In the nearly two millennia since the Holy Spirit was given to the Church at Pentecost, what have we learned from Him? “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17 KJV). Everything a Spirit filled Christian has ever accomplished has been a demonstration of His Spirit and the “power of Christ” (2Corinthians 12:9). Each part of the Body of Christ is necessary to think, say, and do what the other might or could not. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ” (1Corinthians 12:12). We are not complete without the other. “For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us” (Hebrews 11:40 NET). LORD, complete the good work You began in us. Amen.
Power of Christ
Satan Benefits From Our Ignorance
“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10 KJV). Though our adversary the devil desires the glory of the Almighty, he does some of his best work because of our lack of understanding of his diabolical plan of action. Our failure to comprehend his scheme of opposition to God’s design for our life is necessary so we will not fully embrace our true victory in Jesus — that the “power of Christ may rest upon me” (2Corinthians 12:9). The benefits of our ignorance are his, while he delays his final judgment, for he knows limited power can never defeat Omnipotence. He must satisfy himself with putting off as long as possible his final demise. Our goal then is to more fully investigate, understand, and put into action the “power of Christ” (12:9) that rests upon us. That power brings us into complete union with God. LORD, teach us the meaning of the “power of Christ” (12:9) that Your kingdom would come and Your will would be done on earth as it is in Heaven, in Jesus’ name we request it. Amen and amen.
Blessed Sleep
Who doesn’t want to get a good night’s sleep? Before we can get that sleep, of course, God must give it. “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth His beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2 KJV). Too much caffeine, excessive liquids, too hot, too cold, too much noise, inconsistent sleep patterns are only a few things that may prevent that sleep. David’s first contact with Saul was to play a harp to help the king feel better, when he was troubled by an evil spirit allowed by God to harass and disturb the king (1Samuel 16:15). We may initially not be theologically receptive that God would give the enemy permission to harass us, but Paul’s “thorn in the flesh, the messenger [Greek, aggelos, angel] of Satan [Greek, Satân, adversary] to buffet me” (2Corinthians 12:7) was just that. Certainly, we should petition for sleep and “glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (12:9), if the LORD does not give that sleep. But, we just may be benefitted by playing not-too-loud, soothing, calming, rejoicing, uplifting, overcoming, faith-filled Christian music without a driving beat as we sleep (through in-ear, wireless bluetooth earbuds connected to a smartphone music app) to gain the benefit that God allowed David to give Saul. “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him” (1Samuel 16:23).
Do Not Relinquish Your Life Lightly
Though Christians may be willing to lay down their lives for Christ, we must be willing to endure the often difficulty of living for Christ. I’ve heard stories of Christians competing for the honor of sacrificing their physical lives for the cause of Christ. This is noble, if we are just as willing to endure the suffering for Christ, should we live. “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My [Christ’s] strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2Corinthians 12:9 KJV).
Embracing Suffering Doesn’t Mean Rejecting Overcoming
Just because we embrace suffering as God’s way of refining us, teaching us, and magnifying Himself, doesn’t mean we reject overcoming. On the one hand, Christ said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33 KJV). On the other hand, He said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (16:33). On one hand Paul said, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2Corinthians 12:9 KJV). On the other hand Paul said, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37 KJV). Initially, Job defended his righteousness about his suffering. In the end, He confessed the Almighty’s rightness to choose, if and when he should suffer. “Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not” (Job 42:3 KJV). Is the Holy Spirit impressing you to suffer or overcome? He can do either. What has He given you to embrace for your circumstance? “Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth” (Romans 14:22 KJV).
What About Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?
When it comes to healing, what about Paul’s thorn in the flesh? “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure” (2Corinthians 12:7 KJV). First, God gave Paul a thorn in the flesh to prevent him from becoming conceited about all his divine “revelations” (12:7). Second, “messenger” (12:7) is aggellos in the Greek for angel, which Paul described as the “messenger of Satan to buffet me” (12:7). This was not poetry or metaphor, but the evil presence of a Fallen Angel. Are all physical maladies necessarily demonic or a demonstration that we sinned? No. “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:3 KJV). But, in this instance, Paul’s suffering was necessary in God’s Cosmic War. Remember, at other times, Paul prayed and secured healing for others (Acts 28:8) and encourages us “in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6 KJV). This should not prevent us from seeking in prayer for the Lord to heal us; instead, it only justifies us for the grace, peace, and demonstration of the “power of Christ” (2Corinthians 12:9 KJV) to sustain us, when suffering is necessary. Our godly suffering then encourages the godly and frustrates the Enemy. Remember, our King wins this battle, and whenever we must suffer, it contributes to the Final Victory. Hallelujah!
We Need A Miracle 