All posts by Pastor Kelly R. Jackson

Rev. Kelly R. Jackson has been an author/poet for over 30 years. He self-published his first book, "Temporarily Disconnected", in 2006, and has since published 10 more books. As he grew closer to God and became a licensed and ordained minister, his work grew more and more spiritual, beginning with 2011's "A Guide For Spiritual Living" (revised in 2014), which was followed by 2014's "An Understanding with God", and 2015's "The 30 Day Meditation". In 2016, he published two books: "Going Through to Get Through: Activating your faith during life's most trying times" and "Are we still making Disciples: Pushing The Church Beyond Membership and Sunday Morning Worship". Rev. Jackson also does a weekly radio broadcast, "Your Life With Purpose", in his hometown of Detroit, MI. The broadcast is designed to teach the Word of God to the listener, while encouraging them to live a life according to the God's holy Word. Rev. Jackson has a no nonsense approach to his work, but it's also filled with spirituality, compassion, humor, and always common sense and wisdom. Rev. Jackson is currently the pastor of For The Kingdom Christian Church, a church he launched in 2021. He's also a husband, the father of three sons and he still resides in the Metro Detroit area.
Kelly R. Jackson Publishing

Purchase “The 30 Day Meditation” today!

Purchase today!
Purchase today!

Now available from Rev. Kelly R. Jackson, “The 30 Day Meditation: Acknowledging the provisions and protection of God”!

This 30 Day Meditation is designed to put each Christian into contact with God each day. While we are aware of God’s existence, it’s easy to get caught up in living life and forget to spend some time with the giver of life. This meditation is broken down into 30 days so that it will cover a month. The idea is for the reader to focus on God and His protection and provisions at least once a day for 30 days.

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Christian

Laboring in vain: Our work is ineffective without God

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Old-NewUnless The Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.Unless The Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep – Psalms 127:1-2 (ESV)

One of the most dangerous thoughts to ever enter the mind of a Christian is that of self-reliance. The idea that we can actually do something on our own. The idea that we alone can rise above issues, situations, and circumstances. The idea that if we can do things to our own level of satisfaction and by our own standards, we can somehow achieve a level of happiness that goes beyond what God can provide.

This attitude is often what shapes our prayers. It causes us to try and order God around as opposed to seeking His plan for our lives. We’re more concerned with our wishes and our desires than we are with the spiritual order of things. However, the scripture at the heading of this lesson tells us that a spirit of self-reliance is an exercise in futility. We know that God is there, but are we remembering why? In fact, it is the idea of self-reliance that will drive us crazy because we will inevitably come upon a situation that is beyond our control. If you’re only relying on self, what will you do in these moments?

Any act without prayer and acknowledgment of God is an act without real hope. For with everything WE attempt to put into place, we attempt to eliminate God. The reference “in vain” in our text speaks to something that is ineffective or improper. Therefore, to do anything without first seeking God’s guidance and blessings will be ineffective and improper. Where we often miss the mark is in falling in love with initial or temporary successes. Something works once, twice, or maybe even more without seeking God and we assume that it will work all the time. In our flesh, we seek that instant and immediate gratification, and not the long-term promises of God that those who are spiritual are seeking.

This particular text is stressing to us the importance of keeping God at the head of all that we do. It’s great that concerned citizens (the watchman) want to keep watch over their cities. But who are we counting on to cover the watchman? When we live in a society that has become not only anti-prayer, but anti-God, how can we expect things to remain peaceful and orderly? When we would rather rage than pray, what will the outcome be?

Your Christianity can’t only be skin deep and situational. You can’t look in the face of the evil in the world and say that you’re tired of praying and you’re now ready for revenge. Scripture tells us that we should never cease praying (Luke 18:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:17), but we only seem to believe that during times in which we’d like a blessing. But what about during times of death? What about during times of immorality? What about during times of destruction? What about praying to God just because He is God?

Look at our text today and look at how we’re conducting ourselves in society. There can be no real activism without first activating our faith in God. There can be no “grinding” for a better life without Godliness. There can be no peace without The Peacemaker. There can be no healing without The Healer. If God isn’t at the head of whatever it is that we’re doing, it will fail. Let me simplify: we will fail without God, but God Himself will never fail without us.

No matter what problems we may face in life, God is capable of delivering us from them all. If we face them alone, it is simply because we have chosen to. However, as this scripture tells us, to face them without God is to face them in vain. You can work all the days of your life, but if you haven’t placed God over your finances, your labor will be in vain. No matter how much you have, it will never seem to be enough. If you refuse to bless God with just a portion of what He has already blessed you with, you will find that what you have will disappear without explanation (Haggai 1:5-7). It is through God that we find the value of life, not the price of it. After all, Jesus has already paid the price for our lives (1 Corinthians 6:20). The cost was much too high for us.

This Scripture tells us that if God doesn’t build our house, we that do build it are doing so to no avail. This doesn’t just include your physical house, but also your spiritual house (1 Corinthians 6:19). What this says to me is that God must be at the foundation of what we do. If He’s not the foreman of the project that is our lives, the structure itself is for naught, constantly on the edge of implosion.

We must always remember that God is a provider to His children. Whatever we have need of, He will supply according to His will. If you’re hungry, He will feed you. If you’re struggling with a load, He’s there to help you carry it. If you’re grieving, He’s the best shoulder to lean on. And if you’re weary, He will give you peaceful rest. It makes no sense for us to stay up toiling day and night for material possessions or out of fear of what man can do to us. We mustn’t be weary in our well doing, so we must continue to stand and work for what is right. But we can never accomplish anything without acknowledging the God that owns it all.

Christian

Protection and provisions: Exploring the beauty of Psalm 23

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Old-NewMany Christians lean on Psalm 23, and for good reason. One of the most popular passages of Scripture in the Bible, it shows God’s leadership, His protection, His provisions, and His blessings. While we often recite this Psalm, many fail to see the depth of it. Let’s examine it verse by verse and witness just how beautiful and encouraging this passage of Scripture is.

Psalms 23:1 – “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want”

Immediately, we see that God is a provider. However, this verse doesn’t tell us that we won’t or shouldn’t have any desires. God has promised to give us the desires of our heart, as long as they don’t collide with His will. Instead, this verse reminds us that when God is our guide, we will have all that we need. Not only does a good shepherd care for and provide for his sheep, he’s even willing to risk his life. When we consider the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, we see just how much God loves us (His sheep).

