{"id":1023,"date":"2018-07-08T15:16:49","date_gmt":"2018-07-08T22:16:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1023"},"modified":"2018-07-11T14:39:42","modified_gmt":"2018-07-11T21:39:42","slug":"find-strength-in-weakness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/08\/find-strength-in-weakness\/","title":{"rendered":"Find Strength in Weakness!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><font color='black' size='2' face='arial'><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeAsian>   <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeComplexScript>   <w:Compatibility>    <w:BreakWrappedTables\/>    <w:SnapToGridInCell\/>    <w:WrapTextWithPunct\/>    <w:UseAsianBreakRules\/>    <w:DontGrowAutofit\/>    <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark\/>    <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp\/>    <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables\/>    <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx\/>    <w:Word11KerningPairs\/>    <w:CachedColBalance\/>   <\/w:Compatibility>   <m:mathPr>    <m:mathFont m:val=\"Cambria Math\"\/>    <m:brkBin m:val=\"before\"\/>    <m:brkBinSub m:val=\"&#45;-\"\/>    <m:smallFrac m:val=\"off\"\/>    <m:dispDef\/>    <m:lMargin m:val=\"0\"\/>    <m:rMargin m:val=\"0\"\/>    <m:defJc m:val=\"centerGroup\"\/>    <m:wrapIndent m:val=\"1440\"\/>    <m:intLim m:val=\"subSup\"\/>    <m:naryLim m:val=\"undOvr\"\/>   <\/m:mathPr><\/w:WordDocument> <\/xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState=\"false\" DefUnhideWhenUsed=\"true\"   DefSemiHidden=\"true\" DefQFormat=\"false\" DefPriority=\"99\"   LatentStyleCount=\"267\">   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"0\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Normal\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 7\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 8\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 9\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 7\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 8\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 9\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"35\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"caption\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"10\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Title\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"1\" Name=\"Default Paragraph Font\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"0\" Name=\"Body Text\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"11\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Subtitle\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"22\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Strong\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"20\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Emphasis\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"59\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Table Grid\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Placeholder Text\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"1\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"No Spacing\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Revision\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"34\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"List Paragraph\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"29\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Quote\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"30\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Intense Quote\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"19\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Subtle Emphasis\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"21\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Intense Emphasis\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"31\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Subtle Reference\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"32\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Intense Reference\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"33\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Book Title\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"37\" Name=\"Bibliography\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"TOC Heading\"\/>  <\/w:LatentStyles> <\/xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> \n\n<style>  \/* Style Definitions *\/  table.MsoNormalTable \t{mso-style-name:\"Table Normal\"; \tmso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; \tmso-tstyle-colband-size:0; \tmso-style-noshow:yes; \tmso-style-priority:99; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; \tmso-para-margin:0in; \tmso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \tfont-size:11.0pt; \tfont-family:\"Calibri\",\"sans-serif\"; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><\/p>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1023-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Pentecost-7-07-08-18.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Pentecost-7-07-08-18.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Pentecost-7-07-08-18.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">July 8, 2018<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">2 Corinthians 12:7-10<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Find Strength in Weakness! <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But he said to me, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ\u2019s power may rest on me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That is why, for Christ\u2019s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For when I am weak, then I am strong.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(NIV1984)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u201cIf only\u2026.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I cannot even begin to tell you how often those two little words go through my little mind.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cIf only I had been a little more patient or if only I had been a little more persistent perhaps we would see this person in church a little more often.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cIf only I had been a little more understanding or if only I possessed a little more understanding perhaps the visitor who said they were \u2018church shopping\u2019 would have come back another Sunday.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cIf only I had a little more time or if only I had a little more money perhaps I could get more done and help more people.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u201cIf only\u2026.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do you ever have those two little words go through your mind?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I\u2019m going to guess that you do.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If that is true, if you are personally familiar with the words \u201cIf only\u2026\u201d then you won\u2019t have any trouble understanding our sermon text for today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At one time in his life the apostle Paul was at a point where he went to the Lord in prayer and said, \u201cLord, if only\u2026.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today we have the opportunity to not only look at why Paul turned to the Lord and prayed, \u201cIf only\u2026\u201d but we also have the opportunity to see how the Lord answered Paul\u2019s prayer.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Our theme for today focuses our attention on a truth we <u>all<\/u> need to remember:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Find Strength in Weakness!<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The apostle Paul is widely considered to be the greatest missionary that the Christian church has ever\u2014 and perhaps will ever\u2014 see.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That, however, does not mean that Paul\u2019s ministry always went smoothly.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That does not mean that Paul was both admired and appreciated everywhere he went.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In 2 Corinthians chapters ten and eleven we are told that there were individuals who considered themselves to be \u201cbetter\u201d apostles than the apostle Paul.