Note for 2024/06/02

‭2 Corinthians 12:1-21 KJV‬

[1] It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. [2] I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. [3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) [4] how that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. [5] Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. [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. [11] I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. [12] Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. [13] For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. [14] Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. [15] And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. [16] But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. [17] Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? [18] I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? [19] Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. [20] For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: [21] and lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.12.1-21.KJV

Shalom, my friends.

I would write on this messenger of Satan that Paul describes as a thorn in the flesh, how each of us have that someone that comes against us, that brings us worldly reasoning, trying to convince us that there is more than just our faith to life. But, it is not I that sets the tone of the message.

Compared to GOD, we know nothing. And though I may consume the pages of the Bible day by day for years on end, without the Holy Spirit of GOD, without my Salvation secured in Jesus Christ, I am nothing. Then I would rant about foolish things.

A brother of mine in Christ has been instrumental for me to consider my ways again. For whose glory do we work for gain? The comfort we have, the peace we know, the knowledge and wisdom, even the love we feel for each other; is that not of Christ? Who is it then that works the wonders, and who then makes the weak strong? How then, can I boast in anything, if all I have is of GOD? No, then I am only like the joyful child who is unwrapping gifts. The glory is for GOD, who rescued me from my own foolish self. Not even I myself could take my own life, GOD did not permit it. Instead, He placed before me a symbol that reminded me that He is my Shepherd. And at that moment, I had to choose. Would I ignore the message from the Lord, when I held my own life as ransom? Would I receive the very person I blamed for all my problems? In my darkest moment, the Lord made things clear to me. His Word visited me, unspoken, just a sign... A mere gesture saved my life. And I was the one who became my worst enemy. God saved me. Would you forgive the one who sought to kill you, because for me, that person was I.

Friends, do you think it is easy to share these things with you? It is to my shame, but I do it, for it is to GOD'S Glory. The Lord is real, and He saves us even from ourselves, if only we will hear Him. So many times the Lord has rescued me, I might have an account to give everytime I write here. Some accounts are more impactful than others, but still, a salvation. But as far as the Word that came to Paul goes, that in his weakness Christ is Strong. I can testify to that too. Who but Satan would seek to end my life in such turmoil? Then explain to me, why I was holding the pistol in my hand, finger on the trigger, 15 rounds in the magazine. When I placed that pistol down, there were only two left... One for me, and one for him who I blamed. I should have been imprisoned, instead, I was afforded the opportunity to heal. Time to reconsider life and why I was here. So friends, I am sure. GOD intervened and saved me.

What would it take for you to reach that point where you will trust GOD more than yourself? Everything about my past is like it was amplified. But now, when someone is going through something like this, I know the way out. Believe me, in that moment, it takes Someone greater than yourself. How could I hate myself, when GOD loves me? How did I become so unhappy with the life that I was placed into? How can we refuse or even complain about the life that we have been given? How dare we even insinuate that GOD made a mistake? Jesus is the Good Shepherd, The Word of GOD made flesh that dwelled among men. He saw us, and prayed, Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

So, yes I cry, when I see others suffering as I once did. I can relate. But, for each of us, there comes that choice, who we give the greatest authority in our lives. Who shall we listen to for advice, instruction and correction? Every person is in the midst of their own journey. And as GOD pleaded with me, he will plead with all. All whose name is in the Book of Life. He calls, all we need do is answer. And when we are lost, He will find us. He is the Shepherd, and since He has created us, He has been involved with us. He loves us, even when we struggle to love ourselves.

Now, there are some, though not many, that can learn from other people's mistakes. I share mine for your sake. I do not drink alcohol, because at my worst moments, that was the amplifier of troubles. It affects a man's ability to think clearly, it makes him do what he would not ordinarily do. It makes the desperate more desperate, the weak, weaker. It turns lust to a point of no control, and leads to the abuses of those that GOD loves.

I told you before, I speak from personal experience. My hope is that you may hear me, so you don't have to go through the depths I have been. And now aging, my body reminds me of every scar. Still this body, this flesh, torments me. And so, I am eager to lay it down. But, I have learned that each day given, regardless of my situation, is another day given from the mercy of GOD. What then to do with all these days? Should I not live for Him who saved me, not just on the Cross, but in all my moments too. Here I am, a true testimony of GOD'S love, a sinner saved by grace. I know the Lord and I know the enemy and most of his devices. I have come to know his tactics, for He has hunted me from birth. Here I sit, in the peace of the Lord, protected by the Almighty GOD, for I am His, forever.

Shalom

Verse of the Day

(YouVersion)

‭Genesis 2:2-3 KJV‬

[2] And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. [3] And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.2.2-3.KJV

My Rescue Verse

‭Psalm 23:1 KJV‬

[1] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.23.1.KJV

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