Paul was one of God's most faithful servants. So, why would God allow a trial in his life that was so difficult he called it "a thorn in the flesh"? And Paul is not the only one who has struggled with a trial that could be called a thorn in the flesh. "Thorns" may be physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual but they hurt and they can make life hard. So, why would God allow such a thorn in Paul's life? And why does He allow difficult trials in our lives?

Do you ever feel inadequate or frustrated with your prayer life? If so, you're not alone. It appears even the disciples wanted more when they said, "Lord, teach us to pray." In our New Testament reading, we'll talk about Jesus' outline for prayer and how we can use it during our devotional time, along with another help that can lead to a more consistent, satisfying prayer life. We'll also talk about our motives for praying and other things we do. From our Old Testament reading check out "How Do You Evaluate Opportunities?" See how not to make decisions and some ways to evaluate opportunities. Also, today, "The Joy of Spiritual Prosperity," "The Fear of God," and "The Importance of Forgiveness." 

Do you want to make next year the best year ever in your Bible reading? If so, you need more than what you get on Sunday morning no matter how good the preaching is. You, also, need more than a verse or two on a smartphone app. You need to wade in. In the last two chapters of Ezekiel, the Prophet had a vision of a river flowing out of the Millennial Temple. It represents the gospel and the fullness of Scripture. Some things are “ankle deep”—easy to understand. Others are "knee-deep" and require more study. Others are deeper still and we may not be able to understand them fully. Even so, God wants us to wade in so we can grow in our understanding of Him and His Word. Also in today's post, read about 4 attitudes to have in the midst of trials and persecution. My free God's Word Day by Day devotional can help you get more from your Bible reading whether it's ankle deep, knee deep, or deeper still. In fact, this coming year could be your best year ever! And if you'd rather follow along as I read through the Bible on YouTube, you can subscribe here.