The Problems, Pricks and Pains

2 Corinthians 12:1–10 NRSV

1 It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a person 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 such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. 5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, 7 even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

The Problems, Pricks and Pains of Life

EXPERIENCE IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS THE BEST TEACHER A PERSON WILL EVER HAVE IN LIFE...........

EXPERIENCE IN GENERAL COMPRISES KNOWLEDGE OF OR SKILL IN OR OBSERVATION OF SOME THINGS OR SOME EVENTS GAINED THROUGH INVOLVEMENT IN OR EXPOSURE TO THAT THING OR EVENT.

IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE SOMETHING, YOU LEARN OR SHOULD LEARN.

WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE SOMETHING, YOUR SKILLS INCREASE.

WHEN YOU GO THROUGH AN EXPERIENCE, SOMETHING IS GAINED BECAUSE OF YOUR INVOLVEMENT AND EXPOSURE TO THE EXPERIENCE.

LET ME SEE IF I CAN MAKE THAT PRACTICAL........

BECAUSE OF EXPERIENCE, I NOW KNOW AND HAVE LEARNED THAT I HAVE TO SET MY ALARM CLOCK SO THAT I WAKE UP IN TIME FOR WORK.

BECAUSE OF EXPERIENCE, MY PAY HAS INCREASED ON THE JOB BECAUSE I NOW HAVE MORE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THAN I DID WHEN I FIRST BEGAN MY CAREER.

BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCE, I KNOW THAT IF I DON’T TAKE OUR PUPPY OUTSIDE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, THERE MAY BE AN ACCIDENT ON THE FLOOR.

AND FOR THE MARRIED MEN OUT THERE…BECAUSE OF EXPERIENCE, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF HUSBANDS HAVE LEARNED .....YOU DON’T PICK AN ARGUMENT WITH YOUR WIFE.......CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES..........BECAUSE YOU WILL SOON FIND OUT.......IT NOT WORTH TRYING TO BE RIGHT.....IT’S BETTER TO BE HAPPY.

YES WE SHOULD LEARN FROM OUR EXPERIENCES.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, THERE IS NO WAY TO GET EXPERIENCE EXCEPT THROUGH EXPERIENCE.

OUR LIFE EXPERIENCES DESERVES RESPECT......EXPERIENCE IS A TEACHER....... EXPERIENCE IS A MOTIVATOR.......EXPERIENCE IS A GUIDE...... EXPERIENCE IS A MENTOR........ EXPERIENCE MATURES SOME OF US........AND IT WILL MAKE A PERSON BETTER OR BITTER.

TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON YOUR LIFE, WHAT EXPERIENCES HAVE YOU BEEN EXPOSED TO AND BEEN THROUGH?

WHAT KNOWLEDGE HAVE YOU GAINED FROM THIS TEACHER OF LIFE?

HAS YOUR CHARACTER GROWN IN THE SOIL OF EXPERIENCE, WITH THE FERTILIZATION OF EXAMPLES, THE DAMPNESS OF DESIRE, AND THE SUNSHINE OF SATISFACTION?

I DON’T KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO YOU, BUT ONE THING I DO KNOW IS THAT ALL OF US HAVE HAD SOME EXPERIENCES.

WE’RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THORNS, THOSE SHARP AND POINTED PROTRUSIONS FOUND ON SOME PLANTS, BUSHES, AND TREES.

MOST COMMONLY ROSE BUSHES, AS PRETTY AS ITS FLOWERS ARE, ITS STEMS ARE FULL OF THORNS, AND IF YOU’RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET STUCK BY A THORN, THEN YOU KNOW THAT IT’S PAINFUL.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, ON THIS PAST VALENTINE’S DAY, WHEN I WAS ARRANGING THE ROSES IN THE VASE FOR MY WIFE I GOT STUCK BY A THORN…..AND IT WAS VERY PAINFUL..... BUT I LEARNED.....A LITTLE PAIN TO MAKE MY WIFE HAPPY.....IS WORTH IT ALL.

