Sunday, March 10, 2019

THORNS

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 12-13

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Smyrna was the second city to receive a letter from the Apostle John in the book of Revelation. Acts 19:10 suggests that the church there was founded during Paul’s third missionary journey. Scholars believe the city grew to about 100,000 by the time of the Apostles Paul and John. That’s my eldest son and photographer Reynold in the picture.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

 

The smaller we are in our own eyes, the bigger we see Christ to be. There’s more room for Jesus who lives in the believer when the believer does not have a large opinion of himself. We start next week in 1st Samuel where we will find King Saul. Samuel said of him, “When you were little in your eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel?” (1 Samuel 15:17). Saul became so big that he thought he no longer had to obey God. This resulted in his loss of the throne. The Apostle Paul, before his conversion, was a “Mr. Big.” He went directly to the High Priest and received the authority to persecute the Christians. We don’t know what the “thorn in the flesh” was, but we do know God gave it to him to keep him from becoming “Mr. Big” again. When Paul was “Mr. Small,” God could be “Big” in his life and ministry. Paul, a most powerful man, was blinded and confused on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9). For God to be strong in Paul, he had to become weak in himself, not depending on his own abilities, but in the strength of Christ, Himself.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, Your servant Paul prayed three times for deliverance from the “thorn.” Each time You answered, “No.” Please help me to learn this difficult lesson. You said that “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). I bow at Your feet, and I exalt You above all in praise and worship. Use me, O Lord, in any way You desire. In Your exalted Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

There is a big man (physically) who is one of my heroes in the Christian ministry. He’s also a humble man. He would never claim any exalted status for himself, but God exalted him. Many years ago, he was elected by those of us who are his peers as our District Superintendent for Western Ontario for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. He was over 90 when he passed into the immediate Presence of Christ.  I’m sure that if he were to write here, he would speak of weakness, and most of all he would testify to God’s strength in him. I’m referring to Rev. Homer Cantelon. His son, Jim, who hosted the 100 Huntley Street telecast for years and founded Visionledd, a mission to the AIDS sufferers of Africa, said on one occasion, “When I grow up, I want to be like Homer.” I feel the same way. I used to remind Homer from time to time that years ago he agreed to preach my funeral service. We had a good laugh. Here is a video of Jim interviewing his dad Homer a few years back on 100 Huntley Street (part one click here…part two click here). Throughout the years, I’ve found humble people who may be leaders or may be everyday people. I’ve sat at their feet and learned from them. I’m still learning!

Yours for growing bigger in Christ and smaller in self,

David

 

5 thoughts on “Sunday, March 10, 2019

  1. We are ever reminded of Paul’s great message from God in today’s scripture: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” How great are we God, as your servants on earth. For when we rise to heaven, we shall know the vastness of your Kingdom that we have no grasp of understanding, now. Wishing all saints a blessed day as we worship together in fellowship and hear His Word. Amen.

    And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16 ESV

    Lynda Randle – God On the Mountain (Live)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTl4tUYIAg

  2. When Homer talked about living in a barn-church I immediately thought of “…when I am week,then I am strong.” and the thorn in Paul’s side….’ “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ‘
    For over a year I did not sign my poems nor date them until Facebook revealed a professional “poet/authour ” with the same name,living in Ct.It became necessary to do so for legal reasons.Then,2-3 years ago a lady in Florida thought my poems were written by her pastor,lol.So I added my initials too.I am only “His pen” and that is all.This is one of those,before I began to read the bible and subscribe to 100 Words.God bless the Mainse family.
    Am I worthy

    Am I worthy to touch His feet,
    Can I ever stand up to greet
    He who died upon the cross
    Knowing my sins would be His loss.

    When I look at the cross I see,
    His wounded face looking at me,
    But through the pain He grins
    With a love that pardons sins.

    His crown of thorns I wish to bear
    To prove to Him the love I share,
    For the love it took to die for us
    Is still in need of complete redress.

    So when we think we are kings
    Remember He of holy things;
    Who was so lowly yet most high,
    And soon is coming in the sky.
    GW(Bill) Marshall/(2011~2012)

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