Reflections on a preaching of our Pastor one Sunday of June in 2010.
Key verse: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor 10: 13)
As an introduction to his message, Pastor John mentioned something about the impossible rigors of life which he graphically illustrated using the sand sculpture “Agony” by Bert Adams. The word, “rigor”, plus the illustration instantly brought to my mind “rigor mortis”, a medical term which means body stiffness that occurs several hours after death as a result of the coagulation of protein in the muscles.
In his exposition, he gave as an example of the rigors of life, that of Job---God’s perfect model of victory in response to intense physical, emotional and spiritual temptation, so intense to have rendered his body in total stiffness and rigidity. How could anyone have survived such experience (Job 1: 13-18)? Surprisingly, Job fell to the ground in worship and praised God, as if declaring the very same words of Paul in 2 Cor 12: 9-10:
These verses speak of the confidence that comes from the fact that we are not alone in our struggles if we hold on to the power of God who faithfully provides an exit way from the quicksand that is ready to devour.
The message ended with an inspiring video clip entitled, “From Life without Limbs to Life without Limits” featuring Nick Vujicic. Watching the video reminded me of the story of Joni Eareckson Tada, the quadriplegic whose testimony God has also mightily used as His powerful witness.
Key verse: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor 10: 13)
As an introduction to his message, Pastor John mentioned something about the impossible rigors of life which he graphically illustrated using the sand sculpture “Agony” by Bert Adams. The word, “rigor”, plus the illustration instantly brought to my mind “rigor mortis”, a medical term which means body stiffness that occurs several hours after death as a result of the coagulation of protein in the muscles.
In his exposition, he gave as an example of the rigors of life, that of Job---God’s perfect model of victory in response to intense physical, emotional and spiritual temptation, so intense to have rendered his body in total stiffness and rigidity. How could anyone have survived such experience (Job 1: 13-18)? Surprisingly, Job fell to the ground in worship and praised God, as if declaring the very same words of Paul in 2 Cor 12: 9-10:
“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.
so that Christ's power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses,
in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
These verses speak of the confidence that comes from the fact that we are not alone in our struggles if we hold on to the power of God who faithfully provides an exit way from the quicksand that is ready to devour.
The message ended with an inspiring video clip entitled, “From Life without Limbs to Life without Limits” featuring Nick Vujicic. Watching the video reminded me of the story of Joni Eareckson Tada, the quadriplegic whose testimony God has also mightily used as His powerful witness.
Joni Eareckson Tada
A blessed week ahead of us all!
Thanks so much for sharing at Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop. This weeks party is live. I hope to see you there.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/12/fabric-covered-can-pen-and-pencil.html
Debi, Joye and Myrna (The Busy Bee's)