Dear Christian Believers,

On August 14th Rev. Juan Cabrera of Venezuela finished recording the foundational teaching series, “Living in God’s Power.” It was an exciting day for us all. The climax to many months of work, translating the 449 page English syllabus into Spanish, and the completion of recording LIGP in both tape and CD format. Juan was very happy to have this project finished in time for their August 22-25 the training and commissioning of Venezuela’s Ambassadors for Christ. Having LIGP in Spanish will be a valuable tool for the ambassadors to use this year as they reach out to others with God’s Word.

The CFF Family Reunion was, “awesome!” The theme was “Being Good Stewards of God’s Grace,” and I want to personally thank all of our teachers for sharing God’s Word, and also all that came to be part of our Reunion.

The apostle Paul understood “grace” and it’s importance to the believer. Paul was a good steward of God’s grace because he manifested it within himself and outwardly towards others as he lived it and preached it. Paul had to renew his mind to God’s grace, and forgiveness whenever he was tempted to think of his past. Paul pressed on toward the mark of his higher calling. Paul was a wonderful ambassador for Christ, but he also faced many challenges. In both II Corinthians 11:24-29 and II Corinthians 12:7-10 it lists some of those challenges.

II Corinthians 11:24-29
Of the Jews five times I received forty stripes save one.
Thrice I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of mine own country men, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren.
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and am I not weak? Who is offended (made to stumble) and am I burn not. (do not burn with indignation)

II Corinthians 12:7-10
And lest I should be exalted above measure through th abundant of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I sought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is make 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 I am strong.

Paul realized that his sufficiency was of God, no matter what the challenge, and that God would supply as much as was needed. To be sufficient is to experientially know God’s grace is as much as is needed. Paul said I have experienced first hand what it means to be misunderstood, mistreated, forsaken, forgotten, abused, maligned, shipwrecked, attacked verbally and physically, starved, imprisoned, and left for dead. Despite all, Paul manifested God’s grace, he was strengthened in it’s strength. Paul gloried in his afflictions because in his times of weakness the God in Christ in him shined it’s brightest. God’s strength (His power) was made perfect in Paul’s weakness, (perfect means .. is fulfilled). God’s grace supplies more than we need to endure the challenges of this life. By grace we are saved, by grace we are healed, by grace we are delivered, by grace we are more than conquerors, and the list of God’s gift of grace continues. We need to manifest the grace of God moment by moment and walk in believing victory. Let tile glory of God shine.

Love, John