Is Jesus Really Enough?

Today as I sit in my office, I reflect on the tremendous blessings God has bestowed my way.  Just this week a gracious donor blessed RUSH Ministries with a new van and a 24 foot box truck...WOW!  As I stand in awe of this blessing from such an amazing donor, I have to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.  Now, you might be saying, "Marc, just consider it at face value...there is no bigger (or spiritual) picture!"  To which I respond..."there always is!"  

You see, when difficulties come and we find ourselves fighting or disagreeing with a person, we are quick to quote Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  We want to believe this passage as face value! We want to appropriate  any trouble we are experiencing to being an attack from the the enemy.  And be that as it may, why are we not as quick to appropriate the blessings in the same manner?

The Bible says in James 1:17,"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."   Look at the first words again..."EVERY GOOD GIFT..."  Everything that is good comes from God!  It is God that motivates the giver...but make no mistake about it, God is the true giver of any 'good gift'.  Therefore, for me, as I thank this donor for this gift, I must be quick to thank God, who has blessed this giver to give and furthermore, prompted his heart to give!

In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul prayed three times for the Lord to "remove the thorn in his flesh" and instead of removing it, Jesus responded with perhaps the most profound words ever spoken by our Savior.  Jesus said, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor. 12:9).   This in an incredibly important verse, as we see one of the most powerful men of God to ever walk the earth, the Apostle Paul, deal with a specific need.  He is praying a fervent prayer for God to deliver him of some ailment in his life that is preventing him from being all he wants to be in ministry.  One would assume this to be a plausible request by the writer of nearly 2/3 of the New Testament.  But in spite of his persistent prayers (3 times), Jesus responds with a contrary verdict...NO!  Yet, instead, Jesus gave him the greatest gift of all...He brings into full view HIS all-sufficeint GRACE!

I love the way Paul responded to Jesus' answer of 'grace'..."Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."  I think my response might have looked more like, "are you kidding me Lord?  I am doing everything I can to serve you!  I have given up my friends, my lifestyle, my goals, etc., etc.!"  BUT the great Apostle simply accepted the grace of God and His sufficiency! Can you do that today?  Is Jesus really enough? OR do you need stuff to determine your joy?  Nehemiah said, "And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Neh. 8:10) 

Now...back to the donor and his gracious gift to RUSH Ministries.  I am blown away every time a person or business invests in the vision to reach the unchurched students around the world with the precious Gospel message.  It is incredibly humbling to have someone say, "The Lord told me to give or do this or that!   However, I have to stay focused on the all-sufficient grace of the Lord Jesus!  He is the real giver of all things...prompting men and women to serve, give, pray, and love in HIS stead.  

 No matter what you are going through...good or bad, joyful or tearful, easy or a struggle, you must acknowledge the sufficient grace of Jesus.  Nothing...and I do mean nothing, can happen without God allowing it to occur in your life.  He is sovereign and in total control of everything!  The question is not why?  The response should be "what"?  "What do you want me to do with the good or difficult situation you are allowing to come into my life"?  
Today Lord Jesus, I shout from the rooftops "YOUR GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR MY EVERY NEED"! 

What about you?  Is He enough or do you need more?

Resting in HIS sufficiency,

Marc