“And lest I 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, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8. For this thing I sought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me. 9. And He said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Paul was given an unknown “thorn in the flesh” from Satan to humble him. He wanted it removed, but Jesus reminded him that His grace was sufficient to handle this situation. Jesus’ strength is “made perfect in weakness.” We have the power of Christ to help us to live above whatever “thorns” Satan might use to hamper us. Let me share with you two of my “thorns,” which are probably also yours. Sometimes I am my own thorn. (You might as well admit it.) For example, Satan will zero in on my doubts and fears to hamper my Christian growth and witness. What I have found that the best thing to do when my doubts and fears start to get the best of me is to go directly to prayer and seek the strength of the grace of Jesus to help me overcome them. When Satan assails me with the temptations to sins of the flesh, so to speak, I MUST go immediately to Jesus. My ability to overcome the sins of my mind and my flesh is made possible through the strength that Jesus gives. I can know the strength of the grace of Jesus by submitting my weaknesses to Him. This can be true for you. There is, indeed power in prayer. Sometimes people are my thorn. I think that Satan works overtime in his temptations in the matter of “other people.” He will use this thorn to ruin relationships in the workplace. He will also use this temptation to ruin relationships in church. Face it, we get on one another’s nerves sometimes, and this happens as much in church as it does at work. A person who is obnoxious to us at work is as obnoxious at church. I have found in these cases that I MUST take these people to prayer. I don’t mean a “quickie” prayer, but that I MUST pray for them daily until I look at them differently. Sometimes I have discovered that I was also obnoxious to them. Don’t let Satan ruin your relationships at home, at work at play or at church. Ask for the strength of the grace of Jesus to help you overcome. You will discover as much about yourself in this exercise in prayer as you do about the other person. (Just saying!) I think that you will agree that the two thorns that I dealt with here are also thorns in your life. If Jesus overcomes these thorns, I think that He will overcome a lot of our problems with ourselves and with other people. You will probably agree. Bro. Joe
1 Comment
Linda Brooks
10/12/2016 07:17:07 pm
Thank you SO much for reminding me that "QUICKIE" Prayers do NOT work, concerning our thorns. GOD BLESS YOU !!
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