LET ME SUGGEST THAT WHAT WE WILL EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS OF LIFE ....AND THOSES EXPERIENCES MAY NOT PUT A SMILE ON OUR FACE......BUT SOMETIMES THEY TEACH US THINGS THAT WE OTHERWISE MAY NOT HAVE LEARNED.

YES MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS....... SOME OF THE EXPERIENCES WE’VE BEEN EXPOSED TO AND BEEN THROUGH HAVE BEEN PAINFUL AND HEARTBREAKING.

SOME OF THESE EXPERIENCES MAY CAUSE YOU TO WANT TO THROW IN THE TOWEL, PUT OUR HANDS UP IN SURRENDER, AND LET GO OF THE ROPE OF FAITH.

AM I TALKING TO SOMEONE THIS MORNING…..HAVE YOU BEEN THROUGH SOME PROBLEMS.....PRICKS AND PAINS....

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IN OUR TEXT THIS MORNING.....WE SEE THAT BROTHER PAUL, WHO WAS A PRISONER OF CHRIST AND A GREAT MESSENGER OF THE GOSPEL, WENT THROUGH SOME PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS THROUGHOUT HIS MINISTRY.

AT ONE TIME IN HIS LIFE BEFORE HIS CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY, PAUL HIMSELF HAD BEEN A THORN IN THE CHURCH’S SIDE, BY PERSECUTING THOSE WHO PROCLAIMED AND ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST.

BUT NOW, PAUL FOUND HIMSELF ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE CAUGHT IN SEVERAL PROBLEMS.....PRICKS AND PAINS.

PAUL WAS A GREAT PREACHER WHO GOD CONVERTED ON THE DAMASCUS ROAD WHILE HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO PERSECUTE CHRISTIANS.

WE SEE THAT GOD USED PAUL IN SUCH A WAY THAT HE BECAME AN ICON FOR THE EARLY CHURCH.

THE APOSTLE PAUL PLANTED MORE CHURCHES THAN ANY OTHER PREACHER IN HISTORY....

HE PROCLAIMED THE GOSPEL WITH BOLDNESS, AND AT TIMES HE TOO WAS PERSECUTED FOR DOING THE WORK OF THE LORD.

PAUL WROTE AT LEAST 13 BOOKS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, AND WENT ON SEVERAL MISSIONARY TRIPS.

YES MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS.....HE WORKED HARD FOR THE LORD AND MADE A GREAT IMPACT ON THE EARLY CHURCH AND CHRISTIANITY.

IF PAUL HAD PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS IN HIS LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN...... WITH SUCH AN IMPRESSIVE SPIRITUAL RESUME.....THEN I’M HERE TO ASK YOU THIS MORNING...... WHAT EXCLUDES US FROM GOING THROUGH PROBLEMS, THE PRICKS AND THE PAINS OF LIFE?

BUT BEFORE WE GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT BROTHER PAUL WAS GOING THROUGH....WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE TEXT.

WE MUST UNDERSTAND......THAT PAUL HAD ESTABLISHED A CHURCH IN THE GREEK CITY OF CORINTH ON HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY, BUT WHEN PAUL MOVED ON....THE PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH BEGAN TO CHANGE......IT WAS LIKE AN EPISODE OF...... CHURCH FOLK GONE WILD.

I MEAN THESE CHURCH FOLK WERE CHALLENGING PAUL’S AUTHORITY AS AN APOSTLE, WHETHER HE WAS QUALIFIED BY GOD TO LEAD OTHERS.

THEY WERE MISUSING WORSHIP, GOING TO COURT AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, CONDONING IMMORALITY, DENYING THAT JESUS HAD RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND FUSSING ABOUT ALL KINDS OF ISSUES.

SO, PAUL WROTE A LETTER KNOWN AS I CORINTHIANS TO DEAL WITH THE CHURCH’S PROBLEMS BEFORE EVERYTHING FELL APART.

WELL, THE FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS DID NOT SETTLE ALL OF THE CHURCH’S PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY THE QUESTIONS CONCERNING PAUL’S AUTHORITY.

