When God says "No"

2 Cor 12:7-10
v7 Paul was given a thorn in the flesh to keep him from becoming conceited or prideful, thinking he could do it on his own without God. 
v8 pleaded three times with the Lord to take it away.
v9 God said "no." There are some things we can learn only during seasons of suffering. "My grace is sufficient" - daily grace given by the Lord, to keep us going, to take the next step, to keep it together. Jesus is our grace, lean into Him. Perfect means brought to completion, not yet finished, but in progress. God wants to show His power in our weakness.
v10 be content in seasons of hardship and suffering. Understand God will give you grace and strength to make it through, and use it greatly to teach us and bring glory to God.
1. You have the right to ask God to remove your thorn.
2. God has the right to say no.
3. Our weaknesses showcase God's strength.
4. Weakness prevents pride.
5. Weakness causes us to value others.
6. Weakness encourages those around us. It brings us together.
7. Your greatest ministry will come out of your weakness.
8. We must have an eternal perspective.

Easter

Phil 3:10-14
v12 "not that I have already obtained all this" - Paul wanted to live Christ
v12-14 "I press on toward the goal"
1. We must passionately pursue Jesus. v12-14, v8 anything that keeps us from knowing Christ is garbage.
2. We must experience Christ's power in our lives daily. v10
3. We must suffer well. v10
4. Because He arose, we will rise with Him again someday!!

I Choose Generosity

1. God does not need your money. Ps 50:9-12; Acts 17:24-25
2. Giving is for us. Lk 12:13-21, 30-34 parable of the rich fool. Where my treasure is, that's what my heart is. Where is my heart?? Would God call me a fool?
3. Giving is cheerful, generous, sacrificial, proportional, on purpose. 2 Cor 9:6-11, 8:1-4, Mal 3:8-12, 1 Cor 16:2
Ex 36:6-7, Lk 21:2-4, John 3:16

I Choose Suffering

I choose to suffer well because of who Jesus is and what he's done in my life.
Rom 8:17-28
v17 we should not be surprised by suffering, we should expect it. But we will also share in His glory.
v20 creation was subjected to frustration. Gen 3 - the fall of man and the consequences of pain, disharmony, and frustration. We live in a broken world.
v18 KJV "I reckon" our present sufferings aren't worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.
v19 creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
v21 creation will be liberated
v20 "in hope" it's going to happen, a sure thing
v22 creation groaning in pain and brokenness, knowing it will be worth every second of pain, because something awesome is going to happen
v23 we will be sons and daughters of the King
v26-27 the Spirit helps us and intercedes for us
v28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
In suffering, lean in to Jesus, and know that our suffering will pale in comparison to eternity with Jesus.