Good morning! The Lord works in mysterious ways. He worked in Apostle Paul’s life to allow for his experiences to encourage us and remind us of God’s grace and work. Join me as we continue our reading in second Corinthians chapter twelve.
Bible Verse – 2 Corinthians 12:1-7 NLT
“This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I[a]was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know. 4 that I was caught up[b] to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.
5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 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.
Reflection
Apostle Paul reluctantly shared his external credentials with the Corinthians even though he thought it was an exercise in futility – nothing to be gained for building up the church. However, he did it in the hope that it would silence his critics and allow him to preach freely. Truly, the only point he wanted to make was about Christ Jesus, because he was a man of Christ. What mattered to Paul was not his achievements but God’s work through him and the gospel he preached.
Sisters and brothers, there will always be a critic of two or more in your life. Keep following Christ, continue to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and don’t get side tracked by fits of jealousy or anger from other people. God will give you the strength as He works through you.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for Paul’s testimony through his letters. Thank you for using him to help us to be steadfast in any trial. Lord, we understand “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Cor 4:17). Lord, we thank you for the life you have given us and for the opportunities to serve you without boasting. Lord, your mighty work is beyond what we can comprehend but we are so grateful to be part of it. Lord, as you continue to bring more people into the knowledge, understanding, belief, and acceptance of you as Lord and Savior of their lives, keep working in us. Transform us daily and keep leading us into a closer relationship with you.
Lord, we continue our prayers for:
- Our service men and women who are moving to different countries and states on orders. Lord, be with their family members that are moving with them and those that they have to leave behind. Lord, shield them with the covering of your wings. Give the safe passage and hold them as they navigate through new reporting units and superior command lines. Lord, specifically be with the Hillary family as they make their move.
- Lord, we continue our prayers for those battling cancer and going through cancer treatment. Lord be with families standing in the gap, providing care and support for their loved ones in the battle. Lord, we pray for the dad, mom, sister, daughter, son, niece, nephew, cousin, aunt, uncle, or friend who is going through treatment and we pray for healing and remission. Lord, we trust your will but we also believe you hear and answer prayers. So, Lord do your mighty work and heal them.
- We also continue our prayers for those who are grieving. Lord, there has been a lot of loss. Mothers, fathers, children, spouses, friends, and others. Lord, we want to thank you for waking us up to see another, but we ask that you comfort, strengthen, and bring peace to those who have lost their loved ones. Lord, as they remember them, help them through each day. Touch their hearts and hold them close. Don’t let them give up on life, or lose faith, or stay bitter, or stuck. Lord, awaken their souls and allow your Holy Spirit to breathe renewed life into them.
- Lord, we pray for those who are battling chronic illnesses. Lord, we pray for those who wake up each day in pain. Lord, we ask that you calm the nerve endings that keep alerting them to pain. Lord, we ask that you heal their areas of pain throughout their bodies. Lord, we pray for ease of migraines and for the headaches to end. Lord, we pray for those with arthritis and we ask for you to decrease the aching in their joints and bones. Lord, we pray for those healing and recovering from surgery and we ask for the pain to quickly subside as they continue to heal. Lord, we pray for those infected by disease to be cured.
- Lord, we pray for those in need of healthy home, school, and work environments and we ask that you open doors and opportunities for them to be in those spaces. Lord, you know the needs and the prayers that have been asked. Lord, heal their areas drug addicted family member and heal the members of their families from the traumas they experienced during the addicts addiction. Lord, heal individuals struggling with mental and emotional issues and help them overcome. Lord, rescue and restore each person who has been a victim of or has been affected by human trafficking. Lord, set more victims free.
- Lord, we pray for those going to court today. Lord, you know the needs, you know the prayers, and you understand each situation. Lord, may your justice, mercy, and favor be at work today. Lord, be with the mother in prayer for her son. Lord, answer her prayers as we stand in faith praying with her.
- Be with children who are on break from school, preparing for college, in college, or preparing for the new school year. Lord, place them with good teachers and instructors. Help them to have a good community of people around them to support, encourage, and guide them through the school year.
- Lord, we stand in prayer for each person who has a prayer not mentioned in this list and we ask that you hear their prayer – listen to their heart, and answer.
In Jesus name, we pray, amen
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