The Need for Grace

At a recent Bible study with some good friends where we were talking about some of the difficult situations that people we knew had gone through. We lifted up those we knew who had ongoing trials. At times like these, we feel sorrow at the pain and suffering that our friends are enduring and our faith in God's sovereignty drives us to seek him. We also follow the commandment in Galatians 6:2 to bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the Law of Christ; the One who extended grace, paid our sin debt and secured our eternal destiny.

As we prayed, the Holy Spirit gave me one of those light bulb moments. Without hardship, trials, pain, suffering, illness or loss--grace would not be needed. All too often, our "I got this" mentality caused us to surge off on our own heading into disaster; leaving a trail of sin and broken relationships as roadkill. Psalm 55:22 offers a much better approach--Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you... God is the One whose got this covered!

2 Corinthians 9:8 says And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. God's grace is unleashed when we allow His strength to be made perfect in our weakness. Not only that, but our Father is guaranteeing we have all the resources we need and the outcome can be nothing but successful. We were created in His image (Genesis 1:26) and His overriding goal for our lives is to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ. His grace is always sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The Desires of Your Heart

Even though its been a long time since I’ve blogged, I haven’t been wasting away in oblivion. When I was going through my divorce in 2012, my pastor encouraged me to push through the difficult times and focus on what Rick Benson will look like in 2014. As I reflect back on 2014, I see a Rick Benson who still has many flaws, but I also see a man who has made some remarkable changes as well.

I am married again to an amazing godly woman named Debra. The last thing I was looking for in 2012 was another relationship, but God always has a purpose and a plan. Psalm 37:4 says that God will give you the desires of your heart if you delight yourself in Him. Through all of the pain and difficulty I had to endure, I never once turned my back on God. I knew that somehow, someway, He was working all things for good.

I can honestly say that all I ever wanted in a wife was someone who would love the Lord with all of her heart and let His beauty shine through her. I wanted a wife who would love me, respect me and allow me to nurture and cherish her heart. I wanted a wife who love my daughter as if she was her very own child. I wanted a wife who understood her spiritual gifts and gave them freely without hesitation. I wanted a wife who would allow me to lead her spiritually, but would also challenge and encourage me to grow as well. 

Debra truly is a desire of my heart. Thank you, Lord!