Ezekiel 1-2  The prophet, Ezekiel, had been taken into exile to Babylon.  It was there, by a river, that he received his "calling" as God's prophet.. a dramatic and unusual call, for sure. 

Ezekiel tells us that after 5 years of exile he had a vision.  In this vision, he saw "the heavens" open up before him. The first thing he describes is the great lights.. fire flashing, glowing figures, bright lights.. and more fire.  Then, in the midst of this light and fire, he sees the four "living beings".  Ezekiel describes these beings in great detail.. unlike anything we have ever seen.. but similar to what Isaiah and Daniel had once witnessed.. and like John saw on the island of Patmos.

What Ezekiel sees next is what is even more amazing, for he sees the crystal sea and the throne above it.. and the glorious appearance of the Lord.. "Then I noticed.. there was a radiance around Him..."  At this vision, Ezekiel falls on his face in worship. 

The Lord speaks to Ezekiel, calling him "the son of man" and fills him with the Spirit. "Then He said to me, 'Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people, who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.' " 

Ezekiel is given a mission to speak to the "stubborn and obstinate" people.  He needed to know that his mission did not depend on whether or not the people listened.. but whether or not he spoke what God gave him to speak. "But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not." 

Ezekiel was given God's words in a most unusual way.. he was given a scroll and commanded to open his mouth and eat it. We are told that the scroll was "written on the front and back; and written on it were lamentations, mourning, and woe." 

Father, what do You want to say to me... to us.. today through this Word?   I hear You reminding us of Your greatness.. far above what we know or can even imagine.. of how utterly transcendent and holy You are.. and yet, You willingly interact with us.. calling us to be Your people and to share Your message.  I also hear You telling us that we must speak what You give us.. Your words of Life.. even to those who are rebellious and stubborn.. and who may or may not listen.  I hear You say, that the words that we share are not all happiness and joy.. but "laminations and mourning and woe... " May we grasp what You are telling us through Your word today.. Your overwhelming greatness.. Your commission to speak the word You give us.. and Your command to speak to those who may not listen because of their rebellious and stubborn hearts.  Come and fill us Spirit of the Living God.. and use us to share the words of life.. without fear, without hesitation, and with full obedience.  We pray this in the Name of our radiant and powerful Lord and King, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 II Corinthians 13 Paul has some final words for the church...

"Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses"..  is a vital principle for the way of dealing with each other... It is the way of justice and truthfulness. The goal is not condemnation.. the goal is restoring and  building up each other in Jesus. 

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!" It is much easier to condemn another person.. than it is to condemn yourself sometimes.   Jesus taught that we need to take the logs out of our own eyes before we examine the speck in someone else's eye.  Paul seems to be teaching the same principle... and he was including himself in this.. " but I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.."  Paul and his fellow workers can stand up under the scrutiny of these brothers because they stand on the truth.. "For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth." 

Paul's prayer is that the church would be "made complete".  that they would be fully restored and built up in faith and in surrender to the authority of the Lord.  "Finally brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." 

We can do no better than this.. to treat others with such love and grace.. to carefully examine ourselves and our motives.. to build up each other in faith and truth.. to restore those who have slipped or fallen.. to rejoice with those who are restored.. to find completion and unity and peace in the power of Christ. 

Father, let Your will be done.. Your kingdom come.. and Your Name be hallowed.. lead us in righteousness, fill us with spiritual and physical bread.. with forgiveness and love for one another. We ask these things in the name of Jesus. amen. 

 II Corinthians 12  Paul talks about the highest and the lowest places in his spiritual walk. The highest point being a vision or experience that was beyond his understanding.. for he didn't know whether it was a physical or spiritual visit in "Paradise".  What he did know was that he heard "inexpressible words which a man is not permitted to speak."  

In contrast, Paul's lowest point was "a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet him"... which he felt was allowed by God to keep him "from exalting" himself.  Paul prayed for deliverance from this "thorn", but received only the marvelous words.. " My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." 

This is the amazing thing about our God, isn't it, that He does even more in us at our lowest points than at our highest!  Paul testifies, " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me." 

It is the example, not only of Paul's testimony, but of the Lord Jesus too.  As we have been reminded so often this Christmas season.. Jesus "emptied Himself"... stepped down from His heavenly throne.. and became a man.. born in a stable.. the most humble of births.. Then He came to "His own".. and they did not see Who He was.. but rejected Him, accused Him, abused Him.. and nailed Him to a cross.  It was at His "weakest" point that He was most powerful.. conquering sin, death, and hell!

