Thursday Evening Blog with Pastor Williams (January)
Posted on January 1st, 2007 by TADCCBLOG
Pastor Williams will be active on this blog site THURSDAY from 8:30 to 9:30pm. Please suggest topics or questions for discussion.
Filed under: Discussion Topics, Live Blog on Thursday
9 Responses to “Thursday Evening Blog with Pastor Williams (January)”
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January 1st, 2007 at 12:22 am
Happy New Year Believers in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I heard one husband refer to his wife as “a thorn in his side” as a means of keeping him humble.
It acutally sparked a debate between my wife and I. I asked her what was the purpose of the thorn and her response was “to stick you.” I think that is a common misconception for the thorn. Indeed a thorn does stick but it sticks one who seeks to pick, clip, or remove the plant.
So in essence, the thorn becomes the protector of the plant so that it is not improperly picked. Now I could run on with the spousal implications but my wife was not convinced by that argument.
What do you think???
A thorn is definitely a positive attribute. I have heard that its purpose is to protect the plant as well. It does not harm the plant. Only that which might harm or destroy the plant.
MIT,
Very valid point. I think many of us forget that thorns serve a purpose. And it logically follows from your statement that a thorn’s purpose is to protect.
The implication by the Pastor is that the emphasis is on staying in the presence of God. One way that we stay in God’s presence is through being humbled by either negative or positive motivation. Sometimes this motivation can come from challenges in the world, other times it can come from a person(s) wanting you to be everything God intended for you. This Godly person is like a thorn in the side because he/she will not allow you to become complacent but will continue to prod (stick) you to do better.
This act of prodding is humbling because it reminds a person of his weakness by nature of allowing the prick from the thorn to bother him. We all have things that bother us and it is especially troubling when the person the closest to us is the one touching that weak spot in our life. This touching of the weak spot is not meant to destroy us but to prune us that we may grow.
This type of thorn keeps the person grounded so that he will not think “that he is all of that and a bag of chips”. Or, as the Apostle Paul stated the thorn was meant to keep him level headed or from being “exalted above measure”.
It is great to have a spouse that motivates you to continue to strive to be all God would have you to be and not allow you to become complacent but helps to keep you humble.
2 Corinthians 12:7 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.
Yes I admit it. I am a thorn in my husband’s flesh. Although until yesterday I never thought of myself as such because I always thought 2 Cor 12:7 spoke of the thorn as being negative (because the messenger of Satan sent to buffet Paul was equated to a thorn) I know God gave Satan permission to buffet Paul and that God allowed this thorn to be used to keep Paul abased.
I an ordained of God to do what I do in my husband’s llife. I am not arrogant about my position at all. Rather I am privileged to be used of God to keep my husband sharp in the Word of God. Iron sharpening iron.
So wives, I encouage you to be a good thorn in your husband’s flesh. As the Pastor said it is great to have a spouse that motivates you to continue to strive to be all God would have you to be.
Fellow Believers in our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus,
I never thought of myself as a “thorn in the flesh.” My husband calls it nagging or “preaching” at him. Most times he is swift to take offense, but later on (a couple of days), he will come back and say “You were right.”
I ask him to pray with me, but the majority of the time he doesn’t. Occasionally, he will accompany me to church but not as often as I would like. My prayer is to live my life as an example to him and my daugther, and God has been faithful and just in answering my prayers.
I no longer feel that I should have the last word, instead, I walk away when things get “heated.” I use to pray and ask God to change my husband. Now I pray and ask God to give me peace and the endurance to “ride out the storm.” I also ask Him to “show me, Me” in the areas of my life where I am not conducting myself as a woman of God should.
Any suggestions on how to “prick” my husband without him becoming so defensive. I place my words ever so carefully so as not to offend, however; he usually takes offense anyway.
The best tool for witnessing to someone close to you is by your life. I do not mean just going through the motion, but enthused about what things yoiu do for the Lord. People want to be happy and will often seek out happiness. However, if your husband does not feel that you are enjoying what you are doing, more than likely he will not want to join you.
1 Peter 3:1 ¶ Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. {daughters: Gr. children}
The word conversation in the first verse means manner of life or conduct. LIve the above before and watch for the change.
I was listening to a children’s Bible song the other day and begin thinking about the meaning of one of them. I had always heard the song “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho,” but on this particular CD, the song was “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho.” It made me think of how God fashions our trials and tribulations and equips us to FIT our trials (for they are designed specifically for us as individuals) in order to help us grow in Him. God chooses to use who He will to achieve His divine purpose and when we sometimes ask “why me,” the answer may very well be because we fit God’s plan in order for a specific purpose to be fulfilled. It reminds me that we should rejoice in knowing that God chooses to use us to fit His purpose.
Trials prove our trust in God. Trials manifests what is in our hearts. Trials are reflexive. During a trial oftentimes there is no time think, to be educated or proceed to another route. If you cannot confront the trial with what you are equipped you will fail.
Many have gone into trials without being properly equipped and ended up divorced, separated, broken, disillusioned, oppressed and separated from God. God has given us a blueprint to life – The Bible. The Bible implores us to study to show ourselves approved to God. If we meet God’s approval, He reassures us that we will be able to handle any trial that comes our way. If we cannot handle the trial God will provide a way of escape because we trusted Him.
Trust the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all thy ways and He shall direct thy paths.
Praise the Lord KB!
Your request for any suggestions on how to “prick” your husband without him becoming so defensive. Although you place your words ever so carefully so as not to offend, however; he usually takes offense anyway–I sugeest you STOP tip toeing around him and live comfortably in your home. Let joy continue to be your portion. Stay elevated by surrounding yourself around people who have joy. Let him not only see your joyous life in Christ on a daily basis but hear those things that are edifying and he will be drawn toward what you have. Do as Pastor Williams instructed according to the Word of God. Keep the faith, don’t give up but press on in 2007. Keep us posted.