Glory In My Infirmities

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KJB Daily DevotionFollowing Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, December 07, 2018
Chapters: II Corinthians 10-13
Message: Glory In My Infirmities

Hello My Friend,

While we do not intentionally judge, we do have this tendency, even faithful Christians, to see someone with a handicap or disease and wonder if that persons infirmity was caused by some sin. We even do it to ourselves, if we suddenly get sick or something happens to us we wonder what we did that God judged us. Can I tell you that everything we go through is not judgment from God? Infirmities are not punishments, rather victories. Yes, I said victories. Infirmities do two things, show our strengths in Christ and punch the devil in his face. We know that God allows the devil to afflict us, and he is not subtle about it either, cancer, death, abuse, unfaithfulness, these are all things the devil uses to afflict us, but we have the victory when we have Christ, with Him, even death cannot defeat us. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” – Hebrews 13:5-7.

considering the end of their conversation.” The devil and all his minions can laugh all they want as they throw their poison darts at us, but they know where their end will be, and it will not be where we are going. Praise God! We are in the middle of a war between God and Satan, and let me tell you, Satan has pulled many on his side because very few are willing to glorify God through their infirmities, if anything, they blame God. But, every now and then, the Spirit of God moves upon the heart of the one that searches for recovery through a higher power and finds Jesus in their search. Praise God! The biggest tactic that Satan uses to attack us is to bring division, many times through personal judgment or rather false judgment. Paul was a ruddy, homely looking man, just as Jesus appeared when He walked the earth, and as bold as he was in his letters he was not so much face to face with them. Paul warns the Corinthians not to judge someone based on their appearance.

But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.” – II Corinthians 10:2-7.

Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?Do we think that someone who wears designer clothes is a Christian over someone who wears tattered jeans? Paul is not asking them to question their salvation rather understand that not everyone who appears to be a Christian is. I admit that I have seen homeless people and locked my car door as they approached or walked at a distance when passing them, I have no idea if they were saved, but will tell you that I do sometimes approach them with food, and attempt to tell them about Jesus, but do not get very far. The truth is, the majority of people who appear to be homeless are not, likewise, there are many who appear to be good and Godly people that are not. In fact, Jesus said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” – John 7:24.

You see, physical appearances are not what shows Christ in us, and sadly, neither do actions, what actually shows Christ in us are our words. Just because someone says they believe in Jesus that does not mean they are saved or are believing in the same Jesus that we know and have accepted. What do I mean? Satan uses many false Christ’s to make one think it is the true Christ, but we will know them by what they believe. Paul explains.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.” – II Corinthians 11:3-4,10-15,29-30.

so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.There is only one Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who was born of a virgin, and never sinned. There is only one way to be saved, and that is to admit you are a sinner, that the punishment for sin is death and hell, believe in the Gospel alone as payment for that punishment, and confess that you want Christ as your Saviour. Any alteration to this, albeit, water baptism, works, changing the Gospel all together. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” – Romans 10:9-11.

Let me tell you, infirmities are Satan’s attempt to corrupt the mind from the simplicity of Christ and is, in fact, a different gospel, and a false Christ, but we who do believe and live by our faith in the true Gospel can find joy in our infirmities. How? By our faith in Christ. He gives us not only the strength to endure our infirmities, but through them bring, joy, peace, honor, and glory. Paul explains how he glories in his infirmities.

Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 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. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my 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. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” – II Corinthians 12:5-10.

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.Last year I hurt my knee as I was moving a display, and from that moment on I have had a constant pain in it. I have asked God several times to remove this thorn only to be told by Jesus the same thing, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” I no longer ask Him to heal my knee, rather let it be used to get me through the day in His strength. Think about the things you went through and what God has gotten you through. As I look back at how God protected me even in my biggest messes I cannot help, but be encouraged that He will help me through what I am going through now. The more we look to God through our infirmities the harder it is for the devil to corrupt us, and if we are not careful, that is exactly what he will do. Ever wonder how a person who had such great passion for Christ can turn completely against Him? They allowed the devil to take hold of them and corrupt their faith in Him. Paul tells all who are doubting Christ to stop and think about what they were putting their faith in.

I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.” – II Corinthians 13:2-7.

Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me,What is the saying, “The proof is in the pudding.” So many people seek physical proof that God is real, the proof is in the pudding, it is all right there in front of us, and Jesus Christ alone is physical proof of that. Reprobate, to be rejected by God and beyond any hope of salvation. While God wants to see everyone to be saved, He knows many are reprobates. He also knows who are His and the amazing thing is that our greatest victory over anything the devil will corrupt us with is being one of God’s people. We can glory in our infirmities, but we must look to Jesus, He is the armor we need to strengthen us and help us stand even at our weakest. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” – Ephesians 6:10-13.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my 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.” – II Corinthians 12:9.

Today’s Prayer: Jesus, No matter how many times the devil wants to put it in my head that my infirmities are punishments You remind me that they are to perfect me, and make me more like You as I walk in Your strength to endure them. You want me to seek You in my weaknesses, which is the only way I truly depend on You, but I do not want my weakness to be the only reason to depend on You, I want to be totally dependent upon You in everything I do. Lord, search my heart, know my thoughts, if there be any wicked way in me lead me in the way everlasting, help me to stay in Your Word, learn it, follow it, and never cease from praying, it is my only victory over my infirmities. Fill me with Your grace and give me the strength I need to get through the things You see fit that I must go through. I love You Lord and ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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