“GOD, why are you killing me?”
“GOD, why are you killing me?”
(Lesson on 3-19-26, Taken from 2 Corinthians 12:1-10)
Pick a quiet time when you are feeling prayerful to listen to this song:
“His Strength is Perfect”, sung by Steven Curtis Chapman https://youtu.be/FbjxJnk2XTU?si=_zAB6CplNAXstjUs
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Causes of trials & adversities:
Sin - we reap what we sow
Galatians 6:7 – sows will reap
(Isaiah 59:1-2, separated you from GOD)
The Devil - Job 1:12, NLT
GOD - To keep me from exalting myself
2 Corinthians 12:1-4 (visions)
2 Corinthians 12:7-10, The Message
Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Faith under pressure: James 1:2-5
I will be with you - Isaiah 43:2, (ESV)
Crown of life - James 1:12, (Living Bible)
John Piper says,
“Weakness does not mean glory for JESUS, but gladness in our weakness means glory to GOD.”
Andy Stanley’s prayer: “Heavenly Father, use this till You choose to remove this.”
Emma’s daily prayer before bed: Psalm 91 (My “other mother” who will be 94 this coming August – lives in Griffin, GA)
Tony Evans’ contribution: (The title of our lesson was taken from a series by Tony Evans.)
Greek word skolops (σκόλοψ) for "thorn," - a sharp stake, splinter, or spike, rather than a small briar.
Conveys intense, agonizing pain or impalement, suggesting a severe, ongoing torment meant to hinder him, often described as a "messenger of Satan" intended to keep him humble. For when I am weak, I am strong.
Would you not have a thorn and have no power, or would you accept a thorn and have My great power? His son, Anthony had a severe asthma attack and needed a shot of Epinephrine. Anthony asked his daddy, “Why are you helping him hurt me? In the pain of the needle, would be the power to heal Anthony.
John 11:1-3 – Lazarus story
GOD uses and allows sickness to glorify GOD. If you believe, you will see the glory of GOD!
Psalm 116 (I like The Message for this Scripture) reminds me of Jessica.
(My friend who became a quadriplegic because of a car accident. She lived her life for Christ!)
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I had never heard this song before, but it helped to summarize this lesson.
If you have trouble hearing this wonderful song, sung by H. Henry, there is a female rendition on Spotify, sung by Angie Zachary.
“Three Times I Asked You”
(words by Bryan Jeffrey Leech)
singer, Huhtulag Henry
The Story of Hagar
Hagar's story beginning in Genesis 16:1 highlights themes of survival, faith, and divine providence. She is recognized not only as the mother of Ishmael but also as a symbol of God's care for the marginalized. Her narrative raises important discussions regarding motherhood, the complexities of family dynamics, and the intersection of faith and hardship.
The theme of the story of Hagar is
“Seeing the unseen and trusting in God’s timing”
Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so, she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”
Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.
Were Sarai and Abram trusting God’s timing?
Is this going to end well for Hagar?
When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.”
“Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.
The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”
“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.
Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”
The angel of the Lord also said to her:
“You are now pregnant
and you will give birth to a son.
You shall name him Ishmael,
for the Lord has heard of your misery.
He will be a wild donkey of a man;
his hand will be against everyone
and everyone’s hand against him,
and he will live in hostility
toward all his brothers.”
(It is important to note that this is the first appearance of the angel of the LORD.)
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” She called the Lord El Roi. (Hagar’s response reflects her recognition of God’s presence and care.)
So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.
When Abraham was 99 he and Sarah were again told by the Lord that Sarah would have a son who would be the father of nations. As unbelievable as it sounded Sarah conceived Isaac and she asked Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. He sent them to the desert.
They were met by the Lord’s angel as Hagar thought she and Ishmael were about to die. The Lord showed them sustenance and safety and again told Hagar he would make Ishmael the father of many descendants.
What would this story look like if Sarah and Abraham had believed God would and could do what he said?
USE ME
Summary of USE ME from March 5
Have you ever felt God nudging you to do something….and your first thought was,
‘Surely not me’
BEING CALLED TO SERVE
The call to serve is an important theme in the Bible (1 Peter 4:10, Mark 10:45, and Jeremiah 29:11 are just a few).
The Bible is filled with examples of those who were called to serve in various ways who had differing reactions.
Read about Moses and his reluctant response in Exodus 3:1-10, Exodus 4:1-8, and Exodus 4:12.
Read about Jonah’s story beginning in Jonah 1:1-3. He literally ran and hid from God.
Esther’s call and courageous response to God with no hesitation are found in Esther 4:13-17
Mary, the mother of Jesus with “why me”? doubts accepted God’s call with obedience in spite of the personal hardships she knew she would face. Luke 1:38
Peter was called two times by God through His son, Jesus. It is significant that Jesus called Peter both times at the Sea of Galilee. Once as Jesus’s ministry was beginning and then after His death and resurrection. These two beautiful stories are found in Luke and John (Luke 5:1-11 and John 21). It is also important to note that Jesus travelled 80 miles in his resurrected body to call Peter a second time. What a meaningful exchange Jesus and Peter had in verses John 21:15-17. Jesus was telling Peter that his calling was not over. Jesus was in essence saying, “I have more for you to do”. Both times Peter responded with faith.
RECOGNIZING THE CALL
We may not see a burning bush in our backyards one day, but we do receive our own personal callings in various ways:
God communicates to us through SCRIPTURE;
God responds to us through PRAYER and;
We receive callings from OTHER PEOPLE.
RESPONDING TO THE CALL
Recognize/embrace the call and be ready to respond. This may sometimes mean stepping out of your comfort zone casting aside your doubts and fears and maybe even other activities WE have made OUR priorities. This is not always easy – this is when trust must step in. God will provide guidance and encouragement.
NEXT STEPS
Identify your gifts and talents - Read Romans 12:3-8 as you sit quietly to access your skills. Don’t be shy – we are all good at something! Join us on April 16 when Kitty Keadle will explore this further.
Pray – Be patient, be quiet, and listen.
Ask yourself, “what does serving mean to me?”
Seek out ways to serve. Ask others what is needed.
Encourage others who are serving.
Remember, God call us NOT because of who we are, but because of who HE is.
When He calls, our response should be simple
USE ME!