What’s with the thorns?
Have you ever just felt like – ‘that’s it, I’m done – I don’t know what else to do!’ Well that was how I was feeling yesterday when I left for church. I was asking God things like, ‘what do you want from me?,’ what can I do?’ Then I was crying and feeling like nothing was working… I almost did not go to church, then I realized there would be a message there for me, my message… so I went. You are probably wondering what my dilemma is all about and this is where it gets kind of interesting. Do I tell all here and maybe it helps someone else or do I keep it to myself and just elude to things, you know – play it safe. After all we wouldn’t want everyone to know too much about our privates lives, right?!?! I will share, soon… for now my time is short and I want to write about the lesson. We had a different speaker today, Rod – he is great and I really got a lot out of the lesson. The title – What’s with the Thorns? – had to do with 2 Corinthians 12:7-10: (English Standard Version from BibleGateway.com) So(J) to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a](K) a thorn was given me in the flesh,(L) a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8(M) Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9But he said to me, (N) ”My grace is sufficient for you, for(O) my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that(P) the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10(Q) For the sake of Christ, then,(R) I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For(S) when I am weak, then I am strong. Rod asked, “how can we benefit by being broken?” “When you are broken, you yield, and when you yield, you are empowered.” Jesus said, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” 2Corinthians 12:9...
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9“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.11And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. New English Standard Version, as found on Bible Gateway I have a very important meeting today, a conference call. I have created the senario over and over in my head about how it will go; what I will say, what the response will be. My Bible Reading today (as quoted above) reminds me that I am far better off, not being concerned about what to say. It is better to say a prayer and let the Holy Spirit take over. In this case it is way past time for me to get out of the way and let Him speak. I am going to post this, even before the call – admitting that God, with the Holy Spirit dwelling in me is far more capable of speaking for me…...
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