2 Corinthians

A Spiritual Checkup {2 Corinthians 13}

12:00 PM




Monday May 11, “Walking In Wisdom”


A few years back I had to have some testing done on my heart. And although the process was worrisome and a little painful, I was rewarded with a good report from the cardiologist. “Everything looks normal”, he said as he went over the findings. “And because you got these tests done, you now know you have a healthy heart. And that’s great news. Because if your heart isn’t healthy, the rest of your body won’t be healthy either.” Our physical heart health, and the care we give it, is very important; especially as we age. But just as important is our spiritual heart health. For as Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” 

Because some members of the Corinthian church were still continuing to walk in sin after having been saved, Paul wrote a stern letter to them warning that he would soon be returning to Corinth for a third time. And this time warnings would be replaced with consequences. “I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone.” (vs. 2) So before he arrives, Paul urges now would be the perfect time for a spiritual check up. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (vs. 5) But it’s not only the Corinthians who needed to test their hearts, so do we. We too need to ask ourselves, “Is Jesus in me? Is my heart healthy?” 

So how do we go about giving our hearts a checkup? By asking the great Physician. “Search me O God, and know my heart, and see if there be any hurtful way in me. Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart.” (Ps. 139:23,24, Ps. 26:2) When we ask, through the Holy Spirit, God will show us the areas that need our immediate attention. And when He gives us His findings, it’s our job in loving obedience and repentance to examine, “everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good, and abstain from every evil.” (1 Thess. 5:21-22) Another good test of our spiritual health is the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit manifested in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us,  “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” If we are truly filled with Jesus, these fruits will flow freely from ours hearts to others. 

“Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!” (Lam. 3:40) One day very soon Jesus will come back. And on His final triumphant return, like Paul, the warnings He gave will turn into consequences for those who rejected His gift of salvation. Now is the time for a spiritual checkup. Time to take stock of our hearts and be sure they reflect the image of the Lord, so that we will not “fail the test” and find ourselves “disqualified”. And until that glorious day of our Savior’s coming, in the beautiful words of Paul may, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” vs. 14)



2 Corinthians

Going From Glory To Glory {2 Corinthians 3:5-18}

4:44 PM





Monday Nov. 25


One of my heroes in the Bible has always been Paul. He is the perfect example of how no one is beyond God’s reach. Previously known as Saul of Tarsus, he was a respected and highly educated Pharisee (Acts 22:3,23:6) who not believing Jesus to be God, saw Christians as blasphemers; deserving of persecution and death. So it should come as no surprise when we learn in Acts 9:1-2 that Saul asked for letters from the high priest that he could present to the synagogues in Damascus, allowing him to take all followers of Jesus as prisoners. (Acts 9:1-2). Once he got those letters, Saul set out to round up believers and dole out his punishment. It was while he was on the road to Damascus, that God got a hold of Saul and “used temporary blindness and humiliation to transform the zealous Pharisee named Saul into the powerful Apostle and missionary named Paul who spread the gospel and planted churches across the Roman world.” (Dr. Charles Stanley) (Acts 9:1-20)

Now here in 2 Corinthians we find the transformed Paul who, after establishing the church in Corinth, is having his credentials questioned by some false teachers in the church. They’re looking for his letter of commendation. Letters of commendation were usually sent with traveling Christians in the early church to weed out false teachers or those claiming to be apostles. Paul lets these doubters know that his letter is the church itself with Jesus as its author. The proof could be seen through the transformation of both Paul, and the members of the church themselves. A transformation possible because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. So now, unlike the veiled faces of those who reject Jesus as their Savior and continue to live in darkness, for those who turn to Jesus, “the veil is taken away” (vs. 16). This allows Christians to not only see the glory of God, but to become, “transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (vs. 18)

But what does it mean to be transformed from glory to glory? “Glory to glory is not moving from one state of euphoria to another. It is not going from one state of being lost in the spirit to the other. To go from glory to glory, to be ever-increasing in glory, is to continually be changed into what you were created to be. It is to be conformed to His likeness. It is increasing in the character and nature of God.” (Pastor Harold Martin) Our God is so loving that He never wants to leave us as He found us. And so He gives us of the gift of the Holy Spirit who, if we let Him, will take our sinfulness, wickedness, brokenness, and hardheartedness, and through God’s saving grace, transform us from a Saul to a Paul. 

