A friend of mine used to work on offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico during the summer to make money for college. He tested all the pipe for the pipeline that came in to the rig. Pipes were rated to take a certain amount of pressure, but the drillers never took the manufacturer's word for it. My friend tested each pipe for oil pressure with water pressure to be sure it would not spring a leak under water.
One day he was cranking up the pressure to test a section of pipe when suddenly a stream of water shot out of an unseen crack. When it happened, he told me the Lord spoke to him and said, "The pressure did not create the crack. The pressure revealed it." My friend said that revelation changed his life forever.
In the same way, pressure doesn't create our weaknesses--it exposes them. But that's when God's strength can flow through us. Character is developed through pressure.
In II Corinthians 12:10, the apostle Paul wrote, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Paul wasn't saying that when he was at his weakest, he was his strongest. He simply meant that when he realized his weakness, then God could strengthen him.
We all hate to be put under pressure. We want to run from it. But God sees the tests and trials that we go through in life as valuable. The apostle Peter described the trials of our faith as being "more precious than gold" (see I Peter 1:7). So don't run from pressure. This is how character is developed.
One day he was cranking up the pressure to test a section of pipe when suddenly a stream of water shot out of an unseen crack. When it happened, he told me the Lord spoke to him and said, "The pressure did not create the crack. The pressure revealed it." My friend said that revelation changed his life forever.
In the same way, pressure doesn't create our weaknesses--it exposes them. But that's when God's strength can flow through us. Character is developed through pressure.
In II Corinthians 12:10, the apostle Paul wrote, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Paul wasn't saying that when he was at his weakest, he was his strongest. He simply meant that when he realized his weakness, then God could strengthen him.
We all hate to be put under pressure. We want to run from it. But God sees the tests and trials that we go through in life as valuable. The apostle Peter described the trials of our faith as being "more precious than gold" (see I Peter 1:7). So don't run from pressure. This is how character is developed.
My Declaration of Faith for Today
Lord, I depend on Your strength to flow through me at all times.
Lord, I depend on Your strength to flow through me at all times.
ORAL ROBERT MINISTRIES sermon by Bob Yandian, Pastor Grace Fellowship © 2007. All rights reserved. (Please include this line to forward the message).
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