Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
November 18, 2021
Read 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don’t know whether it was in the body or out of the body. God knows. 3 - 4 I know that this man was caught up into paradise and that he heard unspeakable words that were things no one is allowed to repeat. I don’t know whether it was in the body or apart from the body. God knows. 5 I’ll brag about this man, but I won’t brag about myself, except to brag about my weaknesses. 6 If I did want to brag, I wouldn’t make a fool of myself because I’d tell the truth. I’m holding back from bragging so that no one will give me any more credit than what anyone sees or hears about me. 7 I was given a thorn in my body because of the outstanding revelations I’ve received so that I wouldn’t be conceited. It’s a messenger from Satan sent to torment me so that I wouldn’t be conceited. 8 I pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me alone. 9 He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me. 10 Therefore, I’m all right with weaknesses, insults, disasters, harassments, and stressful situations for the sake of Christ, because when I’m weak, then I’m strong.
Good Morning! God’s grace is sufficient for us!
Jesus revealed to us a new way to think: a world upside down from the earthly understanding. Today we read of Paul’s affliction, a thorn in his body. When he asks God for its removal, Paul is told “My grace is enough for you because power is made perfect in weakness.”
In earthly thinking, those trying to gain power work to eliminate all weaknesses so that no one will be compelled to think that they can attack. Weakness in this context opens us to allow the power of Christ to work within us. Until we can admit or recognize our weaknesses (meaning that we can not survive on our own), we are unable to fully accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we accept that we are weak, God will fill us with his strength and provide for us through grace.
What is God’s grace? Grace is the favor and love of God within us here and now, forevermore. Isn’t the love of God enough for us? It is also the grace of Jesus. When we consider the earthly walk of Jesus during which he was rejected, scorned, and put to death, we can realize that Jesus also suffered thorns. Jesus knows our pain. He feels all that we feel as he cares for us and loves us.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. Help us accept our weaknesses so that we may give ourselves to you. Through your grace our weaknesses make us strong. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God loves me and is present in every situation.
Accept and Be Received! Pastor Liz
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