Psalms 23:2 – “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters”

Look at where God leads us to rest (lie down): green pastures and still waters. Consider those green pastures, as opposed to desert places or a wasteland. Green pastures is representative of fertility. It is representative of life! If the place where God led you wasn’t healthy, the grass would be dying. We often focus too much on our wilderness experiences without considering the places that God wants to lead us to.

And what do we think of when we sit down by still waters? We think calm. We think peace. When we consider the fertile ground and the still waters, we see that God wants to calm all of the raging waters of our life and bring us to a place of peace and growth!

Psalms 23:3 – “He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake”

The restoration of the soul is key. Consider what it’s like for us when it seems as if everything is weighing us down. Consider what it’s like when we feel like giving up. It is God that comes to our rescue and uplifts us. When the world is beating us down, only God can restore us.

Like the good shepherd that He is, God will only lead us in the right way, to the right destination. As we toil in life looking for the right path on our own, God is willing to lead us there as long as we’re willing to follow Him. We must remember that sheep aren’t the most intelligent animals, and they often wander off on their own, getting into dangerous situations. Following our Shepherd will help to avoid such things. When we’re going through struggles in life and every path seems to lead to hurt and disappointment, we must remember that such things are not of God and are not His plan for our lives. He wants greater for us. We must follow the Shepherd.

“For His name’s sake” reminds us of the promises of God. He makes good on what He said because He has a reputation to uphold as a loving and kind God that takes care of His children. God has repeatedly said in His Word that He would never leave nor forsake us. He keeps His word, but not just to impress us, but to show exactly who He is.

Psalms 23:4 – “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me”

God takes no days off. He’s always there in times of trouble. When we consider “the shadow of death”, we must understand that death is ever present. In the flesh, we have a fear of the unknown, and death is in fact something we know nothing about in the physical. But when we’re spiritually born again, we have victory over the grave. In those moments of weakness, when we find ourselves fearing death, we see that God is present to comfort us.

Even in times of evil, when death is all around us, we should never be afraid. In the times when loved ones are leaving us more often than we’d like, we should be looking to God as a comforter. We should never allow ourselves to believe that God has made a mistake or that the devil has done something outside of God’s control. The moment God loses control of any situation, He ceases to be God, and that hasn’t happened. Instead, we are to trust God when we don’t understand His will, and look to the comfort He provides to make things easier.

Psalms 23:5 – “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over”

Here is why we should never concern ourselves with those that are against us or speak ill of us. God will exalt you in due time, and He will do so in a way in which your enemies will see it. “A table in the presence of mine enemies” tells us that we’re at a feast where our enemies are in attendance. Don’t be surprised when you’re in the same room with them. God wants them to be a witness to your elevation and celebration.

But we mustn’t be arrogant. It’s not so that we can gloat or boast, but so that God may be glorified. Revenge is God’s business. When we seek it on our own, we’re out of order. God has a way of showing those that mistreated us that He has in fact favored us.

He shall also anoint us and bless us in a way that will leave no doubt that we are chosen, blessed, honored and protected by Him. God’s anointing us in front of others is a verification. Again, we are blessed for all to see! Our blessing are so great, that they run over! They will be so abundant that we won’t be able to contain them. Such blessing are not given for selfish reasons, however. An overflow of blessings is given so that we can bless others.

Psalms 23:6 – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever”

This brings us full circle in this Psalm. Goodness and mercy will follow us as long as we follow the directions of our Good Shepherd. Consider the fact that mercy is God not giving us what we deserve, because at times, we’re outside of His will. When we as sheep go astray, God isn’t always looking to punish us, but rather show us mercy and lead us back into the fold. Man holds a grudge, but God holds us close to His heart. Staying with the Good Shepherd ensures that we will be under God’s goodness and mercy. And we should all have the desire to dwell in the house of the Lord (in His presence) forever. There is no place safer than that!

Dr. King

The importance of Selma

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SelmaSo, what did Selma mean to me? I was finally able to find a break in my schedule to take in this historic film. It was an awkward moment for me and my wife as we watched the movie in an almost empty theater. In fact, the only other people in the theater with us and our two-year-old son were an elderly white couple, old enough to remember exactly what the country was going through at the time of these events. Who knows how they felt. Were they repulsed? Were they people that supported segregation and the right to suppress the Black vote, but were now reformed? Were they simply there to see if the story was told accurately from a white perspective?

These profiling questions rolled around in my head just as profiling questions still roll around in people’s head when they see me, a Black man, dressed as I was at the movie: Black skull cap, Muhammad Ali t-shirt on, and my jacket that proudly says “Detroit” in bold letters across the front. Far different from what they would find me in on Sunday morning (my neatly pressed suit and tie) as I enter the pulpit to walk in the call that God has placed on my life.

They found themselves enamored with my son as he roamed up and down the aisle, smiling and playing as he often does, showing his trademark charming demeanor. They seemed to enjoy him. But as this movie about the utter degradation of Black people served as the backdrop of our scene, I wondered what it would be like if he had come into contact with a white couple 50 years ago.

I thank God for the time we live in where most racism is covert and under a veil. Where most of the country used to be openly proud of it, they try and hide it now as it’s no longer “PC”. But I can’t help but look back and wonder what life may have been like for me had I been born back then. I can’t help but wonder how I would’ve responded. I couldn’t help but appreciate the fact that because of the sacrifices of others who took nightsticks to the head and bullets to their bodies (both men and women), I’m able to sit in a Royal Oak, MI movie theater on the same row with an elderly white couple without worrying about whether or not we’d make it out alive.

As the movie ended, the elderly woman said to me “Great movie”. I cringed. How could we view such a horrific tale as “great”? My initial thought was, from her perspective, it was a “great” movie. It was cinema. It was a fascinating story. Maybe she could try to imagine what it was like for Blacks, but she couldn’t feel it like someone that had the blood of slavery and oppression running in his veins. For me, I couldn’t use the word “great” because I didn’t feel great. The reminder of what we went through as a race of people, just to be seen as people, is never “great” in my eyes. It’s hurtful. It’s uncomfortable. It defies logic and understanding. It’s inhumane.

When I consider the fact that toughness has been redefined in the Black man as how quick we are to disrespect our Black women, and how quick we are to fire guns in our communities, killing children in the crossfire, it’s unfortunate. When I consider the fact that such historical events used to inspire us to greatness because of the price that was paid, and now we barely pay attention to it, I don’t feel “great”. At times, I feel disheartened.

