Strength in weakness (Full Version)

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Little_1 -> Strength in weakness (5/10/2008 5:01:45 PM)

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Strength in weakness - what does this mean to you and do you have any similar texts to share which communicate this same theme?



scottmcc1 -> RE: Strength in weakness (5/10/2008 5:46:43 PM)

Weakness the most unusual and least understood way to get power.

God delights in using the humble and doing things the way that men do not think will happen. (2 Cor. 12:9,10) Weakness coupled with thanksgiving allows God to flow through a willing vessel unhindered.

Moses, a man not good with words as a spokesman for Israel. Moses was good with words as a leader in Egypt but God had to get that out of him before He could use him.
Jesus reaching the world as a commoner.
Peter, an uneducated laborer, evangelist to the religious Jews.
Paul, an educated Pharisee as an evangelist to the Gentiles.
The poor of this world being rich in faith.
(2 Corinthians 1:8-10; 3:5) A complete lack of self reliance.
(Galatians 4:13) Because of a bodily illness, Paul preached the Gospel to the Galatians. Not in spite of it.
God could not use Gideon with 30,000 but he could use him with 300.
Rejoicing in trials bring perfection. James 1:2-4
Prayer changes the world for God's kingdom not money or political influence.
Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts.
It is not our ability but God's.
Weakness presents a need for faith in God. If we think we can do it we're toast.

Psalm 44:4-7 Teaches that it is not our ability but God's when we conquer our adversaries.

Here is an article I wrote on the power of God.

Here is a fantastic poem on power I put on my web page.



CherishedbyGod -> RE: Strength in weakness (5/10/2008 7:37:27 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Little_1

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Strength in weakness - what does this mean to you and do you have any similar texts to share which communicate this same theme?


It communicates to me that God loves to use the weak because by using weak vessels He will get more glory. That is why I bolded "for Christ's sake".

I know for myself, the last time I was tempted to get puffed-up, the Lord certainly knew how to humble and meek me!



BerianAardvark -> RE: Strength in weakness (5/11/2008 1:48:12 AM)

When we are operating in our own strength, what need do we have for God? It is only when we come to the end of our own resources and strength that God manifests His strength in us.

Calvin says in his commentary on these verses: Paul ... maintains, on the other hand, that it is only when our weakness becomes apparent, that God’s strength is duly perfected. To understand this more distinctly, we must distinguish between God’s strength and ours; for the word my is emphatic. “ My strength,” says the Lord, (meaning that which helps man’s need — which raises them up when they have fallen down, and refreshes them when they are faint,) “is perfected in the weakness of men; ” that is, it has occasion to exert itself, when the weakness of men becomes manifest; and not only so, but it is more distinctly recognized as it ought to be. For the word perfected has a reference to the perception and apprehension of mankind, because it is not perfected unless it openly shines forth, so as to receive its due praise. For mankind have no taste of it, unless they are first convinced of the need of it, and they quickly lose sight of its value, if they are not constantly exercised with a feeling of their own weakness.

BTW, the same Greek word (ἀσθένεια astheneia) is used in 2 Corinthians 12:9 for both infirmity and weakness.

Tim



scottmcc1 -> RE: Strength in weakness (5/11/2008 11:24:42 AM)

1 Cor 2:3,4 show this condition in Paul.

He came to the Corinthians in: weakness; fear; much trembling
This would explain why it says in 2 Cor. 10:10 that his speach was contemptible. But Paul was not relying on his charisma but on the power of God! And the demonstration of the Spirit.



Little_1 -> RE: Strength in weakness (5/11/2008 12:06:23 PM)

I love how the Lord takes the weak things of this world to confound the wise.

The Lord has removed all my hubby's support so that he is standing on his own against a mighty army of foes and the situation looks 'impossible' from a worldly point of view but I believe the Lord sometimes does this so that He can deliver us and we therefore cannot attribute any deliverance to our own strength or that of others! This is the thought that came into my mind later in the week when it looked like hubby would be standing on his own.

Then both yesterday and today, God has once again repeated this message to me using Dr David Jeremiah and his teaching on the life of Gideon (Judges Chapter 7).

We are looking in faith to the Lord being glorified. Hallelujah.



scottmcc1 -> RE: Strength in weakness (5/11/2008 1:41:47 PM)

2 Cor 13:4 has a good passage on weakness.

We are weak in Jesus but have spiritual life as we direct God's power to others. Our life is only usable spiritually if we give it up. Luke 9:23,24



LBolt -> RE: Strength in weakness (5/12/2008 1:06:57 PM)

There's a verse in Corinthians that says that God chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise.



Concerto -> RE: Strength in weakness (5/16/2008 11:31:39 PM)

Great Subject!

Many people have no clue about the concept of Strength in weakness. Good job, nice family, good health, etc. Everything is fine.

There are others however who have been plunged into a storm. Chronic illness. Financial ruin, etc. Those who have been in a storm and come out do learn things, but, it is those who remain in storms who are compelled to learn about strength in weakness. Paul's thorn was not removed.

C



Little_1 -> RE: Strength in weakness (5/17/2008 2:59:17 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Concerto

Great Subject!

Many people have no clue about the concept of Strength in weakness. Good job, nice family, good health, etc. Everything is fine.

There are others however who have been plunged into a storm. Chronic illness. Financial ruin, etc. Those who have been in a storm and come out do learn things, but, it is those who remain in storms who are compelled to learn about strength in weakness. Paul's thorn was not removed.

C


We are up against many foes! The Lord once again confirmed to me yesterday that He is our defense!. Hallelujah. We may be one man against many powerful people in our land but God is our defense.

I know the Lord is going to do a mighty work and I praise Him for the victory because it is ours already. Hallelujah.



RangerForGod -> RE: Strength in weakness (5/19/2008 1:22:16 PM)

Humble, meek, patient...To many, these words are signs of weakness. To me, they are my strengths. I have learned that being humbled before God, docile if provoked, and being patient with others and their actions, has made me a better/stronger person. Not only in God's eyes, but also in my daughters' eyes.



LCannon -> RE: Strength in weakness (5/19/2008 2:07:33 PM)

Contrast and where our strength lies.

My Boast-2Corithians 12:7,9,10 "Because of the surpassing greatness of [His] revelation, there was given me a limitation to keep me from exalting myself! For He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you for My power is refined in weakness." Most gladly then, I will glory in my weakness so that the power of Christ may contrast in me. Therefore, I can be content with my lack, my insult, distresses and difficulties for Christ's sake; for when I am weak(literally), then I am strong(in His Power for my obedience)."



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