EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORN(S) AND SO DOES EVERY CHRISTIAN

What is the first thing you see when you glance at a magnificent rose?

For the vast majority they would answer the top portion (artistry of the petals). Seemingly following would be the vibrant color and fragrance.

However, the stem along with protruding thorns most often are the least of what the mind’s eye capture.
After all, thorns hurt if we are pricked by one and what’s the big deal about the stem?

Each part of the rose has its own function. Thorns on a rose bush form early before the young bud appears. This happens because buds and young roses might be eaten away by animals before the flowers get a chance to spread their pollen with the help of insects. Wild roses are said to have longer dense protruding thorns.

Of course, one may wonder where I’m going with this? The Lord shared with me insight so I wanted to share with all of you to be encouraged!

The majority of people upon receiving Salvation have hard stems. We all sin and sin left unchecked or (un-repentant) will harden as well as the hardness of life circumstances.

Everyone has thorns but some have more than others. God uses the harshness of life circumstances as a way of growing a depth of character. The hardness can be a tool in God’s Hands. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart on purpose to accomplish His Greater Purposes for the children of Israel.

Exodus 9:12 And the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses.

In 2nd Corinthians 12 It tells us about Paul’s “Thorn” in the flesh.

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

A messenger of Satan would also mean a demon was sent to torment Paul to keep Paul from exalting himself. It was sent to keep Paul humble.

Again some individuals have more thorns then others for reasons only known to God. Except through revelation from Almighty God could we have understanding as to why God allows thorns to remain. Paul’s thorn was placed there to protect him from greater harm.

As a result, a magnificent rose erupted! What a profound ministry unfolded and God’s Power flooded through Paul into the lives of so many even today!

Don’t be discouraged because you feel as though your stem is too hard or your thorns are many, instead think of it as the seeds of greatness that God will grow as you allow Him to grow you.

If you will allow Him to work in your life, He will bloom you into a magnificent rose with a fragrance that reaches the Heavens. Of course it will be in His Timing.

This process is often painful and the mistake we as individuals often make is viewing others by their stems and thorns….before we see a bud or one in full bloom.

Each one of God’s children are in a different stage of development. Some are seeds, others are just a hard stem with thorns, some have tiny buds, and of course there are some that have a full bloom.

Do not despise small beginnings. Do not despise those with a stem full of thorns, because many of the great men and women of God had a rose full of thorns.

Tina Bradley

Read more: http://www.bible-knowledge.com/every-rose-has-its-thorn/#ixzz2IwEYn3dA

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