TOPIFC Spring Conference 2026 | Sunday 11:00 AM Service | Bishop Elijah Gray

Main message: God allows trials and "thorns" in the Christian life for a purpose — to keep us humble and to display Christ's power — and His grace is sufficient so we should “leave it in,” trust, praise, and expect God to work it out and bring a turnaround.

Key points:

• The Christian life is not exempt from suffering; believers will experience pain, sorrow, and persecution.
• Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12) was a satanic affliction he prayed about repeatedly, yet God answered that His grace is sufficient.
• God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, so trials can build us instead of break us if our attitude is one of trust and praise.
• Prayer does not always remove pain, but God will work circumstances for His purposes; we should give our burdens to God rather than complain.
• Expect a turnaround — the preacher encouraged the congregation that God’s favor and a shift in their situation is coming as they leave it in God.

Scriptures mentioned: 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, 2 Corinthians 11:23-25, Psalm 34