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no pain, no gain // Tuesday E-Devotion

Galatians 6:9 (nlt) --- Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.

Rick Warren said it best this way, "God never wastes a hurt." He will use it for His glory and use it to help you help others. I don't always like that, but it is true.

This past Sunday in our DNA series at The Community Fellowship I talked about the fact that we are human and that we have holes in our lives that God wants to fill. It is a weakness that God wants to work in and make us strong in. Do you get that? Here is want Paul said:

2 Corinthians 12:9 (nlt) --- Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

God is working in us and wants to work more. Yet we far too often stop the what God wants to do 'cause it hurts so much. Maybe it is in a sin you are dealing with or a tough relationship. No matter what the weakness is, God wants to be strong in and through you. It is that simple.

The DNA series I am sharing is all about the origin of faith and the simple things of fact. I think we take for granted the fact that we have to confess our weakness. We may not want to admit it. We may not want others to know. Fact is, God wants to work, and confessing the facts is a big part of that. Think about it.

James 5:16 (nlt) --- Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Let others know where you hurt, and that may very well be what they need to help them get closer to god or to come to Him in the first place. Just get honest. You may think it will hurt when in fact it will heal and help.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (nlt) --- So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Be reminded ... you're not perfect. I am not perfect. Only God is perfect, and by recognizing and sharing our weakness God will work even more in us. The old saying "no pain, no gain" is a reality for the students getting ready for football or marching band. But it is always a great way to remember that we have a great God.

2 Corinthians 12:10 (nlt) --- That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions,and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

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