Paul's experiences of "insults.. distresses.. persecutions.. difficulties.. for Christ's sake.." revealed the power of Christ in him.. "for when I am weak, then I am strong." 

Paul would not come to the church in Corinth as others had come.. he would not come as one in a powerful position.. even though he could have.. as "a true apostle".  But, he would come as a father who felt "responsible" for his children.  He wanted to build them up... he wanted to find them faithful to Jesus.  He was afraid to find "strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances.. impurity, immorality.. and sensuality." ( v20-21)  He would come to them.. in hope that the words that he had written to them would bring the sinners to repentance and the church to completion in Christ. 

Father, we confess our weaknesses and rejoice in Your all sufficient grace. May the power of Christ be found in us.. for we so desire to be found faithful and true.. made righteous in Him.  We pray that we will be built up.. together in our churches.. so that in times of trouble and distress.. the power of Christ will all that will be seen.  Oh Lord, may we be sincere in faith, repenting of those things that cause strife and tempers.. slander or gossip. May we keep filled with Your Spirit, walking in truth..no matter if we are experiencing the mountaintops or the valleys in this life. Jesus, we are Yours.. have Your way in us we pray.. Amen. 

 II Corinthians 11  You can hear Paul's heart in this letter to the church.. his burden for them to stay true to the gospel and not be led astray by the false teachers.. especially those who came in the name of Jesus, but preached lies..  Paul compared himself to these false teachers.. but prefaced it by saying that he would not "boast beyond" what the Lord had "apportioned" to him. 

Paul was jealous for the believers.. he wanted them to stay faithful to the true Christ.. in "simplicity and purity of devotion.."  He wanted them to know that he, himself, would not take advantage of them as the false teachers did.  He would not ask them for wages.. he would not expect them to provide for him.. instead, he relied on those who gave willingly to help him on his way. 

Paul did not want to boast in anything.. he considered it "foolishness".. but he needed them to understand that he knew what he was talking about.. his background and his experiences testified of his own devotion to Christ.. through being beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and more.. he remained faithful to Christ, and he wanted them to do the same.  He was willing to be weak. .he was willing to be humble... and he was willing to sacrifice himself, for the sake of the true gospel.  They would not find that true of those who did not really know Jesus Christ as their Lord. 

A question I read from a devotional yesterday struck me.. and seems to fit this study.. " Who is Jesus to you?"  I have been thinking of this since early this morning.. fitting for Christmas day.. I think.  Maybe those of you who read this will ponder it too... there are infinite answers to that question, but let me share a few:

Jesus is my Savior.  He is my Master.  He is my Friend. He is my Comforter. He is my King.  Jesus is my Healer and my Helper.  Jesus is my Light and my Life.  Jesus is my constant Companion and my favorite place of Refuge.  Jesus knows me, loves me, and holds me close.  Jesus is my hope and the reason that I celebrate Christmas!

I hope you all have a Blessed Christmas and maybe you can ask yourself this question too.. Who is Jesus to you?

Father, thank You for the incredible gift of Jesus Christ, the Lord.. a child born, a Son given, a Savior who made a way for us to come home to You. All glory and honor and praise to You. Amen!

 II Corinthians 10 Paul desires to imitate Christ.. in meekness and gentleness.. as he ministers to the church, but he doesn't want them to underestimate his authority as God's servant.. the one who actually brought the gospel to them in the first place. He is bold when necessary.. desiring the best for every believer. 

Paul takes a courageous stance against those who are criticizing and defaming him.. He calls it a "war".. not "according to the flesh".  Spiritual warfare..  His weapon is  "divinely powerful". .. for the "destruction of fortresses".  As he wrote to the Ephesians.. "for our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." ( Eph. 6:12)  

"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ... " 

Speculations.. imaginations, computations, and human reasoning.  Lofty things.. pretensions.. arrogant, prideful ideas and thoughts... These are destroyed by the diligent and intentional action of turning every thought over to Christ Jesus.  What a powerful prayer and practice.  

