Always remember ‘Jesus is enough’

Bob was an assistant pastor, so young and gifted, who suddenly died. In shock, the senior pastor of the church where Bob was pastoring, went to the funeral home to try and comfort his wife, Judy. As he walked up to the casket, where she stood with her three young children close to her side, he was struggling just what he should say. Before he could utter a single word, she encouraged him with just three words: "Jesus is enough!" Wow! What a timely message for whatever you're experiencing now.

First, reflect on the fact that Jesus was enough for all your yesterday's. He was with you to comfort you in all your deep valleys of pain and brokenness. Psalm 34:18 says: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." He was with you to celebrate with you all your victories ... successes, too. It's not Jesus "plus," this and that. It's Jesus "period!" Jesus paid for all your mess ups (the Bible calls sin) in "full for all, and for once for all." There is complete forgiveness and salvation alone in Christ! Man's good works are never a basis for salvation, but only a fruit, because of our salvation. Hebrews 7:24-25 says, "Jesus lives forever therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."

Second, rejoice in the fact that Jesus is still enough for your today. Yes, right now, this very moment. "Jesus is enough" both on the mountaintops of jubilation and success; as well as in the valley of tribulation and defeat, and all the experiences in between. Just now you maybe are discouraged and tempted to question God about "why" all this pain, "why" all this conflict or still "why" the flood last summer, that you're suffering repercussions from?

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Whatever the temptation, remember: "Jesus is enough always has been, always is and always will be! I Corinthians 10:13 says so: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Third, remember the fact that Jesus will be enough for all your tomorrows! Whether it be "triumph or tribulation," rest assured that Jesus goes ahead, and will be there waiting for you! Hebrews 13:5b-6 promises: " Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid" You don't have to go through the deep valleys of tribulation or ascent the steep mountains of triumph alone. Jesus is your source of strength he's literally the margin of emotional and spiritual survival for you. Psalm 23:4 says so: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Take heart friend, Jesus has been, is and will always continue to be "your enough," unconditionally. He promised " Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

Rev. Dan Chell is a pastor at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Brethren Church in Minot.