2 Corinthians 11-12
Paul humbly considered himself a "fool" in comparison to others who had come to the church in Corinth trying to promote themselves as better leaders than him. He only wanted the church to be safe from false teachers and to keep "simple and pure devotion to the Messiah".
Paul's qualifications would not be the kind you would find on a modern resume. He writes.. "I've worked much harder, been imprisoned more often, suffered more beatings, been near death over and over... " These "weaknesses" Paul says, are what he will" boast about".
Though Paul had great spiritual successes and amazing experiences of visions and miracles, he still admitted that he was weak. He also suffered from " a thorn in [his] flesh". He was told to rely on God's promise that - " My grace is enough for you; My power is bought to perfection in weakness." And he lived in reliance upon that promise. Paul was not ashamed of his suffering or his weakness.. for he wanted only to see people saved and built up in Christ Jesus, so even his suffering was worth it.
Chapter 13 Paul ends this letter with a challenge:
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are living the life of trust. Test yourselves."
How do we test ourselves? "Don't you realize that Yeshua the Messiah is in you? - unless you fail to pass the test?" What is the proof of Christ's presence in us? It is not the same proof that Paul claimed - God's power brought to perfection in [our] weakness?
His prayer was for them to be righteous and perfect in Jesus. He prayed for their "shalom" - peace - wholeness and rest that is found in Christ alone. We need to pray this too!
Father in heaven, we willingly confess that we are weak and that You alone are strong. We want to be found doing what is right, living in reliance and confidence in Your amazing grace. You are able to bring us to perfection in Christ Jesus. We have no other hope. Thank You for the assurance that we have that You will never fail us. Your grace is sufficient for each of us. Let Your power be seen in us so that You will receive all glory and honor and that people will be saved through the word of our testimony. Come and fill us Holy Spirit. Let the love and power and goodness of Christ be manifested in our lives today. Amen.
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Monday, August 10, 2020
2 Corinthians 10
Paul's heart desire was to see the church thrive and grow.. to become perfect, mature and righteous. This was his prayer. This was his purpose in ministry. This was the mission that God appointed for him to do. But, other "emissaries" had come in and challenged Paul's authority. The last few chapters in this letter address this issue.
In this chapter, Paul testifies that he is fighting for the truth to be made known. He was fighting for them! He wanted the church to acknowledge his authority as God's emissary so that they would be built up, not torn down.
His weapons "are not worldly", Paul says. He fights using "God's power for demolishing strongholds." He will "demolish arguments.. and arrogance". He will "take every thought captive and make it obey the Messiah". Paul's weapons are truth, righteousness, peace, salvation.. the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. Paul does not want to commend himself in this battle- for the battle belongs to the Lord. "So let anyone who wants to boast, boast about Adonai."
As we listen closely to the Shepherd's voice today.. what is it that He wants us to know - personally? What do we need to do - in and for our church ? Let us examine ourselves in light of these words:
First of all, do we have a passion for our church? Do I have.. do we have.. a passion for our church to grow spiritually? To be pure? To be mature? Are we praying this way? Are we fighting for this? Have we made that a priority in our lives?
Secondly, what is our attitude toward the authority that God has placed in our church? Is the leadership of our church using the godly weapons of truth, righteousness, peace, and salvation ? Is the sword of the Spirit.. the Word of God being preached? Is the shield of faith extinguishing Satan's arrows? Are we being taught to demolish arguments and take our thoughts captive- in obedience to Christ Jesus? ( Thankful that I can say "Yes" and "Amen" to this!)
Lastly, can each of us honestly say that we are boasting in the Lord and in nothing else? Are we willing to admit our own weaknesses and lack of worthiness outside of Jesus Christ?
Father, Your great love and desire is for the Church to be perfected and beautiful, ready to be presented as the Bride of the Lord Jesus. We pray for the power of Your Spirit to work in each of us so that we can be made whole, complete, and perfect; ready for that day. May we encourage one another, pray for one another, exhort one another, and help one another.. coming alongside other churches that are struggling... as well as building up our own church. May we have a true passion for the work that You have called us to do in our individual church families. Be glorified and exalted and magnified in Your church today, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Paul's heart desire was to see the church thrive and grow.. to become perfect, mature and righteous. This was his prayer. This was his purpose in ministry. This was the mission that God appointed for him to do. But, other "emissaries" had come in and challenged Paul's authority. The last few chapters in this letter address this issue.
