2 Corinthians 3

You May Now Kiss The Bride {2 Corinthians 3}

2:18 PM




Monday April 27, “Walking In Wisdom”

With the quarantine I’ve been able to spend some time doing one of my favorite things, watching old movies. The other night I was enjoying a romance film that had the most wonderful wedding scene. The bride wore a beautiful antique wedding dress with a delicate lace veil that covered her face. The groom was filled with love and joy as he watched his soon to be wife walk down the aisle. After a quick ceremony and the exchange of vows, the minister finally said, “You may now kiss your bride.” As the groom lifted her veil he exclaimed, “You’ve never looked more beautiful!” And indeed her face was beaming with happiness and anticipation as she transformed from bride to wife.

All of us were created, as the church, to become the bride of Christ. Yet sadly some reject this calling, and Jesus. Instead of wearing a bridal veil to be lifted by the Lord revealing a face which is a shining reflection of His glory, some choose to wear a widow’s veil barring all light from getting in. Instead of becoming transformed into Christ’s perfect image, they hide their faces in darkness and harden their minds against Him. Just like in the time of Moses. After spending 40 days and nights on Mt. Sinai receiving God’s Law for a second time, as Moses came down the mountain the skin of his face was transformed from the glory of God. When the Israelites saw how his face shone, they were filled with fear and dared not come near him. So after he had finished speaking with them, Moses wore a veil to hide the shine of God’s glory. (Ex. 34:29-35)

Like Moses, the  apostle Paul too received a great transformation. As told in the book of Acts, he was once known as Saul, one the greatest persecutors of Christians. But because of an encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus, Saul was transformed into Paul, one the greatest evangelists in history. We too can receive a great transformation.  A transformation possible because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus comes into our hearts by faith, through the Spirit, “the veil is taken away”, (vs 16) and the transformation begins. For unlike the veiled faces of those who cling to the Law, choosing instead to live in darkness, Christians not only see the glory of God but become, “transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (vs. 18)

What does it mean to be transformed from glory to glory? Our God is so loving that He never wants to leave us as He found us. And so the moment we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit, if we let Him, gets to work taking our sinfulness, wickedness, and brokenness, and through God’s saving grace, transforms us from a Saul to a Paul. Not to say that our transformation will come easy. For the Christian walk is a lifelong journey of growth and change. There will be times when our walk will be hard, frustrating, and painful. And days where it’s 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. And on that glorious wedding day when Christ comes for His bride, as He lifts our veil in love, the transformation will become complete. We will be perfect reflections of His image as we dwell with the Lord forever! 



Acts

Disheartened, Discouraged, and Rejected {Acts 7}

4:30 PM



Monday Feb. 17 


Have you ever felt disheartened when someone shuts you down while you’re sharing the Gospel? Have you ever felt discouraged when the works you do for God don’t produce the fruit you want? Have you ever felt rejected by others who don’t share your Christian faith? If so, you’re not alone. The Bible is filled with stories of the disheartening, discouraging, rejection of God’s prophets and messengers. And one of these is the story of Stephen, the church’s first martyr.

Stephen was a deacon in the early Church and was, "full of grace and power", who was "performing great wonders and signs among the people", (Acts 6:8) But as he was ministering, members of the Jewish “Synagogue of the Freedmen” who opposed Stephen’s faith in Jesus as the Messiah, tried to publicly argue against Him. Frustrated because they were, “unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking” (Acts 6:10), the members hired false witnesses who charged Stephen with speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God. And as a result, Stephen was taken into custody and questioned before the council of the synagogue. 

As Stephen stood before the Jewish leaders, he did something unexpected. Instead of providing a defense for himself, he gave a testimony filled with the history of Israel beginning with Abraham, and ending with the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus. He reminded the council that just like they were rejecting Stephen, Israel had a pattern of rejecting and persecuting the messengers and prophets of God. He spoke of Joseph, whose brothers betrayed him; Moses, whom their ancestors refused to obey; and Jesus, the “Righteous One” who, as Stephen charged, was betrayed and murdered by the council themselves. He finished by insulting the council, comparing them to uncircumcised Gentiles in their stubbornness to receive Christ as their Messiah.

The council not only rejected Stephens’s testimony, enraged they dragged him out into the courtyard and stoned him to death. I believe that in his heart, Stephen knew when he entered that temple his fate was already sealed. Yet he didn’t beg for his life. He didn’t plead his case. Instead he stood behind his testimony. For Stephen knew that the greatest calling we have as Christians is to give our testimony. To share with others how the Lord has worked in our lives, why we place our faith in Him and how they too can know Jesus as their Savior. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us we must always be ready to, "make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." 

Yet as Stephen shows, it’s not always easy being messengers of the Gospel. And I too have at times felt disheartened, discouraged, and rejected because of my faith in Christ and the lack of faith of others. But I find hope in the words of Jesus who says, "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matt. 5:11-12)

The Bible tells us that Stephen was so full of faith, that as he testified all who looked upon him saw the glory of God. And he gave a testimony so powerful, it forever changed the life of a young man named Saul. I want to be like Stephen. I want to be that full of faith. And so even if I have times of feeling disheartened, discouraged, and rejected, I will keep spreading the Good News. I will keep working for God. And I will keep proclaiming Jesus as my Lord and Savior. For who knows, there may be a Saul in the crowd listening nearby. 


