June 4, 2026
When I Am Weak Then Am I Strong
One passage of Scripture that has continually encouraged me in recent days is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, “And he said unto me, 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. 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.”
Lately, I have been challenged with new experiences in my life—situations that have required wisdom and understanding beyond what I have known before. During these times, these verses from 2 Corinthians have repeatedly come to my heart through the working of the Holy Spirit. They have reminded me that God’s grace truly is enough for every burden, every uncertainty, and every trial.
In this passage, the Apostle Paul was speaking about a “thorn in the flesh.” We are not told exactly what this thorn was, but it was something difficult that Paul continually battled. Three times he asked the Lord to remove it, yet the Lord’s answer was not the removal of the burden but the promise of sustaining grace: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” These words became Paul’s testimony of the Lord’s faithfulness in the midst of suffering.
The truth of this promise was also beautifully expressed in the hymn “My Grace is Sufficient,” written by Ira Reed:
“My grace is sufficient for thee,”
O blessed the word of our Lord;
Whatever thy trials shall be,
“Remember, remember My word.”
“My grace is sufficient for thee,”
O take the sweet words to thy heart;
This thought shall thy gladness e’er be,
’Twill strength for life’s battle impart.
“My grace is sufficient for thee,”
Tho’ sorrow and evil distress,
And strong thy temptations may be,
This promise thy soul shall caress.
Chorus:
My grace is sufficient for thee;
My grace is sufficient for thee;
Whatever thy burden or care,
“My grace is sufficient for thee.”
These words do not apply only to the thorn Paul endured, but to the many struggles we all face throughout life. God’s Word remains true in every circumstance: His grace is sufficient.
Paul also makes another powerful statement in this passage: “For when I am weak, then am I strong.” That verse reminds me of something from my school days. Every year in physical education class we were required to take the Presidential Fitness Test. Here is a little history about the test - established in 1956 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the test measured strength, endurance, and agility through exercises like pull-ups, shuttle runs, and running events.
Year after year, I remember hanging from the pull-up bar, unable to pull myself up even once. While others laughed, I simply waited for the teacher to tell me to come down. I lacked the strength to do what was required of me. Looking back now, I realize how much that experience reflects life itself. Many times we encounter burdens, trials, and responsibilities that we simply do not have the strength to overcome on our own.
Paul faced many situations in his life that he could not “pull himself up” from either. Yet through his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, he discovered a new source of strength and power. Before knowing Christ, Paul was strong in his own abilities, accomplishments, and religion. But after coming to Christ, he realized that true strength was no longer found in himself, but in the Savior living within him.
By the leading of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote these words in Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
What a powerful truth. Christ living within us brings a strength we could never produce ourselves. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, we are no longer left hanging helplessly on the “pull-up bars” of life. Instead, we can say with confidence, as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Paul closes this passage, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 with these remarkable words, “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.”
May we always remember that our weakness is not the end of the story. It is often the very place where God reveals His greatest strength through us.
May 22, 2026
Which Way Is God Leading?
“And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, ‘Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt.’ But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt” (Exodus 13:17–18).
There are moments in life when we arrive at a crossroads—a place where important decisions must be made that will shape our future, whether in our careers, relationships, or spiritual walk. In these pivotal times, Scripture teaches us not to rely on our own understanding but to seek God’s direction. Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” The children of Israel experienced such a crossroads. In Numbers 20:14–22, Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom, requesting passage through his land—a shorter and easier route—but permission was denied. Instead, they were led the longer way around by the Red Sea. Frustrated, the people spoke against God and Moses, questioning why they had been brought out of Egypt only to face hardship in the wilderness.
This account teaches us the importance of following the leading of the Spirit, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. God’s direction may not always align with human logic or what appears easiest, but His way leads to His best for our lives. Often, the flesh urges us toward the path that seems simpler or more convenient, tempting us to rely on our own strength and leave God out of the equation. Yet Scripture reminds us that the flesh and the Spirit are in conflict. No matter our age or how long we have walked with the Lord, this struggle remains. If we walk according to the flesh, we become consumed with temporary, carnal things. But as Paul instructs in Galatians 5:16, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Choosing to follow the Spirit—even when the path is longer or harder—keeps us aligned with God’s purpose and leads us exactly where He intends for us to be.
May 9, 2026
Debtor - Romans 1:14
In Epistle to the Romans 1:14, the apostle Paul the Apostle declares, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” The word “debtor” carries the idea of being under obligation—bound to a duty that cannot be ignored. For Paul, this was not a casual responsibility but a divine calling that shaped the entire course of his life.