This isn’t to say that our transformation will come easy. For the Christian walk rather than a weekend getaway, is a lifelong journey of growth and change. There will be times when that change will be hard, frustrating, and painful. And there will be days when it may be two steps forward and three steps back. But if we keep seeking God, allow the Holy Spirit to work both in and through us, change will come. We are all God’s glorious works in progress, and one day when we dwell with Him forever, we will be perfect reflections of His image and glory. Until then keep trusting God, keep moving forward, and remember this quote by Joyce Meyer which says, “I may not be where I want to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be!” 



2 Corinthians

Be Gracious To Me O Lord {Psalm 31:7-10}

12:00 AM



Monday Nov. 4, Psalm 31:7-10

“We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, 'Blessed are they that mourn,' and I accept it.” (C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed)  

Suffering and grief go hand in hand with living in a fallen world; and Jesus tells us that no one, not even Christians, are exempt. (John 16:33) David knew this well. Feeling humiliated and grieved to the point of physical pain he laments, “My eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body also.” (vs. 9) I can relate to that kind of pain. For I too have felt such grief that not only did I feel mentally sick, but physically as well. My heart literally ached and I felt as though I couldn’t breathe, or take another step. It hurt so much, that I couldn’t even get on my knees to pray. It was all I could do to cry out, “Be gracious to me O Lord!”

Throughout the ages people have asked how a loving God could allow suffering in the world. And in the depths of my despair I too have asked that same question. How could my Father let me, His child, become broken, in pain, and filled with sorrow? But time, hindsight, and prayer have taught me that instead of asking why, trust that no matter the suffering I endure, God always has a purpose for my pain.

“For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” (Prov. 3:12) Sometimes my anguish is a result of my own doing and God lets me suffer the consequences of my actions. Other times God uses my suffering to polish away the junk and impurities polluting my heart, in order to make me into a shining example of Him in my life. “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” (Is. 48:10) And more often than not, just like He did with Paul, God uses my sorrows to show me how completely helpless I am without Him, strengthening my dependence upon Him alone. “We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself … But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” (2 Cor. 1:8-9)

As long as there is sin, there will be suffering. And whether or not we know the reason behind God letting it in our lives, of this we can be certain; He will never make us suffer alone for, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart” (Ps. 34:18) Not a single tear we cry goes unnoticed by our Father in heaven, who collects each and every one in His bottle. (Ps. 56:8) And if we let Him, He will be there each step of the way lovingly seeing us through the pain; ready, willing, and able to fill our aching hearts with peace and gladness. So no matter the suffering, trust in His perfect wisdom. Believe in His plans to use all things both good and bad for our benefit. (Rom. 8:28). Have confidence in His purpose for our sorrows and His ability to show His glory through them. And finally, cling to the beautiful promise of God to, “Comfort all who mourn, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting, so they will be called oaks of righteousness.” (Is. 61:3) 


2 Corinthians

I Believed, So I Spoke {2 Corinthians 4}

4:29 PM


Monday Oct. 21, 2 Corinthians 4

While writing this second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul tells of the afflictions he and others endured as messengers of the Gospel. Sufferings that although slowed them, because of the mercy of God, never stopped them. No matter the consequences, they were committed to keep on preaching, “Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.” (vs. 5) Their faith in the Lord prevented Paul and the others from keeping silent. And as fellow bondservants of Jesus, faith should have the same effect on us.

“It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak...”(vs. 13) In this verse Paul is quoting the words of the psalmist in 116:10. Both he and Paul faced times of great distress. Yet even in the midst of hardship never did their faith in God wane. They placed all of their trust in Him and His promises. So great was their faith that the psalmist felt compelled to testify about his reliance on God alone, and Paul to testify about the saving grace of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

In Matthew 12:33 Jesus says, “the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” No matter how hard we may try to hide, whatever is truly in our hearts will be revealed by the words we speak. Paul’s heart was filled with such faith in the Lord he declared, “IfI preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” (1 Cor. 9:16) That’s the kind of faith I want to have. The kind that makes me want to burst if I don’t share the Good News of Christ and all of the wonderful things God has done for me; the endless ways He has healed, comforted, strengthened, and loved a sinner like me. 

