Brokenness & Humility: Resting Place We All Need

2Co 12:9 but he has told me, "My grace is all you need, for my power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most happily boast about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me

A Deep Sense Of My Own Inadequacy Is a Good thing

Paul understood some things regarding his failures, weaknesses and faults that we as believers today have a hard time comprehending. In "Christianity", how we look on the outside is important to our success. That very mindset is opposed to the moving of God's Spirit and His glory being revealed in us. For some reason we want to focus on the Glory and think that we must stifle or hide any hint of lack or failing on our part.

We pursue this Glory, without seeing first the steps of brokenness and humility that must mark us as weak, frail and unfit for anything apart from Him. The fault really lies with us, as we hold unto a self righteousness that wants to shove our "bad" points under the rug, and flaunt our "good" points before men. This is nothing more then eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We are not truly convinced we are without any merit or ability apart from Jesus.

The Truth Sets Us Free

Humility is seeing the truth about ourselves in the light that God sees us in. Being humble always is the first step to receiving from the Lord. I am convinced that apart from seeing ourselves as He sees us, we will never see Him as He wants us to see Him. For it is seeing Him that changes us from what we are into what He desires us to be. When we can see Him, THEN we are changed from Glory to Glory. But this cannot be done apart from the humility that comes from seeing the TRUTH about who and what we really are; weak, frail, and prone to failure.

Glory In My Weaknesses

1Co 1:27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;

How dare you say that Paul?! We don't need your ancient Christianity anymore, we are about to enter into the "Days Of Glory". We must confess all that is right and never ever mention the fact that we may struggle with lust. If we ignore it, it will go away.

As a matter of fact it is this very ignoring and hiding of weaknesses has destroyed ministries and ministers of the gospel. Our pedestal Christianity has made gods out of ministers who could do no wrong lest the money and fame quit flowing. I believe these great leaders the Lord chose were those with great weakness in order that they may not glory in themselves, but that God may be given Glory for His great ability to be strong in their weakness.

Brokenness is not being destroyed emotionally or physically. It is coming to the end of your own efforts to maintain your righteousness by your ability. It is facing the fact of your inadequacy and trusting the Lord to be in you what you cannot be yourself.

Brokenness & Humility: Resting Place We All Need

The more I mature in the Lord, the more I see weakness and failure among the people of God. I also see more of my own great failure and weakness. This gives me the desire to forgive, cover, and help these fulfill their destiny even in the midst of great failure. I used to think that these "visible" great leaders were a cut above me in many ways. I am now convinced it is about God's choosing and not anything to do with good character traits.

God's Glory can rest on ANYONE who is willing to humble themselves and embrace their weaknesses.

In closing I'm reminded of who God used in the scriptures was it the pharisees who claimed to have all the laws and actions under control? Or was it the real christian who claim God's power over their own.

Look at Paul, King David, Peter to name and few was their lives shining in examples because of perfection absolutely not. They were an examples because they were broken in their struggles and gave God the glory for restoring their lives daily. God is in need of real people being broken, humble and transparent so that the world can see God's glory and not our own.

your brother in the journey,

Marc

The Journey -

The greatest struggle a prodigal will have is whether their journey home was worth it. The obvious answer is absolutely. The reason this occurs is to often we are distracted by the relationships that may have motivated such returning. It is so important that we are motivated first and foremost by father God and the grace and mercy he has allowed us and nothing else. The sad reality is often people are motivated by the relationship that was broken and has done all to return to that relationship, yes I believe in reconciliation, but if the motivation is the relationship and you never get back with the person you desire the setback could turn your heart to a state of rebellion believing the LIE that God let you down. Focus on God throughout the process and the healing of your heart can be whole in Him

God has to be the main reason for any journey for its only him that can sustain true change in our hearts. For example Paul ends his breathtaking letter to Galatians with this incredible reminder: both Jews and Gentiles who are justified by faith in Jesus Christ are God's people, his Israel. Like Abraham who left on a long journey trusting in God's promise, so also all who are spiritual Israel follow God's lead and cling to God's promise through faith in Jesus Christ. Like those who were delivered in the Exodus by the power of God and with the sprinkled blood of the Passover lamb, God's people today have been blood-bought and delivered from their bondage to sin and death. Here there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, because in Israel, we are God's people and the recipients of his mercy and his peace.

So when discouragement arises and it will look to God and your mentor and pray through the struggle and strain. Focus not on the relationship or spouse but on God allow him to be the one that sooths the pain.

The winner of this year's U.S. Open had successful reconstructive surgery on his damaged knee about ten days later. He will miss the remainder of this year's PGA tournament events, of course, while he rehabs the knee. But few people doubt he will be ready to play the tour next year. He is, after all, Tiger Woods. He is the ultimate competitor. He doesn't quit.

There are pains of all kinds. Physical trauma, broken relationships, failed ventures, consequences of wrongs done — all are different and all the same. And each of us has to decide about quitting, playing to the pain, or working through.

As you're deciding what to do with yours, think about why so many people are speaking of Tiger Woods with such admiration these days — even the folks like me, who hardly know which end of a golf club to hold.

True courage isn't just outlasting difficulty, but turning it into triumph.

Keep the focus on the only true God your journey will glorify him,


your brother in the journey

Marc

All Prodigals Go Home Eventually

I have been wanting to share some of my journey in hopes that it will encourage other men of faith and remind us all of the arms awaiting us if only we'll head home to our father.

My life the last 9 months has been one that I could not wish on anyone accept that I came home. In this life we all have our journeys and like prodigals get lost in some way returning home is whats important at the end of it all however.

The prodigal left with his inheritance to chase the wild in hope to fill the void only God the father could fill. I did this in some ways as I chased business success and lust. It was the cheap thrill that took me to a dark space without God.

My quest to come home included being completely crushed by Abba Father. God knew that the only way I would ever get back home to him is I needed to be humbled, broken , busted and without anywhere to turn but him. Prodigals going home do not always end at the feet of God some go home to their father the devil choosing disobedience because its the easy way, rather then selecting God's recipe for blessing.

I allowed the pride to rule my life and didn't love those most important the way I should have. We as men often are comsumed by making the money and supplying, when sometimes its best simply to stop and love God and the people he has placed in our lives. Its not about the money its about serving God.

I often ask my self what would I had done different the last 18 months of my life if given another chance in this is what I think all prodigals must do.

1) Stay in the arms of Abba - Let him sustain you and no other Matt 6:33
2) Obey and follow his Lead - No matter what God wants of us little or large to obey and stay in position for what he is doing
3) Serve and love others unconditionally - With a moral apptitude for righteousness:
Its what Jesus did and its what we are called to Phil 5:1-21
4) Position Relationship for accountability: Pray with a partner wife if married and one man that can mentor you in the faith, and possibly another. Being accountable its also totally encouraged if you have struggled with lust or and sexual sin. Would so encourage the course way to purity found at http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/course/

Coming home has been the most important decision I have ever made and I will be eternally grateful for the things I have learned and continue to learn as some who are now in my life can attest the fire of old is back.

Only the father can remind the prodigal that theres really no place like home.