Strength in Weakness (conclusion)

In I Corinthians 8 Paul told us what our attitude should be if we have the mind of Christ. Look at verse 13. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Paul is not playing! He’s saying as long as the world exists I am going to do all I can to be righteous lest I become a stumbling block to another soul! Another version brings further clarity verse 13:

Therefore, if [my eating a] food is a cause of my brother's falling or of hindering [his spiritual advancement], I will not eat [such] flesh forever, lest I cause my brother to be tripped up and fall and to be offended.

Our topical scripture in II Corinthians 12 says our strength is made perfect in weakness, and that we glory in our infirmities. But why? The answer is in verse 9 . . . so that the power of Christ may rest upon us. We glory in our infirmities understanding that we are gaining strength in the spirit. We are growing big Holy Ghost muscles as we endure like good soldiers. I don’t know about you, but I want the power of Christ to rest upon me.

So then, what happens when we make a decision to embrace the mind of Christ? We see it best through the life of Jesus because He lived His life on earth as an example for us.

Acts 10:38 ~ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

God was with Him and God is with us. Our strength in God is going to be found by doing the will of the one who saved us and transformed us from creatures of darkness into creatures of light. Our strength is going to be renewed as we say yes to His will for our lives. Our strength is going to be made manifest as we put our own agendas and plans and visions on hold and get in line with what God has said our lives must be. It is time to be about our Father’s business!

When I was meditating on Word for today God began to tell me that some of the saints keep going around and around in circles – not able to transition into the next phase of their lives. I said, “Why God?” And He told me because they refuse to accept and embrace my way of doing things. They have a carnal mindset instead of a kingdom mindset.

They want to see provision before they move forward with my instructions. He said, “But I require faith!” They want to see it before they believe or move, but faith is the substance of things HOPED for – the evidence of things NOT seen.

He said, “That’s why they’re still waiting because they don’t believe Me for what seems impossible.” God said tell them you are going to keep waiting until I see some faith in operation!

Saints, I encourage you to trust God. Lean not to your own understanding. Submit to Him in your human weakness and be strengthened in the Spirit.

Jesus wants us to be going about doing the same things that He Himself was here on earth doing. He was our example! He was healing the sick, so He sent us forth to heal the sick. He was casting out demons, so He sent us fourth to cast out demons!

Mark 16:17-18, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."