“MY WEAKNESSES!”

2 Corinthians 12:1-10                            (ESV)

“1 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the LORD.

2 I know a man in CHRIST who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, GOD knows.

3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, GOD knows-

4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.

5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of “MY WEAKNESSES”-

6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that NO ONE MAY THINK MORE OF ME than he sees in me or hears from me.

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, A THORN WAS GIVEN ME in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

8 THREE TIMES I pleaded with the LORD about this, that it should leave 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 of “MY WEAKNESSES”, so that the power of CHRIST may rest upon me.

10 For the sake of CHRIST, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

There is much to be said about the Apostle Paul’s message in 2 Corinthians 12, so much that I will only scratch the surface.  To begin with, Paul  was permitted to “be caught up to the third Heaven”, but (other than writing to the church at Corinth) he didn’t try to make a huge public spectacle of his experience.  In fact, Paul wrote, I “heard things that cannot be told, which MAN MAY NOT UTTER”.  Just because we experience some things doesn’t mean we are to try and use them for our Glory!  

What the Apostle Paul DID share with us is “MY WEAKNESSES”, A THORN THAT WAS GIVEN ME in the flesh that humbled him greatly.  Paul doesn’t come right out and say what THE THORN was, he was certain that it was meant “to keep me from becoming conceited”, therefore drawing man’s glory to him rather than THE ALMIGHTY!  

This journey we are engaged in is NOT all about what we can accomplish during our time on earth, but rather what GOD is able to USE us to perform for HIS Glory!  If we are “weak”, the power of CHRIST is allowed be made manifest in our lives.  We therefore should BOAST of “MY WEAKNESSES” and shift ALL of the Glory to the ONE WHO deserves it in the first place.  

While it is true that I have “MY WEAKNESSES” that I would truly love to overcome, I will relish in the fact that the sacrifice of JESUS is sufficient for ALL of my sins.  For HIM to be Glorified should be our focus, not on “our goodness”, which is “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) in HIS sight!  

“HIS WILL!”

1 John 5:13-15                       (ESV)

“13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the SON of GOD, that you may KNOW that you have eternal life.

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward HIM, that if we ask anything ACCORDING TO “HIS WILL” HE hears us.

15 And if we know that HE hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of HIM.”

Seeing so many people who claim to have the answers about how to correct where we have erred in the rearing of our children (most of whom are already grown!) is really asinine.  The blueprint for the entire family structure is plainly described within the pages of Scripture, and mankind doesn’t seem to want to TRUST GOD with our children?  Seeing people who have answers to the social injustices that have existed since creation is another area of concern.  We ALL have, shall we say “imperfections”, therefore we need a Savior!

The answers for ALL of the “imperfections” have ALL been given to us, but it appears that no one is interested in seeking answers from a HOLY GOD?  We ALL have been “assigned” (1 Corinthians 7:17) difficulties in this life.  How those problems are dealt with says a lot about who our trust is in!  If we believe that we can handle them by ourselves, then our trust is in our own abilities and so-called wisdom.  If we rely on GOD ALMIGHTY to lead us, then we are submitting to “HIS WILL”, HIS Plan, for our lives.  

We can be “doing things” supposedly for GOD and still be missing “HIS WILL”!   In July 2007 my plans were to begin a Non-Profit helping students with little or no parental support navigate their way through high school and hopefully into college.  Of course, GOD had a different Plan and HE abruptly got my attention July 09, 2007 when my brain sprung a leak. The two years recovering helped me SEE that my plans, although noble, weren’t HIS Plans (Isaiah 55:8-9) and I needed to SLOW DOWN and seek HIS guidance in my life!  

When we are seeking “HIS WILL” in our lives, we have to let our own desires die a sometimes slow death!  Allowing GOD to use us for HIS Glory should be our goal, not for HIM to glorify us!  While we can ask anything FOR HIM, asking ACCORDING TO “HIS WILL” requires us being SUBMISSIVE to HIS Plan, AND on HIS timeline!  

“A YOUNG MAN NAMED SAUL!”

Acts 6:5; 7:58-60

“5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man FULL OF FAITH and of the HOLY SPIRIT, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch....

....58 Then they cast him out of the city and STONED him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of “A YOUNG MAN NAMED SAUL”.

59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "LORD JESUS, receive my spirit."

60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "LORD, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Yesterday after finishing my devotional, as is my normal activity, I was in my quiet time with THE LORD and my thoughts were on “poor Stephen”, as he paid a tremendous price for his being FULL OF FAITH!  Then I imagined, what if one of “the Jews” who had stoned Stephen were changed eternally by what they had observed?  GOD can use even the smallest of thoughts for HIS Glory and change someone’s heart through seemingly nothing?  