When I consider the fact that our people used to die for a cause and were considered soft because they were non-violent, and now our people die just because and they’re considered hard because of what street they lived on or what their Instagram and Facebook pics and statuses say they were, I don’t feel “great”, but rather a great sadness. Cinematically, I guess it was a great movie. But my response to this elderly woman was that it was not necessarily just a “great movie”, but an important one.

What made Selma so important in my eyes is showing the struggle that goes into struggle. It’s a reminder that convincing an oppressed people to fight for what was right took more than just a few magical speeches. It took men and woman that had already overcome their fear of dying, to convince others to do the same. It showed that infighting in the Black race is nothing new, and yet the fact remains that we can’t do anything against our oppressors when we’re against one another.

Selma showed that men and women of faith weren’t born that way, but they were tried and tested until they became that way. The only way to know that God will keep you is to go through some difficult and dangerous times and see the proof. And though there were casualties along the way, there can be no victory against evil without some casualties. God has His army, but so does the devil and they won’t go without a fight.

Selma showed both the strength and the frailties that exist in many great men of the cloth. The biggest lie ever told about preachers is that we’re morally bulletproof and we never do anything wrong. We’re held to a higher standard, but our humanity assures that we can and will fall short from time to time (Romans 3:23 doesn’t exclude anyone). Selma showed the willingness of a man like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to step out with courage and faith for a cause that was greater than he was, and the weaknesses that were exposed in the neglect that can come about as a result for those closest to you as you walk the path (King placing his family in harm’s way, his infidelity). And in the midst of it all, the weaknesses of a man like Dr. King could never overshadow his accomplishments, no matter how his enemies tried then and still try to this day to convince us otherwise.

Selma showed that Dr. King wasn’t the only brave person in the struggle. It’s been said many, many times before in the Black community, but it can’t be overstated, that many literally fought, bled, and died for a right that they’d never live to exercise, but many now take for granted and often ignore. It showed how King didn’t just lift the Black race, but the consciousness of an entire country, and even the world. Some whites never moved and inch in their position that Blacks were somehow subhuman and underserving of what now feels like a basic right of a citizen, but there were many that did, and even lost their lives in the fight.

Our eyes are now glazed with money, possessions, degrees and celebrity, so much so, that we don’t even know what real struggle is anymore. If we literally had to fight this fight today, I don’t know that we’d win. Men aren’t as strong as they used to be. Women aren’t as supportive as they once were. We’re all too easily bought off with gym shoes and cars, while being too distracted with social media and reality shows to care about anything beyond our own experiences. Selma reminded us of a time when we idolized freedom fighters that were willing to be jailed for their beliefs. They weren’t dying to get in the system, they were dying fighting the system.

While Hollywood has a history of glorifying our struggle for profit, I felt differently about Selma. Sure, there’s money to be made, but this movie reminded us of some things. Politicians are not activists, and every politician that succumbs to pressure isn’t in favor of what they’re doing, but rather looking to gain political ground. They’re often going with the flow or getting out in front of something that’s inevitable. There are no absolute truths or victories when you’re going through the system to tell a story about systematic racism. But Selma shines a light on one very important page in a book that’s still being written in this country. It reminds us of our history and warns us about our complacency. No, Selma didn’t make me feel “great”. But it is absolutely important.

Christian

Are you running your race: God provides all of us with the opportunity for success

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Old-NewAt one point or another in life, we find ourselves in a mad scramble to be what man has deemed a success. We watch television or look on social media, see what someone else has, and then begin envisioning what it would be like for us to have the same things. But as Christians, have we really considered what God has to say on the matter?

Whenever I teach on prosperity, I remind people that God has a different idea of success. We see material, God sees spiritual. We see a piece of the pie, God sees peace of mind. I recently stated on my radio show that success is a relative term. For someone that’s been poor all of their life, it may be money. For someone that’s been sick, it may be health. For someone with an addiction, it may be being clean and sober. All these things matter, and yet, they can seem elusive as well.

When looking at Ecclesiastes 9:10-12, I find that success isn’t always within the grasp of our own abilities. Sure, God has blessed us with said abilities, but we’ve all seen or known of someone that doesn’t seem to have lived up to their capabilities. We’ve all known people that seem to be well short of what they’re able to be. And the truth is, some of us may not be all that our abilities suggest we should be. But know that God wouldn’t give you the ability, without giving you the opportunity to utilize it. As we go through these verses, we will see that God will open the doors of chance, no matter where we are in life.

Let’s analyze the text:

10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest

In its simplest terms, this verse is telling us to work to our strength and ability while we yet have time. The popular phrase is stated “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today”. We often assume that we have time to do things, but how is it that we reach this conclusion? How do we know how much time we really have? (We’ll discuss this thinking when we get to Verse 12)

God wants us to know that we can’t do any work in the grave or beyond it. We must use all of the strength (might) that we have now to do whatever work needs to be done. Our earthly abilities have no value after we leave earth. We must take advantage of the life, health, and strength that God is giving us right now.

We often take the strength of our youth and use it to “live”. But as we wind down and aren’t capable of doing the things that we used to do, we then want to serve God from our seats. Well, God needs a youthful and energetic Christian, as well as a seasoned saint that can serve mentally when they can no longer do so physically.

11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all

One of my pet peeves with Scripture is misquoting and misapplication. This particular Scripture is one of the most misquoted Scriptures in the Bible, particular because of one portion. If you think about it, we’ve often heard this Scripture quoted in sermons, by people, and most definitely is song as “the race is not given to the swift nor strong”. Now, it seems like a small thing, but we must consider what Scripture is and its purpose before we go rearranging and even leaving out words. Scripture is God speaking to man and telling us through His Word how He expects us to live. Adding or taking away anything can confuse the message.

If I tell you that the “race is not given to the swift nor strong”, you become focused only on the race that you’re running. However, if I tell you, as Scripture states, that “the race is not given to the swift, nor the battle to the strong”, you’re aware that there will be a race and a battle. When this Scripture gets twisted, we’re prepared to run, but not to battle. This is why the devil loves a misquoted Scripture because it keeps us unprepared. You can’t properly apply what you don’t fully understand.

Once we do understand the Scripture in full, we can then apply what it’s saying to us. This 11th Verse keeps us focused on what it is that God has for us. Too often, we’re looking around at others that seem to be moving at a faster pace than we are, or they seem to be in a position of power that we desire for ourselves. However, we must continue to run the race that is before us. We must prepare for the battles that we have to face.

