Minister Justin R. Williams hails all the way from Detroit Michigan where he was born and raised. Mininster Justin moved to Kalamazoo Michigan in 2004. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Western Michigan University in 2008. His Major was Management and his Minored was General Business. He currently is employed as a Property Manager for Eenhoorn LLC (Grand Rapids) since 2015. Min. Justin serves as an Associate Minister at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Kalamazoo Michigan under the leadership of Senior Pastor Dr. Addis Moore and First Lady Gwendolyn Moore (member since 2009). Additionally, Minister Justin serves as the Life Group Men's Facilitator, in the Music Ministry, Mime Ministry, and Youth Ministry. Minister J-Will (nickname) is happily married to his beautiful wife Brittany. They celebrated 9 years of marriage this past October 2021. Likewise, they are the parents of a beautiful 6 year old daughter named Journee Rae. Minister J-Will's favorite scripture is Isaiah Chapter 61.
Episode Topic: Thriving With Thorns - Advancing Through Adversity Focus Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 New Living Translation
Concerning Paul’s thorn in the flesh, he pleaded with God three times to take it from him. Did God just ignore the fact that Paul was crying out to him for help? No, God in fact did answer Paul. He said, ““My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” God wasn’t ignoring Paul’s pleas for help; He was telling Paul, “I’ve already given you everything you need to come out victoriously from this situation. My grace is My power given to you in the middle of your weakness. When you are weak on your own, I am strong in you! So, stop whining, stand up and use the weapons and power I have provided to you!” It was at this point that Paul’s attitude changed. He no longer complained to God about his situation. Paul realized that when trials came his way, they were simply an opportunity for God’s power to be strong in his life! He learned to boast in his own weaknesses with the realization that even in the weakness of his flesh, the grace-supplied power of God on the inside of him enabled him to live in peace, joy, and victory. See, without the grace of God, we are unable to live victoriously in this life. However, we are not without His grace! His grace is what enables us to overcome any obstacle we may face. We have already been given everything we need to live in victory! It doesn’t matter what may come against us, we are more than conquerors.
Episode Talking Points:
Your Thorn serves a Purpose v7. Defining Thorns?, Why are they there? God allows thorns to keep us from becoming proud.
Your Thorn shows God's Working Power v8-9. God gives us grace to deal with our thorn. He won't always take them away, yet He gives us His power to bear them. Oftentimes when you allow the thorn to work in your life, you experience first hand God's grace in the middle of your weakness.
Your Thorn shifts your Perspective v10 - Changed mindset, changed behavior; consciously deciding to allow God to work; your walk matters when you are experiencing thorns.
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