Living by the Grace of God - Pastor Patrick Edwards

2 Corinthians 12: 6 - 10 Good News Translation 6 If I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not boast, because I do not want any of you to have a higher opinion of me than you have as a result of what you have seen me do and heard me say. 7 But to keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw, I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud.  8 Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away.  9 But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.  10 I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. For grace to be activated, there must be weakness that must be acknowledged. Acknowledge grace. Romans 4: 19 - 20 Good News Translation  19 He was then almost one hundred years old; but his faith did not weaken when he thought of his body, which was already practically dead, or of the fact that Sarah could not have children.  20 His faith did not leave him, and he did not doubt God's promise; his faith filled him with power, and he gave praise to God.