SO, IN GREAT SORROW PAUL WROTE ANOTHER LETTER KNOWN AS II CORINTHIANS........TO ESTABLISH HIS AUTHORITY AS ONE CHOSEN BY CHRIST TO LEAD OTHERS IN THEIR FAITH.

IN THIS SECOND LETTER.....HE ALSO COVERED MORE PRACTICAL MATTERS, SUCH AS SUPPORTING BELIEVERS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WHO HAD FALLEN ON HARD TIMES.

WE MUST UNDERSTAND.....THIS WAS A VERY PERSONAL LETTER BY PAUL, BECAUSE HE LOVED HIS PEOPLE BUT HAD BEEN DEEPLY WRONGED BY THEM.

IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR TEXT PAUL FELT OBLIGATED TO RESPOND TO THE CRITICISMS OF FALSE PREACHERS.

THE SAD FACT WAS THAT CORINTHIANS WERE EASILY IMPRESSED BY THE RESUMES AND ARTICULATE AND PERSUASIVE SPEAKERS AND FALSE TEACHERS.

THEY BELIEVED AND ACCEPTED DOCTRINE THAT WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE GOSPEL THEY HAD ALREADY RECEIVED FROM PAUL.

YOU SEE....WE MUST UNDERSTAND......BROTHER PAUL REALLY DIDN’T WANT TO GO THERE WITH THE CORINTHIANS...... BUT FOR THEIR SAKE HE HAD TO GET ON HIS SOAP BOX SO THAT THEY COULD REALIZE THAT HIS AUTHORITY CAME FROM GOD.

SO, PAUL BEGAN TO BOAST, NOT OUT OF ARROGANCE, BUT IN ORDER TO PROVE TO THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH THAT HE TRULY WAS AN APOSTLE OF THE LORD.

LISTEN TO WHAT PAUL SAYS IN .....

2 Corinthians 11:19–22 NRSV

19 For you gladly put up with fools, being wise yourselves! 20 For you put up with it when someone makes slaves of you, or preys upon you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or gives you a slap in the face. 21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

IN OTHER WORDS.....BROTHER PAUL WAS SAYING....

THESE FALSE PREACHERS ARE CHARGING YOU, BUT I SERVE YOU FOR FREE.

I ACCEPTED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OTHER CHURCHES SO THAT I COULD SERVE YOU AT NO COST.

THESE FALSE PREACHERS SAY THEY’RE HEBREWS, SO AM I. THEY SAY THEY’RE ISRAELITES, SO AM I. THEY EVEN SAY THEY’RE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM, WELL SO AM I.

HE GOES ON TO SAY IN CHAPTER 11.......

THEY SAY THEY SERVE CHRIST, BUT I HAVE SERVED HIM MORE.

I HAVE WORKED HARDER, BEEN PUT IN JAIL MORE, BEEN WHIPPED SO MANY TIMES I LOST COUNT, AND HAVE FACED DEATH TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

I BELIEVE PAUL SAYS ......FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES THE JEWS GAVE ME 39 LASHES. THREE TIMES I WAS BEATEN WITH RODS. ONCE I WAS STONED.

THREE TIMES I WAS SHIPWRECKED, AND ONE OF THOSE TIMES I WAS AT SEA ALL NIGHT AND ALL DAY.

I HAD TO CROSS FLOODED RIVERS AND FIGHT OFF ROBBERS.”

MY OWN PEOPLE, THE JEWS, AND THE GENTILES SOUGHT TO TAKE MY LIFE.

I’VE BEEN HUNGRY AND THIRSTY, COLD WITHOUT ENOUGH TO KEEP ME WARM.

ON TOP OF ALL THIS I HAVE THE BURDEN OF HOW ALL THESE CHURCHES ARE GETTING ALONG.

I FEEL OTHERS WEAKNESSES AND BURN WITH ANGER WHEN SOMEONE STRUGGLES WITH SIN.