God's Glory

All The World Is Not A Stage {Matthew 6}

12:00 AM



“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.” .....the Message Bible 

In Matthew chapters 5-7, Jesus delivers His most famous sermon of all, The Sermon on the Mount. In it He instructs us how to live a life that is both dedicated and pleasing to God. And in chapter 6, Christ makes very clear the importance of doing the right things for the right reasons. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” (v. 6:1)

We live in a society ruled by social media. Every event of the day is captured by a camera and posted for the world to see. Craving the envy and admiration of others we put on masks of perfection, presenting lives filled with bliss and excitement. Our self worth becomes equated with the amount of likes we get and followers we have. Everything we do is for show, and we look for our value in the opinions of others.

This can happen with our spiritual life as well. If we aren’t careful we may find ourselves following the Lord not out of genuine love and obedience, but to be seen by others as righteous and pious; doing things not for the glory of the Lord, but our own. Jesus calls this hypocrisy and warns that those who look for their value in the opinions of others instead of in Christ, who want to be honored and seen by the world, “have their reward in full”. (v.5)

The perfect example of humility, Jesus never once sought recognition from the world. In John 8:50 He says, “I do not seek my own glory.” Religious practices didn’t impress Him, nor fame, power, or honor interest Him. Everything our Lord did was out of a humble spirit; to glorify and honor the Father. And for those who profess to love Him, He calls to do the same. The good deeds we do are not for bragging rights, but are acts of love and obedience to our Father in heaven. And that includes our prayers. Jesus again tells us not to try and impress the world by filling our supplications with impressive yet meaningless words, but  instead gives us the most wonderful and complete prayer of all; The Lord’s Prayer.

In verse 24 Jesus warns, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.” We cannot have a heart that seeks both glory through the world and glory through God. Admiration feels good, but it can’t sustain our hearts. Only a close personal relationship with God can do that. In one of William Shakespeare’s most famous poems he writes, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” But God isn’t looking for a cast of characters. He’s looking for people who truly have a desire to serve, love, and worship Him. And to those who forfeit their own glory for the glory of the Lord, Jesus promises,  “Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you”! (v. 4)


arrogance

SoulSearching Sunday~This Little Light of Yours

12:00 AM

Sunday, September 2, 2018


Week Thirty-five

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We hope that you will find this time soul satisfying!

Our reading this week was Zechariah 5 - Matthew 5...

 1. What hardships do you currently face? How does thinking of them as part of God’s purifying work in your life affect your attitude? Thank God today for His refining process in you. 

 I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure, just as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, “These are my people,” and they will say, “The LORD is our God.” (Zechariah 13:9)

 2. Inventory your latest accomplishments and achievements. Of which are you most proud? Turn your thoughts to the One who enabled you to accomplish what you do. Humbly worship Him, and ask Him to keep you from arrogance. 

 The LORD Almighty says, “The day of judgement is coming, tuning like a furnace. The arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw on that day. They will be consumed like a tree-roots and all.” (Malachi 4:1)

 3. What examples can you recall of times when you either performed or witnessed a deed that made people want to praise God? Why do you think this action drew attention to the LORD rather than the person who did it? What can you do today to shine your light and bring God glory?
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:16)




Covenant

The Glory Of God {Exodus 22:1-24:17}

12:00 AM

Monday Jan. 22 The Glory Of God {Ex. 22:1-24:17}


Could you imagine being an Israelite? To be one of God’s chosen people, pulled from bondage with the promise of a better life in a land flowing with milk and honey? To witness His miracles firsthand and be surrounded in His loyalty and protection? Now can you imagine after experiencing all of that love and glory rejecting the One who gave it? That’s just what the people of Israel did, and sadly what many of us do as well.

Throughout the Bible, God is called glorious. He is the Lord and King of glory, and His glory is above all the earth. And because He possesses a glory that is too bright, a righteousness that is too pure, and a greatness that is too powerful, no one can see God in His fullness and live. (Ex. 33:20) Yet even though we might not be able to see Him face to face, His glory is on full display all around us just as it was for the people of Israel. 

The book of Exodus is filled with example after example of God showering His glory upon His chosen people. He guided them, provided for them, and protected them. And because they saw physical manifestations of His glory, which both awed and scared them, they pledged to make Him their God and to follow Him in obedience. And just as quickly as they promised their faithfulness, they took it away and gave it to a golden calf. This got me to thinking, how many times have I been like the Israelite's. Quick to vow to follow the Lord only to turn around and do just the opposite.

How easy is it to make a covenant with God when we feel surrounded in His glory. Maybe it’s because of a received blessing, an answered prayer, or a need fulfilled. We feel close to Him spiritually, physically, and emotionally. We promise to never forsake Him, to faithfully follow His will and not our own. And then we go about our business, letting our focus wander on things other than our relationship with the Lord. We spend our time and energy pursuing our fleshly desires and instead of trusting Him, attempt to meet our needs on our own. 


But the wonderful news is this. No matter how much we reject God, He will never reject us. When we honestly repent and call out to Him, He forgives us and welcomes us back into His loving arms. The iworship Bible gives us a great challenge. “Picture yourself standing before God, insignificant in the light of His glory. Let God’s greatness resonate in your spirit and change your posture. God yearns to greatly impact and work in the lives of those who humble themselves in this way.” So I ask you this. Will you remove the idols from your life and make a solid and everlasting commitment to the One true Lord of glory?