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It wasn't my actions, my faith, but God!
Paul being great with age and having been in prisons some may think his talk of visons is from that but I chose to believe that since he was focused on drawing nearer to God He was given them. My friends, I may loose readers here but I believe in visions and prophecies in the day inwhich we live. The scriptures say that our young people will dream dreams, and some will prophesy.
(See Acts 2:17)
The thing is today there are so many fake "profits" out there and they just claim to be telling things. Paul below explains his dreams, or visions clearly not giving glory to himself and not even asking for money for them! Today can that be said? There is a way that is correct and it is not to focus on yourself. In actual visions you wonder as Paul says below.
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 2 Corinthians 1-3
And then as he goes on clarifying things we can see his humbless and that feeling of amazement, for who is man that you are mindful of him, comes to mind as I read thischapter. It is amazing to me that such a man, who tried to do what was right in his own eyes, to the point that Jesus Himself came to see him and straighten his path. It shows us that we need to focus on what Jesus wants us to do, in His way. S
I especially like his humbleness in 11-13 here.
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. 2 Corinthians 1 1-3 &11-13
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? Walked we not in the same spirit? Walked we not in the same steps? 2 Corinthians 12:12-18
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
What can I learn from this writing today? That it is not about us! It is not really about Paul but all about what God has done in this man's life and those he sends out to assist the people of Corinth. Living life according to His will and following the path He lays out for us is not about us doing things and claiming greatness, but it is about saying God has done such and such in our lives so that He may be glorified, and that we may pass on the story so others will know what God can do!
His power is stronger, works better, is just plain perfect when we allow Him to do the work in our lives, through us or with us, in His directions.
So as Paul says that he is okay in his infiraries, I am reminded of when God actually healed a torn rotator cuff in my shoulder. Only, I was not the one of faith, my friends were! I am reminded how when I awoke and after having seen the view of the tear myself in the modern marvel of screens I knew it was there, and yet it was not, it had to be God!
So, when I read that His grace is sufficient for me, and my power works best in weakness I think of how when we are weak He is strong. So why is that? Because it is less us, and more of Him.
If I did not know God had his hand in the healing, which I felt in the exact shape by the way when they prayed for me, I would possibly be mad that they did this surgery. But what I did not know was what He was up to. There had been a piece of bone from a prior car accident, years prior to this actually, floating around in my shoulder that would not be found had they had not gone in to fix what God had already done!
I have more stories of how God healed, or fixed or repaired one life or another I could share, and may have at some point but today the focus is that I could not have fixed this myself only God could. Just as Paul mentioned the things he did not know if were of a dream or a vision from God, we need to remember, we may not know what happened, in some cases but when we do! Or if we did not, we need to give God the glory!
Trust that God will use us in our pains, and our sicknesses, or losses to grow both you closer to Him but also to reach that person out there who doesnot yet know that there is a God to walk us through it, the same thing you went through, Trust that asyou sit down becasue you are too tired to walk you will meet someone on the apth to brighted thier day with the Holy Spirit presence in you, at His direction. Since the Lord directs our path... its always in His direction, you can pray for those around you silently or letting them know if you feel prompted, just give God the lead. Cause its not about us!
Today, take out your journal and ask God to give you instruction in 2 Corinthians 12, the whole chapter. Write it down and date it, then go back to it in your future and read what God gave you today!
In Jesus' name lets pray!
Heavenly father thank you for the awesome things you do in our lives, help us to be strong as we walk the way you have layed out for us, if it gets crazy help us to remember to ask You for direction, for guidance, even in our steps. Help us be strong and courageous as we share your Word with those around us and stand strong in the power of Your guidance, and might, in Jesus' name ...