The Pointe

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassing great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.    2 Corinthians 12:7-9

The Apostle Paul was a man used by God in amazing ways. If anyone could boast and brag about all that he had done for Christ, Paul could. After all, this is the man who penned thirteen books in the New Testament!

God had an amazing plan for Paul. But there was something in Paul’s life that continually caused him trouble. Paul calls it “a thorn” in his flesh. No one knows exactly what the thorn was, but it was clearly an affliction that he faced every day.

Rather than using it as an excuse to turn away from God, though, Paul used the thorn in his flesh as yet another avenue to glorify God. Paul realized that the only reason he was able to do what he did was because of God’s grace and mercy and love. And Paul knew that even with the thorn, God’s plan for his life was greater than he could ever imagine.

You will go through difficult times in life. You will have problems and face tough situations. Don’t use those as excuses to turn your back on God. Instead, look for ways in which you can glorify God through them. And remember, no matter what you are facing, keep looking up.        

The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.      Psalm 40:1-3

    There are times in life when we feel like we are all alone. And during those times, it’s easy to feel like there’s nowhere to turn. But no matter where we are or what we are into, when we turn to God, he will hear us. God is everywhere.

   If that’s you, remember that you are not alone. Don’t give up on God the moment that you need him most. Instead, turn to God in prayer and ask him to help you. Because when you do, he will lift you out of that pit and set your feet on solid ground. You will be able to walk forward with the strength that God provides you. And your prayers for help will soon turn into songs of praise. Just pray and see. I dare ya!

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.         Romans 8:26-27

God doesn’t want us to hold back when it comes to prayer. He wants our messy, emotional, turbulent prayers. He wants us to praise him when life is going well. And he wants us to thank him for his enduring love. But what about those times when we have no idea what to pray, when we can’t even come up with the words? Is it even possible to pray without words? According to the Bible, yes.

One of the greatest aspects of prayer is the fact that God already knows what is on our hearts and minds. And when we can’t think of the words to communicate our thoughts and feelings, the Holy Spirit will intercede for us. In other words, he will work in hearts and then communicate to God what we are processing, facing and feeling.

Don’t think that prayer needs to be scripted or rehearsed. You don’t have to develop the most beautiful sentences ever constructed or wait for the right words to come to mind. You don’t even need words. Simply open your heart to God and allow the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation. Because when you do, you’ll experience a freedom that goes beyond a script.

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless man would dare come before him!
                                                                                                                                       Job 13:15-16

Job was rich, powerful and prosperous. He had a large family, plenty of livestock and several servants. He was a man who feared God and served him completely. Everything was going well in Job’s life. In the world’s eyes, he was very successful.

Then, God gave Satan permission to test Job to see if his faith was real or merely the product of prosperity. And in just a few short days, the bottom dropped out of Job’s life. He lost his health, his family, his possessions and many of his friends. Job was suddenly, completely, unexplainably miserable.

But his faith never waned. And he never turned his eyes from God.

Job knew that God must have a reason for what was happening. He trusted God even in the face of ridicule, misery and persecution. And in the end, God provided Job with all he needed and more.

Things may go wrong in your life. But if that happens, don’t turn your eyes from God. Trust that he has a plan for your life. Continue to follow God’s plan. And in the end, God will provide you with all you need and more.

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come to the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
                                                                                                   Psalm 69:1-3

Many times we enter prayer thinking we have to say the right things, the right phrases, the right words. We think we have to hide our true feelings, especially in times of trouble. We don’t want to offend God, so we hold back from telling him how we truly feel.

But have you ever thought that by covering your feelings, you are not being truly transparent before him, and that that might offend him?

God doesn’t require that our prayers be organized and sanitized. He doesn’t want us to hide our true feelings.

The book of Psalms is an excellent example of being transparent before God. Time and time again, the author reveals his true feelings to God. He doesn’t hold back. He lets God know when he’s happy, hurt, sad and even angry. He is not disrespectful, but he is truthful in his prayers.

As you pray, whatever situation you are in, don’t hold back from God. Let him know exactly what you are thinking, exactly what you are feeling. Because as you do, you’ll begin to experience the freedom of a more honest and more intimate relationship with your Father, you know, the one that made you in your mother’s belly.  If He made you, you can certainly trust Him to help you - even fix what may be wrong.  He is waiting to hear from you!

Inspired By The Olympics

The 2008 Olympics are about to begin in Beijing. Athletes from around the world have been intensely preparing for months to bring home the gold. They’ve been working with coaches, training and pushing themselves to achieve their personal best.

That’s something we as Christ followers should be doing as well. Growing ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually to become more like Christ in all we think, say and do. With that in mind, we’re harnessing the inspiration of the Olympic Games and extending to you a warm welcome at The Pointe to help you reach your personal best!