His testimony begins dramatically in Acts of the Apostles 9, where Saul, determined to extinguish the growing Christian movement, is confronted by the Lord on the road to Damascus. Though he had resisted the inner conviction, he finally surrendered with the question, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Blinded and led into the city, he encountered Ananias, who, in obedience to God, laid hands on him so he might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. In that moment, the scales—both physical and spiritual—fell away, and Saul began proclaiming his first message: that Christ is the Son of God. From then on, he was a chosen vessel, called to bear God’s name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
Paul recounts this calling again in Acts of the Apostles 22 and 26, emphasizing his background as a devout Jew trained under esteemed teachers, his zeal in persecuting believers, and his ultimate surrender to God’s will. He understood himself as chosen to be a witness to all people, sent to open their eyes, turn them from darkness to light, and lead them from the power of Satan to God so they might receive forgiveness and an inheritance through faith. This sense of obligation was so strong that he later wrote in First Epistle to the Corinthians 9:16, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” Preaching was not a matter of personal ambition but a necessity laid upon him by God.
In Epistle to the Galatians, Paul reflects that he was set apart from birth and called by grace to reveal Christ to the Gentiles, entrusted specifically with the gospel to the uncircumcised. Likewise, in Epistle to the Ephesians 3, he describes himself as a minister made by God’s grace, commissioned to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ and to reveal the mystery of fellowship to all people. His life illustrates what it means to live as one who is truly “in debt” to God’s calling.
This sense of divine obligation is echoed in the experiences of other biblical figures. The prophet Jeremiah described God’s word as “a burning fire shut up in my bones,” something he could not contain even when he faced mockery and rejection. Similarly, Amos declared that when the Lord speaks, there is no choice but to prophesy. The apostles Peter the Apostle and John the Apostle expressed the same compulsion in Acts 4:20: “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Not everyone responded faithfully to this obligation. Jonah famously tried to flee from his calling, only to be turned back by extraordinary circumstances. Demas, on the other hand, forsook the path altogether, loving the present world more than the work he had once shared. Even Jesus warned of divided commitment in Gospel of Luke 9:61–62, teaching that no one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.
Taken together, these accounts paint a clear picture: to be a “debtor” in the biblical sense is to live with an unshakable awareness of God’s call—a responsibility that presses inwardly and compels outward action. Whether embraced like Paul, resisted like Jonah, or abandoned like Demas, the obligation remains a defining reality for those who encounter the truth.
May 3, 2026
Give - Lessons From Abraham - Genesis 22
In Genesis 22:2, God speaks to Abraham with a command that strikes at the very core of his heart: “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest… and offer him.” The central thought here is simple yet profound—give.
Isaac was not just any possession; he was Abraham’s only son, deeply loved and long promised. Notice Genesis 17:16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. Genesis 18:10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Genesis 21:12…for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Yet God asked Abraham to surrender him. This moment reveals how God sometimes tests us, not to harm us, but to see whether we will truly walk in His ways and trust Him completely.
What is striking is what Abraham does not do. He does not question God with “Why me?” or “Why not someone else?” nor does he attempt to negotiate or offer an alternative. Instead, Genesis 22:3 shows immediate obedience: Abraham rises early, prepares everything, and sets out for the place God had appointed. There is no hesitation, no delay—only action.
This kind of obedience reminds us that knowing the truth is not enough; we must live it. Faith becomes real when it shapes how we move, decide, and respond in everyday life.
As the journey unfolds, Abraham tells his servants, “I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” These are not casual words—they are words of faith. Even in the face of an unimaginable command, Abraham trusts that God will provide and that His promises will not fail.
When Isaac questions where the lamb for the offering is, Abraham responds with quiet confidence: “God will provide himself a lamb.” This moment captures a deep, unwavering trust in God’s provision.
Often, we wrestle with the fear that if we give, we will be left without. But Abraham’s story challenges that fear. You cannot outgive God. His provision is limitless, as reflected in the truth that He owns “the cattle on a thousand hills.” Psalm 50:10
This account also paints a powerful picture of a greater giving—the Father offering His only begotten Son, not as an end, but as the beginning of eternal life for all who believe. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 1 John 4:9, 10, 19 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 19 We love him, because he first loved us. Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Scripture consistently reassures us that God knows our needs and faithfully provides. He does not forsake the righteous. Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
He supplies grace in abundance so that we have sufficiency in all things. 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that we, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Just as the widow in 1 Kings 17 experienced a miraculous, unending supply of meal and oil, we too can trust that when God calls us to give, He also sustains.
In every season, the truth remains: God will provide.
April 24, 2026
“I Cried” By Debra Isenbletter
Over the past several months, I have had the pleasure of studying the Book of Jonah through Sister Debra’s book on Jonah. Recently, I came across a passage in her writing that I enjoyed so much I felt compelled to share it with you.
