We may not share Paul's experience of being caught up into the 3rd heaven, but we do share his experience with thorns; weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions & difficulties, as he describes at the end of the chapter; and we can learn the same lessons he learned from life’s thorns.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

When you decide to play God, you can say anything you want, you can treat people like dirt, you can attack their motives, you can make absurd accusations, you can write anything you like on Facebook, you can stir up a tweet-storm & you can post anonymous criticism. Why not? When you are God, no one can tell you what to do. That’s the whole point of this passage.

When you decide to play God, you can say anything you want, you can treat people like dirt, you can attack their motives, you can make absurd accusations, you can write anything you like on Facebook, you can stir up a tweet-storm & you can post anonymous criticism. Why not? When you are God, no one can tell you what to do. That’s the whole point of this passage.

Sometimes God’s goodness is seen quickly, other times slowly as we ponder the mysterious ways of God’s divine providence. Eventually we come to realize that nothing leaves God’s hand that does not touch his goodness in one way or the other.

As Luther came to Romans 1:17, he pondered the meaning of the quotation from Habakkuk 2:4. Reflecting on what this text meant, Luther offered this testimony: When by the Spirit of God, I understood these words—"The just shall live by faith"—then I felt born again like a new man. I entered through the open doors into the very paradise of God.

The people said, “Come, let’s build.” And Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary & burdened & I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

It’s not impossible to be holy—even in this unholy world. Jesus did the hard part when he died on the Cross. The Holy Spirit lives within us. God calls you “holy” in Christ Jesus. Do you want to be holy? Then live up to what you already are! Holiness is natural for the child of God.

Friends—the message of salvation is the message that the early church proclaimed—and it is the message that we must proclaim today: Jesus Christ is Lord & has the power to change lives. It is this dynamic message that makes believers out of non-believers.

Success is knowing God's will & doing it. In other words, it’s discovering God's plan for your life & living it.