sufficient but also powerful!
You’re welcome, sister. God’s grace is amazing.
Paul is someone we can model after for sure. God’s grace giving us the ability to do things we could never do on our own. Amen and thank you, Jesus! Thanks, Diane for this timely message.
You’re welcome sister. I admire Paul. He pressed forward to accomplish much, and thank God he got saved so his deeds became productive.
Well said Ms. Diane. We need to demonstrate much more grace in our everyday lives ma’am. God’s blessings.
Thank you, dear brother. I appreciate your kind comment. 🙂
Awesome devotion and reminder for us to be thankful for the grace given to us.
Paul was such a great example. I don’t know if I could have went through all that he did. Thank you Diane
Yes. He stayed positive through it all, and his faith strengthened instead of diminishing. That is AAAAAaaaamazing!