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They considered themselves to be more \u201cimpressive\u201d than Paul.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See 2 Corinthians 10:10)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They considered themselves to be better speakers than Paul.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See 2 Corinthians 11:6)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They considered themselves to be smarter than Paul.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And therefore\u2014 in their own estimation\u2014 they thought that they should be admired and appreciated more than Paul.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In reality, however, these men were false apostles.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They were false apostles who were leading God\u2019s people away from Christ so that they might have followers of their own.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They were false apostles who were taking the focus off of the cross and so that they could shine the spotlight on themselves.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In 2 Corinthians 11:13 Paul refers to these false apostles as <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdeceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Because these false apostles were creating so much trouble in the church and because these false apostles were disrespecting both the reputation and the ministry of the apostle Paul, the Holy Spirit led Paul to defend both his reputation and his apostolic ministry.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When you have a chance, scan through 2 Corinthians 11:21-12:6.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not only did Paul endure extraordinary hardships as he faithfully proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ (he was flogged, he was thrown into prison, he was beaten with rods, he was shipwrecked), but Paul had also been granted extraordinary blessings by Jesus Christ his Lord!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Paul brings out that he had been given visions and revelation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>One time he was <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ccaught up to paradise\u201d<\/i> where he heard <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cinexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell\u201d<\/i> (2 Corinthians 12:4).<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">It is in this context, my friends, that Paul says in the opening verse of our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cTo keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Opinions vary widely as to what Paul\u2019s <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthorn in the flesh\u201d<\/i> may have been. <span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>Most commentators lean toward some painful physical condition such as severe headaches, epilepsy, eye problems or malaria.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Some people think Paul may be referring to the false apostles who were causing him so much trouble and so much pain in his ministry.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whatever this <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthorn in the flesh\u201d<\/i> may have been it is clear that Paul eventually came to understand why he had been given this <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthorn in the flesh.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He states that purpose in the words, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cTo keep me from becoming conceited\u2026there was given me a thorn in my flesh.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Because of all the wonderful spiritual gifts Paul had been granted, because of the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201csurpassingly great revelations\u201d<\/i> that Paul had received, and because even the apostle Paul still had to deal with his own egotistical sinful nature, it would have been relatively easy for Paul to think rather highly of himself.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It would have been relative easy for Paul to say, \u201cLook at what <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">I<\/b> have done!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at all the congregations that <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">I<\/b> have started!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at all the people that <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">I<\/b> brought into the church!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore, God gave Paul this <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthorn in the flesh\u201d<\/i> to both keep Paul humble as well as to keep Paul focused.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Is it really any different for us today, my friends?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>To this very day it is relatively easy for most pastors to look at their congregation and be tempted to think, \u201cLook at what I have done since I have been here!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>New people have come into the church.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We\u2019re meeting our budget.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The debt has been paid off.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Generally speaking, things are going pretty well with me as pastor.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>To this very day it is relatively easy for you, God\u2019s people, to look at your congregation and be tempted to say, \u201cLook at what we have done!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We are the ones who paid off that debt.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We are the ones who are paying the bills.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We are the ones who are maintaining this church.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>To this very day it is relatively easy for <u>all<\/u> of us to look at some portion of our life and be tempted to say with a certain amount of sinful pride, \u201cLook at what I have accomplished.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because we all have that old egotistical sinful nature lurking inside of us we should not be surprised if the good Lord sends us our own personalized <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthorn in the flesh.\u201d <\/i>Whether it is illness or injury, heartaches or headaches, difficulties or disappointments there are times when like Paul we need the Lord to teach us to be humble and to teach us to stay focused.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">That brings us to what I consider to be the key verses of our text, verses 8 &amp; 9.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Paul writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThree times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But he said to me, \u2018My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.\u2019\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cIf only\u2026.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There was obviously a time in his life when Paul was convinced that if only the Lord would take this <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthorn in the flesh\u201d<\/i> away <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">then<\/b> Paul could accomplish even more for the church, <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">then<\/b> Paul could do even more for the Lord.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Three times Paul <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cpleaded,\u201d<\/i> he<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"> \u201cbegged,\u201d<\/i> he<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"> \u201curged\u201d <\/i>the Lord to take this <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthorn in the flesh\u201d<\/i> away!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What was the Lord\u2019s answer?