Gods power made perfect in weakness

  Gods power made perfect in weakness

The apostle Paul writes,

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me 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.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

There is a group of people claiming to be Christians who say God always wants you to be health, and wealthy. While I know God wants the best for all who believe in him. Paul here makes it clear we will have troubles. The apostle Paul should know he suffered much for the gospel of Christ.

God allowed Paul to have a thorn in the flesh. We don’t know what was wrong with Paul suffice to know Paul had a physical aliment.

Paul notes that Christ said to him “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”.

It is a witness to the world when people who are seemingly weak or sick boast about the Lord. When people who are weak by the world standards do great things for God.

I believe the mark of a true Christian shows when they are going through hardships. When they trust in God no matter the circumstance.

Question: Is Gods Grace sufficient for you?

Please think about it.

Foolishness?

Foolishness?

The apostle Paul writes,

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, 

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

                                                                                1 Corinthians 1:18.

Think about this. The whole New Testament revolves around Jesus. Jesus who claimed to be the Son of God. Equal to God. It talks about his dying on the cross for the sins of each individual who would believe in him. It talks about his resurrection from the grave. It tell of how he waked the earth after rising from the grave. Then ascended into heaven.
This to many people today and in the past seems foolishness. Yet those who believe in Christ Jesus believe it to be absolutely true.
The question is do you believe what the New Testament says about Jesus or not.
Many who dismiss Jesus and God out of hand I find have not read the Bible. What they know of the teachings of Jesus and Jesus himself is purely second hand. Which can be a dangerous thing. For second hand sources can have a bias.
I firmly believe individuals need to read the Bible for themselves. It is the only way to truly know the truth about Jesus and about God.
Thus my challenge to anyone who reads this take time to at least read the New Testament before you make up your mind about Jesus.
Please think about it.

The foolishness of the cross

The foolishness of the cross
The apostle Paul writes,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
Sadly this is a very true statement. At first glance the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross can seem like foolishness. I think that is largely because people tend to want God to do things their way.
After all why not, if God wants people to believe in Him, why not come in all His glory and power?
Why enter the world in the form of a baby, grow up in the normal way? 
Why let evil men put you to death for a crime you didn’t commit?
Why not even after being placed on the cross, why not show your power by getting down and calling legions of angels to deal with the evil ones that put you there? This would show anyone that Jesus is God. So why not do this?
Answer God does not do things the way man thinks he should do things.
The very life of Jesus at times does not seem to be the actions of an all powerful God. Still this is the way God wanted it. I believe the reason He wanted it this was is simple. God want’s men and women of faith. God knows that men and women with faith in anything are the strongest of followers. Such people will give their lives in the cause they believe in.
The writer of Hebrews states
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
At first glance the story of Jesus may seem outrageous still it is what God wants people everywhere to believe.
The choice dear reader is yours.
The apostle Paul stating,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
Please think about it.

Does God Exist?

Does God exist?
The Psalmist writes,

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

                                                               Psalm 14:1

The apostle Paul writes,

“For the message of the cross 

is foolishness to those who are perishing, 

but to us who are being saved

 it is the power of God.”

                                1 Corinthians 1:18.

An atheist will tell you there is no God. But an atheist does not know everything. After all if you know everything you are God or at least a demigod. Thus God would exist.
The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It was written to believers in God and believers need no proof of God’s existence.
There is however I believe proof of the existence of God all around us. The Psalmist stating,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” 

                                                                         Psalm 19:1-3

Albert Einstein said,

“Look deep into nature, 

and then you will understand everything better.” 

                                                            Albert Einstein.

I have no idea if Einstein believed in God or not. What I do know is he was right. If we look deep into nature we will understand everything better. Just because we cannot physically see God does not mean he does not exist.
Ben Zion Boker said,
“I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God.  But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation. Ben Zion Bokser
Think of this From the smallest subatomic particle to greatest galaxies and everything in-between is in perfect order so that life as we know it exist on this planet. I personally cannot believe this all came about by chance.
That being said the decision as to whether you believe in God or not is a personal thing. You must decide whether or not to believe in Him or not.
Thus the question becomes, Do you believe in God?
Please think about it.

In Full View

In full View
The writer of Proverbs states,

“For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, 

and he examines all his paths.” 

                                             Proverbs 5:21.

As I look around the world. I find there is a great deal of injustice in this world. I suppose it’s always been the same. The difference now is that in our multimedia world injustice is seen more easily.
Sadly in this world those who are unjust. Those who take advantage of other people or are deliberately evil quite often escape the judgement in this world. That being said anyone who is guilty of wrong doing will eventually stand trial before God.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.  Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.  
Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.  
Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.” James 5:1-6.
These are warnings anyone in power or has any kind of responsibility over others need to take seriously be they in government or in private industry. God will one day judge them fairly. Thus it comes down to how will God judge you?
If you are in government, if you are a politician, or in a place of power in private industry are you treating those under you fairly?
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
Are you doing this?
Would you want to be treated in the same way you are treating others?
Please think about it.