or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.9 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions,in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
7-10 Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
https://vimeo.com/67221699 Sermon by Todd Leet called BOUND.
Hey Todd, Krissy here! I just was listenting to you BOUND sermon. I think it was really God directing me to this specific message and then I felt like he gave me a word in response. Thank you for your vulnerability and honesty. I so much value that in a pastor. Your message made me think of Paul and his thorn that he speaks of in 2 cor 12. As you shared your testimony.....I relate....I think that as God gives us revelations and responsibilities in ministry....as the passage says messengers of Satan try to bring us down(MSG)....and especially when we are called to ministry.....a thorn is produced and allowed....it does help to humble us and it bring us so much closer to CHRIST.....he makes our STRENGTH his strength. We learn that we are not enough but he is EL SHADDAI....he is almighty and all sufficent.......Those thorns entangled us or puncture our flesh....and then breeds as you said fear or maybe anger or something else.....but the opposition you faced and we all face....the were opportunities to see the full GLORY OF GOD....we were given opportunity to ask GOD for his help.....and thorn is taken and as you said the chains are unbound. Well bless you and Jenn and your awesome family....we miss you but know you are dong such great things in TAMPA and at your church and with your family....Bless you. Thanks for your word and also im glad I found your church website to watch this sermon. Personally please pray for me (Krissy) as I am going to Africa in a month and also I am stepping into ministry with my church more and currently in seminary.....peace out brother!!!!!!!!!tell Jen hi for me.
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