The Thorn in Paul's Flesh

Very good article by Gary Keesee.

Have you ever had a splinter?
They’re not fun.
They get lodged in weird places and under layers of skin you didn’t even realize you had.
And they usually don’t just sit there silently under those layers of skin.
They keep reminding you that they’re there—day in and day out until you get them out.
Life can give you splinters too.
They aren’t little pieces of wood or glass or metal; they’re people, or issues, or problems. But just like little pieces of wood or glass or metal, they get under your skin; they keep reminding you that they’re there; they keep agitating you and causing you pain.
Ever heard of the apostle Paul’s “thorn in the flesh”?
You can Google it if you want to.
You’ll find all kinds of theories and “educated guesses.”
But what was it really?
We find Paul’s mention of it in 2 Corinthians 12:6-

Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

People have used this Scripture to justify their belief that God doesn’t solve every problem or to justify their belief that God doesn’t heal everyone. But they’re wrong.
See, Paul didn’t say his thorn in the flesh was sickness. In fact, if we look at the Scripture in context, we see that he refers to the thorn as a messenger from Satan—a spirit, or a problem—intent on tormenting him.
Paul’s thorn in the flesh was a splinter.
Not a literal splinter of wood or glass or metal, but a life splinter.
Paul’s thorn in the flesh was a problem sent by Satan to slow him down, to stop him from advancing the Kingdom of God.
Paul tells us that He asked God to take it away from him, not just once, but three times. But God didn’t pull the splinter out. Instead, He told Paul that His grace is sufficient, that His power is made perfect in weakness.
See, we all have a cap. We all have weaknesses. We all have a certain level we can push and work hard to get to in our own abilities. And, sure, your abilities may be pretty impressive, but God wants to take you even farther.
God wants to take you to a place where people look at you and think, “There’s NO way he could be doing that on his own. That has to be God.”

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Is God Poor

2corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Remember God came to earth as Jesus. God owns it all. He wants us to be rich in every area of our life. Most of the time its money we need but lets not forget about being rich in the other areas of our life.

We should stop thinking what the world says and let that Scripture transform us. Transform us into believing that God wants us to have it all. Salvation, Healing and Prosperity.

One of the reason we have the poor is because we don't teach them. We just keep giving to them. A born again spirit filled church should not have any members that are needy yet they all do.

Luke 4:18 says "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.

It says here He was anointed to preach the gospel not raise money for the poor. Churches need our financial support. God knows that. Poor folks don't have money to give. God didn't plan it that way. He wants His ministries supported.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 was written for those that live in poverty. So poor is our choice. It says Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all time, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

You can give to God in other ways too. You figure it out.

God wants to bless whatever your loaves and fishes are. Believe what God says about your finances. He says in Luke 6:38 give and it shall be given onto you good measure pressed down shaken together and running over men will give unto you.

He wants us to be rich so we can give to others.

You are blessed to be a blessing!!!

I love the Favor of God

Psalm 5:12 Thou will bless the righteous with favor; You will encompass them as with a shield. Amplified says "You will surround them with favor" It's a promise. There is no need to pray and ask God for it He promised it in the Word. So just thank Him for it and believe Him for it. Favor is sudden and unlimited prosperity.

I love the favor of God. If you have never experienced it you should. As an example just today. My husband and I went for ice cream. We ordered the special in a dish and just one scoop. Not that we didn't want two scoops. Anyway they filled the dish in fact one went over the top. Now that's the favor of the Lord.

A couple of months ago I went to the cell phone store to look around. I was pretty sure I was going to switch to an apple iPhone. The salesman told me that apple very seldom puts the iPhone on sale for 99.00 and the sale would soon be over.  Anyway I wasn't eligible to up grade yet.

Funny thing or should I say favor happened. The week that I was able to up grade I received a flyer in the mail advertising a Samsung phone for a penny. Now remember I thought I wanted an iPhone. I knew there would be other phones on sale so I clued in my salesman that I was coming to one of the events. (Yes its wonderful having my own guy when I need him).

As I am looking at phones I saw two apple phones. One for a penny and one for fifty dollars. After looking at the iPhone I thought boy they are small. I thought I might as well look at the Samsung. I liked the Samsung. It had some nice features kinda like the Apple. They had phones hooked up so we could try them. I liked what I saw. As I was playing with the different phones I was listening to comments from customers. The iPhone didn't sound like everybody liked it.

I went with the Samsung for a penny. (The Lord knew that I was going to chose that phone. Psalm 139 says He knows everything about us). Also got one for my husband. My sales guy threw in two otter cases also at a penny each. So for four cents I walked away with what I wanted. I love the phone. To me that was the favor of my Lord. Everything worked to my good. Yes I believed that phone sale was just for me even though a lot of people benefited. My new phone has a lot of great features I am discovering. Even my husband likes it.

Psalm 90:17 And let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and do confirm for us the work of our hands; yes confirm the works of our hands.

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way.

Psalm 147:11 The Lord favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His loving kindness.

Psalm 30:5 The favor of God is for a lifetime.

The favor of God is ever present in my life. Favor opens doors, creates opportunities, accelerates progress and brings great blessings.

So do a study on the favor of the Lord. Then walk in it. God favors you....

Be blessed....

Promises

Beautiful day today. All my needs met. I am above and not beneath the head and not the tail. I am blessed coming in and blessed going out. My steps are ordered of the Lord. The favor of the Lord always goes before me. Thank You Jesus....