A Thorn in the Flesh

"even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.—2 Corinthians 12: 7-10

When vacationing in Arizona, I had the bright idea of taking some photos of the cacti at the resort. Apparently, if you get too close to a certain type of cactus the limbs can dismember. Out of nowhere, I feel something on the top of my foot (that would be while wearing flip flops). There was a piece of cactus the size of a large cucumber on the top of my foot attached to both my flip flop and foot. OUCH! Some how I managed to get if off and hobble back to my room, hoping it wasn’t poisonous.

There must have been 100 spines across the top of my foot. As my husband was taking out each thorn, I kept thinking, there has to be a lesson/devotion in this besides, never take photos of  a cactus wearing flip flops, but what is it? Here is it over 4 months later and those splinters that I thought would work their way out can still be seen on the top of one of my toes. With certain movements of my toes, I can feel the discomfort of what still remains and I am reminded of what happened.

While the thorn in Paul’s flesh in 2 Corinthians 12, may not have been a physical thorn, how many of us have had something that God hasn’t removed from our life? Even though it has been nearly 24 years since I was widowed and my memories have faded, that pain can still be triggered. God hasn’t completely eliminated those feelings because He doesn’t want me to forget what I learned during that time in my life….His love, grace and mercy for me are the same now as they were during that season. It also serves as a reminder that despite my weakness that I have the power of the Holy Spirit that gives me the strength to put one foot in front of the other even when I don’t think I can.

You could have a chronic health issue that isn’t getting better no matter how much you ask God to take it away. Or, you could be dealing with the aftermath of a poor decision that you made. It is during these times when you are either dependent on God to get you to the other side or you keep on going in the wrong direction letting that thorn sink deeper and deeper into your wandering soul. 

Dear Lord,

I thank You for loving me and being faithful even when I am not. Rather than dwelling on my circumstances, help me to turn my focus upward and not inward. Thank You that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. I praise You that despite my inadequacies that through the Holy Spirit, You are able to work through me and my sufferings. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

Memory Verse

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”—1 Corinthians 14:33a (ESV)

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Pray Specifically

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”—1 John 5:14

I used to be the kind of person that would pray pretty generic prayers. Lord, bless my family. Let us have a good day. Not that there is anything wrong with praying those types of prayers because at least I was attempting to communicate with God. However when I prayed like that, how could I see God answering those prayers?

While I have been praying for my daughter about her future, I was specific. I prayed, Lord I pray for Your will for Danielle with graduate school. I know you will close or open doors for her and give her clarity on her future. I thank You that You know what is best for her. When she got her acceptance to graduate school, that was an answer for something I specifically prayed. God clearly opened the door for her to continue her education. 

I keep a journal where I include scripture that God is speaking to me as well as prayers. I am able to go back and read it and see what prayers have or haven’t been answered. Some days when something is heavy on my heart, I will write them in the little prayer box that I have so that I can put a check mark and move that piece of paper to the bottom of the stack. Once that box is full, I will be able to go back through them be reminded of God’s promise to me in 1 John 5:14.

Do you believe that God hears your prayers? If keeping a prayer journal/list isn’t something that you do, I would encourage you to start one this year. You will be amazed at how God is working in your life, even when you don’t think He is. You will be able to go back through it and see how God has been by your side and directing your steps. What you write doesn’t have to be eloquent. Write as if you are writing a letter to a close friend. Keep it simple. 

You will find as you pray more detailed prayers, that not only does your faith increase but you are also more aware when God has answered them. This will form a more intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Dear Lord, 

According to Your Word, I can have confidence that when I pray according to Your will, You hear me and will answer my prayers Your way and in Your perfect time. Help me to lay my burdens at Your feet. I thank You that You use my prayer life to form a more intimate bond with me. I praise You for Your love, grace and mercy that you extend to me every second of every day. Open my eyes to those around me that  I need to pray for specifically this week. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

Memory Verse:

“Do everything in love.” —1 Corinthians 16:14

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Start Small

“Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.”—John 8:31 (NLT)

One of the reasons I picked 1 Corinthians 16:14 Do everything in love, for my memory verse was because when I looked back over my memory scriptures from 2018, the ones that I had retained were either shorter  in length or ones that I took more than one month to memorize. I know that the more I can master this, not only will it be easier for me to live out God’s Word in my life, but His Word will also pour out to those around me.

So for 2019, you will see both shorter verses to memorize or if it is longer one, I will focus on it for two months. I know God would rather me take this approach than to give up on it. God knows my shortcomings and as long as I keep trying, He will lead me to scriptures that He knows both you and I need.

One of the ways I can be a difference maker is by remaining faithful to God’s Word. The only way to do the this is by imprinting it on my heart so that I can share it with others when I feel led. How I live matters to God. I need to be maximizing the gifts that He has entrusted me with. We are called to partner with God in this way. 

While I know that not everyone is able to knit gifts as I do to share both God’s love and Word with those around them, you can love others by being kind. Can you imagine how God’s love could explode in our world if we all did something kind for someone else just once a day?

Just like I am starting small with my memory verses for 2019, you can start small with how you share the love of Jesus. If doesn’t have to be verbally or physically. It can be via text message, email or through social media. All it takes is a few kind words such as, I wanted to let you know how special your friendship is to me, I’m praying for you, God laid you on my heart today, is everything ok? or thank You for always posting positive messages on your social media. Think of ways this week where you can unleash God’s love to those in your sphere of influence. 

Dear Lord, 

Help me to remain faithful in Your teachings by doing everything in love. I thank You that You can speak to me through Your Word. Forgive me for not being diligent in my memory verses. I ask that You impress on my heart at least one person a day this week that I can share Your love through my words or actions. I praise You that you can use me to make a difference in Your Kingdom exactly where You have planted me. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

Memory Verse:

“Do everything in love.” —1 Corinthians 16:14

Please make sure you tweet @ThreadsWithRed or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtags #ThreadsWithRed and #KnitPrayShare be sure to attach a  tag to whatever gift you make.