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Glory Seed Devotionals, 2015: Year of Promise
God, thorns, roses and you…
“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. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9 ESV)
There’s a good chance you’re familiar with this scripture. I know I am when I was told about my heart condition that was me praying instead of Paul and like Paul I am celebrating the same results. Experts are not sure what Paul’s thorn was some say it was a vision problem, but when you stop to think about it the reason isn’t really that important, what is important is what God was doing about Paul’s predicament – God was empowering him (and me) to keep going in spite of what was happening to him and at the same time Paul was glorying God by keeping moving thus testifying to God’s grace, compassion, love, and power.
Have you ever stopped to think that maybe the “thorn in the flesh” could be more than just a health issue? It could be a broken relationship. It could be a financial issue. It could be low self-esteem. It could be an addiction of some sort. It could be a pride issue. It could be greed. It could be prejudice. And you get the idea. Max Lucado writing in his book “Walking with the Savior” writes. “You get impatient with your own life, trying to master a habit or control a sin a thorn in the flesh—and in your frustration begin to wonder where the power of God is. Be patient. God is using today’s difficulties to strengthen you for tomorrow. He is equipping you. The God who makes things grow will help you blossom.” (Words in italics are mine)
Every rose bush is accompanied by its own thorns yet the beauty of the rose bush isn’t in the thorns the beauty is in the roses in full blossom. Your life is accompanied by its own thorns yet the beauty of your life isn’t in the thorns it’s you in full blossom. While waiting for the rose to bloom celebrate life not the thorns!
Believe! Anticipate! Experience! Be transformed!
Grace and PEACE, Amen!
Gary
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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 LEB)
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 LEB)
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Scripture quotations marked ESV "Are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
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