In this chapter, Paul testifies that he is fighting for the truth to be made known. He was fighting for them! He wanted the church to acknowledge his authority as God's emissary so that they would be built up, not torn down.
His weapons "are not worldly", Paul says. He fights using "God's power for demolishing strongholds." He will "demolish arguments.. and arrogance". He will "take every thought captive and make it obey the Messiah". Paul's weapons are truth, righteousness, peace, salvation.. the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. Paul does not want to commend himself in this battle- for the battle belongs to the Lord. "So let anyone who wants to boast, boast about Adonai."
As we listen closely to the Shepherd's voice today.. what is it that He wants us to know - personally? What do we need to do - in and for our church ? Let us examine ourselves in light of these words:
First of all, do we have a passion for our church? Do I have.. do we have.. a passion for our church to grow spiritually? To be pure? To be mature? Are we praying this way? Are we fighting for this? Have we made that a priority in our lives?
Secondly, what is our attitude toward the authority that God has placed in our church? Is the leadership of our church using the godly weapons of truth, righteousness, peace, and salvation ? Is the sword of the Spirit.. the Word of God being preached? Is the shield of faith extinguishing Satan's arrows? Are we being taught to demolish arguments and take our thoughts captive- in obedience to Christ Jesus? ( Thankful that I can say "Yes" and "Amen" to this!)
Lastly, can each of us honestly say that we are boasting in the Lord and in nothing else? Are we willing to admit our own weaknesses and lack of worthiness outside of Jesus Christ?
Father, Your great love and desire is for the Church to be perfected and beautiful, ready to be presented as the Bride of the Lord Jesus. We pray for the power of Your Spirit to work in each of us so that we can be made whole, complete, and perfect; ready for that day. May we encourage one another, pray for one another, exhort one another, and help one another.. coming alongside other churches that are struggling... as well as building up our own church. May we have a true passion for the work that You have called us to do in our individual church families. Be glorified and exalted and magnified in Your church today, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Friday, August 7, 2020
2 Corinthians 8-9 This section of Paul's letter focuses on generosity. He begins by telling about the generosity of the churches in Macedonia. These churches were experiencing many trials and were "desperately poor" - but in spite of that they were giving towards the offering that Paul was collecting for the church in Jerusalem. In fact, they "begged and pleaded.. for the privilege of sharing in this service for God's people." More importantly, they first" gave themselves to the Lord". May this be the testimony for our church today.
Paul encouraged the church in Corinth to also give generously as they had promised. Paul gives us some important truths about giving:
v7 - we should aim to "excel" in giving as much as we strive to excel in faith, speech, knowledge, diligence and love..
v8 - our giving is a test of our love, our earnestness, and our sincerity.
v9 - our giving is a reflection of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself, becoming poor for our sake.
v 10-11 - it is important to finish what we start in regard to our promises or intentions in giving.
v12 - our giving should be with "eagerness" ;
The amount we give is not what matters; it is accepted and measured- by what we have, not by what we don't have;
v14 - our giving to those in need may one day be reciprocated when we are in need and others can help us by their generosity.
v 16-24 - those receiving or overseeing the gifts must be careful to "take pains to do what is right not only in the sight of God but also in the sight of other people."
9:1-5 A zeal for giving is not enough, we must follow through.
v7 Giving is a personal decision - "Each should give according to what he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
v8 When we give cheerfully and generously we can be assured that "God has the power to provide you with every gracious gift in abundance, so that always in every way you will have all you need yourselves and be able to provide abundantly for every good cause.."
v 11 - We are "enriched" by being generous.
God is glorified and receives thanks when we are generous.
v13-15 Unity and love are increased as we give generously to those in need.
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift."
