Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

June 27
Friday


GOD'S
REATER GOAL

READ:
2 Cor. 12:7-10
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I pleaded with the
Lord three times that it
might depart from me.
__2 Corinthians 12:8
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I have an unmarried friend who prays earnestly for God to lessen or even remove his sexual drive. It causes him constant temptation. As gently as I can, I tell him I doubt that God will answer his prayer the way he wants. More likely, he will learn fidelity the way anyone learns it, by relying on discipline, community, and constant pleas of dependence.

For whatever reason, God has let this broken world endure in its fallen state for a very long time. God seems to value character more than our comfort, often using the very elements that cause us the most discomfort as His tools in fashioning that character. This was true in the life of the apostle Paul, who prayed fruitlessly that his mysterious "thorn in the flesh" be removed (2 Cor. 12:8).

In my own life, I am trying to remain open to new realities, not blaming God when my expectations go unmet but trusting Him to lead me through failures toward renewal and growth. I am seeking a trust that "the Father knows best" in how this world is run. I see that the way in which I may want God to act does not achieve the results I might expect.

When God sent His own Son__sinless, full of grace and healing__we killed Him. God Himself allows what He does not prefer, to achieve some greater goal. __Philip Yancey
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```````````````````````FOR FURTHER STUDY````````````````````
```````````Astoundingly, God doesn't exempt Himself from the```````
```````````consequences of our sin. Read Why Did Christ Have```````
`````````````To Die? at www.discoveryseries.org/q0202`````````````
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God uses our difficulties
to develop His Son's likeness in us.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10********

7 And lest I should be
exalted above measure
by the abundance of the
revelations, a thorn in the
flesh was given to me,
a messenger of Satan
to buffet me, lest I be
exalted above measure.

8 Concerning this thing I
pleaded with the Lord three
times that it might depart
from me. 9 And He said to
me, "My grace is sufficient
for you, My strength is
made perfect in weakness."
Therefore most gladly I
will rather boast in my
infirmities, that the power
of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure
in infirmities, in reproaches,
in needs, in persecutions, in
distresses, for Christ's sake.
For when I am weak, then I
am strong.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

What this "thorn in the flesh" (v.7) is has been much debated.
The word translated thorn means" a sharp stake used for torture,"
implying physical affliction of some kind. Some think Paul had an
eye affliction (Gal. 4:15; 6:11), a residual weakness of his being
blinded supernaturally on the Damascus road years before (Acts
9:8-9). Others believe it was the continuing persecution (1 Cor.
4:11); 2 Tim. 3:11) or demonized false teachers (2 cor. 11:14-15).
The Bible is clear that Satan has no power other than what is
allowed him by God. Even then, his evil designs are used by God
to serve God's purposes and for His glory (Job 1-2; Luke 22:31-32;
2 Cor. 12:7). __Sim Kay Tee