UNCOMMON ENCOUNTERS PT. 2
TEXT: 2 Corinthians 12:1-6
(AMP)
1 TRUE, THERE is nothing to be gained by it, but [as I am obliged] to boast, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows—
4 Was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter.
5 Of this same [man's experiences] I will boast, but of myself (personally) I will not boast, except as regards my infirmities (my weaknesses).
6 Should I desire to boast, I shall not be a witless braggart, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I abstain [from it] so that no one may form a higher estimate of me than [is justified by] what he sees in me or hears from me.
1 TRUE, THERE is nothing to be gained by it, but [as I am obliged] to boast, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows—
4 Was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter.
5 Of this same [man's experiences] I will boast, but of myself (personally) I will not boast, except as regards my infirmities (my weaknesses).
6 Should I desire to boast, I shall not be a witless braggart, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I abstain [from it] so that no one may form a higher estimate of me than [is justified by] what he sees in me or hears from me.
When a man sincerely decides to
seek the face of God from a pure heart, he begins to position himself for
unusual encounter from above. Sometimes it seem as though the supernatural is
an exclusive right of a few special folks but this is not true. A careful study
of the lives of most people with the extraordinary manifestations of God in
their life and ministry will reveal to you that most of them were regular folks
who chose to go an extra mile in their walk with God. When a man is hungry
enough to go the extra mile it is very possible that he will show up in the
supernatural realm. The truth is that there are so many people who are just too
comfortable with the norm; therefore they end up with the normal life. There is
a greater degree of glory that is available to every man no matter the glory they
walk in today. The Lord Jesus made us to understand that it is those who are
hungry and thirsty after righteousness that shall be filled and it is the pure
in heart that is positioned to see God.
When Paul had his encounter with
the glory of God, it is obvious that he was so conscious of the things he saw
and heard; yet it was very difficult to say it was an experience in his spirit
or his physical state. When a man stands in the presence of the glory of God,
it is hard to intelligibly comprehend what is happening. Except the Lord open
your understanding, you are lost. It is so hard to explain it but yet too real
to ignore or denial. If a man has not known any of such encounters, it is
difficult for him/her to relate with certain passages of the scripture and the
testimony of others.
If you have not had an
extraordinary encounter with the Lord it is not because you are the chief of
all sinners. In fact the first encounter Paul had on the way to Damascus was
when he was fighting against the people of God. It may become necessary for you
to become more hungry from the depth of your heart and as you do, the Lord in
His own wisdom knows just when to grant you an encounter. Wait on the Lord and you will be amazed what
He will do.
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