John 1:19-28

John 1:19-28 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. ²⁰ He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
²¹ They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
²² Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
²³ John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
²⁴ Now the Pharisees who had been sent ²⁵ questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
²⁶ “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. ²⁷ He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
²⁸ This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The Pharisees were to political and religious leaders of the day.  Yes they would still answer to Rome, but they had clout.  And here is John answering them boldly.  John new who he was.  He knew his role and his duty.  Just as important, he knew whom he was not.  

So here I am.  Who am I?  A child of God.  What is my role? To serve God and share the gospel.  How shall I go about doing just that?

John 1:1-15

Jesus referred to John as the greatest man that ever lived. Luke 7:28 I have also heard of people reading the gospel of John and accepting Christ.  With that in mind and adding my own personal desert of the past month, I've come to the conviction that John is my next book of study.  I have decided to approach it with no preconceived ideas and just let the Holy Spirit guide me.

John 1:1-15 New International Version (NIV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The "Word" is another name of Jesus.  He was there at creation. It was through him that God created all that exists. I am just not realizing that God spoke creation into existence and Jesus is the "Word".  I'm not saying God created Jesus, I am saying Jesus created what God spoke.  Jesus is our light and our life.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

John was not the promised messiah.  He was the forerunner.  

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

One of my children has reached the age where I am not cool.  I know she loves me, but I am an embarrassment to her.  The less I speak around her friends, the happier she is.  Even after we have not seen one another in days, she rather NOT show public affection.  It hurts.  I understand that this is a phase and I know she loves me, but it still hurts.  Now imagine Jesus.  He is the creator and his creation had no clue who he was.

¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Believe and receive.  That's it and the GIFT of becoming a child of God is yours

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)

I have the John 1:14 reverence on my arm beneath a cross of nails.  Encircled above the cross are the words, LOVE TRANSCENDS TIME.  I wish now I had John 1:14-15. As it more accurately depicts the sentiment.  Jesus, who is with God and the Word of God, who was there at the beginning, left God to come to earth.  This is why John, who was born physically first and the "older" cousin, was able to say Jesus was before me.  John knew who Jesus was.  He knew he was the Son of God.

I am convicted of how flippant I can be with my relationship with Jesus.  I take for granted his grace and forgiveness.

Restoration

Since my last blog all those weeks and months ago I have been lost in a haze of self gratification and ignoring what I know to be the truth.  So much so that I was becoming angry with God for not providing a job.  Why is it I, who was trying to walk with the Lord, lost everything, yet others living in blatant open sin, had all they needed and more?  The immediate answer came to me immediately as I have memorized the first verse years ago.

Psalm 37:7 New International Version (NIV)

¹ Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; ² for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  ⁴ Take delight in the Lord,  and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Yet I had turned from delighting in the Lord because I was tired of waiting.  I went through the motions at church for a while.

August 28th I was going to skip church.  I went anyway, but not for the right reasons.  Pastor's sermon was "Why do you go to church?".   I don't remember exactly what was said, but conviction began to grow that I was not living as a should. 

This past Sunday our elder Dave Dore preached on the book of Ruth.  Boaz was her kinsman redeemer.  Jesus is mine.  

I once again confess that I need you Lord.  I have traded your peace for a lie.

Knowing God's will.

I'm headed to bed last night and really feeling the crunch as the last few hundred dollars are disappearing out of my check book.  I still need a job and the fantastic interviews I had Friday are a distant memory.  Becoming more distant as the days go by and I hear nothing from them.

As I climb into my bed and begin to pray about no work the Holy Spirit begins to nudge via the chorus of and old hymn played in that great jukebox in my mind.  

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blessed,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.

As I lay there in bed, the answer is "No."  I'm still holding back.  Dear God please increase my faith so that I want to let go of the things I now cling.

It took me a while but I found this YouTube video and it's the closest to the version I grew up singing.  Enjoy.

Where do I go from here?

For almost 3 years now, I've been blogging my Bible study.  I've blogged all the NT except the four gospels and the book of Revelation.  Not sure what my next step is or book or if this blog has run it's course in my life and served it's purpose.

I may be sporadic in how often I post as I seek what God wants.

Peter

2 Corinthians 13

2 Corinthians 13

New International Version (NIV)

13 This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” ² I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, ³ since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. ⁴ For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.

Paul gives a final warning for them to get their house in order.  Promises not to pull any punches when he gets there.  Reminds them that God is not weak.

