Becky White- "God has given me a ministry of thorns. He has graciously taken all the pain of my life—self-inflicted, other-inflicted, or just the ache of real life—and given me the great honor of using it all for His glory.
This truth was brought home to me as I stood in front of a podium at a correctional facility before several hundred ladies. I have no great skill as an orator or any degree on the wall or social station that would open such doors. My thorns provided the invitation, and thorns were what I spoke of.
Oh, I called them by their real names: regret, abuse, addiction, grief, betrayal, depression, divorce, hopelessness. But I wrapped up the talk with God’s promise that He can cause all things to work together for our good and His glory for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
God did not take away Paul’s thorn; He did better. He mastered that thorn and made it his servant. The ministry of thorns has often been a greater ministry than the ministry of thrones.
When I authentically share the thorns of my life, I free others to share theirs as well, releasing them from the formality, pretense, and self-protective stance that often shrouds our lives. It’s then, when the pain is on the table, that the Great Physician can begin His work.
God may or may not remove the thorns of real life, but He is entirely faithful to use them. That’s what I desperately wanted those precious ladies to know that night. If placed in His hands, He will use our thorns for His glory. He may even grant us a ministry with those thorns.
We have a choice. The same heat that melts wax hardens clay. And the same thorn that pushes us to lean hard into God may cause another to run from Him. Don’t miss your chance to use your thorns for God’s glory."
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
1391-1395 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-
When you don't know what to do, Praise the Lord!
Above all, let us cultivate a sensitive intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Let us listen to Him, let us talk to Him, let us consult Him in all the changing seasons of the coming days in the new year, and let us greedily receive his preoffered gifts of enlightenment and grace. He will be our all-sufficiency and we will move about in the endowment of Penticostal power.
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15
You can view past services too.
Sermon listing:https://www.
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