I EVEN ESCAPED THROUGH A WINDOW, LOWERED DOWN IN A BASKET WHEN I WAS IN DAMASCUS BECAUSE THEY WERE TRYING CAPTURE ME.

IF THIS ISN’T ENOUGH, I’VE RECEIVED VISIONS AND REVELATIONS FROM THE LORD.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THESE VISIONS AND REVELATIONS.

I KNEW A MAN (PAUL TALKING ABOUT HIMSELF) 14 YEARS AGO WHO WAS CAUGHT UP INTO THE THIRD HEAVEN AND INTO PARADISE, WHETHER HE WAS IN THE BODY OR APART FROM THE BODY, I DO NOT KNOW, BUT GOD DOES.

NOW, THAT IS AN EXPERIENCE WORTH BOASTING ABOUT, BUT I’M NOT GOING TO DO IT.

I’LL ONLY BOAST ABOUT MY WEAKNESS.”

SO WE KNOW THAT BROTHER PAUL HAS BEEN THROUGH IT..........

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I BELIEVE IT’S IMPORTANT TO FIRST UNDERSTAND GOD’S POSITION IN OUR PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS.

WE NEED TO KNOW THAT GOD DOES NOT TEMPT US WITH EVIL. GOD IS HOLY AND PURE. GOD WILL NEVER TEST YOU WITH EVIL OR PLACE EVIL IN FRONT OF YOU TO TRIP YOU UP.

• GOD IS NOT OUT TO GET YOU, BUT HE IS THERE TO LIFT YOU.

HE’S NOT GOING TO HARM YOU, BUT AT TIMES HE DOES ALLOW US TO FACE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS, BUT WE CAN REST ON THE PROMISE THAT GOD IS OUR PROTECTOR AND HE WILL NOT ALLOW US TO BE DESTROYED.

•JUST ASK JOB, SATAN WAS ALLOWED TO COME AFTER HIM, BUT GOD BLESSED JOB MORE AT THE END OF HIS PRICKLY EXPERIENCE THAN HE HAD BEEN BEFORE HE WENT THROUGH IT.

SATAN CAN ONLY DO WHAT GOD ALLOWS HIM TO DO, AND EVERY TIME WE COME OUT STRONGER THAN WE WERE BEFORE THE STORM.

NOW THAT WE UNDERSTAND GOD’S POSITION, IN VERSE 7 PAUL SAID THERE WAS GIVEN A THORN IN HIS FLESH, A MESSENGER FROM SATAN TO TORMENT HIM SO THAT HE WOULDN’T EXALT HIMSELF.

THIS WASN’T A LITERAL THORN, BUT WHATEVER PAUL WAS SUFFERING WITH CAUSED HIM GREAT PAIN AS IF HE HAD A THORN IN HIS FLESH.

AND WE DON’T KNOW WHAT PAUL WAS DEALING WITH IN THIS PARTICULAR PREDICAMENT....... BECAUSE HE DOES NOT REVEAL THAT TO US....

BUT IF YOU RECALL THE IMPRESSIVE SPIRITUAL RESUME PAUL HAD........TO KEEP HIM FROM BECOMING CONCEITED....

GOD ALLOWED SATAN TO TORMENT HIM WITH SOME HARDSHIP OR TEMPTATION.

KNOWING THIS, THE FIRST PRINCIPLE WE WANT TO REMEMBER AND TAKE NOTE OF IS THAT THE PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS WILL HUMBLE YOU.

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A PAINFUL EXPERIENCE THAT BRINGS YOU DOWN .....TO HUMBLE YOU BEFORE THE LORD.

THE LORD WANTS TO USE US, BUT SOMETIMES WE HAVE BE EXPERIENCE HUMILITY....IN ORDER TO BE USED.

•WE DON’T KNOW WHETHER PAUL GOT OUT OF LINE AS FAR AS PRIDE GOES, BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY A POSSIBILITY THAT HE COULD, SO THE LORD ALLOWED PAUL TO GO THROUGH A PAINFUL EXPERIENCE TO KEEP HIM HUMBLE.

