Finding Strength in Weakness: Embracing Affliction

Devotional

Day 1: God's Grace in Our Weakness

In life, we often face challenges that test our faith and understanding of God's purpose. These afflictions are not always removed by God but are allowed to teach us dependence on His grace. The Apostle Paul experienced this when he pleaded with God to remove a thorn in his flesh, only to receive the response, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." This teaches us that God's grace is sufficient to sustain us through our weaknesses and trials. We are reminded that in our moments of vulnerability, God's power is most evident, and His grace is enough to carry us through. [04:24]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: What is one area of weakness in your life where you need to rely more on God's grace? How can you invite His strength into that area today?

Day 2: Trials as Tools for Spiritual Growth

Personal trials can be a profound tool for spiritual growth. They teach us to rely on God's voice and strength, preparing us for future responsibilities. Reflecting on personal experiences, one can see how God uses periods of affliction to deepen our reliance on Him. For instance, facing a severe health challenge can lead to questioning God, only to be reminded that affliction can be a tool for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God. Through these experiences, God’s faithfulness becomes evident as He prepares us for what lies ahead. [11:21]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How did it challenge your faith, and what did you learn about relying on God through it?

Day 3: Humility and Dependence on God

Afflictions remind us of our need for God’s grace and power. They keep us humble and dependent on Him, ensuring that we do not rely solely on our own strength or understanding. These experiences are necessary to keep us grounded and aware of our limitations, pushing us to seek God's guidance and strength. Whether we find deliverance from our circumstances or strength to endure them, the ultimate purpose is to keep us close to God. [15:35]

1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV): "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own strength instead of God's? How can you practice humility and dependence on Him today?

Day 4: God's Faithfulness in Trials

God’s faithfulness is evident in our trials. He promises not to give us more than we can bear and provides the grace needed to endure, ensuring that we are not overwhelmed. This assurance allows us to face our challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. Our trials are part of God’s divine purpose, working together for our good and His glory. They refine us and draw us into a deeper relationship with Him, ultimately leading us to eternal peace and joy. [22:04]

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV): "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Reflection: How have you seen God's faithfulness in your life during difficult times? What steps can you take to trust His promises more fully?

Day 5: Trials for Our Good and His Glory

Our trials are part of God’s divine purpose, working together for our good and His glory. They refine us and draw us into a deeper relationship with Him, ultimately leading us to eternal peace and joy. These experiences are not meant to overwhelm us but to refine us and draw us closer to our Creator. By embracing this perspective, we can find peace and purpose in the midst of our struggles, knowing that God is using them for a greater purpose. [18:57]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: How can you shift your perspective to see your current trials as part of God's greater plan for your life? What steps can you take to align your focus with His eternal purposes?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through life, we often encounter afflictions and trials that challenge our faith and understanding of God's purpose. The truth, as revealed in the scriptures, is that these afflictions are not always meant to be removed but are often allowed by God to draw us closer to Him and to teach us dependence on His grace. The Apostle Paul, despite his deep spiritual insights and dedication, faced a thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan, which he pleaded with God to remove. Yet, God’s response was, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." This teaches us that God's grace is sufficient to sustain us through our weaknesses and trials.

Reflecting on my own experiences, I shared how God used a period of physical affliction to teach me dependence on Him. When I moved to New York City to assist in the ministry at Times Square Church, I faced a severe health challenge due to toxic mold exposure. In my frustration, I questioned God, only to be reminded through Psalm 119 that affliction can be a tool for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God. God’s faithfulness was evident as He used this period to prepare me for future responsibilities, teaching me to rely on His voice rather than my own strength or resources.

Afflictions, though painful, are often necessary to keep us humble and dependent on God. They remind us of our need for His grace and power, which are made perfect in our weaknesses. Whether we find deliverance from our circumstances or strength to endure them, the ultimate purpose is to keep us close to God. Our trials are not meant to overwhelm us but to refine us and draw us into a deeper relationship with our Creator.

Key Takeaways

1. Afflictions are not always removed by God but are often allowed to teach us dependence on His grace. Like Paul, we may plead for relief, but God's response is that His grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. [04:24]
2. Personal trials can be a tool for spiritual growth. My own experience with health challenges taught me to rely on God’s voice and strength, preparing me for future responsibilities in ministry. [11:21]
3. Afflictions remind us of our need for God’s grace and power. They keep us humble and dependent on Him, ensuring that we do not rely solely on our own strength or understanding. [15:35]
4. God’s faithfulness is evident in our trials. He promises not to give us more than we can bear and provides the grace needed to endure, ensuring that we are not overwhelmed. [22:04]
5. Our trials are part of God’s divine purpose, working together for our good and His glory. They refine us and draw us into a deeper relationship with Him, ultimately leading us to eternal peace and joy. [18:57]
** [18:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - The Truth That Sets Us Free
[00:23] - Victory in Affliction
[00:46] - Why Does God Allow Trials?
[01:24] - Freedom in Christ
[02:35] - Paul's Example of Faith
[03:13] - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
[04:24] - God's Grace in Weakness
[05:17] - Personal Story of Affliction
[07:09] - Dependence on God
[09:20] - Necessary Afflictions
[10:56] - Learning Dependence
[12:35] - The Purpose of Affliction
[15:35] - Strength in Weakness
[18:57] - All Things Work for Good
[22:04] - God's Promise in Trials
[23:03] - Prayer of Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Psalm 119:67, 71, 75