Father, we live in a world where imaginations and speculations are more than prevalent.. they seem to rule over so much of our every day lives.. through the airways.. in the heart of finance and government.. Arrogant and prideful thinking is everywhere we look.  Help us, Mighty God, to turn our every thought to Jesus, the One who holds all things together.  Cloth us withYour truth, Your righteousness,  Your salvation, Your  peace, and the Word.. the sword of Your Spirit.. and teach us to pray and pray and pray some more.. Let Your divine power destroy the fortresses.. the rulers, the powers, the darkness.. and all wickedness!  Let Your Kingdom come!  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!

 II Corinthians 9 Paul did not want the church in Corinth to be embarrassed or to embarrass him by not being prepared with the promised gift.. "a bountiful gift".  He reminds them of this principle, "he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.." 

Paul teaches us some more truths about giving.. 

v7  We are to purpose in our hearts what to give.. "not grudgingly or under compulsion."  We have a God who loves it when we give cheerfully!

v8 We have a God who "is able to make all grace abound" to us.. that we will have sufficient and will be able to help others out of our "abundance ". 

v10  We have a God who Himself has supplied "seed for the sower and bread for food..."  He is the One who will "supply and multiply  [our] seed for sowing and increase the harvest of [our] righteousness." 

v11  When we give.. we are the ones "enriched in everything for all liberality which through us is producing thanksgiving to God." 

v12 God is glorified by the gracious act of giving liberally. 

v15 "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 

Father in heaven, all we have been given is from Your Hands and we are so thankful. Thank You for giving us the opportunity to give liberally out of the abundance that You have supplied. I am mindful that we have, here in this country, so much.. having seen the great need in other countries in Africa and other places. May we give liberally.. cheerfully.. bountifully. Multiply the gifts that we are able to offer.. whether little or much.. that others would know Your grace that abounds and give You thanks. Be glorified Lord Jesus! Amen. 

 II Corinthians 8  In this chapter Paul addresses giving... in particular a gift that that the church had pledged to give to the "saints".. to the church in Jerusalem which was in great need.  Paul wanted to let them know that Titus and others would be coming to them to collect what they had gathered, adding it to what the churches in Macedonia had given, and he wanted them to be ready. 

The churches of Macedonia were commended because they had given out of their "deep poverty".. "with liberality"..  and "according to their ability".  They had given themselves  "first.. to the Lord" and "to us by the will of God."  This was a great example to the Corinthian church as well as to us. 

Paul calls this a "gracious work" that he desired to see them complete.. "in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you.. "  Earnestness and sincere love.. along with "readiness" are the best motivations to giving.  As Paul explains.. giving out of  "abundance" to supply the "want" of others is a way of bringing "equality".  At other times they could find themselves in need and may receive from those that they had once helped.  It is a precious opportunity of blessing for the gift givers and those who receive.. bringing them into fellowship with one another on a deeper level. 

Paul also gave instructions about those who would be coming to receive and take the gifts to Jerusalem.  He chose men that he knew well and in whom he had "great confidence."  Men found to be diligent and honorable. 

As we think about this passage, may we think about our own "gracious" works.. are we giving ourselves "first to the Lord"?  Are we giving with earnestness and sincere love?  Do we have a desire to give, but not the follow through?  Are we giving out of our abundance and according to our abilities?  Are we giving in a way that shows the proof of our love.. to God and to those in need?  Are we careful to give through honorable and diligent men or organizations?

Father, we desire to be Your faithful servants in every way.. including in our giving.  We are inspired by those in Macedonia and in Corinth.. that gave out of their own poverty to those in even greater need.  Help us to be more determined.. more earnest.. more ready.. and more gracious in giving.  Let our hearts be sincere in love for Your servants in need.. and help us to be gracious and faithful givers.. as we first give ourselves fully to You.  In Jesus' name we pray.. Amen. 

 II Corinthians 7 "Therefore having these promises.."  The promise that God will dwell in us and walk among us.. that He will be our God and we will be His people.. that He will be a Father to us.. because of this.. "let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."   

"Perfecting holiness" ?  That seems an impossible goal.. how do we even begin?  Paul tells us to start by cleansing ourselves from "defilement".. filthiness, immorality.. "of flesh and spirit".  Peter put it this way.. " As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.. " ( I Peter 1:14-15)  Peter goes on to write this.. "since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls... love.. "  Perfecting holiness does not come without our surrender.. to obey the truth.. to choose His ways.. 