The phrase “I cried” carries the meaning of calling out to someone personally—to address by name—and it reflects a universal experience shared by all people. It is the cry of the sinner and the cry of the saint alike. There are moments in life when both our deep need and our faith bring us to this place, compelling us to cry out to God. Scripture, especially in the Psalms that Jonah knew so well, reveals the many forms this cry can take. There is the overwhelmed cry: “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed” (Psalm 61:2). There is the constant cry: “I have cried day and night before thee” (Psalm 88:1). There is the distressed cry: “In my distress I cried unto the Lord” (Psalm 120:1). There is the supplicating cry: “I cried unto thee…be attentive to the voice of my supplications” (Psalm 130:1–2). And there is the specific, personal cry: “I cried unto the Lord…I poured out my complaint before him; I showed before him my trouble” (Psalm 142:1–2). These expressions reveal a wide range of emotions and needs, yet they all share one truth—there is a cry for every circumstance, and the Lord hears each one. In this, we can see Jonah, the saints, and the faithful remnant reflected in the suffering man who calls upon God.
This cry is also seen most profoundly in the life of the suffering Servant, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 22 vividly portrays His suffering at Calvary: “O my God, I cried in the daytime…and in the night season, and am not silent” (Psalm 22:2). These words reveal what appears to be two distinct cries, yet they form one continuous outpouring of the heart. There was the cry “in the daytime,” seen in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the cry “in the night season,” fulfilled at Golgotha. In the Garden, though God seemed silent, He heard the cry of His Son, and we witness Christ’s surrender in the words, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” At the cross, God remained silent as His perfect will was carried out and His justice satisfied. Yet that silence was not the end—when His justice was fulfilled, God spoke through the resurrection, raising the Suffering Servant in victory. The Gospels reveal the depth of this agony: “being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44). The epistles further show that through this suffering, Christ’s obedience was perfected: He “offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears…though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:7–8). His obedience was tested to the very end, and through it all, He continued in prayer without ceasing.
April 16, 2026
The Camels
Genesis 24 presents a beautiful spiritual picture—one that is not meant to be pressed into a rigid, one-to-one comparison, but rather received as a series of glimpses illuminated by the Holy Spirit. When we attempt to force every detail into a fixed meaning, we risk missing the deeper truth. Instead, as we listen and allow the Spirit to guide us, the richness of what is being revealed begins to unfold. In this scene, Abraham reflects the heart of God the Father, desiring a bride for His Son. The eldest servant represents the Holy Spirit, faithfully carrying out the Father’s will—seeking, confirming, and preparing the bride (Rebekah) to meet Isaac, who points us to Jesus Christ. The camels become a striking symbol of God’s providence, the very means by which the journey is made possible, carrying both the servant and the riches of his master.
These “unsearchable riches” of Christ are beyond measure—wealth that cannot be exhausted, filled with mercy, grace, and beauty more precious than gold. They adorn the life of the believer like jewels, freely given, bringing joy and purpose wherever they flow. Such riches call for a response: a willingness to endure trials, afflictions, and even sacrifice, knowing that what is gained in Christ far outweighs what is endured. This is where Rebekah’s example shines so brightly. She embodies a readiness and eagerness to go, a willingness that is, sadly, rare. While it is God’s desire that the whole Church would be the bride of Christ, not all are willing to undertake the journey. As Scripture reminds us in 2 Timothy 2:12, if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him. Even those closest to us—family and friends—may either encourage us forward in God’s calling or attempt to delay and hinder that step of faith.
The journey itself begins with purpose and order. Genesis 24:10 tells us that the servant took ten camels, a number rich with meaning in Scripture. Ten speaks of divine order, responsibility, and completeness. It reminds us that God not only entrusts us with responsibilities, but also provides the ability to fulfill them. Our sufficiency is found not in ourselves, but in Christ. The camels, uniquely designed for survival in harsh desert conditions, further illustrate God’s provision. Built to endure scarcity, carry heavy loads, and press forward through difficulty, they mirror the providences of God in our lives—everything He allows and uses to bring us to His intended destination. As M. Bodie insightfully notes, the kneeling of the camels at the well suggests that all providences are subject to God’s will, working together for our good.
Even the natural circumstances of life must bow before God’s authority. The servant bringing the camels to kneel at the well reflects a deeper truth: all things, whether ordinary or extraordinary, are under divine control. Scripture repeatedly affirms this, from God setting boundaries for the sea in Job 38, to Christ calming the storm in Mark 4:39. Nothing is random; all is governed by His wisdom and power. Within this setting, the servant prays for clear guidance, trusting that God will reveal the appointed bride through both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Rebekah’s response—offering water not only to the servant but also to the camels—demonstrates a heart marked by willingness, cheerfulness, and diligence in service. She goes beyond what is asked, echoing the spirit of Matthew 5:41, where we are called to go the extra mile.