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) We all have a testimony to give, and Peter tells us to be ready to share our faith and the reason for it. The Bible says one day we will all give an account for the words we speak. (Matt. 12:36) As for me the account I want to give is this, “I believed, so I spoke.”


2 Corinthians

A Sweet Fragrance of Christ

12:00 AM

Do you know that you convey a message of eternal life or death without saying a word? To one you are a sweet pleasing aroma, but to another you have the aroma of death! Did you know that every Christ follower has this same power?

Everyone seem to be on the Essential Oil bandwagon these days, but even if you’re not I bet you can instantly think of an aroma or scent that is pleasing to your senses; like homemade bread, apple pie, lilacs. All of these will instantly transport me back to my childhood, but what of spoiled milk or rancid meat? I’m sure all of us have tentatively gone to check to see if the milk in the frig is still good only to discover it has soured!   
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 says, “In Christ the Messiah, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, He brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. (MSG)
Have you ever thought of yourself as a diffuser?  The moment we accepted Christ as our Savior, we were filled with the Holy Spirit, and the pleasant aroma we are diffusing is the knowledge of God and the truth of the gospel. If we’re walking in faith like we’re supposed to be, then everywhere we go we should be giving off the aroma of Christ. Isn’t that neat?
Some people will be drawn to the aroma we give off, and will be eager to experience the life giving eternal Salvation that Jesus offers, while others will find the aroma offensive and cast us off.  It’s important to remember that we can’t control how someone will respond to the knowledge of God, all we can do is be a Spirit-filled conduit through which it can flow.
It's time we go out and "declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples" (Psalm 96:3) everywhere we go!


2 Corinthians

Refelctions from Roxanna ~ Contentment

4:00 AM



Reading ~  2 Corinthians 1:4-11

My mother would start every phone call with, "I am content with Jesus and the life He has given me." Even when things were hard for her. She had osteoporosis and her bones would break easily when Dad would move her to wheelchair.

She had a very sweet spirit that could have an immediate audience with God. When she was in the nursing home people would come to her to ask her to pray for their needs.

I too, am content.

Life has many ups and downs but God has got this always. I lean on His mercy and trust in His faithfulness always. Still, I can’t wait for Him to break open the sky and take us home where we belong...but not my will, yours God. Your timing, The Lord is always faithful.

Their are still many who need to know and love Him. God loves us so much they need to know that He sent His son to die and rise again to wipe our sins away so we can live with Him in paradise. God planned this from the beginning, wanting our Alleluias and our great love and sweet savor to rise to Him and our tears to fill the golden bowl.

I remember when my oldest son was burned by a fire on over 40% of his body. I was crying and praying while Greg was driving fast to get to hospital. Suddenly a sweet, soft voice whispered, "It is going to take awhile."

God whispered and I heard and I knew then my son would live. God made me promise that I would help Chris get his joy back.

I called him today and in our conversation he said he had spent morning fishing with Jesus. He was well in his Soul.

What a great and faithful God we love!

Roxanna

2 Corinthians

Test Yourself – Is There Love?

12:30 AM

{2 Corinthians 13}

By Lisa Thayer

Last week I had the privilege of attending a 2-day retreat for high school seniors.  I was a small group facilitator – I made sure these kids stayed together and participated in the events.  The speaker was amazing.  His life story was uplifting and encouraging and his message really pointed to unity.  To be unified with Christ.

Here in this final chapter to the Corinthians, Paul knew he was dealing with on-going problems in the Church.  These seniors at this retreat, were a tough group to engage, and Paul – the speaker, could have given up and refused to communicate with them, but he continued to speak the truth to these kids.  He never gave up.  He never stopped loving this group of dead-eyed, high school seniors.  He never stopped encouraging them and building them up.

As believers, we have to reach out to people who are sinning, but we have to do it in such a way that truly is with the love of Christ.  We don’t want to break relationships – but build them up.  We want to heal people.  We can blast people away with laws and rules, or we could turn from these people because we don’t want to face their situation.  We can isolate them by gossiping about their problem and turn others against them.  Or like both Paul’s, we can seek to build relationships by taking a better approach – sharing, communicating and caring. 