We have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.. "redeemed.. with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.." ( I Peter 1:18-19) It is in His power and His provision that we "perfect holiness".  We surrender all.. we rely fully.. and we obey the Truth.. 

Paul continues to speak to the church about the sorrow that they had because of his previous letter.. and the comfort that he received when they repented and obeyed the word. "Godly sorrow".. Paul tells us "produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation.. "  Sorrow is something we do not desire.. yet we recognize that it is a part of our lives here on earth.  Yet, when it produces the good that our God desires.. in this case repentance.. then it is something we can be thankful for.. " And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" ( Romans 8:28)  His purpose.. that we might be "conformed to the image of His Son.."   We will not regret having sorrow.. when we put it in God's hands and allow Him to use it to make us like Jesus!

Father in heaven,  I know.. and I can testify that You have taken my sorrows.. and You are doing a good thing.. in me.. and in those I love.  Thank You for the great promises of Your Word.. thank You that You will do that complete work in me.. perfecting holiness.. in my flesh and in my spirit.  I am Yours, Lord God, Your servant.. Your daughter, and I desire to walk in Your ways... in complete obedience.. in holiness.  Fill me with Your Spirit and help me, I pray..  in Jesus' name. Amen.

 II Corinthians 6:11-18  Paul exhorts his readers to first of all, open their hearts to him and his fellow workers as they have opened their hearts to them..   Do we do this?  Do we know the love and concern and grief of those who lead us in our churches?  Do we open our hearts to them?  Perhaps there are times when we know that kind of deep fellowship and "oneness" with our brothers and sisters in Christ.. and perhaps there are times when either we.. or they.. hold back, for whatever reason.  Either way this is something that we should pray for in the church... for a unrestrained affection.. within the fellowship of believers where God has placed us. 

Secondly, Paul exhorts us to "not be bound together with unbelievers".. Do not be "yoked" together is the older translation... coupled or obligated to... Picture an old balance, with a pair of scales bound together with one connecting beam.. that is the yoke.  When we want to be the same "weight".. the same as an unbeliever in worth.. in unity.. then we will take on the same characteristics of lawlessness and darkness. 

We are called instead to be righteous and light.. We can not have harmony with the world and harmony with our Lord at the same time.  We make a choice.. 

"For we are the temple of the living God;"  We are called to  "come out.. and be separate" .. We have a greater Yoke.. a greater connection to the Father.. as His sons and daughters.. connected by Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus Christ the Lord who became sin..."on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  We want no other yoke.. to be bound to no other person or thing, but to be united fully with You in Christ.  Help us Holy Spirit to be filled with Your Presence as the Temple of old was so filled that none could even enter.. we are the temple of the living God!Be exalted in us we pray.. Hallelujah! and Amen!

 II Corinthians 6  Paul was "an ambassador for  Christ".. He wanted all those he ministered to.. to be "reconciled with God"... changed.. restored in relationship with God.   He was not doing the work of ministry on his own but "working together with Him.. " he urged the believers to receive the grace of God, fully and completely.. not "in vain"... not empty promises but in the fullness of Christ Jesus.

Paul did not want to cause "offense".. but he did want to exhibit himself only as a servant of God.." in everything."  In everything includes:

" .. in much endurance,

 in afflictions,

 in hardships,

in distresses,

in beatings,

in imprisonments,

in tumults,

in labors,

in sleeplessness,

in hunger,

in purity

in knowledge,

in patience,

in kindness,

in the Holy Spirit,

in genuine love,

in the word of truth,

in the power of God,

by the weapons of righteousness...

by glory and dishonor,

by evil report and good report,

regarded as deceivers, yet true;

unknown yet well-known,

dying, yet behold we live; 

as punished yet not put to death,

as sorrowful yet always rejoicing,

as poor yet making many rich,

as having nothing yet possessing all things." ( Verses 4-10)

Which of these things describe your situation today? I can name several.. and so I pray:

Father in heaven, I ask that I will be seen as Your servant in "everything".. in every hardship.. in every labor.. in sleepless nights and in times of bad reports and good ones too.  Father, let Jesus be made known in my life.. by Your power.. in the word of truth.. according to Your will and purposes.  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. 