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY YOU DIDN’T GET THAT PROMOTION WHEN YOU’RE MORE QUALIFIED THAN THE PERSON WHO DID?

GOD JUST MIGHT BE KEEPING YOU HUMBLE THROUGH THESE THINGS, LETTING YOU KNOW THAT IT’S NOT YOU, BUT ALL ABOUT HIM.

GOD KNOWS THAT SOME OF US AREN’T READY FOR SOME BLESSINGS...... BECAUSE IF THEY CAME OUR WAY, THERE WOULDN’T BE ENOUGH SPACE IN THE ROOM TO HOLD OUR BIG HEADS.

HUMILITY SAYS, “IT’S ALL ABOUT GOD.” WHEN IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM, THEN WE BECOME WILLING VESSELS TO BE USE IN ANYWAY GOD CHOOSES TO USE US. SO....THE PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS.... OPEN THE DOOR TO HUMILITY.

HUMBLENESS ISN’T THE ONLY THING DERIVED FROM PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS ..... THEY WILL CAUSE OUR COMMUNICATION WITH THE LORD TO INCREASE.

LOOK AT VERSE 8

2 Corinthians 12:8 NRSV

8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me,

PAUL APPEALED, IN OTHER WORDS, HE BEGGED THE LORD THREE TIMES TO REMOVE HIS THORN.

THIS ISN’T TO SAY THAT PAUL WASN’T A PRAYING MAN, BUT HIS PRICKLY EXPERIENCE KEPT HIM BEFORE THE LORD IN PRAYER.

•PAUL REALIZED THAT THE THORN CAUSED BY SATAN WAS BECOMING A HINDRANCE TO HIS MINISTRY, SO HE APPROPRIATELY RESPONDED BY PRAYING.

IT’S A GOOD THING WHEN WE ARE COMPELLED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE LORD, BUT IT’S NOT SO GOOD WHEN WE ONLY COME TO THE LORD DURING PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS.

PAUL GAVE US THE GODLY INSTRUCTION TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, IF WE ARE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH GOD DAILY, THEN THAT MEANS WE’LL PRAY IN THE GOOD AS WELL AS THE BAD TIMES.

BUT WHEN WE ARE GOING THROUGH A PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS....... WE SHOULD REALLY SEEK THE LORD FOR DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE.

PAUL WENT TO THE LORD THREE TIMES, ....AND THIS TELLS US HERE.....THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING PERSISTENT IN PRAYER.

IF YOU ASKED THE LORD TO HELP YOU FORGIVE SOMEONE, BUT YOU CAN’T STOP ROLLING YOUR EYES WHENEVER YOU SEE THEM, THEN YOU NEED TO CONTINUE TO SEEK THE LORD UNTIL YOUR CHANGE COMES.

IF WE REALLY WANT TO SEE A DIFFERENCE AND WANT AN ANSWER FROM THE LORD, THEN ONE-TIME INCOMPLETE SENTENCE PRAYERS AREN’T GOING TO CUT IT.

PAUL WENT TO THE LORD THREE TIMES WITH THE SAME CONCERN, NOT THAT “THREE” IS SOME TYPE OF MAGIC NUMBER,

BUT IT SHOWS THAT PAUL WAS REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS THORN AND WANTED THE LORD TO HELP.

BY PAUL ASKING THE LORD TO REMOVE HIS THORN, ALSO SHOWS THAT THERE ISN’T ANYTHING WRONG WITH BEING SPECIFIC IN PRAYER.

OF COURSE GOD ALREADY KNOWS WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO ASK FOR, BUT WHEN WE’RE SPECIFIC IN OUR PRAYING, IT HELPS US TO IDENTIFY ANSWERS TO OUR PRAYERS.

HOW MANY OF US PRAY WHEN GOING THROUGH A PROBLEM? OR DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN MAKE THROUGH ON YOUR OWN?

WHEN YOU SEEK THE LORD WHEN GOING THROUGH YOUR SUFFERING AND PAIN, IT SHOWS YOUR DEPENDENCE ON GOD, AND NOT ON YOUR OWN ABILITIES.

I REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN THROUGH IN YOUR LIVES, BUT ONE THING I DO KNOW IS THAT WHEN WE ARE FACED WITH PROBLEMS

FOR A PERSON WHO REALLY NEEDS AND WANTS HELP…IT WILL CAUSE YOU TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE LORD MORE, AND HE’LL EITHER REMOVE YOUR THORN OR GIVE YOU ALL YOU NEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH.

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THIS IS WHAT BRINGS US TO OUR THIRD POINT THIS MORNING......YES THE PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS IN LIFE WILL CAUSE YOU TO BE HUMBLE....AND COMMUNICATE WITH GOD ......

BUT ALSO.....THE PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS.....THAT WE ENDURE....WE WILL GET THROUGH.....BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SUFFICIENT GRACE OF THE GOD.

IN VERSE 9, AFTER PAUL’S PERSISTENT PRAYERS FOR THE REMOVAL OF HIS THORN, THE LORD SAID TO PAUL, “MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU.”

IN OTHER WORDS, “PAUL I’M NOT GOING TO REMOVE YOUR THORN, THAT’S THE ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYERS, BUT HERE’S ANOTHER ANSWER THAT YOU WEREN’T EXPECTING.

I’M GOING TO GIVE YOU GRACE, NOT JUST ANY OLD GRACE, BUT MY GRACE WHICH IS ALL YOU NEED IN ORDER TO ENDURE YOUR PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS.

NO MATTER WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH, IN MY GRACE THERE IS FAVOR, MY GRACE GIVES JOY, MY GRACE GIVES PLEASURE, IN MY GRACE YOU CAN DELIGHT, IN MY GRACE THERE IS SWEETNESS, IN MY GRACE THERE IS LOVE, AND IN MY GRACE THERE IS MERCY.

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU!

I TOLD YOU THAT GOD ISN’T OUT TO GET US, IF HE DOESN’T REMOVE THE THORN OR THE MOUNTAIN; HE HAS GRACE THAT WILL EASE THE PAIN AND GRACE THAT WILL GIVE US STRENGTH TO CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN.

HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED THE GRACE OF GOD?

YOU MAY BE RAISING CHILDREN BY YOURSELF, BUT GOD’S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT.

IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME, AND YOU HAVEN’T FINISHED YOUR DEGREE YET, HANG IN THERE BECAUSE GOD’S GRACE IS ALL YOU NEED.

THE ECONOMY IS CHANGING, MONEY GETTING TIGHT, LESS MONEY MORE MONTH, BUT GOD’S GRACE WILL SUPPLY.

HEARTBROKEN, DEPRESSED AND STRESSED, BUT GOD’S GRACE WILL HEAL.

WHATEVER YOUR PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS ARE......

GOD’S GRACE GIVES ALL BELIEVERS THE STRENGTH TO BEAR TEMPTATIONS, TRIALS, AND DIFFICULTIES.

AND JUST AS PAUL DID, WE SHOULD FIND COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT WE CAN ENDURE ANY PROBLEM IN LIFE, BECAUSE THERE IS CONSTANT SUPPLY OF DIVINE GRACE.

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BEFORE I TAKE MY SEAT THIS MORNING..... THERE IS ONE MORE PRINCIPLE I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU,

THE PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS THAT WE EXPERIENCE ILLUMINATES AND PERFECTS GOD’S POWER IN OUR WEAKNESS.

THE LORD DIDN’T ONLY SHARE WITH PAUL THAT HIS GRACE WAS SUFFICIENT, BUT HE ALSO TOLD PAUL HIS POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS.

THE WEAKER PAUL’S THORN MADE HIM, THE MORE GOD’S POWER WAS ILLUMINATED AND MADE KNOWN TO PAUL.....

IN THE TOUGH TIMES OF LIFE.......WHEN WE ADMIT THAT WE HAVE NO POWER TO MAKE IT THROUGH, THAT’S WHEN GOD’S POWER COMES TO THE RESCUE, PICK US UP, AND GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD........WHY

BECAUSE WHEN WE STEP BACK, GOD IS ABLE TO DISPLAY HIS POWER IN OUR LIVES.