Then my mind went to Acts 9:15-16 where JESUS is speaking to Ananias.  “But the LORD said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of MINE to carry MY name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of MY name." Looking so diligently for who GOD was changing, I couldn’t SEE that it was Saul/Paul, even though I had capitalized his name in verse 58 of chapter 7 of Acts.  

Most are aware that GOD used me to write a letter in 2002 in support of the Neurologist that GOD used to save my life in 2007.  All I was doing was trying to help a friend who worked where the Neurologist was used.  Never could I have dreamed ALMIGHTY GOD was intricately weaving HIS Plan with this humble servant being in the midst of that Plan?  The Apostle Paul wrote much of the New Testament after his conversion.  Do you think he had any idea what the ALMIGHTY had planned for him while he watched Stephen being stoned to death?  

ALMIGHTY GOD had a Plan for Stephen that Glorified HIM.  HE had a Plan for Saul/Paul that Glorified HIM.  HE has a Plan for me and you!  My prayer is that HE will be Glorified by my life and actions as I serve HIM.  If “A YOUNG MAN NAMED SAUL” life can be changed to honor CHRIST, surely GOD can use a broken vessel like me for HIS Glory???

“FULL OF FAITH!”

Acts 6:5; 7:58-60

“5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man “FULL OF FAITH” and of the HOLY SPIRIT, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch....

....58 Then they cast him out of the city and STONED him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a YOUNG MAN NAMED SAUL.

59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "LORD JESUS, receive my spirit."

60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "LORD, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

It could be rather easy to hold those who stoned Stephen accountable for his brutal death.  Scripture states that Stephen was a man “FULL OF FAITH” and of the HOLY SPIRIT, yet he was about to experience torture and pain like few others before or since.  Yet, the entire sixth chapter of Acts is a sermon that speaks of GOD’s unfailing LOVE for mankind and how the earthly hierarchy of the Jews could not SEE GOD, even when HE was right before their eyes!  

Mankind has a vast “hole” inside of us that we have a longing to fill.  “This world” attempts to fill that “hole” with anything and everything under the sun to prevent us from experience the fullness of the SPIRIT we were created to enjoy.  John 4:24 says “GOD IS SPIRIT...”, but the enemy is trying to sell that filling that “hole”with THINGS is the way to PEACE and HAPPINESS.  How often do we hear of those who achieve wealth and prosperity with no meaning in their lives?  Could it be they aren’t “FULL OF FAITH” and they can’t buy the PEACE and HAPPINESS they long for???

The FAITH and PROSPERITY people seldom will preach about Stephen, or that eleven of the twelve disciples didn’t die a natural death.  Paul, formerly known as Saul (verse 58), was decapitated in Rome.  Living for CHRIST does not guarantee you a prosperous, lengthy life.  On the contrary, it may bring you difficulties and tribulations.  But Paul was told in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that “MY grace is sufficient for you, for MY power is made perfect in weakness."  IF allowing CHRIST to be Glorified in our weaknesses is a worthy desire, I should be the ultimate Believer, for I am the “weakest”!

Stephen is known as a man who was “FULL OF FAITH” and the HOLY SPIRIT.  What I will be known for will probably be something a lot more worldly?  My prayer is that when others see my time on this earth, they will observe that TRUSTING IN GOD is the ONLY WAY to exhibit being what we are called to be?  In Hebrews 11:6 scripture says “...without FAITH, it is impossible to please HIM....”!  My desire is not for great wealth, fame, or fortune.  It is to be “FULL OF FAITH”!!!

“ENCAMP!”

Exodus 14:1-4                          (ESV)

“1 Then the LORD said to Moses,

2 "Tell the people of Israel to TURN BACK and “ENCAMP” in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; YOU SHALL “ENCAMP” facing it, by the sea.

3 For Pharaoh WILL say of the people of Israel, 'They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.'

4 And I WILL harden Pharaoh's heart, and HE WILL pursue them, and I WILL get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians SHALL KNOW that I AM the LORD." And they did so.”

No less than 10 times since I began my almost Biblical writings in 2011 have I been drawn to write about Exodus 14:1-4.  There is something about GOD directing the Israelites to “ENCAMP” where their enemy would say “the wilderness has shut them in” so GOD would get Glory over them that fascinates me.  

Some time around 2014 I feel GOD instructed me to almost disconnect from this world and trust in HIM for my sustenance.  Recently I have been wondering if I might have heard what I wanted to hear instead of what GOD was telling me?   The urge to “do something, even if it’s wrong” has to be intentionally resisted when I have been told to “ENCAMP” and WAIT ON THE LORD!  

The LORD said the word “ENCAMP” twice in verse two, making it clear that HE wanted the Israelites to WAIT for HIM and HIS timing.  Then Scripture goes on to say certain things that WILL happen as a result of the Israelites being obedient, with the final one being “I WILL get glory over Pharaoh and all his hosts”!!  The Israelites had to WAIT ON THE LORD because HE had led them with HIS presence (Exodus 13:21) where they had no other options.  

