Saturday, "Using Our Weaknesses"

BIBLE READING: 2 Corinthians 12.9,10

2 Corinthians 12:9,10“……….Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecution, in distress for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
Struggles are an essential part of our wellbeing.
A young man decided that a struggling emperor moth needed help to get out of the cocoon.  He snipped off the end, making it easy for the moth to crawl out. He didn’t realize that the added struggle was necessary for the further development of the small creature.  Its body was swollen and its wings shriveled. It could not fly when it emerged.  Our own struggles are often essential to preparing us for life’s challenges.
Life’s struggles force us to look to God and depend on Him instead of ourselves.  Think of them as character building opportunities.  Paul said, “but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4 they also help us to be sensitive to others who also must struggle. (II Corinthians 1:3-5)  When facing difficult situations, ask yourself, “What can I learn, and how can I grow?”
Our weaknesses have a way of making us rely on God, far more than our strengths do.                  
There are several reasons why we should be grateful for our inborn weaknesses: 
    They cause us to depend on God   (II Corinthians12:10)
                                    Prevent arrogance – Keep us humble   (II Corinthians12:7)
    Makes us more prayerful.
    Encourages us to submit to God’s purpose for our lives.


 Our greatest influence may come out of our deepest hurts.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Resolutions: Draw closer to God through study of His word

BIBLE READING: John 14.7 Spend time alone with God’s Word.  Besides the spiritual growth we will gain from study, we will also come to know Him better.  Reading His word brings us in touch with Him.  Jesus tells us in John 14:7 – “If you had known Me, you would have known my Father also.”   Just studying the life of Jesus will help us to know God better.   In seeking God’s help, we can draw closer to Him through prayer, meditation, nature, and study.   “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2  I Tim.4:13,15 - “Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine… meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to them.”   Regardless of our circumstances we can rely on God’s unchanging character.  God is good. God loves me. God is with me. God knows my problems. God cares. Romans 8:31(b) tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Make a resolution to slo...
Read more

“Examples”

BIBLE READING: Mark 13- Luke 1 DISCUSSION                                                                                   This past week we have read of some great examples in the bible.   We read in Mark 13 about us being ready and being prepared for when Jesus returns.   We need to all stay awake!   In Mark 14 we read of one action having such an impact.   How this woman gave her very best to Jesus because of her love for Him.   In Mark 15 we read of Pontius Pilate and his desire to keep his power.   He loved his power and did not want to give it up even if that meant sending an inno...
Read more

"Has Your Software been Updated?"

BIBLE READING: Psalms 119.1-88                         Have you ever had a computer virus?   I hate those things!   They slow your computer, cause you to lose important information and they make your life less efficient.   One of the reasons we get those pesky viruses is that we fail to update our virus protection software.   It only takes a few moments to do and your computer usually reminds you every so often to do so, yet we continue to put it off until it is too late.   It ends up being no one’s fault but our own.   Did you know that God has provided for us some spiritual virus protection software?   Ever since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, humanity has been infected with a deadly virus called sin.   There isn’t a single person alive or otherwise that hasn’t been exposed to this deadly virus.   But did you know t...
Read more