“For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.”  2 Corinthians 13:8



I am reminded that there were different churches back in the days of the early church – the Corinthian church, the Galatian church, the church at Ephesus and the church in Rome, just to name a few.  We can get wrapped up in which church is better, whether Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Christian Reformed, etc., and push people away because of the rules established in each of these named faiths by being insistent on following the rules.  We can lose our focus of the One truth – that Christ is our Savior.  That failing to believe in Him is the greatest sin.  We owe our entire lives to Him.  Each one of the original churches had people, not the entire church body, sinning.  BUT, each one also had believers.  Each one had people totally focused on the love of God and were willing to share that message with others.  I cannot help but look at how the apostle Paul went to Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Rome, Jerusalem, Thessalonica, Colossae, Antioch and others – these were all different people groups, yet Paul’s message was the same.  He risked his life to share it with so many people.  Are you?  Are you willing to help people from another background, a different faith, to share your love of Christ?

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2 Corinthians

The Value of Weakness {2 Corinthians 12}

12:00 AM



The Value of Weakness {2 Corinthians 12}

The Apostle Paul faced many trials and tribulations during his ministry.  He was repeatedly put in prison. He was beaten, stoned, and shipwrecked. He was under constant fear of death. He was flogged countless times. He was often hungry, thirsty, and cold. And even with all of this, God allowed him to be broken further. But instead of giving in or giving up, Paul drew closer to God. And in the process he learned that there is strength in weakness.

After Paul spoke to the Corinthians about his visions and revelations, he told them about the "thorn in the flesh" given to him by God and the reason behind it. "Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me..." ( v. 7)  The visions Paul had received were so magnificent that he could have easily boasted in his own glory. To keep him humble, God allowed a thorn into Paul's life via a messenger of Satan to torment him. And in response, Paul did just as he instructed us to do in Philippians 4:6, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God." And so Paul fervently prayed that God would remove his thorn.  And when nothing happened, he prayed again..and again. But God's answer to Paul's prayer didn't come in the form of healing. Instead God said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." (v. 9) 

Although we aren't told specifically what Paul's thorn was, we can relate to the suffering he endured. For whether it be emotional, physical, or spiritual, each of us have our own thorns to bear.  Thorns for which we have pleaded with God to remove. And sometimes He will do just that. But what happens when His answer is no?  What if instead He wants us to endure? Paul tells us we are to rejoice in our sufferings. For although the thorn may remain, God is at work strengthening the one under it.

"Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." (vs. 9-10)  Instead of becoming bitter, angry, or frustrated, Paul embraced the thorns in his life. He understood that it was in his weakness where Jesus would be glorified, and where he would most experience God's grace. It's often in our lowest times when God can do His greatest work. When we are broken, helpless, and weak, with no where else to turn; when we are at a place of complete humility with no room for pride, only then are we truly able to receive God's grace and see that everything good in our lives comes from Him, and to Him alone goes the glory. And although we might not understand why God allows suffering into our lives, we can rest in the knowledge that when trouble does knock at our door He will be there with the love, strength, and grace to see us through. For as Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

2 Corinthians

Grace

12:30 AM

Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

Today, we complete our memorization of verses found in 2 Corinthians with 8:9…
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.
 
Grace.  Here are some synonyms…charity, mercy, kindness, favor, goodwill, pity, thanksgiving, reward.
But the basic meaning of this word is beauty, charm, loveliness.  We also have the word graceful which means beauty of line or movement…acts of beauty.  So when we combine the synonyms of kindness and mercy with acts of beauty we have the most beautiful acts possible to human beings.  Through this verse Paul is saying to the people of Corinth…”You know the beautiful acts of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We all know that Jesus is kind and merciful - we know of His self-giving love. He was ready to give of Himself, holding nothing back and still is for us today.”