 II Corinthians 5:11-21  Over and over.. in these verses Paul uses the word "therefore" or "that". He wants his readers to get this!  We are trying to see the "unseen".. we are walking by faith.. trusting God to provide the "eternal.. dwelling" that He is preparing for us.. we are making it our "ambition" to please Him now.. and then.. 

Therefore... 

V. 11  .." knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God.. "  Since we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.. to be "recompensed" for our deeds "whether good or bad".. all the more, we desire to be about His work of sharing the good news of Jesus.. persuading as many as we can.. that Jesus is the only Way, Truth, and Life.  May our lives show forth His Light..

 V. 14-15  "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf."   May this be the bottom line of our lives' ambitions.. to know the love of Christ.. to be constrained and consumed with Him.. no longer living for ourselves.. but for our Wonderful Savior! To make known this great salvation.. that Jesus died for "all"!

V. 16 "Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; "   We need to start seeing the "unseen" in others too.. Not their outward appearance.. their status or wealth or beauty.. or lack of these.. but to look at their hearts.. rejoicing with those who know Jesus.. praying for those who don't. 

V17 "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."  What wonderful news!   Let us live in this truth.. for our own sakes and for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Christ.. May we recognize Christ in them.. and may Christ be seen in us too!

V. 18, 21 "Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."  How thankful we are for the Word and work of Jesus Christ!  Our trespasses are no longer held against us! "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

V. 20 "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ..."   We are given the opportunity and the responsibility to make known this Wonderful Savior.. begging.. entreating.. praying.. that others will also be reconciled to God through Jesus.. 

Father, teach us.. fill us.. be made known in us and through us... in Christ Jesus.... that others may also be saved, made new, reconciled with You. May the love of Christ control me.. may the Words of Christ fill my mouth.. may my eyes be opened to the unseen in others.. that I might minister Your love and compassion and grace to those who need Jesus.  Father, let Your will be done in me.. in us.. Your people.. that all we do and all we say will be pleasing to You and  that others will come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! It is in His name we ask this.. Amen. 

 II Corinthians 5:1-10  Paul takes us past the "light afflictions" of this life.. to that which is "unseen".. and "eternal. "For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

What is mortal.. the "home" that we know.. our bodies.. will not last forever.  We know this very well.  Paul tells us to not worry about that.. for what God is preparing for us.. an eternal dwelling.. will be so much better.  ".. be of good courage.. "  walk in faith.. know that first of all:

 ".. He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.."

 Secondly, know that absence from this body means we will be HOME with the Lord! 

"Therefore".. because of this.. "we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him."  Why?  Because.. we will "all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." 

Father in heaven, help us to walk by faith in Your Truth.. help us to be courageous through the momentary troubles, knowing that You have a plan and Your purposes will be completed.  You will bring us home.. to be with You!  You are preparing for us eternal, immortal.. forever bodies, that will not groan anymore!  You have given us Your Spirit.. a "pledge".. a downpayment.. a first taste of the eternal, making us "new creations" in Christ.  By this we know Your grace and love that will fulfill every Word.  Thank You!  Let Your will be done.. on earth.. in these bodies.. as it is done in heaven.  In Christ we pray, amen. 

 II Corinthians 4  Paul had noted the transformation of the believers in Galatia.. that Christ was manifested in them.. showing that his ministry was not in vain.. but that the Spirit had given them life in Christ and was continually moving in their lives.. from"glory to glory".. as they were being transformed into the image of the Son.  It is for this reason that he proclaims.. " .. we do not lose heart". 

Paul has carefully preached the Truth of the gospel..without "craftiness or adulterating the word of God.. " Those who still could not understand the plain teaching of the gospel.. being "veiled" as it were.. were those who were "perishing".. because the "god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." 

What an important verse!  May this be our prayer.. that God would give sight to the blind.. that they might see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ!  

Like Paul, may we only preach Jesus Christ as Lord! May we pray for the God who spoke light out of darkness.. to shine in our hearts.. "to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." And that His light would shine ever brighter as our lives are transformed into His image. 

Paul says that we carry this great treasure... this wonderful truth of the gospel that Jesus the Light of the World has come.. in "earthen vessels".   We are weak that His strength may be seen.  We are poor so that His riches will be made known.. we may be, like Paul, "afflicted.. perplexed..persecuted.. struck down.." and even "delivered over to death".  But, because of the treasure within us.. "we do not lose heart"!"   We are not "crushed.. despairing.. forsaken.. or destroyed... "  but by faith.. we proclaim, "He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus... "  

Yes, as we all can testify.. "our outer man is decaying.. " but thanks to the Lord.. "our inner man is being renewed day by day"!  How thankful we are that this life.. with all its struggles.. these "light afflictions" are "producing for us and eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison."  Hallelujah!

