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GOD’S WORD DAILY

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 128                                                             FEBRUARY 4 , 2002

     JESUS CHRIST:
     The Foundation of Our Faith

     CUTTING WORDS AND GRACE

 

     Remember the childhood taunt, "Sticks and stones will break my bones but
     words will never hurt me?" We all know that it is a lie. Words cut. Words
     can wound deeply if one allows the words to leave marks. Paul was
     deeply acquainted with this. He dealt with it by God's grace.

 

     2 Corinthians 12:7

          And lest I should be exalted above measure through the
          abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a
          thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me,
          [rap me with a fist] lest I should be exalted above measure.

 

     The messenger of Satan did not beat up Paul physically. A messenger
     delivers his message with words. Paul was falsely accused, he was rejected, he
     was persecuted and misjudged. These things are accomplished with biting tongues
     and malicious words.

     Have you ever felt beat up by other people's words against you? What can be done
     about them? What did Paul do?

 

          8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might
          depart from me.

 

     Paul sought the Lord. He beseeched the Lord! He poured out his heart to his Father.
     He talked things over with God. God lovingly responded.

 

          9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficent
          [raises a barrier, wards off] for thee:
          for my strength [Greek word : dunamis= miraculous
          power] is made perfect [accomplishes, completed] in weakness
          [feebleness of mind or body].

          Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
          that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

     Praise God for His goodness and grace! He is a very present help in times of trouble!

     Have you ever felt"not together enough" to be able to resist the attacks of the
     enemy? That's OK!!! God's grace is the barrier that wards off the attacks of the enemy. His
     miraculous power is completed in our weakness!!

     Glory, therefore! When the enemy attacks you with words of rejection, false accusations,
     lies and other
     cutting words, GLORY! The power of Christ rests upon YOU and is completed in YOU. His
     power is accomplished in your weakness! The power of God is not determined by YOUR
     strength and ability. It rests with God!! Yippeee!!!!

     Paul focused not on the cutting words and the feelings of rejection. He rested in God's grace.
     He took pleasure in his weakness. It was another opportunity to prove God and become infused
     with inner strength in Christ! Just as the whole need not a physician, the strong need no
     extra power. As great as a man Paul was, he relied upon God, not himself! Paul considered
     himself weak without God, an earthen vessel.

 

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

 

     Paul was strong in Christ and in the power of Christ.His grace was his barrier against the
     words of the enemy! God's grace is the same for us! Amen!

     -Carol Kenreigh

REQUESTS

Please pray for Linda J.  

COMMENTS

Please mail comments to cjl8e@yahoo.com

 

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