Father in heaven, You have given us the indescribable gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who died for us. You have given us everything.. for truly there is nothing that we have that has not come from You. You are gracious and kind. We give You thanks. Father, we have found it true that You supply all we need so that we can give to others. We can never out-give You. We can give eagerly and generously and cheerfully as we strive to excel in this area of our walk with You, because we know You love us and will provide. May we be fully surrendered to following Your lead in giving. We ask for wisdom, integrity, and discernment. We pray that You will be glorified and that thanksgiving will overflow to You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Paul encouraged the church in Corinth to also give generously as they had promised. Paul gives us some important truths about giving:
v7 - we should aim to "excel" in giving as much as we strive to excel in faith, speech, knowledge, diligence and love..
v8 - our giving is a test of our love, our earnestness, and our sincerity.
v9 - our giving is a reflection of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself, becoming poor for our sake.
v 10-11 - it is important to finish what we start in regard to our promises or intentions in giving.
v12 - our giving should be with "eagerness" ;
The amount we give is not what matters; it is accepted and measured- by what we have, not by what we don't have;
v14 - our giving to those in need may one day be reciprocated when we are in need and others can help us by their generosity.
v 16-24 - those receiving or overseeing the gifts must be careful to "take pains to do what is right not only in the sight of God but also in the sight of other people."
9:1-5 A zeal for giving is not enough, we must follow through.
v7 Giving is a personal decision - "Each should give according to what he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
v8 When we give cheerfully and generously we can be assured that "God has the power to provide you with every gracious gift in abundance, so that always in every way you will have all you need yourselves and be able to provide abundantly for every good cause.."
v 11 - We are "enriched" by being generous.
God is glorified and receives thanks when we are generous.
v13-15 Unity and love are increased as we give generously to those in need.
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift."
Father in heaven, You have given us the indescribable gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who died for us. You have given us everything.. for truly there is nothing that we have that has not come from You. You are gracious and kind. We give You thanks. Father, we have found it true that You supply all we need so that we can give to others. We can never out-give You. We can give eagerly and generously and cheerfully as we strive to excel in this area of our walk with You, because we know You love us and will provide. May we be fully surrendered to following Your lead in giving. We ask for wisdom, integrity, and discernment. We pray that You will be glorified and that thanksgiving will overflow to You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Thursday, August 6, 2020
2 Corinthians 7:1
"... since we have these promises.. " The promises that God made:
"I will house myself in them and I will walk among you.
I will be their God, and they will be my people.Therefore,Adoani says,' Go out from their midst ;separate yourselves;don't even touch what is unclean.Then I myself will receive you.In fact, I will be your Father,and you will be my sons and daughters.'" (6:16-18)
He has made these promises to you and to me. He has come to live in each of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ. He has chosen to walk here among us. He has chosen us to be His people, to be His children. He has called us to Himself...how can we do any less than what Paul wrote here:
"let us purify ourselves from everything that can defile either body or spirit, and strive to be completely holy, out of reverence for God."
What is it that we need to get rid of.. out of our lives.. today? What is defiling our bodies? What is defiling our spirits? How are we pursuing holiness - coming apart from the world, separating ourselves from what is unclean?
How are our actions pleasing to our Father in heaven?
How are we showing reverence for Him who has called us His own?
Father in heaven, may Your Holy Spirit fill our hearts and minds today, that we might walk in purity and reverence. Reveal to us the things in our lives that we need to change, so that we might truly come apart from the world and walk in holiness, honoring You in everything. We are the temple of the living God.. may we not forget this for one second on this earth. May we live for You, as Your chosen people, Your sons and daughters. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
2 Corinthians 6
Verse 1 "As God's fellow workers we also urge you not to receive His grace and then do nothing with it." (CJB)
The Grace of God - "the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits upon the undeserving," Tozer wrote. " It is a self-existent principle inherent in the divine nature and appears to us as a self-caused propensity to pity the wretched, spare the guilty, welcome the outcast, and bring into favor those who were before under disapprobation." Tozer goes on to say this, "Grace takes its rise far back in the heart of God, in the awful and incomprehensible abyss of His holy being; but the channel through which it flows out to men is Jesus Christ, crucified and risen." We can come to God in the only way that any can come - "by grace, through faith". His grace is infinite and eternal. It has no beginning and no end. It is boundless!