Father, our prayer is for the Light of the World to be manifested in us. We also  pray for those who are blinded by this world and by satan..  that You would open the eyes of their hearts that they might see Jesus . We pray for lives to be saved, transformed from darkness to light... from death to life.. from sinner to forgiven and cleansed children of God. Father, fill us with the Light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that He will be made known through our lives.. even though we are weak and afflicted and struggling.  We are earthen vessels.. and You are the great treasure within us!  Be exalted in us today we pray.. with thanksgiving for Your wonderful grace and love.. amen. 

 II Corinthians 3   Paul asks a question.. ".. do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you?"  Paul wondered if the church needed to be introduced to himself again.. did they need an outside recommendation.. had they forgotten that he was there first, giving them the gospel of Jesus Christ?  

"You are our letter.. " Paul proclaims.. the believers that had been taken from death to life.. from idolatry to Christ.. from hearts of stone to hearts of flesh.  "You are a letter of Christ", he tells them.. "written in our hearts, known and read by all men.. "   

A life changed forever by Jesus Christ.. where the "Spirit of the Living God" had written His Name in their hearts.. that "manifested" the Presence of Jesus.. by the power of Jesus.. this is a letter of commendation that everyone should be able to recognize.  If they were changed at all.. by knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.. it would be made known by their very lives!  

"And such confidence we have through Christ toward God." Paul's own life had been radically changed when he met Jesus.. he recognized that transformation in true believers too.  Just as we, also, recognize the Spirit of Christ in the lives of other believers. 

Yet, Paul is careful to say, " Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God."   His ability.. his competency.. to be a servant of the new covenant.. was from God.. not himself. This was a Spirit given ministry.. a life-giving.. glorious ministry.. a surpassing.. unfading.. eternal ministry .. able to remove the veil between God and men.  The ministry of Paul that changed them and was still changing them.. "from glory to glory".. transforming them by the Spirit of God.. this was the proof.. the "letter of commendation".. the only thing they needed to know.. 

Father, thank You for the transforming.. eternal .. surpassing power of the Holy Spirit.. Who writes the Name of Jesus on our hearts.. and changes us from "glory to glory" as He is manifested.. made known in our lives.  May we be letters of introduction.. letters of commendation.. that others will see Jesus clearly in us. Fill us once again, Holy Spirit, that we might overflow with love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.. that Jesus will be glorified !  We ask this in His wonderful Name.  Amen. 

 II Corinthians 2 Paul expresses his sorrow and love for the church in Corinth.. seeing that they obeyed his instructions.. he now urges them to forgive and restore the one that had been living sinfully in their midst. Forgiveness.. we all need it and want it.. but it is sometimes hard to be the ones to forgive those who hurt us with their sins. Paul says, " But whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ."   Forgiveness restores fellowship.. unity.. and this is vital for the church.. any church!  The man who had caused the problems repented.. and the church, which had allowed the sinfulness to continue.. also repented.  Paul tells them to "forgive and comfort"..  first, so that he would not be "overwhelmed by excessive sorrow".. and secondly, " in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes."

A church that preaches repentance...that practices forgiveness and comfort..is a church that will have joyful fellowship and wonderful, Christ honoring unity... 

 Paul talks about his journey.. going to Troas and then on to Macedonia..  He is restless in his spirit.. but finds reason to be thankful...  "But thanks be to God who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place."   Here is another truth.. "we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.. "  We won't always be received with joy.. for sometimes the message of the gospel has an "aroma from death to death"... to those who refuse Him.. But, hallelujah, sometimes the aroma of the knowledge of Christ brings "life to life".   We do not control how someone hears or receives the good news of Christ Jesus.  What we do control is our sincere words of truth.. spoken "in Christ in the sight of God." 

Father in heaven, help us to hear Your words today.. to live for You.. according to these truths, by the power of Christ in us.. before You. Give us understanding of how these words can be applied to our church and our individual lives.  Help us to walk in sincerity and love. Manifest the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ in us.. no matter where we go. Let, the life of Jesus in us.. bring life to others who need Him.. We ask this in His wonderful, powerful Name. Amen.