Her actions do not go unnoticed. The servant rewards her with gifts—earrings and bracelets—symbolizing both blessing and a pledge. This reflects a broader spiritual truth: God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him - Hebrews 11:6. Throughout Scripture, we see this principle affirmed, whether in God’s promise to Abraham as his exceeding great reward, in Boaz’s blessing over Ruth, or in Christ’s assurance of heavenly reward. These gifts also point to the “earnest” of our inheritance—the Holy Spirit given as a guarantee of what is to come, as described in Ephesians 1:13, 14 and 2 Corinthians 1:22. They are a foretaste of the fullness that awaits.
As the story continues, we see the importance of testimony. When Rebekah shares what has taken place, it stirs a response in her family, drawing them into the unfolding work of God. There is beauty and power in recounting what the Lord has done. Yet alongside this, we are reminded again of responsibility. The servant tends to the camels, providing for their needs, illustrating that while God’s providence carries us, we are still called to faithfully steward what He has given. And even here, the reminder is clear: we do not accomplish this in our own strength, but through His grace, which is made perfect in weakness - 2 Corinthians 12:9–10.
Eventually, the moment of decision comes. Rebekah rises, mounts the camels, and begins the journey. This step of faith is essential. It is not enough to admire the calling; one must respond to it. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength and rise up. The journey may be marked by trials, those very trials become the means by which we learn to reign in life through Jesus Christ - Romans 5:17. Like the imagery in the hymn “Mount the Wave,” Christ does not always remove the storm but enables us to rise above it, transforming hardship into triumph.
Finally, the journey reaches its destination. Isaac, the long-awaited bridegroom, is seen waiting, watching, and anticipating the arrival of his bride. As Rebekah catches sight of him, she descends from the camel—a powerful picture of the day when our journey through this world comes to an end. There will come a moment when faith becomes sight, when we lay aside the means that carried us and step into the fullness of His presence. It is the “glad day” for which believers long for—the consummation of salvation, the meeting with our Lord, and the beginning of eternity with Him.
April 13, 2026
Bloweth Where It Listeth
“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
The phrase “the wind bloweth where it listeth” carries the idea, from the original Greek, of something moving according to its own will, desire, or determination. In this passage, Jesus draws a comparison between the wind and a person who is born of the Spirit. As He speaks with Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, His message is clear and direct: you must be born again. Yet this comparison can raise an important question—does being born of the Spirit mean living without direction, simply drifting wherever one pleases? The answer is no. Rather than aimless wandering, the new birth brings a new life and a new purpose, one that is guided and directed by the Spirit of God.
There have been moments in my own life that have illustrated this truth in very real ways. On one occasion, I felt led to approach a neighbor of our church and ask if he would consider selling his house. When I asked, he declined. I left, simply acknowledging to the Lord that I had done what was asked of me. Three months later, that same man called and told me he had moved—and asked if I was interested in purchasing the house. The outcome was not immediate, but obedience was still required in the moment. This is the church parsonage we have today.
A more recent experience reinforced this lesson. I had been doing contract work for a company and anticipated that the work would resume. I prayed for direction but initially felt no clear leading either way. When the work started again, I attended a meeting and began the process. Then came a clear prompting from the Lord: I was to inform them that I could not continue.
Though it was difficult, I obeyed. A few days later, they reached out again, asking if I could handle just a couple of small tasks. As I prayed, the same impression remained—be completely obedient. I declined once more, even in what seemed like minor matters.
I was once encouraged by Brother Art to remain sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, even when it does not make sense to the natural mind. God, in His perfect knowledge, understands what is best for us and leads accordingly. There are times when His direction may seem puzzling or even uncomfortable, but it is always purposeful.
If I am honest, I did wrestle with concern over what the company might think of me because of these decisions. Yet I knew the importance of following the Lord’s will above all else. The scripture from John 3:8 became a personal reminder: just as the wind moves according to a force unseen, so too does the life led by the Spirit. And for that leading, I give God praise.
April 7, 2026
Yet He Abideth Faithful
2 Timothy 2:11–13 KJV
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
In these words, the Apostle Paul calls Timothy—and us—to a life of faithfulness: to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, to commit the truth to faithful men, and to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. We are not to be entangled with the affairs of this life, but to strive lawfully and endure all things, remembering that if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him. This same grace that sustains us was proven in Paul’s life, when the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness,” teaching him that true strength is found in dependence upon Christ.
This calls us to examine our own lives. Have we been faithful to live and share the truth? Have we stood firm in trials, or have we given in? Have we become distracted from what God has called us to do? Paul could say at the end of his life, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,” and he looked forward to a crown of righteousness. We too are exhorted to run that we may obtain.
Yet above all, one unshakable truth remains: He abideth faithful. Regardless of the decisions that individuals make - denying him, believing not, He abideth faithful. This is a good example for true believers to follow after. God has called you for His purpose. Stay true to your calling/His purpose in your life.
