Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 WEBPaul had learned to be content in whatever situation that he found himself and saw beyond his physical circumstances. He realized that even though he was going through terrible trials that God was in control of his life. Here are just some of the things that happened to Paul:
'I am more so; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep. I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness' (2 Corinthians 11:23'27).
As an Apostle, Paul had a hard life, but he understood that God was in control and that everything worked out just as it should every single time. He was thrown into prison, but led the jailor and his household to Jesus (Acts 16:27). He was shipwrecked, but led the island of Malta to Jesus (Acts 28:1).
Paul had a 'thorn in the flesh' and sought the Lord three times to take it away (2 Corinthians 12:7), but the Lord told him 'My grace is sufficient for you.' Paul realized that it was to keep him from being 'excessively exalted' from the great revelations that he had received. Jesus in Gethsemane prayed three times for something to be removed, but it was not either. They were both strengthened and encouraged to bear it.
The devil had limitations in what he could do in their life. There were boundaries set where he could do this, but no more. Just like in the book of Job, God set limits for satan: 'Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only on himself don't put forth your hand' (Job 1:12). Then later again: 'Behold, he is in your hand. Only spare his life' (Job 2:6).
Paul and Jesus understood that nothing was going to happen to them unless God allowed it. When Jesus was brought before Pilate He told him this:
'Pilate therefore said to him, 'Aren't you speaking to me? Don't you know that I have power to release you, and have power to crucify you?' Jesus answered, 'You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above' (John 19:10'11).
God takes full responsibility for the life wholly devoted to Him. When you are completely devoted to God, He will live through you, He will seek the lost through you. When persecutions and attacks come against you, God will take care of it, or He may take you through it and you will become stronger.
Nothing will come against you today that catches God off guard and the things that are meant to harm you, will only push you further down God's path for you. If I had not lost other jobs, I would not be a pastor today. Relax, God has got this.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for taking care of me. I know that You are in control no matter how dark things appear. Draw my heart to You, teach me what I need to know, fulfill Your will in my life and let me live for You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
Amen, without a test, there can be no testimony.
God continues to remind me through little Post It Notes of messages that He is in control of my life. I have not yet learned to be content as Paul yet, I know God is with me and for me in all things. It is a continual, daily, prayer that I examine my situtation and have to release it to God, quoting scripture and reminding myself of God's promise to take care of me and that all things are in His timing. I know I will not be perfected till I reach heaven, so I know that it will be a moment by moment trusting of God to work all things out as said in Romans 8:28. It is by no means easy, one does not think or understand what God is doing, is up to or when He will bring it to pass but in His timing. God has never lost sight of me, nor has he let go my hand along this journey, so I will continue to reach out to him daily, resting, hoping, trusting, and waiting on God to make a the move in my life when and where he needs it to move. I am a very emotional person, but God knows that, He said to me this morning in another devotional that I have a tendency to overreact to difficult problems that I have no control over. This is a time when you must release the things that are beyond your power to resolve. He continues to say, Focus on the challenges where you bear responsibility and actually have authority, and TRUST ME to give you wisdom in all things, says the Lord.
RHM message was the second reminder to tme this morning to TRUST HIM. So as this day unfolds, I will do my best to rest in the arms of my Lord, and trust that He is in control and that I have nothing to worry about.
Amen, Leslie <3!
LORD I thank you for those trials and tribulations. Draw me close to you. I need you Father. Thank for your son Jesus.
Well put Pastor Dion! Nothing we go thru is a surprise to God! We can relax and let God handle His job!
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for taking care of me. I know that You are in control no matter how dark things appear. Draw my heart to You, teach me what I need to know, fulfill Your will in my life and let me live for You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen! Thank you
Amen thank you! It sure makes you realize that you don't have it quite as badly in life as we seem to think. I love that bible verse. I put it up on my FB page. Love Maureen
That is so true, Moe, for nearly anyone living in the US, in comparison with some of the third world countries!
I'm glad that God is in control of my life Amen
Amen.
Amen
Good Morning! amazing I had that scripture in mind through the years!! Corth. 12:10! For His kids it makes sense!! Because they find it is very true!! Amen forward bounce in My step!!
Amen, brother!
I had a dream last night, and in my dream almost exactly the things that I had desired in the past where happening. Some of them I probably will never talk about, but in my dream, I said, I serve God and these things are not in His will. As soon as I did, I woke up with a joy that I can not explain. I believe that God is firmly in controll and all things will work out for good! Who ever thinks they are in charge should really look at their situation.
Amen!
Amen,praise Jesus.Greater is he that is in me.
Amen
Amen.
This is so true praise God
God is my Savior and provider, amen.
Amen! He is in control and I rest in His arms
Wow. I could not have asked for a better devotion this morning. Amen. Praises to our Heavenly Father
Praise God He never waist anything!
Powerful message. I often pray for healing (physical) that hasn't come but I still ask. This devotional is truly how I look at my physical genetic issues "my grace is sufficient"! Chronic debilitating pain is no fun as we all know but it does draw me ever closer to Him.
Im really struggling with " For when I am weak, then am I strong." Feeling sorry for myself due to my stage 4 cancer and chemo gets to me. I needed to read this today. Thanks.
Debbie, we all have our moments, and it's certainly understandable considering what you are going through ;(. Praying for a renewed spirit, strength and healing, sister <3!
Amen, inspiringly message , we just have to be still and know that our God is a living God, he dies all good things for us . Hallelujah . Thanks pastor Todd fir this wonderful message
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for taking care of me. I know that You are in control no matter how dark things appear. Draw my heart to You, teach me what I need to know, fulfill Your will in my life and let me live for You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. <3
Than you Pastor Dion for todays devotion. :-)
AMEN!!!