IF WE TRY DO THINGS ON OUR OWN WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE LORD, WHEN WE TRY TO FIX OUR OWN SITUATIONS, IT’S LIKE TELLING GOD WE DON’T NEED HIS POWER.....

AND ONE THING ABOUT GOD, IF YOU DON’T NEED HIM, HE DEFINITELY WON’T GET IN YOUR WAY......AND YOU WILL OFTEN TIMES FIND THAT YOU WILL MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE.

BUT THE MORE WE STEP BACK AND GET OUT OF THE WAY.......... THE MORE GOD STEPS FORWARD AND DISPLAY HIS POWER.

GOD’S POWER IS OVERLOOKED WHEN THERE IS NO ADVERSITY, AND OFTEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

THIS IS WHY SOMETIMES WE’RE ALLOWED TO GO THROUGH TOUGH EXPERIENCES, SO THAT WE WILL KNOW GREATER IS HE THAT’S WITHIN ME, THAN HE THAT’S IN THE WORLD.

I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU FBC.......BUT I HAVE NO PROBLEM BEING WEAK, IF IT REALLY MEANS THAT I’M STRONG IN THE LORD.

WHEN PAUL FINALLY UNDERSTOOD THIS, HE SAID, “I RATHER BRAG ABOUT MY WEAKNESS, SO THAT CHRIST’S POWER CAN DWELL IN ME.

I’M VERY HAPPY IN MY WEAKNESS AND VERY MUCH CONTENT, BECAUSE WHEN I’M WEAK, THEN I’M STRONG.”

IF PAUL FOUND CONTENTMENT IN HIS WEAKNESS AND THE PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS

WE TOO SHOULD SMILE WHEN WE’RE INSULTED, HAVE PEACE IN DISTRESSES, STAND BOLD BEFORE PERSECUTIONS, AND PERSEVERE IN DIFFICULTIES FOR CHRIST’S SAKE.....

BECAUSE WHEN THESE THINGS DECREASE ME, GOD’S POWER INCREASES ME.

ONLY IN CHRIST, ARE THE WEAK MADE STRONG.

SINCE THIS IS THE CASE, WE SHOULD WELCOME THE PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS.

I LIKE HOW JAMES SAID IT, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU COME AGAINST ALL KINDS OF TEST, TRIALS, AND TROUBLES, BECAUSE YOUR ENDURANCE HAS A CHANCE TO GROW.

SO LET IT GROW, WHEN YOUR ENDURANCE IS FULLY DEVELOPED, YOU WILL BE STRONG IN CHARACTER AND READY FOR ANYTHING.

PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS STRENGTHEN OUR CHARACTER AND LET US KNOW THAT WE CAN FACE ANYTHING.

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I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I’M NOW READY TO FACE THE NEXT PROBLEM WITH A NEW PERSPECTIVE, CHRIST’S PERSPECTIVE.

DAVID SAID IN PSALM 34, “MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT THE LORD DELIVERS HIM OUT OF THEM ALL.”

YES.....THE PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS WILL HUMBLE YOU, WILL INCREASE OUR COMMUNICATION WITH THE LORD..... THEY ARE ENDURED THROUGH THE SUFFICIENT GRACE OF THE GOD, AND THEY ILLUMINATE GOD’S PERFECTS POWER IN OUR WEAKNESS.

YES HIS POWER IS PERFECT....IN OUR WEAKNESS.....

THE PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS.......

HE WILL GET YOU THROUGH......YOU WILL MAKE IT THROUGH.......

THE PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS.......

YOU WILL MAKE IT THROUGH........HE WILL GET YOU THROUGH......

THE PROBLEMS, PRICKS AND PAINS.....

HE’S JEHOVAH JIREH.......GOD OUR PROVIDER

HE’S JEHOVAH SHALOM......GOD OUR PEACE.

HE’S THE WAY....THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.....