I
Was Given A Thorn In My Flesh, …
Three
Different Times
I
Begged The Lord To Take It Away.
Scripture
2
Corinthians 12
7 … So to keep me
from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger
from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
9 Each time
he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in
weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so
that the power of Christ can work through me.
10 That’s
why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships,
persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am
weak, then I am strong.
Observation
Maybe
you are living with a “thorn in the flesh” right now.
No,
I am not talking about your spouse! …
It
could be that you like me have had a heart attack or have some other
health issue that you deal with on a daily basis. I know that some of
you are fighting cancer or have a loved one fighting this battle.
Some
of you are taking care of a loved one that can no longer take care of
themselves.
Here
is a word for you!
My
very good friend, Missionary John Seale sent me these words which I
will always keep on my refrigerator. These words encourage me when I
am down physically and spiritually. John has now gone on to be with
Jesus, but his encouraging words and the strength of his life will
never ever leave me.
Here
is what he wrote to me one day when I was struggling with my own
health,
“Such
difficulties bring many of us to a depth of spiritual oneness and
fellowship with our Maker that most believers would not understand.”
And
with the quote John sent me this verse: Philippians 1:29 “For you
have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also
the privilege of suffering for him.”
I
will always keep the quote and the verse on my refrigerator!
God
does not waste a “hurt”.
If
you and I are experiencing a “thorn in the flesh” then God will
use the “thorn” to bring us closer to Him … if we let Him.
Application
So
now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of
Christ can work through me. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, thank You for giving John Seale and his wife Jeanie to us as
our friends. I pray for Jeanie right now. Give her strength to carry
on with her life without John by her side. John understood suffering
and he had to put up with so much of it while he was here on earth,
but he is no longer dealing with pain. Thank You for having John send
to me those words of encouragement during a time when I was
discouraged. You are a great and mighty God. You are worthy of all
praise.
Daily
Bible Reading: Psalms 124; 2 Corinthians 11,12,13
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