We can trust God's grace. And, as Paul wrote, let our trust not be in vain.. let us do something with it!
Paul gives us a great example of what this means.. to trust God's infinite, amazing grace.
By grace we can endure, even as he did, "troubles, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonment, riots, overwork, lack of sleep, and food." (v4-5) -[ pandemics; politics; protests; etc!]
By God's grace we can live in "purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; by the Holy Spirit; by genuineness of love and truthfulness of speech, and by God's power." ( v6-7)
By God's grace we can take up righteous weapons for the cause of Christ. Whether we are "honored" or "dishonored"; "praised" or "blamed"; "considered deceptive" or "sincere"; "unknown" or "famous"; God's grace is sufficient for us - it is an infinite fountain of goodness towards us from the One who calls us His own... who calls us "Son" or "Daughter".
No matter what we are facing today.. personally or corporately.. God's grace has not and will not fail.
Father, Gracious God, in whom we fully rest.. may we say, even as Paul, your servant, said, "We may be heading towards death, 'yet look, we are alive!'. We may have every reason to be sad, 'yet always filled with joy'; We may have nothing, 'yet having everything'" We can absolutely trust in Your never ending, powerful, perfect, and unlimited grace towards us in Christ Jesus. Fill our hearts with rejoicing and praise as we think on these things. "All thanks be to God for grace abounding". In the name of Jesus Christ, who brought grace and truth.. Amen and amen.
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
2 Corinthians 5
Verse 1, "We know that when the tent ( our earthly body) which houses us here on earth is torn down, we have a permanent building from God, a building not made by human hands, to house us in heaven."
We can be encouraged and receive great assurance through the truths that Paul shares here.. make it personal:
1. This human, mortal body that I have is temporary.
2. God has planned and prepared for me an eternal, immortal, building... body.
3.I groan now. ( too true- the older I get)
4. I long for the perfect body that is mine forever.
5. This body is "naked"... without covering; without protection; oppressed; burdened;
6. When I receive my new body I will truly be alive. I will be covered..I will share in the righteousness of Christ.
7. God is preparing me for the future I cannot see.
8. When I leave this body.. I will be going home.
Verse 9 "Therefore, whether at home or away from home, we try our utmost to please Him."
More Truths:
Everyone ( I) will appear before "the Messiah's court of judgement".
I will give account for what I do while in this body.
He knows each of us "as we really are". (He knows me as I really am.)
He views our "inner qualities". (He views my inner qualities.)
We are new creations in Christ. (I am a new creation in Christ Jesus!)
As His ambassadors we are called to share the Good News with others:
".. we are convinced that one man died on behalf of all mankind." (v14)
".. He died on behalf of all in order that those who live should not live any longer for themselves but for the one who on their behalf died and was raised. " (v15)
God reconciled us to Himself so that we in turn can share this message. We are His servants to lead others to reconciliation with God. "God is making His appeal through us." (v20)
Father in Heaven , thank You for making "this sinless man" Jesus Christ to "be a sin offering on our behalf, so that in union with him we may fully share in [Your] righteousness.." Thank you for not counting our sins against us.. Thank You for the ministry of reconciliation. Help us to be bold and faithful in proclaiming Your truth to a world in desperate need of salvation. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Verse 1, "We know that when the tent ( our earthly body) which houses us here on earth is torn down, we have a permanent building from God, a building not made by human hands, to house us in heaven."
We can be encouraged and receive great assurance through the truths that Paul shares here.. make it personal:
1. This human, mortal body that I have is temporary.
2. God has planned and prepared for me an eternal, immortal, building... body.
3.I groan now. ( too true- the older I get)
4. I long for the perfect body that is mine forever.
5. This body is "naked"... without covering; without protection; oppressed; burdened;
6. When I receive my new body I will truly be alive. I will be covered..I will share in the righteousness of Christ.
7. God is preparing me for the future I cannot see.
8. When I leave this body.. I will be going home.
Verse 9 "Therefore, whether at home or away from home, we try our utmost to please Him."
More Truths:
Everyone ( I) will appear before "the Messiah's court of judgement".
I will give account for what I do while in this body.
