A THORN IN THE FLESH – PART FOUR
Saturday – February 24, 2018
Welcome back to this twelve-part series titled: A Thorn in the Flesh, and subtitled: Prayer Failures. I have not gone right to our primary text which mentions the Apostle Paul’s thorn in the flesh. The reason being that I believe a sound foundation must be built in order to have a full understanding of the text. As I mentioned before the Church is a rare place that expects people to mature in Christ by starting their education and faith building beginning over half way through the policy and procedure manual (Bible). Let’s review our primary text then I will launch back into building and finishing out the beautiful foundation the Lord has provided.
2 Corinthians 12:6-10 (KJV)
6 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.
7 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.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 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.
10 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.
Last Saturday I had ended after continuing the foundation of God’s original intent or will and the tools He gave to man to accomplish that will in the earth. Man was given sole authority in the earth. This authority not only encompassed the physical elements of the earth and first heaven which is the atmospheric envelop over the earth but all spiritual things and beings. God gave man seven mandates which are the will of God and are eternal commands. Next God gave man the Blessing, empowerment, to carry out these mandates. Once man was made and given authority and the Blessing, God stepped back. The Blessing is God the Holy Spirit which flows according to the will of God as spoken and authorized (authority) by a person.
Man sinned, the Blessing or Holy Spirit departed, authority in the earth still rested with man but no supernatural backup. Man was plunged into darkness and led around by the nose by demons. God made a way to cover mans sin but we desperately needed a Savior to restore all things. Enter Jesus the Word become flesh. Jesus was not only the Lamb of God for us but a demonstration project as to how we are to operate in a curse filled earth and world whose god is Satan. In the beginning God delegated His authority wholly to man, Jesus as God again delegates all authority to man (Matthew 28:18-20). Next to come was the return of the Blessing, the Holy Ghost and power. Together let’s consider the following passages.
Luke 24:46-49 (KJV)
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
I want to emphasize that the good news always precedes the flow of power. The power is always present but is dormant until catalyzed by faith. Jesus tells those present that day at His ascension who were already born again to wait until they were endued with power from on high. That power is the Blessing, the Holy Spirit and power. Once again God could abide with whosoever choose Him as their God. He did not want them to venture into the world until they were fully equipped. The following passage outlines in part the supernatural life of a believer. We are to be a revelation, a representation, and an expression of Jesus and the Father. Let us read the following Scripture aloud with the intent to see it, hear it and place it within our heart so that it is evident in our lives.
Mark 16:15-20 (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Again, we see the command to go with God’s delegated authority into all the world. They and we are endued with supernatural power which manifests when our natural abilities come to an end. Again, we see the necessity to tell the good news of the Kingdom to build faith which will catalyze the Anointing Who is in and with us. God will confirm His Word with signs following. Consider, we have authority over all the earth and spiritual personalities upon the earth but not other people. When faith is found we speak to the problem whether it be sickness and disease or a weather issue. Once we have spoken those words combined with faith catalyzes the Holy Spirit and the supernatural occurs. In the preceding passage the word “them” in verse twenty is italicized meaning that the translators added it at their pleasure. Remove the word italicized and you will plainly see the intent and that it is the Word (Jesus really) which is being confirmed. The born again Holy Ghost baptized believer is to operate in the earth just like Jesus in His earthly ministry and to do greater things that were not legal for Jesus at the time. I will pickup right here next Saturday.
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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