God is really working on me today with this Verse of the Day.  It comes from the Apostle Paul who explains that he has a ‘thorn in the flesh’ and he asked the Lord to heal him, but the Lord does not.  Have you ever asked the Lord for something and He says ‘no.’ Instead, the Lord gave Paul this word:

2 Corinthians 12:9

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

(NIV)

The timing of God is always impeccable.

And it is true again today as I open my browser to see this for the Verse of the Day.  Yesterday, a child in our church was attacked. He is one of the sweetest kids I know with such a pure heart. He was playing football with some friends at his apartment complex on the first day of Thanksgiving break.  An older teenager started to throw rocks at these children. This young man bent down to pick up his football and leave was hit directly in the head with a rock. The rock hit with such force that it shattered his skull in that area.  He had emergency brain surgery and they had to pick out fragments of rock that had penetrated through the skull. They had to rebuild that area of the skull and then they put in a metal plate for protection.  

I assured him last night that God was with him.  I reminded him of the chariots of fire that Elisha could see surrounding him (2 Kings 6:16-17).  I told him his room was filled with the same chariots of fire and he need not worry about anything.  I asked if he was scared and he said, ‘Not anymore, but when it happened, I thought I was going to die.’

So much blood…

As parents, we all know the enormity of blood from the tiniest wound on the head or scalp.  I remember when my sister fell as a young girl from some bars, landing on her head on the concrete and her blonde hair turning red almost instantly.  That came back to me instantly when he said this because I remember thinking my sister was going to die. I can’t even imagine what this young man’s mom went through seeing that.

Then the enemy whispered something into my ear.  He said, “I will use this to create confusion for him because what kind of God would let this happen.”  Get thee behind me Satan! (Matthew 16:23). So I took the time to explain that we all wish God would stop all wickedness in this world, but God has given all mankind a choice that allows for the occurrence of evil.  But this evil gives God the opportunity to reveal Himself. In the face of the attacks of the enemy, God heals, restores, makes new, rejuvenates, does miracles, releases overcoming power, and purifies our hearts. I told this young man that God was going to use this as a way of making his faith stronger and he need not do anything but trust the Lord.  I am not worried about his understanding. His family is very grounded in the Word and they have taught him well and will continue to do so.

But this is what the enemy does. 

God has given mankind a choice and the enemy takes every opportunity to create havoc as an instrument to foster confusion.  But the devil is a LIAR! As Paul said, in our weaknesses, in our moments of helplessness, God reveals His power through us.  When we can’t fix, stop, heal, or change overwhelming situations in our life, God sustains our spirit. Moments that should cause us to lose faith only make us stronger because we see and sense the power of God making us overcomers in all things (Romans 8:35-39).

Every spiritual being is completely tuned in to what really matters.  And what really matters are not the things of this Earth whether it is houses, cars, church buildings, or even our own bodies.  What matters is our soul’s destiny. God wants none to perish (2 Peter 3:9), but all to have eternal life with Him. The enemy is out to kill, steal, and destroy.  The enemy can’t force us to turn away from God, but He uses pain, suffering, and injustice as an attempt to destroy our spirit. But God, even as we suffer, prospers us in our spirit.  I love this passage: 

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

(NIV)

CAN ANYONE SHOUT HALLELUJAH!!!!

No matter how the enemy may attack you, trust in God.  Handle the attack according to His way and He will fill you with power that will strengthen your soul, your fortitude, your faith, and your influence to be more than an overcomer.  He will prosper your soul and like Paul, use you to prosper the souls of others. Do not despair, but trust the Lord and you will overcome!

Leave me a comment of how you have overcome in your life!

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Live Blessed and Be a Blessing!

Pastor Lee is a pastor and Biblical life coach.  He has been helping people through counseling, pastoring, teaching, and preaching for 20+ years.  His ministry focuses on helping people overcome the strongholds of the past and press on into God’s plan for an abundant life.  He has been married to his wife, Amy for 28 years.  He has three sons and one daughter-in-love.  For more about Pastor Lee or to get some Biblical advice, go to the About page.