 I Corinthians 1 "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."   Yes, this is what we need this day, Father..  Your all- sufficient grace.. Your peace, that passes all our understanding.  We are indeed blessed with the comfort that You have provided.. "abundant through Christ". Thank You!

Father, may we share Your comfort with those who are suffering today.  May we have grace to reach out to those who are "despairing even of life".  What great truth we find here.. ".. that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead."   You are our God, great in every way.. and You hold life and death in Your hands.. no peril can befall us.. no illness can defeat us.. no enemy can destroy us.. because ultimately we are delivered by Your abundant grace and kept in You abundant peace! Hallelujah!

Father, "we have set our hope" on You!  May our prayers join other.. giving help to those in need.. bringing others to set their hope on You.. on Jesus, the one who is "yes and amen"!  Thank You for the many promises You have given us in Christ. Thank You for establishing us in Christ and anointing us with Your Spirit.. given to us in our hearts... "as a pledge".. 

Father, we are thankful for Your Word that brings us comfort and peace, that reveals Your grace and truth. Thank You for the Spirit who abides in our hearts and fills us with Your Presence. Help us to stand firm in faith, setting our hope on You. Guide our steps, our choices, our thoughts, and even our feelings today.. for the glory of God and the praise of Jesus Christ our King. amen. 

 Lamatations 4-5 ".. for the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom.. " Think about that.. 

What sin is He talking about?  Rebellion. Unbelief. Idolatry. Shedding innocent blood. These sins.. that are the same ones filling our country today.. brought about destruction of a nation.. a nation that belonged to the Lord, the Almighty God and Creator.  "The Lord has accomplished His wrath, He has poured out His fierce anger." (v11)

Jeremiah gives us a heart-breaking description of Israel.. of starving babies.. of mothers who "boiled their own children".. of "skin.. shriveled on their bones.. " .. of complete desolation and reproach upon a once chosen nation.. "The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned into mourning. The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned! Because of this our heart is faint; Because of these things our eyes are dim;"

Father in heaven, You rule forever! Your throne is from generation to generation.  You will not forget Your people forever.. for You have promised to restore them.. when they return to You.  May they do so now, Lord God.. in another season of desolation, destruction, and punishment.. may Israel turn back to their God.. confessing and repenting from their sins. May we also return to You Father.. recognizing the sinfulness of our own nation.  Bring repentance and salvation to us once again.. as we celebrate this season of Christmas..reveal Jesus to the nations.. May His kingdom come..  and may He reign forevermore! Amen. 

 Lamentations 3:40-66  Jeremiah expressed his anguish and depression.. and his faith in God's mercy and faithfulness.. He has encouraged us to "probe our ways".. to "lift up our heart and hands toward God in heaven.. " and to confess our trespasses and rebellion.. and now he leads us in prayer. 

"Thou hast not pardoned.. thou hast covered Thyself with anger.. with a cloud.. so that no prayer can pass through.. "  Lord, sometimes we feel this too.. like our world is so evil.. how can we ever find You?  We are like "refuse".. "Panic and pitfall have befallen us, devastation and destruction.. "  We watch the news and see this before our eyes.. we know this in our own lives at times.. our tears "pour down unceasingly" just like Jeremiah's "because of all the daughters" of Your city... for the lost and devastated all over this globe.. 

"Until the Lord looks down and sees from heaven.. "  Ahh Lord we are not without hope.. for our hope is in You.. " I called on Thy name, O Lord, out of the lowest pit, Thou hast heard my voice, do not hide Thine ear from my prayer for relief, from my cry for help."   Mighty God, we pray this for the people of Israel.. especially for those still held captive.. and those whose loved ones are in harm's way.  "Thou didst draw near when I called on Thee; Thou didst say, ' Do not fear!'"  Thank You Lord!  For what You did for Jeremiah.. You have and  will do for us.. 

