Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 12:1-10
Our scripture starts out with Paul speaking about a man in Christ giving of himself to the Lord. Paul knew this man for 14 years. In this passage, he spoke about being "caught up in the 3rd Heaven." He likewise states that he did not know if this was with his body or without his body being in the Spirit.
About this man I will boast. About myself, I will not boast. I will not be a fool, for I will speak only the truth.
Paul speaks about a thorn in his flesh. Some believe that it was a form of Malaria Fever that haunted the coastal area he traveled in. Others thought it might have been a Spiritual temptation or "constant doubt" that he was doing the will of the Lord.
Others thought it was fear from shirking his duty.
Yet others thought it was carnal temptation. Monks and hermits shut themselves in monasteries to tame the instinct of sex.
Yet none of these solutions can be right for 3 reasons:
1.) The text states that it was severe pain.
2.) Others thought it was physical suffering of a deformity.
3.) The pain was intermittent.
It states in 2nd Corinthians that Paul might have had a weakened body. Sometimes he could hardly share his love for the Lord.
Paul does not tell us nor does the scripture identify the thorn in Paul’s side. Paul asked the Lord several times to remove the thorn. The Lord said no. His grace is sufficient.
Paul would not let the thorn in his side stop him from serving the Lord.
What is the thorn in your side? We all have at least one that limits us from our ability to faithfully serve the Lord our God. Are you limited in sharing your faith with others? Fearful of not saying the right things?
We are not to worry about what we might say, for the Lord said He would give us His words. Just tell your story. Tell them your love of the Lord and how He has been with you every step of the way. Remember the footsteps poem I shared a few week ago?
Some won’t try to increase their limited abilities because of the lack of education or even comfort level.
Our scripture starts out with Paul speaking about a man in Christ giving of himself to the Lord. Paul knew this man for 14 years. In this passage, he spoke about being "caught up in the 3rd Heaven." He likewise states that he did not know if this was with his body or without his body being in the Spirit.
About this man I will boast. About myself, I will not boast. I will not be a fool, for I will speak only the truth.
Paul speaks about a thorn in his flesh. Some believe that it was a form of Malaria Fever that haunted the coastal area he traveled in. Others thought it might have been a Spiritual temptation or "constant doubt" that he was doing the will of the Lord.
Others thought it was fear from shirking his duty.
Yet others thought it was carnal temptation. Monks and hermits shut themselves in monasteries to tame the instinct of sex.
Yet none of these solutions can be right for 3 reasons:
1.) The text states that it was severe pain.
2.) Others thought it was physical suffering of a deformity.
3.) The pain was intermittent.
It states in 2nd Corinthians that Paul might have had a weakened body. Sometimes he could hardly share his love for the Lord.
Paul does not tell us nor does the scripture identify the thorn in Paul’s side. Paul asked the Lord several times to remove the thorn. The Lord said no. His grace is sufficient.
Paul would not let the thorn in his side stop him from serving the Lord.
What is the thorn in your side? We all have at least one that limits us from our ability to faithfully serve the Lord our God. Are you limited in sharing your faith with others? Fearful of not saying the right things?
We are not to worry about what we might say, for the Lord said He would give us His words. Just tell your story. Tell them your love of the Lord and how He has been with you every step of the way. Remember the footsteps poem I shared a few week ago?
Some won’t try to increase their limited abilities because of the lack of education or even comfort level.
I cannot sing on tune or read music, yet I enjoy making a joyful noise unto the Lord. That’s all that is required of us. With all the thorns in my life, the Lord had not made me useless in speaking the Word of God for 45 years.
We need to stop holding back our gifts and talents the Lord has given us. I knew a lay pastor who had a speech impediment, not unlike Moses. He stuttered constantly when speaking, yet when he started to preach his speech was clear and without any evidence that he had a stuttering problem.
We need to not be limited by the thorns in our lives that seek to hinder us of our true capabilities to share the Love of Christ. As we seek to serve the Lord, may He not remove the thorns in our lives, but use them to spur us on and do his will as He desires rather than settling for our unwillingness to step out in faith.
May we praise the Lord with the amazing grace that He has given each and everyone of us who is willing to be used by Him to tell His story.
Amen!
We need to stop holding back our gifts and talents the Lord has given us. I knew a lay pastor who had a speech impediment, not unlike Moses. He stuttered constantly when speaking, yet when he started to preach his speech was clear and without any evidence that he had a stuttering problem.
We need to not be limited by the thorns in our lives that seek to hinder us of our true capabilities to share the Love of Christ. As we seek to serve the Lord, may He not remove the thorns in our lives, but use them to spur us on and do his will as He desires rather than settling for our unwillingness to step out in faith.
May we praise the Lord with the amazing grace that He has given each and everyone of us who is willing to be used by Him to tell His story.
Amen!
