Author	Thread: 'thorn' in the flesh...
eddieth4 View Profile History	'thorn' in the flesh... Posted : 26 Aug, 2010 10:47 PM So I seem to have what appears may be a 'thorn in my flesh'...and it is chronic lateness.... I know many may right away just be thinking I'm simply irresponsible...or lack respect and appreciation for other people's time, and I can understand that reflex assumption...I would probably respond in like were the tables turned! Nevertheless...this is a issue I've had since my early elementary school years.... I have tried, it seems, any and EVERYthing I could think of to discontinue the habit without hardly any success!!!!! The apostle Paul stated at 2Corinthians 12:7-10 that the reasons God allowed Satan to continue afflicting him with this hardship was to keep Paul from becoming conceited and as a tool through which God could show His power! I definitely worry that were this 'thorn in my flesh' removed...I would think much more of myself than is appropriate in God's eyes.... I still wonder though, due to the other VERY negative side effects of this lateness om my life...whether it actually is a thorn in my fesh that will remain regardess of my efforts or something I simply haven't found away yet to master.... I guess that is the question I pose to my brothers and sisters in the Faith. Everyone have blessed day! :-) Post Reply
DontHitThatMark View Profile History	'thorn' in the flesh... Posted : 27 Aug, 2010 08:59 AM There once was a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Saviour appeared to him. The Lord told him He had a work for him to do, and showed him a large rock explaining that he was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, and for many days he toiled from sunup to sundown; his shoulder set squarely against the cold massive surface of the rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling his whole day had been spent in vain. Seeing that the man showed signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture - placing thoughts in the man's mind, such as ``Why kill yourself over this?, you're never going to move it!'' or ``Boy, you've been at it a long time and you haven't even scratched the surface!'' etc. giving the man the impression the task was impossible and the man was an unworthy servant because he wasn't moving the massive stone. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man and he started to ease up in his efforts. ``Why kill myself?'' he thought. ``I'll just put in my time putting forth just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough.'' And this he did or at least planned on doing until, one day, he decided to take his troubles to the Lord. ``Lord,'' he said, ``I have labored hard and long in Your service, putting forth all my strength to do that which You have asked of me. Yet after all this time, I have not even budged that rock even half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?'' To this the Lord responded compassionately, ``My friend, when long ago I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you to push against the rock with all your strength and that you have done. But never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. At least not by yourself. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed, ready to quit. But is this really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled; your back sinewed and brown. Your hands are calloused from constant pressure and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your ability now far surpasses that which you used to have. Yet still, you haven't succeeded in moving the rock; and you come to Me now with a heavy heart and your strength spent. I, my friend will move the rock. Your calling was to be obedient and push, and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom, and this you have done.'' :peace::peace: Post Reply
View Profile History	'thorn' in the flesh... Posted : 27 Aug, 2010 09:45 AM Good stuff, Mark =) I've struggled with some things in my life and and it can really be exhausting to battle continuously against something and still have it be there in your face constantly. But what this has taught me is that I am nothing without Christ. I am completely, 100% dependent on Him... for strength, for courage, for everything. In the case of an addictive type behaviour, such as an eating disorder, I think it gets better with time. Our urge to sin will never go away completely while on this earth, but as we become more sanctified, I think that our perspective of the battle changes and that obedience becomes a stronger desire because of it. Post Reply
View Profile History	'thorn' in the flesh... Posted : 27 Aug, 2010 12:07 PM As for your statement about Paul's thorn in the flesh, you might wanna go back and meditate on that context. It is never a matter of God allowing Satan to do anything to a christian, but it is a believer's responsibility to deal with him. The father has no deals with Satan. The bible also teaches Christians that sin no longer has dominion over them, and as for the flesh, you are to dominate it not it dominate you. Post Reply
View Profile History	'thorn' in the flesh... Posted : 27 Aug, 2010 06:11 PM PJ are you saying you are sinless now? Post Reply
View Profile History	'thorn' in the flesh... Posted : 27 Aug, 2010 09:49 PM Eddie, I think Mark's story hits it pretty well. It could very well be your perspective. You are seeing yourself as always being late and fighting with being late. Perhaps the problem is that you are never early. Instead of setting your goal on not being late you need to set your sights on being early. You start with a negative premise and end with a negative result. Start with a positive premise and you will get a positive reward. Thunder Post Reply
View Profile History	'thorn' in the flesh... Posted : 28 Aug, 2010 08:03 AM Mr Row I am in agreement with Jesus, according to his word. Post Reply
View Profile History	'thorn' in the flesh... Posted : 28 Aug, 2010 08:19 AM That is not an answer to my question! PJ do you say that you are with out sin now? Yes or no is all I want from you. I know it is hard for you to understand this so I'll try to make it easier for you. Y-E-S means you agree that you are with out sin now. N-O means you still sin. Anything else is just babble and you running in circles like like always. Post Reply
View Profile History	'thorn' in the flesh... Posted : 28 Aug, 2010 08:27 AM I answered your question, if you call the word of God Babbling, that is your problem not mine. You could find a lot of truth of you where to remove the eyes of man and their opinions, that make the word of God of no effect. Post Reply
DontHitThatMark View Profile History	'thorn' in the flesh... Posted : 28 Aug, 2010 11:17 AM I'm not sure PJ is saying he's sinless...I think PJ is just saying that we now have a way out of sin's dominion. Sin is no longer the controlling influence in a Christian's life, even if we do sin. Christians hunger after the spirit and not the flesh. Just like the poster is saying, he is fighting against the flesh to try to gain a victory in the spirit. He is not satisfied to live in the flesh any longer. He wants to get rid of the "sin" in his life. 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. :peace::peace: Post Reply
View Profile History	'thorn' in the flesh... Posted : 28 Aug, 2010 11:32 AM Friends is it possible to become sin free???? When jesus comes into your life what happens????? He removes all your past sins. Then you are sin free. Jesus also says, " To go and sin no more." Yes, it is possible to enter into a sin free life. Do not twist my words around.We come to Jesus because we have sinned.However, it is possible to become free of sin. You can change your self.I am far from that point.Dennis :peace::bow: Post Reply

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