Knowing what happened later in Exodus 14 and looking in hindsight, it can be a might be easier to understand why the Israelites were required to “ENCAMP” and WAIT ON THE LORD.  However, looking in hindsight is NOT walking by FAITH, and we KNOW that “without FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM” (Hebrews 11:6)!  FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to be obedient, especially when I am told to “ENCAMP”, and let YOUR WILL be done!!!

“DID GOD ACTUALLY SAY?”

Genesis 3:1-4                        (ESV)

“1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD GOD had made. He said to the woman, “"DID GOD ACTUALLY SAY”, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" 

2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,

3 but GOD said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'"

4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.”

While perusing videos of people (some are even ministers appointed by “this world”!) giving their thoughts on “the things of GOD” recently, I found them all to be lacking!  The enemy was first made known to mankind in an act of deception in Genesis 3:1, and he continues to deceive today using even “false prophets” for his efforts.  As a matter of fact, JESUS, speaking to the class of people who were thought to be the “rulers of the Jews”, says in John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. WHEN HE LIES, HE SPEAKS OUT OF HIS OWN CHARACTER, FOR HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF LIES.”  

The TRUTH can only be located from ONE Source.  There is no substitute for THE ANSWER given by our CREATOR in HIS WORD!  Former President Ronald Reagan has been quoted many times by untold numbers of people.  However, the thing he said that I most frequently share is “Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.”  Yet we spend a tremendous amount of time on the “things of this world” and relatively a very small amount of time downloading HIS Word and HIS Principles into our lives!  And we wonder why catastrophic events are occurring in our world today???  

When the serpent asked Eve if GOD had really said ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?", he misquoted the CREATOR.  BUT, being the deceiver he is, he immediately didn’t want to focus on TRUTH, he focused on his lie!  “You will not surely die.” was his response to TRUTH.  He contradicted what GOD said with half-truths, which is a full lie!  When we want something so badly (Genesis 3:6 “So when the WOMAN SAW that the tree was good for food, and that it was a DELIGHT TO THE EYES, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.”), the lies of the enemy become easier to accept,  I think because, like Eve, we DESIRE the fruit!?!  

Becoming so familiar with the WORD OF GOD that we cannot be swayed by the great deceiver should be our goal, but I’m not there yet!  The enemy will try and make us question “DID GOD ACTUALLY SAY” this or that, but just as Eve knew what GOD has said, most of us know what GOD has instructed us to do, or NOT do.  Where I get in trouble is “....not do what I want, but I do the very thing hate.” (Romans 7:15b).  By not focusing on the enemy and his lies, we won’t be caught in the web of “DID GOD ACTUALLY SAY” that!  KNOWING and loving what GOD has really said will cause the devil to flee, because he can’t abide TRUTH!  

“WE ALSO ARE MEN!”

Acts 14:8-15                        (ESV)

“8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.

9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,

10 said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he sprang up and began walking.

11 And when THE CROWDS SAW WHAT PAUL HAD DONE, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"

12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,

15 "Men, why are you doing these things? “WE ALSO ARE MEN”, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living GOD, WHO made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.”

Having your EYES opened to SEE the HAND of GOD being used in such a way that a publicly declared MIRACLE has occurred can be a blessing, but it can also be a curse IF Glory isn’t given to WHOM it is due!!  I’m blessed to be in a position of making sure the correct PERSON gets the Glory.  On September 25, 2007 my doctor wrote in my medical records “However he has had an remarkable recovery that could only be described as a miracle from GOD”!  Notice, the fact that I was alive and well wasn’t credited to my overall physical strength, or being “lucky”, or a great medical team, it was definitely “a miracle from GOD”!  

“WE ALSO ARE MEN” makes it clear to me that WE ARE NOT GOD, no matter how much we act OR OTHERS TREAT US as though we are!  We usually perform what we think is best, with little or no regard to how GOD (or HIS Word!) instructs us.  

In the Scriptures above, the Apostle Paul and Barnabas were very quick to deflect any and all praise to the LIVING GOD, WHO made the heavens and the earth!  While some misguided souls were trying to offer sacrifices to a false god, Paul and Barnabas said “WE ALSO ARE MEN”, dispelling any notion that they were responsible for the healing GOD had performed earlier. 

In Exodus 20:3 specifically states “"You shall have no other gods before ME.”  Included in that “no other gods” is our own selfish desires.   When we come to a true understanding of WHO GOD really is, it is quite easy to admit “WE ALSO ARE MEN”!  When we are elevated by others, even unwillingly, we are in danger of being thought of too highly.  We MUST remember that “WE ALSO ARE MEN” and give credit to ALMIGHTY GOD as our only GOD!!!p