The Word for Today The Three Thorns (2) Tuesday, 17 June 2014 01:11 It will produce thorns...for you. Genesis 3:18 NIV Heavens answer to a thorn-cursed creation was a thorn-crowned Saviour. But notice something important. God didnt remove the thorns; He decided to use them for His redemptive purposes. Thats why we each get (3) A custom-designed thorn. Heres how Paul describes his thorn: ...Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me... Concerning this thing I pleaded the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly will I boast 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 Christs sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV) The word buffet means to render blow, after blow, after blow. Does that describe your life at the moment? If Pauls experience is anything to go by, the Christian life is a series of blessings and buffetings. And the God Who promises the first, permits the second. Why? To make sure we live our lives dependent on Him. Look what God used to make sure Paul relied totally on Him: infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, distresses. Where do you find strength to handle such a catalogue of complaints? From God - and God alone. You say, I want to be more fruitful in the service of the Lord. That happens when the thorny situations in life drive us closer to God! SoulFood: Ezek 37:1-40:9, Mk 14:43-52, Ps 73:1-16, Prov 15:18-21 thewordfortoday.au
Posted on: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 17:34:43 +0000
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