Blog Archives - JAMES JANZEN MINISTRIES

Kingdom Paradox

9/13/2024

Many of the principles of God’s kingdom are paradoxes. When the apostle Paul pleaded with God to remove his affliction—one he called a “thorn in the flesh”—the Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:8–9). God delights in taking situations where human strength is lacking to demonstrate the greatness of His power.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Paul was strong because his strength came from Christ. Instead of protesting his situation, he boasted and even took pleasure in his weakness so that the power of Christ could work through him.

The words “made perfect” in 2 Corinthians 12:9 mean “to complete fully, to accomplish entirely”. Only when we stop resisting the unreality of what has happened and accept our loss and acknowledge our weakness, do we make room to receive countless unexpected blessings from God. In the neighbourhood of new beginnings, we are filled with hope despite a sense of vulnerability, weakness, and feeling powerless. Our weakness allows us to experience God’s strength. This is life in the new normal.

Finding a New Normal

9/12/2024

There is always the possibility that you may slip back to one of the stages and find yourself feeling overwhelmed again. Don’t despair!

It’s normal to move between any of the stages of grief at any time and unexpectedly. On the grief journey, we learn how vulnerable we are. We learn to accept our deepest fears and feelings. We learn to be genuine and authentic. Our values and priorities change.What we once thought of as being important may not be important anymore.

This transformation is often painful but can ultimately make our lives richer. We may not look different on the outside, but inside, there is a new normal, a new inner balance.

Psalm 112:1-8 describes this miraculous new normal.
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,