Debbie wrote: > To put it another way, David: it is often through such > experiences of differently-answered prayer that we > learn God's ways and gain maturity. Paul didn't have > the understanding about grace and weakness and > strength until he realized that his request was being > denied in favour of something else. That understanding > was part of the "bread".
I don't see Paul's request as being "denied." Since when is the receiving of God's grace a denial from God? His prayer was very much along the lines of Jesus's prayer in the garden when he said, "if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." God answered it with his will being that his grace would carry him through it so that his mighty power and strength would be manifested by his weakness. Then, Paul understood, how he could boast in his weakness, and look for God to come through mightily, miraculously, in every situation. Debbie wrote: > More broadly: our intimacy with God doesn't mean we > will never misapprehend in significant ways; but he > corrects us in his time, and doesn't leave us to be > progressively ruined or brought down by our misapprehensions. > Am I wrong or foolish to rely on him to do this? Oh, Debbie, quite desiring to be a baby before the Lord. Grow up! He wants so much more of both you and me than this. You have children. When they are little, they are as you describe here, but if you had an 18 year old who acted like this, you would think, "what is wrong with you! I did not raise you to behave like this!" Oh, how we weary our God with this kind of religious thinking. Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