Before Jesus came to this earth in the form of a man, He had everything - he was omnipotent - everything in this universe was at His command - yet He laid this all aside and He became powerless.  Remember what He said of Himself in John? …”Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does His works.”  He was dependent fully on His Father for everything…He became nothing.
And through Him we have become rich! By His daily mercies, His love, His selfless giving of Himself He has given us power.  Power to become like Him - self-giving, kind, merciful - we are right where He began. He began rich, became poor, so that we, like Him, can be rich, to become poor for others so that they may be rich! 
Freely you have received; freely give. (Matt 10:8b NIV)

Have a blessed and precious day everyone!

2 Corinthians

The Beauty of Simplicity {2 Cor. 11}

2:13 AM



By Angie Benjamin

"But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your mind may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" 2 Cor. 11:3

In this verse, Paul warns people not to let their minds to be corrupted from  "wholehearted and sincere devotion to Christ", or as the King James Version says the "simplicity that is in Christ".

Have you heard the phrase "less is more", well, it is so true when it comes to our lives and our Christianity.




Living in Africa has taught me the beauty of simplicity in many aspects. 
It has changed my perspective regarding materialism or consumerism.

I've had the blessing to visit rural areas, villages, to visit friends or family members.
I've been to places where a family of 4 or more people share one room or two at max....no living room, no kitchen (or kitchen can be a mud hut with thatched roof outside the main room, where they cook with fire). 

These people have the very "basics"...or most of the time they cannot even afford them. They don't spend time thinking about brands of clothes, the latest gadget or cellphone, decorative items for their house, etc. They just want to do one thing:  Survive... get through that day... One day at a time...and when the goal has been achieved, they're happy. Content. They're happy that that particular day they had a meal, that that day they survived the heat or the cold.

And despite their situation the joy that they reflect on their faces, the hope their eyes reflect...and those smiles...I've never seen such wide, beautiful and sincere smiles in my life.

And they can give! oh they do!! out of their scarcity, they give what they have. One day, a family, a single mom and her two teenage children, invited me and my family for a meal with them... they killed one of the two chickens they had and cooked it for us...they wanted to give me the other alive chicken for me to have. That act of kindness and selflessness taught me a lesson I'll cherish for the rest of my life. As I once read, "people who have the least give me most, because they know what it is to have nothing"

I want that joy, I want that contentment. I want to enjoy the simplicity of life. Simplicity can be so liberating... the same applies for our walk with Christ.

 It is okay to have a plan for our lives and everyday activities but we must be open to follow God's plan if  He has any other direction in which He wants us to go. We often block God's plan by following our own desires and plans without consulting him.

It is mind blowing to realize that God's plans for us are actually quite simple, so simple that many times we miss them. Like in everything, we tend to get busy, to complicate our lives...we look for something more difficult, more complicated as if we think we are expected to do to please God.



One day, a close friend to us, our spiritual leader (for a home cell group) in England, said something shocking, something that changed the way I live my walk with Christ. He said if we can only live our lives meditating "on the cross"...on what the cross means, what Jesus did on the cross and what that means to me...what the cross has given me... our lives would be transformed.

Rather than thinking on what I do and what I don't do to please God, whether I sin or not, whether I'm putting enough effort or not, am I praying enough or not, am I reading the Bible "enough" or not...rather than all those things we tend to analyze and complicate our lives with, I must just "look at the cross", meditate on it and everything else will fall into place. When we truly understand the meaning of the cross, the power of it...the simplicity of it, our lives will be truly transformed.

Jesus told us what to do to follow God's plan: BELIEVE!!

Just think about the simple, uncomplicated approach a child has to life... for example, I have two daughters, 5 and 2 year-old. One thing they have in common...they are going to enjoy themselves if at all possible. They are carefree and completely without concern. They believe what they are told. Their nature is to trust (BELIEVE). They are simple, and they approach life with simplicity. They believe everything is fine and everything will be fine. They believe in provision. They don't know and they don't worry where their next meal will come from, but they know (believe) it will come anyhow.

Everyday these girls remind me that I need to develop this aspect of childlikeness as I relate to God and as I go about my life.

Learn to keep life as simple as possible. It's liberating. You won't regret it ;-)

Remain blessed x

2 Corinthians

A Matter of The Heart {2 Corinthins 9}

12:00 AM

I honestly “laughed out loud” when I saw the chapter I was to write on this week, for the Lord made sure I never forgot the lessons I learned long ago from this chapter, and I never have! You see long ago when I was merely a seeker and almost a believer, I was sitting in church one Sunday morning opening my wallet when it came time for the offering and discovered I had just two bills within it; one, a $1, and the other a $20 bill.