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God said, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Was God being mean to Paul?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Was the Lord unsympathetic to the situation that Paul was in?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Of course not!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Lord was teaching the apostle Paul where to find strength in weakness!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at what God said to Paul, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cMy grace is sufficient for you.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Instead of relying on himself\u2014 his own gifts, his own talents, his own abilities\u2014 the Lord wanted Paul to rely upon God\u2019s grace!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whatever Paul needed to carry out his work\u2014 God\u2019s grace would supply it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whatever Paul needed to endure the hardships that he faced\u2014 God\u2019s grace would supply it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whatever Paul needed to get through whatever situation he found himself in\u2014 God\u2019s grace would supply it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cMy grace is sufficient for you,\u201d<\/i> says the Lord!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What gloriously wonderful words!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But there is more!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Lord goes on to say to Paul, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201c\u2026for my power is made perfect in weakness.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If you have your own personal study Bible I encourage you to take a pen and in the margin next to 2 Corinthians 12:9 write John 19:30.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then in 2 Corinthians 12:9 underline the words <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cmade perfect.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Greek verb that is translated here in our text as <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cmade perfect\u201d<\/i> is the same Greek verb that Jesus used in John 19:30 when He said from the cross, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIt is finished,\u201d<\/i>\u2014 or as many of you have learned that can be translated, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI have reached my goal.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/i>If you truly want to see the depth of the power of the Lord our God you need to look at what appeared to be the ultimate act of weakness\u2014 the crucifixion of Jesus the Christ!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In that moment of humiliation and \u201cdefeat\u201d God\u2019s power achieved its ultimate <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cgoal\u201d<\/i>\u2014 the salvation of your soul!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The paradox between God\u2019s power and your weakness is continually played out in your daily lives.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As long as you <u>think<\/u> that you have some power of your own, as long as you <u>think<\/u> that you can handle the various situations you encounter in your life \u201call by yourself\u201d\u2014 you will have little to no use for the power of the Lord your God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is only when you and I are brought to the realization of how <u>weak<\/u> we actually are, it is only when you and I are led to see how <u>helpless<\/u> we are to handle the situations we face in life, it is only then that the <u>power<\/u> of the Lord our God is <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cmade perfect\u201d<\/i> in us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is only then that the <u>power<\/u> of the Lord our God <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201creaches its goal\u201d<\/i> in our heart and in our life.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">As many of you already know this is not always an \u201ceasy\u201d lesson to learn.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As many of you already know this is certainly not a \u201cfun\u201d lesson to learn.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But just as it was an important lesson for Paul to learn so also it is an important lesson for us to learn. We often suffer on our journey through this life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We are often overwhelmed by events which are completely beyond our control.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Satan pounces on these situations as opportunities to try and get us to:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>a) doubt God\u2019s love for us; or, b) question God\u2019s power to carry us through these difficult times.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s why it is <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">so<\/b> important for us to be focused on the cross!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we stop to remember that God\u2019s love for us is so vast that He was willing to suffer and die to pay for our sins, when we stop to remember that through what appeared to be the ultimate act of weakness God\u2019s power achieved its ultimate goal\u2014 the salvation of our souls\u2014 then, my friends, then we will know deep down in our hearts the joy and the confidence that the Lord taught to the apostle Paul when He said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Find strength in weakness, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When the good Lord allows things to happen in your life that are just too much for you to handle remember that He does this <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> to teach you what <u>you<\/u> can and cannot handle on your own, but rather He does this to teach you that no matter what it is\u2014 <u>He<\/u> can handle it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When the good Lord allows things to happen in your life that threaten to overwhelm you, remember that He does this <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> to teach you how easily <u>you<\/u> are overwhelmed, but rather He does this to teach you that there is <u>nothing<\/u> that overwhelms Him.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">\u201cIf only\u2026.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whether it is you or whether it is me there will undoubtedly be times when those two little words still find their way into our hearts and into our prayers.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My prayer then this morning is that the good Lord will help all of us to learn the lesson that the apostle Paul learned so very well\u2014 the lesson that teaches us to humbly stay focused on the cross so that we will <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">always<\/i> have the ultimate source of strength even in our deepest moments of weakness.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Or as Paul says in our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201c<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ\u2019s power may rest on me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That is why, for Christ\u2019s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For when I am weak, then I am strong.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\"><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<p> <\/font>Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Pentecost-7-07-08-18.mp3\">Pentecost-7-07-08-18.MP3<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost July 8, 2018 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Find Strength in Weakness! &nbsp; &nbsp; To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.&nbsp; Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1023","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1023","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1023"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1023\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1023"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1023"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1023"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}