Additionally, people that seem to be faster than we are or stronger than we are, aren’t necessarily doing better than we are. God wants us to understand in this verse that what is for you will be there as long as you’re moving at your designed pace. We are required to do what God has designed us to do, and as long as we stay in that mode, the end of this verse tells us that time and opportunity will present itself. By running your own race and staying in your own lane, you will be prepared when presented with both.

12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them

Here, we find a conclusion to the thoughts stated in Verses 10 and 11. We have to remain focused on our task because we have no idea when our last day is upon us. I’ve often taught in Bible class that God gives us as much time as we need, no more, no less. This is why it bothers me when I hear Christians state that God took someone from physical life to death too soon. It’s an emotional statement that suggests that God makes mistakes, that He somehow doesn’t know what He’s doing, or that something is happening that is beyond His control. Death may sneak up on us, but it never will on God.

Also in this verse, death is discussed in unflattering terms. Fishes caught in an “evil” net. Birds caught in a “snare”. The sons of man “snared in an evil time”. This verse reminds us that death is at times unexpected and even unsettling. We’ve all been caught off guard by the way a person dies. This is what causes us to say things like “too soon” or “this isn’t of God”. But what this verse was designed to do is remind us that death can be sudden, and therefore we must really consider Verses 10 and 11.

It concludes that thought that we must live while we can. We must work on whatever gifts God has given us while we can, and do it to His glory. We must work to the level of our own strengths, and not to what we perceive others to be doing, because God will present us with opportunities for success in due time. It doesn’t matter how strong, gifted, intelligent, or financially blessed we are. If we fail to take advantage of the time and opportunity that God gives us to succeed, it won’t matter and we’ll fail to see success that matches what we were blessed with.

Also, we must forgive while we can because Verse 12 tells us that death can come upon us suddenly and we may not have as much time for reconciliation as we think. We must be willing to live in the moment as God has prospered us. Be active in our God-given abilities, not merely spectators of others. Not only is God able, but He’s made us able as well.

Author, Christian, New Year

What are you really carrying into 2015?

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As we close out the old year and head for the new one, I’m seeing a lot of posts on social media and hearing a lot of talk from people about showing some people something in 2015 (usually a perceived hater or someone that they don’t like). Here’s what’s interesting about that: In order for us to show someone “something”, we would have to pray for their downfall (because God reveals our successes in His own way). Most times, we want to prove something to people in authority or people we perceive to be above us, whether they deserve to be above us or not. But in order to prove it to the point that they’d actually care, the person we’re proving it to would have to suffer loss. In this scenario or mindset, if they’re to see your elevation, they’d have to be beneath you. However, there’s a catch to this manner of thinking.

Successful people don’t really worry that much about other people’s success. They’re too focused on what they’re doing to try and “prove” anything. They’ve already proven it. And know that success is relative. To some, it’s money and possessions. To others, it’s a happy and healthy family. To some, it’s a great relationship with God. And there are still yet some that see having all of these elements as success. Either way, to truly be successful and be right with God, we can never wish for our success in someone else’s failure.

To take this a step further into the spiritual, blessed people are so busy basking in God’s blessings, grace and mercy, they have no reason to wish ill on anyone in order to feel more blessed. They realize that such an attitude can cancel out God’s blessings. I know that Scripture tells us that God will make our enemies our footstools, but we need perspective. Everyone that disagrees with you or won’t do what you want them to isn’t necessarily an enemy, and thus, God won’t make them your footstools. Some disagreements are just that. Disagreements. We don’t have to use these small differences as an emotional launching pad into the next year. Your desire to be a better you for the upcoming year should have nothing to do with proving anything to anyone other than you.

Scripture also tells us that it is the prayers of a righteous man that availeth much (James 5:16). What that means is that you must be righteous in your prayers to receive God’s blessings in their fullness. You can’t go into 2015 or any day in any other year with so much animosity towards your fellow man that you wish failure upon them in order to be elevated. This is the enemy’s plan to keep us at odds with one another. Once we know who we’re fighting, we can stop fighting one another. Once we realize that no matter who’s against us, God is for us (Romans 8:31), we’ll realize that it isn’t worth it to wish ill on one another. Just know that God can’t be for you if you’re against another one of His children. He can only be for you when you know who your real enemy is (Ephesians 6:12)!

We simply need to walk with God into the next day and the next year. Let Him do the promotion and demotion. Let Him do the planting and removing of people from your garden. And most of all, if you have ill will toward your fellow man, ask Him to remove it, not for 2015, but ask Him to do it right now!

The lesson here is that it’s alright to wanna come up, but you should never want for your come up to be at the expense of someone else’s downfall, whether it be through your actions or your wishing. We often list the things that we claim we’re not carrying into the New Year, and all the while, if we have this “I’ll show them” mindset, we’re carrying anger, bitterness, grudges, and a spirit of revenge. We want to destroy others because we feel destroyed by the fact that certain relationships didn’t work out. However, Scripture also tells us that when we set traps for other people, whether physical or spiritual, we are actually setting those traps for ourselves (Psalms 35:7-8). Something to keep in mind as we plot emotional revenge on the people that we feel have wronged us in 2014.

What God has for you really is for you, and He doesn’t have to downgrade anyone to upgrade you. Just a reminder in case you see yourself coming up in the next year, but you also see your “enemies” climbing too. Don’t be confused. God’s got enough for all of us.

So we know who you’re rooting for in 2015. The question is, who are you rooting against, and how do you expect God to bless that mindset?

Author, Christian, Religion

Read an excerpt from the new book “An Understanding with God”

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Author Rev. Kelly R. Jackson has released his latest work, “An Understanding with God: Developing a relationship with God on His terms”. Below, you can read an excerpt from this inspired wok. To purchase your copy, check the links below!BookCoverPreview

No room for grown folks

Part of the struggle is due to the fact that we often apply a worldly view to spiritual things. For example, the world tells us that after a certain age, we’re grown. In fact, even the Bible tells us that there’s a certain point in one’s life where they should leave home and begin their own family (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). It seems to be saying that at some point, you have to be grown and on your own. While it may seem that the Bible is backing up a fleshly perspective, let’s examine that further.

While the world will tell you that you’re grown and on your own, it also tells you that you don’t have to submit to anyone when you’ve reached that state. The world teaches us that we only need to submit to earthly authorities, such as law enforcement, bosses on the job, and so on. And even in some of those instances, the world will teach you how to circumvent the rules.

However, that isn’t the case with God’s Word. While the Bible does tell mankind that there is a point in life when we are to leave home, there is never a point in the Bible where we’re told that we no longer need God’s authority or to ignore Him when we disagree with what He’s telling us. In fact, the only time we are to ignore earthly “authorities” is when it goes against God’s Word and His authority. At all times, Christians are to be submissive to God’s will, His authority, His Word and His way.

