6/16/2020
Desk of Dennis Piller

God’s strength in our weakness

Paul was in prison.  For what reason would the Lord allow one of his most faithful servants to endure such suffering? Why didn’t he step in and protect him? I think you already know but at times he doesn’t remove us from a difficult situation because he has different plans. It may feel like he is abandoning us but, he’s protecting us – not by deliverance but through strengthening.  He’s always asking us to review our filter. Our God filter. We need to learn to view the problem or the situation from God’s perspective.  Read with me: 2nd TIMOTHY 4: 9-18


Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.  

What a heart-wrenching letter from Paul. Paul is in prison, and if you can imagine, enduring such extreme hardship and cold.  He has been betrayed, personally attacked, and deserted.  While rotting in prison!  He asked for a cloak he left with Carpus.  I’m cold here and wet. Everyone has deserted him.  He had no support!  But he said, let it not be held against them. But the Lord, stood by my side and gave me strength. He said, God will rescue me from EVERY evil attack and will bring me safely home. 

A few years ago Charles Stanley asked five really great questions about dealing with trials and tribulations that I have never forgotten.

1. Which is a greater demonstration of the Lord’s power – changing something around me or changing something within my heart?
2. Which is the greater faith builder – seeing God ‘s deliverance from every difficulty or experiencing his presence and strengthening in the midst of the trials?
3. Which reward is greater – immediate relief from discomfort or tested and refined faith that will result in praise and glory when Christ returns?  
1st Peter 1:7
4. Which answer to prayer is greater-that God has removed something and giving me external peace, or that he’s left me in a trial and given me an internal peace that nothing can steal, not even my circumstances?

5. Does God have to fix everything for you to be happy?

If he removes the situation, you may never learn he’s sufficient for all your needs. Instead, let him change you and discover his joy in whatever comes your way.  Part of dying to self is letting go of that attitude that I deserve prosperity and an easy life and everything else is Satans fault.  God has a plan of rejoicing always, I say rejoice. Because?   I’ve got this!

Lord help me to have an attitude like Paul.  Help me to see you like he did.  Sovereign, unfailing, supreme, gentle, strengthening, ever present. Lord whatever is before me I want to walk thru it with Paul as my inspiration.  Holy Spirit, walk with me. 

We the Kingdom   Holy Water
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC93W6EqH3c