That Sunday, John had been called into work and I had been running late with two young children in tow and I forgot my checkbook as I hurried out the door. I had also planned to take the kids out for lunch after church and that $1 bill wouldn’t be enough for even a “Happy Meal” back then. It seemed like I sat there and debated for quite a while as the ushers made their way up the aisle, “Should I give God the $20 bill and make lunch at home, or….not.” Finally the plate arrived and I decided lunch with the kids after church sounded too good to me, and I took out the $1 bill and laid it in the plate despite the pang of guilt I was feeling at the moment. I tried to console myself with the thought, “Oh well, I’ll be sure to do better next time.”

The offertory music ended and the pastor got up and asked us all to open up our Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 9. I look down at the page and swallowed hard as I read the words, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:6-7)

I can share that story today, because I can look back at that time and laugh, knowing God has done an amazing work in me since, and I’m no longer that person that chose my creature comforts over blessing the Lord; all the while expecting The Lord to continue to bless me! I was already feeling convicted before the pastor ever spoke that morning, and I remember lunch wasn’t as enjoyable as I thought it would be, but I never forgot the lesson I learned that day!

BUT, enough about me, let’s look at all Paul actually says about giving in these two verses, for it seems to me that giving, or the lack of giving is all a matter of our heart!

It seems to me that The Lord is more interested in our willingness to give than the amount we actually do give, don’t you think?  Look back 2 Corinthians 9:7, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully’” (NLT).
This verse mentions four key heart attitudes we should have when we give to Him or others:

  1. Give thoughtfully. Don’t allow yourself to give on impulse, because the most spiritual kind of giving is when you think about it, pray about it and make up your mind before Him. This is how we should plan anything that’s important in our lives. God wants our giving to be an important and meaningful part of our lives. It should be looked upon as an act of worship as we give back to Him. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40, “‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
  2. Give enthusiastically. We should never feel pressured to give out of some form of obligation, for I don’t believe God will bless if we only give because we feel obligated to give something.  Give because you know God’s going to do something big in your heart when you become a generous giver. (I’m a living,breathing testimony to that!)
  3. Give voluntarily. Any time you’re pressured to give, stop. God’s not going to bless that. But every time you sense God challenging you to give, do it. Trust me! (referring back to my earlier story :))
  4. Give cheerfully. Give with joy! The Greek word used here can be translated “hilarious.” Which means it can be a “LOL” moment! God wants you to enjoy giving to him and to others. In order to receive a blessing far greater than what you gave! Trust me on that too!

Sometimes it’s a challenge to be cheerful when God’s calling on us to give. Whenever we feel less than cheerful, it may help to remember all the benefits of all God wants to do in our hearts. So, why be generous? Because:
  • It unites us; creating community, oneness among the body.
  • It’s making an investment in eternity.
  • It strengthens our faith.
  • It defeats materialism.  
  • It blesses us incredibly in return.
  • And, it makes us more like our Savior and Lord.
We can never, never, ever out give God. It’s all His anyway, but I believe He wants us to experience just a tiny bit of all He experiences every time He gives to us!

2 Corinthians

Perfecting Holiness { 2 Corinthians 7 }

12:30 AM










I love having a garden. There's nothing better than being able to walk out to my back yard and pick a fresh tomato or maybe a few beans for dinner.  But it's also a lot of work. It takes constant attention and if I'm not diligent, the weeds will take over and choke out the plants in which I've invested so much of my time. The Christian walk takes work too.  If not constantly tended, the weeds of unholiness can take over and choke out the fruit of the Spirit.

After ending chapter six with one of God's most beautiful promises, "And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me." (2 Cor. 6:18), Paul explains what this promise should motivate us to do. "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (v. 1)

To become holy is to become more like Jesus, to be separate for God. It's a conscious decision to let the Holy Spirit transform us from the inside out.  And it's also a daily commitment to work hand in hand with God to remove from our lives all filthiness that keeps us from having a close intimate relationship with Him. Filthiness from both our minds and bodies.  

