KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Thursday, December 07, 2017
Chapters: II Corinthians 10-13
Message: Strength Through Weakness
Hello My Friend,
The past few days I have been so irritated, while the things of the world rarely phase me because I do not pay attention to them, they are bugging the fire out of me lately. I am completely and utterly disgusted at the way men and women alike present themselves. I use to think I was weak in my flesh, and oh, I know I am because I know my flesh, but my goodness, there are animals with more self control than some humans. Then I was reminded of what I was like before I dedicated my life to Christ and let me tell you, nothing on this earth will satisfy the flesh, it will always crave because it is weak, which is why we need Christ every day. “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” – Mark 14:38.
By nature we are all in a competition, even as Christians we tend to compare ourselves with each other, if one seems to be blessed more it is as though they have received more of God’s favor. We should all know by now that God does not bless us according to our works, but our faith. Paul reminds the Corinthians and all of us, that we are to never compare ourselves to each other, we are all here for a purpose, and that is to preach Christ.
“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” – II Corinthians 10:13-18.
“but whom the Lord commendeth.” We are all good at something, and while it is good to a point to commend ourselves in the talents and work that God has blessed us with, we must not think of ourselves more highly than others. With that said, we must also make good judgment, what exactly are we after if the things of the world start appealing to us? It is when we are weak in our flesh that the things of the world start looking good to us, we should all know by now that appearances mean absolutely nothing. If something seems too easy to help us through our weaknesses it will probably cause more weakness. You see, the culprit behind all of our weakness is the devil, he knows exactly what we crave the most from our flesh, and will do anything to weaken the faith of a Christian by preying on what our flesh desires, and that includes bringing people into their lives who appear to be one of Christ’s, but are actually one of the devil’s. Paul stresses the importance if is understanding this.
“Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 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 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.” – II Corinthians 11:1-3,13-15.
“whose end shall be according to their works.” It seems like Christians are always being played, it is as though they have nothing better to do than try and get us to compromise our faith. If you ever wondered why people (even those who say they are Christians) come and go out of your life so quickly, this is the reason. I am the type of person who takes it seriously when I get rejected, I feel as though I was the one who pushed them away. The truth is, they are the ones at fault, they tempted you, charmed you, fed you with the things you desire (and I am not talking about lustful things), all in an attempt to get you to go against your faith. Some of us fall right into the trap, only to have them disappear once they got us, and you left to wonder what you did. This is all God, He sent them away, He knew what the future would be like if they stayed in our lives, and did not want us to suffer any more than we did. You know, God knows our weaknesses too, and while we do everything we can to get rid of them, sometimes God allows them to stay so that we learn to be dependent upon Him through that weakness. Paul explains why God allows us to have a 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. 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 12:7-10.
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,” Think about the things you went through and what God has gotten you through in your weakness. When I first got saved, I did not even know what that meant, I thought I still had to do good and keep earning my way to heaven. I messed up big time, I was caught up in the world, and got so far away from God that I did not even speak to Him for several years. As I look back at how God protected me even in my infirmities 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 allow 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.
“but that ye should do that which is honest,” We are not perfect, none of us are, those who are of the world desire the same things we do, they just do what naturally comes to them. But as Christians, we have the Spirit of God in us, and He directs us away from those things as we draw closer to Christ. We can find strength through our weaknesses, but we must look to Jesus, He is the armor we need to strengthen us and help us endure them. “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: God, There are not enough words to explain how thankful I am that You sent Your Son to take my place on the cross that I should be on. When I was drowning in the mire of sin, You sacrificed Your life to pull me out, and save me from sinking into hell. Lord, I know that nothing I can ever do or say can change the fact that I am saved only by believing in and receiving Your Son as my Saviour, I want to live my life in a way that not only glorifies You, but brings others to Your Son as well. Give me Your power, strength, wisdom, and knowledge to be a witness of Your amazing grace, and let me be a testimony of the life You have given me since I found out the truth in Your Word. I love You, and ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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