Saturday 27 July 2013

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Joni Eareckson Tada is the founder and CEO of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, and an international advocate for people with disabilities. She is awarded with several honorary degrees, including: Bachelor of Letters, Doctor of Humanities, Doctor of Humane Letters, Doctor of Divinity, and a Doctor of Humanitarian Services. Talk about an honour roll!

 

Jesus said to Paul (v. 9):

 

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

 

If anyone is able to fully appreciate what Jesus said, it is Joni. In 1967, at 17, Joni had a diving accident which left her a quadriplegic in a wheelchair. Where Paul was given a thorn in the flesh (v. 7), Joni lives with a thorn in her spine. As if were not enough, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. Despite these things, Joni still gives of her time, talents, and treasures for the Kingdom, making a difference with the gospel message of Jesus Christ in the lives of people who live with disability and their families.

 

As Paul boasted, as Joni would boast, and so shall I also boast about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me (v. 9). Will you? Will you delight in your weakness? In the insults of the world around us? In the hardships of life and faith? In the persecutions of society? In the persecutions of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world? In the difficulties of each day? Are you able to say, in confidence, "When I am weak, then I am strong?"

 

My brother, my sister, will you allow Christ to do something amazing with your life? Let Him take the things that are broken in your life, the things that are weak, and let Him you and your weaknesses for great things and be a blessing to this broken world.

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

 

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

Spend some time to praise God that He promises to use the brokenness and weaknesses of your life for the sake of His kingdom. Praise God that His power is made perfect in weakness. Pray that He would help you to be joyful despite trials and difficulties in your life and that you would look to Him for strength and comfort.

Pray for the gathering of the church tomorrow around the world. Pray that the gospel would be preached with power and authority. Pray that many who don’t know Christ would come to know Him through the preaching of the word. Pray that believers all over the world would be encouraged and strengthened by the preaching of the word.

 

My Additional Prayer Points.

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Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. Spend some time discussing God’s great grace to us. Share with each other how you came to know Jesus.

2. Are there situations in your life where you do not forgive others? Share those with the group.