1 Peter 1:15 tells us, "Like the Holy One who called you, be Holy yourselves also in all your behavior." God calls us to be holy. Out of a genuine love and respect for Him and fear of the consequences of our sin, we should each day search ourselves for areas that need cleansing.  And although it takes work and repentance, we can have power over the filthiness in our lives.  When Jesus died on the Cross, the hold sin had over us was defeated.  And when it is in our hearts to truly be obedient to God, He promises us victory over every temptation thrown our way. "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13) 

Perfecting holiness is possible when we are willing to put in the work. Each day is a new opportunity to weed out the bad and only allow things into our lives that are pleasing to God. And by cleansing ourselves from all filthiness not only are we paying reverence to our Father in heaven, we become, "a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work." (2 Tim. 2:21)  

2 Corinthians

Today is the Day!

12:30 AM


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

Today, we begin our memorization of verses found in 2 Corinthians with 6:2…
For He says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
 
Here is the verse in the New Living Translation…
As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

Here, Paul is quoting Isaiah 49:8…
This is what the Lord says: “At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you and give you to the people as my covenant with them. Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again. (NLT)
Just as God spoke to the people of Israel through Isaiah, Paul wanted to give the Corinthian Christians a sense of urgency and purpose.  God has an acceptable time for us to work with His grace.  God has a day of salvation that will not last forever.  As a follower of Christ we need not to live our lives in comfort.  It is time for us to begin getting busy for the Lord, and to be work with with Him and glorify Him through our lives.

Have a blessed and precious day everyone!

2 Corinthians

Working together with Him {2 Corinthians 6}

10:30 PM



By Mari Sandoval

Today we’ll begin our study of chapter 6 by considering Paul’s final words to the Corinthians in chapter 5: 20-21:” So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.  He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious loving-kindness].”

In chapter 6:1-3 Paul continues on to say: “ Working together with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful kindness].  2- For He says, “At the acceptable time (the time of grace) I listened to you,

And I helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—


We are workers together with Him! Isn’t it amazing that God would even take us in consideration to be participants of such task?  When Paul mentions that we are ambassadors for Christ (5:20), he is saying that we are actually working together with Him. An ambassador works together with his king.  He represents his king. Yet, he has no power or authority on his own. 

Now Paul will also plead with the Corinthian Christians… Not to receive the grace of God in vain:  What does it mean to receive the grace of God in vain?  It means to receive the goodness and favor of God, yet to hinder the work of grace in one's life.  Many Christians struggle at this very point. I remember my husband and I in our early years as Christians, we felt we were doing enough by attending Church every Sunday. We had received our God’s saving Grace and we were keeping it to ourselves!  Not bothering to move out of our comfort zone! This is exactly what the Christians from Corinth were doing; they felt they could continue living their lives as if it was theirs: “ For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. 10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. (Ephesians 2:8)



There is so much work out there, and God wants us to be an active part of the work for His kingdom and He has prepared those good works for us!  If we neglect our part, God's grace doesn't accomplish all that it might, and therefore HIS GRACE is given in vain.

M. Henry explains it this way: “The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it”

In our walk (work) with the Lord we will continually find Satan’s opposition, and Paul writes about this in verses 3-9.  These verses reminded me of a time I was witnessing to a very close friend (we’ve known each other since 7th grade… 40+ yrs.), and after I had talked she asked: “ But why is it that if you have such faith you and your husband have had so much bad luck during your walk with God?” I can’t deny I felt a sting on my flesh! I knew where that came from! To those that are not walking by faith but walking by sight, our trials and troubles are something they don’t want to experience! So that is why, in some way they don’t’ want to trade what the world has to offer and even some Christians will freely participate in what unbelievers do (6:14-16) But what a great promise we find in the last verses, if we determine ourselves to be faithful to our God:

““I will dwell among them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 “So come out from among unbelievers and be separate,” says the Lord, “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor], 18 And I will be a Father to you, And you will be My sons and daughters,” Says the Lord Almighty.”

Remember, there is so much work for us out there -good works-, but we must trust our Heavenly Father, rely on Him and on the Power of His Holy Spirit, and then get to work and work as hard as we can! May this be our prayer today!

Blessings!!