The issue here is that grown folks feel the need to do grown folks things. They don’t feel the need to submit to anyone else’s way, will or direction unless they agree with it. So when it comes to leaning to God’s understanding and not our own, we must become as little children because children are dependent upon their parents or some other authority figure for guidance.

I’ve often stating while teaching that God doesn’t have any grown children, and if anyone within the body of Christ feels as if they’re grown, they should stop asking for things from their parent God. Grown folks take care of themselves without assistance. So even if you’re praying to God to move in someone else’s heart so that you might have favor, you’re not grown! When you run into trouble, you’re still calling on Daddy. And if you’re a Christian, you ought to be alright with that.

Being childlike is to be humble. Again, it is to be under the direction of someone else. It is to be dependent upon someone else’s understanding and not your own. Consider Matthew 18:1-4. I had the pleasure of preaching from this text on Youth Day at my home church some time ago. I used two subjects, one for the youth and one for the “grown folks”. My subject for the youth was “If God be for you, who can be against you?” However, my subject for the “grown folks” was “Stay in a child’s place”. Let’s examine the text.

18:1-2 – 1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them (KJV)

Right away, we have grown folks questioning Jesus about positions. Who will be the greatest? Who will head all of the auxiliaries? Who’s going to be the pastor’s right hand man? Who’s gonna have the best seat in Heaven? Knowing their hearts, Jesus not only begins teaching humility, He uses a visual aide. And because I believe that nothing should be added to the Word of God or taken away from it (Revelation 22:18-19), as I read this text, I see nothing that states that there was any hesitation on the part of the child to come to Jesus when called. The child simply came to Jesus. How many of us have such obedience in our spirit? How many of us can simply, humbly and willingly follow the direction of Jesus?

18:3-4 – 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (KJV)

Here, Jesus addresses an “I’m grown” spirit and tells the disciples that they must be converted and become childlike in order to be great in Heaven. So we must consider the attributes of the child in this text: little, obedient and humble. If we are really God’s children, we should all assume these attributes. We must shrink in order to be elevated. Doing this will enable us to follow God’s lead and lean on His understanding, while turning away from our own.

…

Book description

One of the greatest challenges facing today’s Christian is the silencing of our own voices in favor of listening to God’s. This challenge is felt in the everyday life of the Christian, as well as how we have begun to operate and conduct ourselves within the church as a whole. With “An Understanding with God: Developing a relationship with God on His terms”, Rev. Kelly R. Jackson offers a practical guide to resisting the desire to do things your own way, while allowing God to lead and guide you. Based on Proverbs 3:5-7, “An Understanding with God” is a powerful statement for spiritual living both within and outside of the church, delivered in a manner that Christians at any stage of their walk with Christ can receive and apply to their lives.

To purchase your copy of “An Understanding with God”, click here!

You can also download the eBook version by clicking here!

Christian

Adjusting to the high call of God

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Old-NewSubject: Adjusting to the high call of God
Text: Philippians 3:7-14
Rev. Kelly R. Jackson

3 Thoughts to consider:
1. Losing yourself and gaining Christ
2. The individual Christian walk
3. God’s perfection is man’s imperfection

Make no mistake about it, the call to Christianity is no easy call to take. When God calls you out of the darkness into the Light, there are some major adjustments that have to take place. Some of those adjustments bring immediate relief, but others are very difficult. You must be willing to humble yourself and you must be prepared to lose contact with some people. However, if God is calling, you must answer.

If I may be personal for a moment, over the last two weeks, my ministry has been challenged. Since the beginning of 2014, I’ve preached more, started this blog, continued to progress in my schooling and started a radio broadcast. The devil is not pleased with me. While it’s easy to spot attacks from the outside, just as the devil did with Jesus, I’ve been seeing it from people that appeared to be in my inner circle and supportive of what I was doing. I’m not blind to the attack of the enemy, but it still doesn’t mean that it’s always easy to deal with because I know its coming, particularly when he uses people close to me.

Having said that, things like this can either break you down or refocus you on why you were called in the first place. God doesn’t call us to be popular, even though some may eventually be. God doesn’t call us so that people can elevate us, because that’s what He has done by calling us. God hasn’t called us to water down His Word so that we won’t offend, because He is offended by some of the things that we do. And God doesn’t call us so that we can gain the world through finance. He calls us to sacrifice it all in pursuit of Him. Therefore, in the midst of trials, we must press on toward His high calling.

Losing yourself and gaining Christ

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ 9 And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith

What have we as Christians considered gain? Our family? Our friends? Our possessions? We could probably say yes to all of those things. However, in comparison to gaining a relationship with Christ, these things don’t matter and are secondary in the grand scheme of Christianity. In fact, the Apostle Paul is suggesting here that all things are considered loss (or secondary) when in pursuit of a relationship with Christ and a life like His.

Before I go any further, I’m not suggesting that those things don’t matter and the Scripture isn’t suggesting that either. Family, friends and having nice things can be a positive part of life. However, they can also be a hindrance. Putting unnecessary faith in such things can cause us to fall short of God’s glory because we’re attempting to satisfy these things that please the flesh.

There’s been a debate that I’ve been involved in with many people in one way or another over the last week. The debate was concerning being a minister and what it entails. I’ve found that there’s a thought amongst people that preaching, while noble, isn’t really work. I’ve found that some people feel that we’re no more than people that give speeches. However, I’ve countered that by saying not only is preaching hard work when done properly (study, preparation, schooling, time away from your family, etc.), but it is the hardest job I’ve ever had.

Studying these first 3 Verses, you can see what Christianity costs you. When we’re chasing Christ, we’re leaving our old selves behind. We’re leaving our old habits and vices behind. And sometimes, we’re leaving some friends and family behind. Not because we don’t care for them anymore, but if they’re a hindrance in anyway, Scripture calls for us to separate from them so that we may draw closer to God.

I’ve lost some friends and family along this road. Even though we haven’t spoken specifically about it, you can tell when relationships change. Even people that seemed supportive at one point will prove not to be when they don’t quite understand what you’re doing and saying in your life. Sadly, this transition in life can be most difficult when it’s taking place within the church walls. We’re often better at accepting a call from the world to Christianity than we are at accepting a call to a higher level in Christianity. But if you’re willing to lose all in order to gain Christ, then Christ can restore relationships or replace what we’ve lost with better and more fruitful relationships.

