Bound Together in Christ - You Receive Strength from God

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philemon 1:3)
  Passage: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

          Every letter written by Paul includes the word grace in the opening statement. I believe grace was Paul’s favorite word, because of how amazing it is. Grace is the kindness and favor of God given freely without merit. It is also the power of God given to us to enable us to do His will and serve His purposes. Grace is the word for our salvation. Ephesians 2:9-10 tells us, “For by grace are you saved through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Even our capacity to exercise faith comes as a gift from God and it excludes all boasting on our part.
        Grace is also the word for to for the strength God makes available to us. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul explains that God allowed him to have a physical “thorn in the flesh” to keep him from becoming conceited about the revelations he had received. He felt that the physical issues kept him from being all he could be and they were extremely painful to him. However, Jesus spoke to him and said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul then recognized that his greatest trials became his greatest testimonies. The same will be true for you. God’s grace is sufficient and He will give you all the strength you need for every trial you face.

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)