This month is our women’s retreat. Our theme is Growing in Grace. This week we will focus on what the Bible teaches us about Grace.

This morning we will read on Paul’s weakness during his time of ministry and God’s grace.

Scripture verse: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 NLT
“6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 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. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

The Apostle Paul loved God with his whole heart. He was a diligent worker, preacher, teacher and loved to share the gospel message with others. It’s hard to understand why a man who served and loved God so much had to endure hardships, but he did. While Paul was at the top of his ministry, there was still an ailment within him that kept him humble and dependent on the Lord for strength. While many speculate what the ‘thorn in his flesh’ was, we know for certain it created a weakness for Paul.

Paul had prayed for others and they were healed (Acts 20:9-10), and he prayed powerful prayers for people and the church (Ephesians 1:17-19a, Ephesians 3:16-19, Philippians 1:9-11, Colossians 1:9b-12). Yet, when he prayed more than once for the Lord to deliver him from the thorn in his flesh, the Lord’s response was “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 

What weakness or thorn in your flesh are you facing today? ____________

Sisters and brothers, the Lord’s grace is all we need. His power works best in weakness. I don’t know what weakness(es) you are experiencing today or what thorn is in your flesh, but what I do know is the power of Christ can work through us in spite of our weakness.

Maybe you have been praying for deliverance or transformation or healing for some time and you haven’t seen the fruit of those prayers the way you thought they should bloom. Well today, sisters and brothers,  I don’t want you to give up hope, I want you to believe and know that whatever you are dealing with the Lord already knows and the power of Christ (the same power that rose Jesus from the dead) will strengthen you in your weakness – ‘For when you are weak, you are strong’. Trust His plan.

Father God, thank you for our Savior and Lord of our lives. Thank you for redemption, grace, love, and compassion. Lord, it is because of you that there is hope. It is because of you that we can truly live. Lord, forgive us for the times when we made things about us instead of about you. Lord, forgive us for giving ourselves all the credit for our lives, success or status when deep down (or even on the surface) we know it all came from you. Lord, keep us humble in our hearts and minds. Lord, help us to remember you in every area of our lives. Lord, you know the depths of our life stories and our medical history. Lord, if you decide not to remove the thorns from our flesh help us to remember the power of Christ that is within us to keep pressing on. Lord, keep us kingdom focused. Lord, heal our land. Lord, heal those who are suffering from illnesses (e.g., cancer, chronic pain and disease). Comfort those who are mourning the loss of loved ones and grieving things that have been lost (e.g., jobs, relationships, finances, etc.). Lord, keep us all. In Jesus name, amen.

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Events

Our next women’s retreat is Saturday, September 16, 2023. The theme is Growing in Grace. The event is open to all women and it will be in Riverside, California. For more information or to RSVP, email: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

PRAYER REQUEST

Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

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