The individual Christian walk

10 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made comfortable unto His death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus

I posted something on Facebook recently that said: “The Bible is meant to be a mirror for our lives, not a magnifying glass for us to examine the lives of others”. At times, this is one of the most difficult things for us to grasp as Christians. Even Scripture that seems to point out the wrong behavior of others isn’t there for you to point it out. It is a warning for us, lest we become the same way.

It may have seemed that the last paragraph had nothing to do with the Verses heading this section, but it does. The Apostle Paul is speaking to us about how we may know Jesus and the power of His resurrection. We can’t do that without studying the Word of God and we can’t do that by throwing our Bibles at one another. We must seek an individual relationship with God. This is the only way that the church as a collective can become closer to God.

The Apostle Paul is also speaking to us about attaining a level of perfection with God. Spiritual perfection is in no way connected with fleshly perfection. There is no such thing as a person being fleshly perfect, but spiritual perfection is attained when man recognizes his standing with God, his need for forgiveness for his sins, his recognition that he is fleshly broken, and his willingness to submit to the commandments of God.

What Paul is also saying is that he is still a work in progress. What does that say for us as Christians? It says that we will never be completely all that God wants us to be while we are in this flesh, and we shouldn’t act as if we are. One of the biggest pitfalls of the Christian faith is that when we supposedly overcome something, we act as though we have conquered it forever and everyone else should conquer it in the same way.

However, we are all sinners saved by grace and we shouldn’t become too boastful when we’re delivered, lest we fall again. We have to maintain our humility as Christians. The moment we become so holy that we don’t even acknowledge the possibility of sin, we’re already in the grips of it. Paul is warning us that we are to always chase after the high calling of Christianity and we will never be in a position to boast.

Part of the call to be Christ-like is that we suffer just as He did when He was on earth (“the fellowship of His sufferings”). Life won’t always be perfect, people won’t always treat us with respect and you may even be betrayed by those in your inner circle. These things happened to Christ and they’re sure to happen to us as we pursue a relationship with Him. However, if we are partakers in Christ’s “sufferings” and “death”, then we can also partake in the resurrection that every believer is seeking. Simply put, no cross, no crown.

God’s perfection is man’s imperfection

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you

Herein is the meat of what the Apostle Paul wants us to understand about his individual journey in Christ: “I don’t have it all together, but I’m still pressing toward the high calling of God”. Again, if I may draw on my own experiences, when we say that we are Christians, we are not to suggest that we are now perfect. Additionally, when we say that we are ministers, we are definitely not suggesting that we are infallible. In fact, we are tested more. Therefore, our mistakes, both real and perceived, become amplified.

This is why Jesus tells us in Scripture that if we follow Him, we must be willing to forsake all others. He knew that we would have to anyway. Living up to God’s standards means that you won’t live up (or down) to man’s standards. Man has an idea of Christians that we are called to fleshly perfection because that’s how the unsaved man views perfection, from his flesh. At the same time, Christians have a view of ministers, missionaries, and anyone called to bring the Word of God on a higher level as being called to an unrealistic level of both spiritual and fleshly perfection. They allow no room for being human.

As we discussed earlier, this isn’t God’s idea of perfection for man. God knows that you will fall short (Romans 3:23). Paul is stressing that he is leaving all of his successes and failures behind in order to pursue the high calling of God. This means that he’s not resting on his current level of knowledge, but rather moving forward to a higher level. He’s not dwelling on the fact that he hasn’t always been perfect, but he’s trying to reach higher.

Therefore, when man pats us on the back, we need to keep seeking God because one day they’re patting, the next day they’re stabbing. When man insists on bringing up all of the negativity of your past life, you have to keep pressing because one day they’re talking about you, but tomorrow God may open their eyes to the change that He’s made in you life, and they may become your biggest supporters.

Conclusion…

There is a reason that God says that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). Man is fickle and we can change like the weather without even realizing that we have. We often place our misgivings and shortcomings upon one another. We’re afraid to use that Bible as a mirror because we sometimes don’t like what we see in ourselves, so we’d rather focus on what others aren’t doing. But God is calling us according to His standards so that we may live according to what He has planned for our lives.

It’s easy to avoid church because of the people there. There’s lying, hypocritical behavior, backstabbing, etc. We often say that we avoid the church because there’s so much of this and that going on, and yet we fail to realize that the best chance for people to get such things out of their system is in the church. The church is called to point the sinner to Christ for repentance and to point the broken to Christ for healing. We can’t be healed or saved running the other way.

We shouldn’t make excuses for why we don’t study that are based on flawed human beings. Jesus made no such excuses when He went to the cross for flawed human beings. I’m an advocate for people being able to worship in comfortable surroundings and if your current church doesn’t offer that, I suggest finding somewhere that does. But if your reason for not studying or not attending classes or church is based on people, I’m suggesting that you’re missing the mark. Bible study isn’t in place so that you can see better in other’s behavior. It’s in place so that you can be better in your own behavior.

Lastly, we must remember that the Apostle Paul was a well educated man. Before his conversion on the Damascus road, he seemed to have it all. However, once he came to know Jesus, he realized that without Him, he had nothing. As he wrote these words and stressed that he was pressing toward his true calling, he was also calling for self-examination of all Christians. Have you really left it all behind for Jesus? Can you walk away from family, friends and possessions that keep you from your calling?

Are you able to preach, teach, learn and live the truth about the call? Are you afraid to discuss sin and shortcomings in order to identify things within yourself and make the necessary changes? All of these things are needed in the church today in order for Christians to really be what God called them to be. We can no longer sugarcoat the message of God because it offends our sensibilities. In order for the Apostle Paul to realize he was falling short of the mark, he had to face some ugly and ungodly truths about himself. He had to shed the idea that he had achieved success at his current level. How many of us are willing to do the same in order to reach our mark?

Christian

Called out!

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Old-New

Subject: Called out
Text: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Rev. Kelly R. Jackson

3 Thoughts to consider:

1. Separate and unequal
2. Unholy associations
3. Being received by The Master

This second letter written to the church at Corinth was in part addressing some issues that we still see in the church and in its members today. We often assume that what was written thousands of years ago in the Bible has no bearing on us today. But consider the church at Corinth and what was going on. There was envy, strife, backbiting, arguing and sins of the flesh. How is that any different than what we see on Sunday mornings?

