1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. (Acts 8:1-3 NKJV)

In Acts chapter 9 we read of Saul, the great persecutor of the church, later to be known as Paul, on his way from Jerusalem to Damascus to arrest, imprison and even kill any followers of Jesus he should find. Being a devout Jew he believed the followers of Jesus to be anti-God and worthy of death. Being a Pharisee, and one of the murderers of Stephen, he was well aware that Jesus had been crucified.

And in Acts 9 we read that Jesus appeared to Saul and with a literal flash of blinding light and the voice of a resurrected Jesus Saul's entire life and belief structure was completely changed. He obeyed Jesus' directions and was baptized for the remission of sins in gospel obedience, Acts 22:16, and went on to become the New Testament's most intense servant of Christ.

8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NKJV)

The Bible doesn't actually say what the "thing" is but there are indications it was a vision problem. Intensely bright lights from welding flashes, lasers, etc., can damage vision and even cause blindness. The brightness of Jesus exceeds the imagination...

See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! (Galatians 6:11 NKJV)

The number "three" in scripture always has a fellowship application everywhere it appears in all 66 books of the Bible. No human being even comes closer to fellowship with Christ than Paul. Certainly you would think God would answer Paul's prayer especially since he had begged three times..

Jesus also told His apostles that whatever they said would happen if they had the faith. They had the power to simply send whole mountains into the sea by their word.

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. (Matthew 21:21 NKJV)

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1 NKJV)

The apostles had the power to even change nature and yet there is not one example in the New Testament of any of them using their power for their own benefit, not one. Not even when Paul's coworker and companion was very sick...

27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. (Ephesians 2:27 NKJV)

The Bible says there is no partiality with God. What He has done for one, He will do for all.

For there is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:11 NKJV)

We hear of people praying for things and "God answered their prayer." We hear of people praying for the same exact things and getting no answer. We see the "name it and claim it" encouragements for wealth, health, and earthly events where some gained, and some didn't. We treat God as being a prayer store where we can shop for whatever we want. Sometimes He grants, sometimes He doesn't. Some are born extremely challenged, some extremely blessed.

Doesn't that make Him partial???

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45 NKJV)

God has set things in order that when certain conditions are met certain results occur. He has no need to be constantly adjusting those things. When we are in the wrong place at the wrong time bad things happen regardless of who we are. If we are in the right place at the right time good things happen. If the tiniest change occurs in any of the ordained things, the ordained things change depending on the change.

At one time God changed nature to show His presence, power, and confirmation. There was no written word to prove what happened was from God Himself. Now that we have the completed Word there is no longer any need for God to confirm what He has already confirmed.

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV)

8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NKJV)

What greater gift can God give than His grace? He can give nothing that comes close to what He has already given, His Beloved Son.

The Bible is very clear that He answers prayer. However, He will not answer ANY prayer that is against His nature and will, He has already answered those in His Word. He will not answer ANY prayer that we cannot answer for ourselves. He will not answer ANY prayer that shows favoritism over another.

God only answers prayer within His Word.

And now we come back to...

8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NKJV)

When we read of the life of Paul and the things that came upon him, we find there is only the reward of the gift of grace.

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV)

10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10 NKJV)

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

God's Plan of Salvation

GOD'S PART

1. The great love of God for man (John 3:16)
2. He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Saviour (Luke 19:10)
3. Sent the Holy Spirit as a guide (John 16:13)
4. Gave the Gospel as "the power" unto salvation (Romans 1:16)
5. Provided atonement by the blood of Christ (Romans 5:9)

MAN'S PART

1. Hear the Gospel. (Romans 10:17, John 8:32)
2. Believe the Gospel (Hebrews 11:6, John 20:31)
3. Repent of past sins (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30)
4. Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10, Matthew 10:32)
5. Be Baptized (Galatians 3:27, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
6. Be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10)

Marv Walker 706 816-7190