"O Lord, Thou didst plead my soul's cause; Thou hast redeemed my life."  Oh what wonderful truths!  You, Yourself plead our cause.. You are our Redeemer!  Jesus Christ, the Mediator is for us!  He came that we might be saved. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father, we bring these pleas before You.. for ourselves and for Jerusalem.. for our families and for our neighbors who need You.. Come O Come Emmanuel.. come and hear our prayers. .come and open the Kingdom doors for the lost and forsaken.. Let the Good News of Jesus Christ be told on every mountain and in every valley! Draw us closer into Your Presence.. into Your heart today, we pray... in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Lamentations 3:1-41  The first 18 verses are Jeremiah's lament for himself.. " I am a man who has seen affliction.."  It has come.. from the Lord's hand, Jeremiah confesses... "because of the rod of His wrath.."  

Jeremiah feels abandoned.. he is walking in darkness; his flesh and skin are wasting away; he is broken, bitter, and desolate.  "So I say, ' My strength has perished, and so has my hope from the Lord." (v18)

There are times in our lives when we can truly relate to these feelings.. out of strength and out of hope.  

But, as desperate and dark as it was for Jeremiah, he chooses to remember:

"Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me, this I recall to my mind; therefore I have hope. The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is His faithfulness.. "

"The Lord is my portion, says my soul." He is my inheritance, my allotment, my lot, my ration.  "Therefore I have hope in Him."  Jeremiah reminds himself that God is good.. that He will have compassion on those who wait for Him and who seek Him. 

All that has afflicted Israel and Jeremiah, himself.. came because of sin.  Yet, God does not willingly bring the affliction.. He is Just and Faithful. 

"Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the Lord. We lift up our heart and hands toward God in heaven."

So here we have a dark, desolate and depressing situation.. hopeless.. the city is gone; the people are either dead or in captivity; those left have made Jeremiah even more miserable because of their hatred and persecution.. yet.. he sets his mind on God's faithfulness and compassion!  And, in doing so, gives us a passage that has helped thousands of us to find hope again in our darkest hours!  Praise the Lord!

Father, thank You for being a good, good Father...who hears us when we cry out to You; who comes to us when we wait upon You.  We join in Jeremiah's proclamation.. You are our portion and therefore we have hope! Whatever we face.. this day.. this week.. or this year.. may we recall to mind the truth that Your loving kindnesses never cease.. that Your compassion never fail.. and that You are always faithful! Thank You, Lord!  All praise and glory and honor to Your holy Name. Amen 

 Lamentations 2  This chapter, like the first is an acrostic poem.  The theme here is God's awful anger that has been poured out upon His people.. "the daughter of Zion".   God's anger over sin is not a small thing.   We need to take heed of this.. 

V1.. His anger is vast.. "How the Lord has covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in His anger! He has cast from heaven to earth the glory of Israel and has not remembered His footstool in the day of His anger."

The Lord's anger.. swallows up habitations; throws down strongholds; profanes kingdoms; cuts off strength; and burns like a flaming fire.. ( v2-3)

The Lord's anger is personal.. "He bent His bow.. He has set His right hand like an adversary.. The Lord has become like an enemy... He has swallowed up Israel.. "(v4-5)

The Lord's anger is all- inclusive.. palaces, strongholds, and His own tabernacle are violently destroyed.  Kings and priests.. elders and children.. virgins and young men...all are affected by God's anger, for all have sinned against Him. 

Oh how this breaks Jeremiah's heart.. "My eyes fail because of tears, my spirit is greatly troubled; my heart is poured out on the earth, because of the destruction of the daughter of my people. When little ones and infants faint in the streets of the city.. as their life is poured out on their mothers' bosom... O virgin daughter of Zion.. for your ruin is as vast as the sea; Who can heal you?" (v11-13)

The enemies of Zion gloated over her ruin.. but the truth is that they were not the cause.. "The Lord has done what He purposed; He has accomplished His word which He commanded from days of old. He has thrown down without sparing. And He has caused the enemy to rejoice over you; He has exalted the might of your adversaries." (v17)

Can we read this and not think of Israel today? The Lord is angry over the sins of His people.. His desire is repentance.. His purpose is to bring His people back to Himself.  But, if they.. if we.. refuse God's grace, in the persons of Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself all the sin.. all the shame.. all the wrath of God.. who swallowed up sin and death.. then God's vast, violent, destroying anger will be poured out upon us too. 

Wonderful grace of Jesus.. greater than all my sin.. thank You for taking my punishment.. for saving my soul from the eternal wrath of the Father. Thank You for the victory purchased upon the cross.. Your blood poured out.. Your body broken.. Hallelujah, What a Savior!