We have to stop looking at the walls of the church and look at the infrastructure. The church still has issues because we still have issues. The people are the church and if we’re broken, the church is broken. What’s worse is the fact that we embrace being broken. We often attempt to use scripture to justify shoddy Christian living. “God knows my heart”, “Judge not, lest ye be judged”, etc. We’re aware that we’re consistently under construction, but nothing ever gets done. That’s not God’s fault, that’s our fault.

Let’s look at some scripture that puts the onus on every Christian to come out from a sinful life and sinful associations, and embrace what God has called us to.

Separate and unequal

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?

During the civil rights movement, rather than fully integrating with Blacks, whites offered separate but equal facilities, schools, restaurants, etc. However, what they offered was anything but equal. The facilities were unsanitary and often deplorable. The fact that they had to be separate suggested that they wouldn’t be equal. Such is the life that Christians are called to live by God. We are called out of the world to be separate because we aren’t equal to the world. The world’s condition is unsanitary and deplorable.

This verse has often been used to keep Christians from marrying the wrong people. In matrimony, the saved aren’t to even consider someone that doesn’t believe in and acknowledges Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. However, this verse actually is an instruction for all of our relationships as Christians. Our love life, our friendships and even our family relationships are addressed here.

The word “yoked” in this text means to be joined. God doesn’t want us unnecessarily mixing with those that are in conflict with how we’re called to live. Now, this isn’t a call to be spiritually proud or uppity. God doesn’t want us looking down our noses at people, but rather we are to remain humble when dealing with the unsaved. We must remember that we were once like them. Though we may still love our lost brothers and sisters, we must learn to love from a distance.

If we consider what light does, it casts out darkness. Even a candle in the darkest of night can be seen. Therefore, when we become children of the light, we can no longer exist where darkness is because we will shine. Also, if we continue to dabble in our old ways and with those that are living in those ways, we can be overtaken again. This is where the humility of this verse comes in. Avoid fellowship with the unsaved, lest you fall. Avoid fellowship with the unsaved lest you cause someone else to stumble because you have become their spiritual role model.

Unholy associations

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God and they shall be my people

Verse 15 continues on with the questions of why we would continue associations with people in our former lives. What concord has Christ with Belial, which is another name for Satan or something wicked. The Apostle Paul also asks why we would associate with an infidel. These sound like harsh words, but what would you consider someone that is in disagreement with our heavenly cause? And why would we call ourselves Christians and continue spending so much time with people that aren’t, unless we were trying to convert them?

Let’s be clear, anyone or anything that is against God, the church or the harmony of the church is evil, according to the Word of God. Looking at Verse 16, the Apostle Paul asks us why there are idols within our churches, and even our lives. Where are the idols in church today? Well, we make idols of people in positions, we elevate the music ministry above the ministry of the Word of God and, dare I say, we make idols of the preachers. This is an offense to God and something that needs to be addressed.

Continuing with Verse 16, Paul says “ye are the temple of the living God”. This speaks to the individual body and the collective body of Christ that is the church. When God is saying that He will “dwell in them” and “walk in them”, He saying that He wants to live within us and among us. But the question remains, can God dwell in the church if we continue to yield to the whims of the unholy?

Once we fully acknowledge God for who He is and allow Him full control of our lives, and thus the church, this 16th Verse says we shall be His people. We can fix our churches by driving out certain unholy behaviors. If we can’t drive the behavior out of the people, they we need to drive the unholy people out. Again, this may seem harsh, but it’s scripturally based (Matthew 18:15-18, Titus 3:10-11). God doesn’t expect us to allow the devil to set up shop in the sanctuary and just deal with him. We are to drive his spirit away, and if a person insists on bringing that spirit into our congregation regularly, we are to drive that person out.

 Being received by The Master

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith The Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you

If you’ve ever been a child dressed in your Sunday best by your parents, you know what instructions usually followed: Don’t go out and get dirty! God is no different when He cleans us up. Once He’s done that marvelous redemptive work on us and in us, He doesn’t want us going back to our old ways, our old friends and down old paths. He wants us changed!

In order to be received by God, we must be cleansed. This can only be done through the blood of Jesus. It’s not Rev. Jackson that’s telling you to be separate from those things and people that used to influence you in the wrong ways. It’s the Word of God.

What is the unclean thing? That would be anything or anyone that comes against the Spirit of the living God. It would be anything or anyone that has you yielding to the flesh and denying the spirit. And just because you’ve known a person for years and have been fellow church members forever doesn’t mean that they’re on The Lord’s side. Allow the Holy Spirit to give you a spirit of discernment, particularly with old friends and family because that’s a soft spot with us and it’s exactly where the devil likes to attack us.

Again, this isn’t to suggest that we become spiritually arrogant. It’s not to suggest that we don’t speak to people, aren’t polite to people or don’t show love to people. We should show the love of Christ to everyone, even our enemies. But God wants the individual Christian and the collective Christians to separate themselves from ungodliness. Drive it out of your home, drive it out of your life and drive it out of the church, all with the Word of God, so that we may be received by God.

Conclusion…

One of the difficulties of being saved is letting go of some things of the past. Let’s be real, the devil makes sin fun. When we’re in the world, we do a lot of things that are enjoyable to the flesh. This is why the saved man is to deny his flesh and live in the spirit. This is what real fasting and praying is about, but that’s another blog for another day. Once we begin living in the spirit as God has called us to, then we can see that some things, some people and some relationships are no longer profitable for us.

Another difficulty of being called out by God is dealing with some of the current and longstanding relationships that we have. I’m often imploring people to examine their friendships and family connections once they’ve accepted Christ. It’s easy to hold on to people that aren’t saved because you love them and you’ve been connected for such a long time. However, we must love no one above God and we must trust no word above His. If He’s called you out from that way of life and the people you love are still in it, you’ve got to let them go.

Lastly, we can’t compromise our Christianity. Look at Psalms 1:1: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful”. God is telling us that there is a blessing in keeping clear of the sinful. There is no exception made in the scripture for 30 year friendships or your favorite cousin. If they aren’t walking in the path of the saved, they’re no good for you. We’re making too many concessions for Satan and we’re assuming that it’s okay to maintain a relationship with worldly people as long as we’re not discussing “religion”. Jesus says in Luke 9:26 that if we’re ashamed of Him here, He will be ashamed of us in Heaven. Therefore, we should be the Christians of Romans 1:16, not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.

We are called out by Christ. He gave His life for us. What are we willing to give up for Him?

