WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK?

Newsletter 211 September 19, 2010

The apostle Paul called it a “thorn in the flesh. Shaka Zulu, the famous warrior king of the Zulu tribes of South Africa, is said to have trained his warriors to run across beds of thorns, some of them three inches long and very painful to tread upon. They had to toughen their feet, and ignore the pain completely. Through, this kind of training, and many similar requirements, the Zulu tribe became feared by all, and their power supreme in the land. They absorbed many smaller tribes, who were given the choice, “Become Zulus or die.” Many of his enemies were impaled on posts leading into his compounds. Over the years since, Zululand is still known for internal faction fights between these splinter groups. Burning thatch roofed huts, with their occupants inside, are not at all an uncommon sight. White travelers have learned to avoid those areas completely, even if travelling across them might save up to a hundred miles on your trip. Experience has also taught us, however, that a converted Zulu, can also become a powerful worker for the Lord Just as Paul was after be believed and was baptized

2 Corinthians 12:7-13 (King James Version)

PAUL’S “THORN IN THE FLESH”

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. (2 Corinthians 12:1, Numbers 33:55, Ezekiel 28:24, Hosea 2:6, Job 2:6, Matthew 4:10, 1 Corinthians 5:5)
Many believe that Paul’s Thorn was that his eyes never totally recovered from his encounter with the Lord on his way to Damascus to persecute believers there as he had done in Jerusalem. He credited this to Satan, who never permitted him to forget what he had given up for Christ’s sake. In the hands of Satan, he had been bound for power, in the Sanhedrin with all its material side benefits.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (Matthew 26:44)

GOD’S ANSWER TO HIS PETITIONS FOR HEALING

Think of it. Here was a man who healed others, but was helpless to heal himself. He had prayed for healing three times, but, as often: God did not heal him. He gave him strength to work in spite of it.
God often used persons with infirmities to do His work, because then the glory goes to the message and not the messenger.
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. (1 Corinthians 2:5, Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 12:5)

GOD GIVES ALL THE POWER TO DO WHAT HE WANTS US TO DO FOR HIM

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. (Romans 5:3, Romans 8:35, 2 Corinthians 6:4, 2 Thessalonians 1:4, 2 Timothy 3:11, 2 Corinthians 5:15, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 2 Corinthians 13:4)
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. (2 Corinthians 5:13, 2 Corinthians 11:16, 2 Corinthians 12:6, 1 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Corinthians 11:5, 1 Corinthians 3:7, 1 Corinthians 13:2, 1 Corinthians 15:9)
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (John 4:48, Romans 15:191 Corinthians 9:1)
In order not to offend anyone, I will use myself as an example. After I left university and enlisted in the Navy, I had made good marks in the classification tests, was barely six feet tall, and knew how to march so I was placed as a squad leader during boot camp. After that I was placed on my first ship, and put to work as a radio operator. We had voice radio only, but it became apparent that I did not have a good voice for radio, so I ended up, on another ship, as a radar man. No real problems with that..
Years later, as a civilian, I enrolled in what is now, Lincoln Christian University, where again it was found that my voice and personality did not make for a good preacher. It was suggested that I become a writer instead.
As a missionary in Africa, I found that the books that I wrote, and later printed myself, and then in many languages, reached out to all Africa and to many, (hundreds of thousands actually). God changed me, but I still have the same weaknesses. I need an amplifier to teach a class of more than a few persons, still one of our best black ministers once introduced me as the missionary with a loud voice, he “heard me when I was in South West Africa.” That was by means of the printed page, however. All praise to God, He could use even me! He just guided me to the right medium; one that I use to this day. He even gave me a reward to encourage me. On my wall hangs a plaque announcing that I was awarded the Restoration Award for 1970 in the field of Missions as an alumnus of Lincoln Christian Seminary. Now, in retirement, a whole new media has opened to me. I “blog” His truths.

HOW IS HE USING YOU?

Be certain, he can.
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. (1 Corinthians 9:12, 1 Corinthians 9:18, 2 Corinthians 11:9, 2 Corinthians 12:14, 2 Corinthians 11:7)
__________

I RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
SEPTEMBER

19th. Sunday – Isaiah 45, 46, 47, Galatians 4:1-16, Psalm 108:6-13
20th. Monday – Isaiah 48, 49, 50, Galatians 4:17-31, Psalm 109:1-15
21st. Tuesday – Isaiah 51, 52, 53, Galatians 5, Proverbs 23:10-18
22nd. Wednesday – Isaiah 54, 55, 56, Galatians 6, Psalm 109:16-31
23rd. Thursday – Isaiah 57, 58, 59, Ephesians 1, Psalm 110
24th. Friday - Isaiah 60, 61, 62, Ephesians 2, Psalm 111
25th. Saturday – Isaiah 63, 64, Ephesians 3, Proverbs 23:19-27
__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 707 titles)

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ 4 published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

”Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.”

Titus 3:1

__________

Corporate wisdom

"As of tomorrow, employees will only be able to access the building using individual security cards. Pictures will be taken next Wednesday, and employees will receive their cards in two weeks."
(Microsoft Corp. in Redmond WA )

What I need is an exact list of specific unknown problems we might encounter."
(Lykes Lines Shipping)

"E-mail is not to be used to pass on information or data. It should be used only for company business."
(Accounting manager, Electric Boat Company)

"This project is so important we can't let things that are more important interfere with it."
(Advertising/Marketing manager, United Parcel Service)

"Doing it right is no excuse for not meeting the schedule."
(Plant Manager, Delco Corporation)

"No one will believe you solved this problem in one day! We've been working on it for months. Now go act busy for a few weeks and I'll let you know when it's time to tell them."
(R&D supervisor, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing/3M Corp.)

Quote from the Boss: "Teamwork is a lot of people doing what I say."
(Marketing executive, Citrix Corporation)

My sister passed away and her funeral was scheduled for Monday. When I told my Boss, he said she died on purpose so that I would have to miss work on the busiest day of the year. He then asked if we could change her burial to Friday. He said, "That would be better for me."
(Shipping executive, FTD Florists)

"We know that communication is a problem, but the company is not going to discuss it with the employees."
(Switching supervisor, AT&T Long Lines Division)

A pick pocket was up in court for a series of petty crimes. The judge said "Mr. Banks you are hereby fined $100." The lawyer stood up and said "Thanks, my lord, however my client only has $75 on him at this time, but if you'd allow him a few minutes in the crowd. . ."