CHAPTER 1

OUR WEAKNESS, HIS STRENGTH

This is a conversation I held with our Father, take it for what it is worth:

“There may have been a time for you to “do”; that doing was to bring you to self’s end.  Have you learned this fact?”

My reply was, “To some degree.”

He continued, “Weakness is not license to justify your habits of the flesh.  It only leads to your strength.  It conquers all that the flesh couldn’t accomplish.  Fleshly affirmations are not your strength.  The world builds confidence in self, I bring it to weakness.  It’s the way to my strength (God’s).  Your strength will not be from the flesh.  It will appear to some to be you, but you are crucified, never the less you live, yet it is now not by you but by Christ in you to whom all power has been given, working through you.  So that the life you once lived by the power of the flesh, having come to weakness, now is Christ’s faith, strength and power through you.  This is the way to all my gifts.  I measure out according to your weakness, not fleshly abilities. 

My reply, “What did you mean when you said that “weakness is not license to justify my habits of the flesh?”

His reply, “You have had many habits which you in the power of your flesh have not been able to conquer.  I intended that you not conquer them in this way and have frustrated all your efforts to do so.  Yet, where you are now has lead you to think that I intended that you have these weaknesses, and in spite of them I would work through you.  I have done just that in the name of grace and mercy in the past; yet now, I will take you to the depths of weakness where you will gain the power of my Son to do away with these weaknesses; you are ready for this and the flesh will not be involved this time.  Others will see where you once were weak now you are strong.  It will appear that “you” accomplished this in the way the world gains its strength; you and I will know better.  You will no longer be able to boast or take credit for your strength; thus one, among many other habits, for example, like your habit of judging those around you, will die.  This is the way that I fulfill your desire to beat this habit of judging others, thus it will be accomplished.  All habits are over rode through your weakness and my strength.  If it is not accomplished in this way it becomes self-righteousness.

I then asked further, “What did you mean by “Fleshly affirmations are not my strength?”

His reply, “Over the years you have acquired many quotes, wise saying coming from famous writers; for example, “In every way, and every day, I am getting better and better.” This draws on human strength through repetition backed with strong emotions that activate the power of the subconscious mind.  You learned this from books on the subconscious mind; it is not my way.  What counters this is what is written in my word, “Apart from Christ, I can do nothing;” yet through Christ I can do all things.”  This is my way and not the way of the world around you.  I have also given you rhama words, meditate on these day and night; it is these words that truly assist you, not affirmations memorized.”

As I now type up these notes of our conversation I feel closer to His power and do believe that recent trials in my life and the weakness of my flesh to deal with these trials have been directed by Him to bring me to His strength…THANK YOU FATHER.   Paul