Christian

The joy inside your tears

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Old-NewSubject: The joy inside your tears

Text: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

Rev. Kelly R. Jackson

3 Thoughts to consider:

  1. Spiritual humility
  2. Consistent prayer life
  3. Favor in spite of your weakness

How often do we really equate humility with godliness? While it may seem to be the perfect match, many people struggle with understanding why God humbles us and how we are blessed because of it. Humility requires submission. It requires keeping a low profile at times. It requires us to lean on God and ignore what we think. This particular text speaks to God keeping us all in check, sometimes physically and always spiritually.

The Apostle Paul is discussing with us how we should handle ourselves when we’re facing situations that aren’t the best. Who do you turn to when you’re weak? Where do you look to when it seems as if the devil is attacking you? When you’re attempting to walk in the ways of The Lord, how do you deal with the fact that something always seems to be weighing you down, causing you pain or just making you feel like giving up? According to this text, you can find joy in the midst of your trials.

Spiritual Humility

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure

When we examine Verse 6, we see that at times our fleshly desire is to exalt ourselves, even above the God that we’ve prayed to for whatever blessings or gifts that we have. But such thinking is foolishness. We should resist this mindset, lest other people begin to follow us and do the same thing. Whether we’re preaching or teaching the Word of God, our desire should be that man sees all of God and none of us. We’re so flawed that it would be spiritual injustice for anyone to ever give us credit for what The Almighty has done.

This is also where we get into itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3-5), where people love man’s message rather than God’s. The Apostle Paul is writing about speaking the truth. This truth means that it is not a watered down version of the gospel. It is not a message that always feels good or does not include teaching about sin and man’s involvement in his own downfall. However, as you will see when you study those Verses in 2 Timothy, we often run from the truth of God’s Word, looking for a message that suits our fleshly desires.

It shouldn’t be a preacher or teacher’s desire to sting you with the Word, but if that happens, they shouldn’t pull back. The loyalty of the called is to God. This is where the man or woman of God can either rise or fall. He can choose to deliver a crowd-pleasing message that gains him the adoration of man, or he can choose a God-pleasing message that may offend some, but will garner him favor with God and possibly point someone toward salvation.

Looking at Verse 7, Paul’s thorn in his flesh could’ve been a physical or a mental “thorn”. Maybe he was tempted of the devil by some weakness he was attempting to overcome. Or maybe it was a physical ailment, possible a visible one, that caused him to be self-conscious. Though he was called of God, Paul was still in his flesh and he no doubt was superficial at times, just as we are.

A study of Paul does reveal that he had some visible physical ailments. Either way, this “thorn” was there lest he began being too arrogant. However, Paul knew that he needed to pray about his condition. An ailment that keeps us in prayer, whether it’s physical or mental, keeps us humble and keeps us in the knowledge that we need God. In all of His wisdom, God knows that some people suffer from spiritual arrogance and would never pray unless they had an issue or a need. And in the event that everything was okay in their lives, they would take credit for the peace He has given.  

Consistent prayer life

8 For this thing I besought The Lord thrice, that it might depart from me 9 And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me

How often do you really pray? In the 8th Verse, Paul talks about going to God three times about his condition. It’s not as though God is unaware or hard of hearing, but we still must approach God concerning our needs. Again, this requires humility. It requires us to submit our requests to a higher power, one that can supply what we need.

Another key component to this prayer is our understanding that God may deny a prayer request to fulfill His divine purposes. Whatever you’re dealing with is actually in God’s plan for purposes you may not understand yet. This is where His grace comes in.

Grace is God’s unmerited favor. What does that mean? Well, we aren’t worthy of God’s favor. We’re saved by His grace, even though we don’t deserve it and can do nothing to earn it. It is by His grace that we’re able to endure the tests of life. We aren’t even worthy of going directly to God in prayer. However, we have Jesus as our great intercessor. Through Him, we receive God’s grace. Not because we are worthy, but because Jesus has made the sacrifice of His life.

Through God’s grace, we are strengthened. If we never had a weakness, how would we ever know how mighty our God is? This is why Paul says “I rather glory in my infirmities”. He understands that God will enable him to do great things, despite his conditions (this is the true application of Philippians 4:13). He understands that as he goes through, it is God that gets him through. Knowing that God is the wind beneath your wings enables you to soar to greater heights!

We should never assume that God only chooses the “perfect” man to do His perfect will. In fact, God has often chosen the imperfect so that we all can understand that we can be a part of Kingdom building. Verse 9 speaks to that grace of God. It is all we need, even in the midst of physical and mental imperfection. We can find joy inside our tears each time the devil attacks us. When we go to God in prayer, we shouldn’t be reminded of how big the problem is. We should be reminded of how big our God is.

Then Paul speaks about the power of Christ resting upon him. 1 Peter 4:14 says: “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified”. Therefore, if we’re enduring difficult times in the name of Jesus, we ought to count it joy. You wouldn’t be under attack from the enemy unless the Spirit of God was within you. As Jesus said, Satan can’t cast out Satan (Matthew 12:25-28). So if you’re already under the devil’s control, there’s no need for him to attack you.

Favor in spite of your weakness

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong

Never place all of your focus on what makes you weak if you aren’t going to look to what makes you strong. Every bit of drama in our lives should point us right back to Christ. Research Romans 5:3-5 and you’ll find that trials bring about patience. Through trials you’ll be better able to deal with difficult situations and difficult people, all because the power of Christ is within you.

Going through tough times in life is difficult when you’re going through them for yourself because we can’t adequately strengthen ourselves. But when you’re going through them for Christ’s sake, you can take pleasure in them. Jesus laid down His life for you. He has already come to your rescue by redeeming you to the Father. Don’t think that He won’t come to your rescue again. Consider all that He went through for us and you’ll realize that what we go through for Him pales in comparison. The reward for what you do for Christ is the gift (because we can’t earn it) of eternal life.

Conclusion…

The Christian should never have a “woe is me” attitude. This can be difficult to manage at times because we’re still in the flesh. This is why I encourage Bible study so much, rather than just church attendance. The Word of God is a guide when you’re lost and strength when you think you can’t go on. You need to lean on it daily and move away from your flesh (Proverbs 3:5-6).

It is God’s grace, His Word and the Holy Spirit that can keep us from losing our focus when it seems that a little situation here or there is getting out of hand. In tough times, you have to trust God more than you trust yourself. The Apostle Paul gives us a powerful lesson in both humility and strength. It’s a reminder that if we lean on God, no matter what the financial situation, physical situation, mental situation, spiritual situation or church situation may be, if we go to God in prayer concerning that “thorn”, even if He doesn’t remove it, He will be there to help us to bear it. And isn’t that all we need when the load gets too heavy?