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Observation Questions:

What was the Apostle Paul's "thorn in the flesh," and how did he respond to it according to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10? [03:13]
How does the sermon describe the purpose of afflictions in a believer's life? [01:11]
What personal experience did the pastor share about his own affliction, and how did it impact his faith journey? [05:17]
According to Psalm 119, what are some benefits of affliction mentioned in the sermon? [09:46]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does Paul's experience with his "thorn in the flesh" illustrate the concept of God's strength being made perfect in weakness? [04:24]
In what ways can personal trials serve as tools for spiritual growth, as illustrated by the pastor's story? [11:21]
How might afflictions keep believers humble and dependent on God, according to the sermon? [15:35]
What does the pastor mean when he says that afflictions are part of God's divine purpose, working together for our good and His glory? [18:57]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you faced a personal trial. How did it affect your relationship with God, and what did you learn from it? [05:17]
How can you remind yourself of God's sufficiency and strength in moments of weakness or trial? What practical steps can you take to rely more on His grace? [04:24]
The pastor shared how his affliction taught him to depend on God's voice rather than his own strength. How can you cultivate a habit of listening for God's guidance in your daily life? [11:21]
Consider a current challenge you are facing. How might this be an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God? [09:46]
How can you support others in your community who are going through trials, helping them to see God's purpose and faithfulness in their afflictions? [22:04]
What specific actions can you take to remain humble and dependent on God, especially when things are going well in your life? [15:35]
How can you shift your perspective to see trials as part of God's divine purpose, refining you and drawing you closer to Him? [18:57]

Sermon Clips

I want to talk to you about the victory that Christ promises even in the midst of these seasons of Affliction that all of us have to go through. My message titled tonight is why does God allow this? Why does God allow this if he could Deliver Us from every trial which he could obviously he's all-powerful if he's all good and all-knowing and all merciful why does he let his people from time to time go through seasons of trial and difficulty? [00:45:18]

The Apostle Paul was free long before the prison doors open in the book of Acts. He was a free man. The Affliction could not take away his freedom. His trust in you and the grace that you supplied to his life was a source of Supply no matter where he found himself. His Joy was not dependent upon his circumstance. There was something that passes all understanding that was inside of his life. [00:98:46]

Paul was a man that God could entrust and put a quill in his hand and give him the words. He was so in tune actually with the heart of God that God could give him the words of the New Testament that we studied today and has guided the lives of hundreds and hundreds of millions of people over the last 2000 years. [00:173:28]

A thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to Buffet me lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. So Paul the Apostle went three times. I believe he got his answer the first time. I believe he got his answer the second time. [00:228:36]

My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I would rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ May rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake for when I am weak, then I am strong. [00:256:739]

I came to New York City in 1994. I left a church in Canada that was in Revival and the Lord spoke to my heart and I came to New York City to help a man called David Wilkerson who had just seven years prior founded a church in New York City called Times Square Church. It was a church that needed help and I was glad to come because the Lord spoke to my heart to come and help. [00:330:60]

I started to be short of breath my energy began to be very very limited. I didn't know that the home that we had gotten into in New Jersey was it was a relatively new home but it had been improperly constructed and it had been infested with black toxic mold. It's called stachibatress the mold type and this mold if you live in this environment for too long it can take away your life. [00:426:00]

I said is this really necessary? I've fought for you. I've fought for this church. I've stood with the man of God. I've walked with Integrity before you. I've given everything I've got for the testimony of God and for this church and you have responded by allowing this Affliction into my life or may I put it this way by not taking it away from me. [00:505:08]

Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I keep your word. You are good and you do good teach me your statures before I was afflicted. Now I didn't consider myself going astray, but that's what the psalm says in Psalm 70 again 119 verse 71 the psalmist goes on says it is good for me than I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. [00:588:89]

Carter you're very strong-willed but I need to teach you to be dependent on me. You're going to need to know how to be dependent upon me in the future and it's going to have to be my voice that guides me not a big budget and a bunch of voices around you. You're going to have to learn to hear my voice and only do that which I ask you to do. [00:659:94]

Whether you find a deliverance from the circumstance or strength to endure it, in either case it will keep you close to and dependent on God. Whether we get through and some do, some find deliverance and thank God for those who do thank God that not every child we can't we can't just keep piling on Trials because it would overwhelm us. [00:960:779]

Paul was able to pen the words that all things work together for good to those who love God and other called according to his purpose not just some things are a few things not just the good things all things. That's what the word of God says that's the truth that can set you free wherever you are right now God is working that all out for his intended purpose in your life. [00:1132:74]

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Finding Strength in Weakness: Embracing Affliction

Devotional

Day 1: God's Grace in Our Weakness

Day 2: Trials as Tools for Spiritual Growth

Day 3: Humility and Dependence on God

Day 4: God's Faithfulness in Trials

Day 5: Trials for Our Good and His Glory

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Finding Strength in Weakness: Embracing Affliction

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