He knows each of us "as we really are". (He knows me as I really am.)
He views our "inner qualities". (He views my inner qualities.)
We are new creations in Christ. (I am a new creation in Christ Jesus!)
As His ambassadors we are called to share the Good News with others:
".. we are convinced that one man died on behalf of all mankind." (v14)
".. He died on behalf of all in order that those who live should not live any longer for themselves but for the one who on their behalf died and was raised. " (v15)
God reconciled us to Himself so that we in turn can share this message. We are His servants to lead others to reconciliation with God. "God is making His appeal through us." (v20)
Father in Heaven , thank You for making "this sinless man" Jesus Christ to "be a sin offering on our behalf, so that in union with him we may fully share in [Your] righteousness.." Thank you for not counting our sins against us.. Thank You for the ministry of reconciliation. Help us to be bold and faithful in proclaiming Your truth to a world in desperate need of salvation. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Monday, August 3, 2020
2 Corinthian's 3-4
Paul calls the church "a letter from the Messiah".. written by "the Spirit of the Living God".. on "human hearts". The Spirit of God is doing a work in the hearts of believers that will bring more and more glory to God.. a lasting glory.. an unfading glory! The glory God brings to us by the Holy Spirit is seen as we continue to gaze on His glory. We are changed "from one degree of glory to the next".
Jesus died so that the veil ( of the Law) would be taken away. He also overcomes the veil of darkness that the devil uses to blind the minds of those in the world. "For it is the God who once said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' who has made his light shine in our hearts, the light of the knowledge of God's glory shining in the face of the Messiah Jesus."
I find myself really thinking about these statements:
First, God is at work in us, His church, to display His glory.. ever increasing in degree. Can His "overwhelming power" be seen in us.. a "treasure in clay jars" - to His glory.? Through troubles, trials, persecution, or anything this life affords.. we should have the assurance that in Christ "... our light and transient troubles are achieving for us an everlasting glory whose weight is beyond description."
Is this our reality today? Is God's glory seen in us, in our church.. more and more?
Secondly, the Lord God who created light with a word.. shines His light into hearts... through Jesus, who has overcome the darkness and makes the blind to see! He is able to bring Light to anyone. What a prayer to offer up for those who are still walking in darkness!
Father, may the Light of the knowledge of Your glory, which shines in and through Jesus Christ be displayed in Your people, so that the whole world will be set free from the veil that keeps men and women from seeing You and from knowing You. Deliver us from the evil one and bring us into the fullness of Christ Jesus our Lord. Let Your glory being magnified in all the earth. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Paul calls the church "a letter from the Messiah".. written by "the Spirit of the Living God".. on "human hearts". The Spirit of God is doing a work in the hearts of believers that will bring more and more glory to God.. a lasting glory.. an unfading glory! The glory God brings to us by the Holy Spirit is seen as we continue to gaze on His glory. We are changed "from one degree of glory to the next".
Jesus died so that the veil ( of the Law) would be taken away. He also overcomes the veil of darkness that the devil uses to blind the minds of those in the world. "For it is the God who once said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' who has made his light shine in our hearts, the light of the knowledge of God's glory shining in the face of the Messiah Jesus."
I find myself really thinking about these statements:
First, God is at work in us, His church, to display His glory.. ever increasing in degree. Can His "overwhelming power" be seen in us.. a "treasure in clay jars" - to His glory.? Through troubles, trials, persecution, or anything this life affords.. we should have the assurance that in Christ "... our light and transient troubles are achieving for us an everlasting glory whose weight is beyond description."
Is this our reality today? Is God's glory seen in us, in our church.. more and more?
Secondly, the Lord God who created light with a word.. shines His light into hearts... through Jesus, who has overcome the darkness and makes the blind to see! He is able to bring Light to anyone. What a prayer to offer up for those who are still walking in darkness!
Father, may the Light of the knowledge of Your glory, which shines in and through Jesus Christ be displayed in Your people, so that the whole world will be set free from the veil that keeps men and women from seeing You and from knowing You. Deliver us from the evil one and bring us into the fullness of Christ Jesus our Lord. Let Your glory being magnified in all the earth. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
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