That is what hits home for me today.  God is not weak.  When I "get away" with sin, I didn't.  God is giving me a chance to repent.

⁵ Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? ⁶ And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. ⁷ Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. ⁸ For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. ⁹ We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. ¹⁰ This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

As I read verse 5 I am taking a hard look at my life.  I am in the faith, but there is so much that needs to go.  No parent wants to use their authority to punish and I need to allow God to make the changes in me so when Christ returns I will be doing as I should. 

¹¹ Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
¹² Greet one another with a holy kiss. ¹³ All God’s people here send their greetings.
¹⁴ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Verse 11 holds great encouragement in that we can be fully restored.  We are not cast out to never return.

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Paul continues with his displeasure at having to defend himself.  One verse slammed me today.

²¹ I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.

Though Paul is not going to come again and see me, Christ is coming again.  There are "pet" sins in my life that need to go...STILL.

God is faithful.

I am deviating from my usual blog today because God used other sources to teach me a lesson and I'd like to share. 

So I awake late this morning.  Almost 4 hours later than I would have liked.  Time to start setting an alarm every day.  I begin the daily battle for my mind. Whom shall I serve? What shall I do?  I desperately need a job and the pressure is getting to me.  I've had peace, yet as the last check from section 30 comes on Tue, the reality of zero income is hitting home and fear has begun to grip my heart.

I open facebook to check my messages and within the first few posts I see my friends David and Caryn had posted a verse I have heard a thousand times. John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  They go on to say "Abide...dwell on...be enveloped by...be consumed with..."  Immediately  I am convicted.  I am neither enveloped nor consumed by God. He is part of my life, but not my life.  This is an area that God has been working on me for the past two years as I slowly surrender pieces of my life to Him.

God does not stop there.  The song Our God was playing in that "jukebox in my mind" while I was reading that verse.  The song I based on Romans 8:31  "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"  So I YouTube the song. I immediately take note of the verse that appears in the opening of the video.  1 Peter 5:8  ^"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

I have not been self-controlled or even God controlled.  I've allowed my passions and desires to rule.  I've not been abiding and I've been trusting in money to provide my needs.  God I want to know you.  I want to serve you. I want to live for you.  I can't do it alone. Increase my faith Lord that I may love you more.

Enjoy the song folks.

 

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

New International Version (NIV)

12 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. ³ And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— ⁴ was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. ⁵ I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. ⁶ Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, ⁷ or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul speaks about his 3 years of training in heaven.  He is so embarrassed boasting about it that stopped taking in the first person.  Paul was given a problem to deal with so that he would rely on God and not on his own ability and thus prove to Paul that God's grace is enough.  Paul learned this lesson so well that he took delight in hardship so he could experience a deeper understanding of God's grace.

God's grace is sufficient.  I don't need to turn to drugs or alcohol or sex.  Trusting in God and God alone during times of stress (like my current unemployment) is what will get me through.

2 Corinthians 11:21b-33

2 Corinthians 11:21b-33

New International Version (NIV)

^21b Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. ²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. ²³ Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. ²⁴ Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. ²⁷ I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. ²⁸ Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. ³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. ³² In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. ³³ But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.

Paul continues his sarcastic response to the the false teachers. In verse 21 he states "speaking as a fool" and in verse 23 "I am out of my mind to talk like this.".  So we know that Paul did not want to speak about is credentials.  Paul was a Hebrew, an Israelite and a descendant of Abraham. He was a better servant because he worked harder, imprisoned more, beaten more and exposed to death more. 

Five times he received the 40 minus one.  Why the minus one.  If a person died during the whipping there would be no charges against the one doing the beating as long as only 40 lashes were given.  Therefore they only gave 39 to ensure they were "within legal limits".  In other words, enough people died during this beating they had to make a law about how much is too much.  FIVE times Paul endured this.

Three times Paul was beaten with rods, he'd been stoned, three times ship wrecked trying to get someplace to share Christ.  I'm trying to imagine floating at night in the open ocean.  


What do I know of suffering for a cause as worthy as the gospel? What have I done for my Lord and my Savior?  I look at my life and and wonder if there is enough evidence to convict me of being a Christian were I accused of it in a court of law.

2 Corinthians 11:16-21a

2 Corinthians 11:16-21a

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. ¹⁷ In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. ¹⁸ Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. ¹⁹ You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! ²⁰ In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. ²¹ To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
  
In response to the false teachers calling his authority into question, Paul begins to respond in a such a sarcastic manner it would be humorous if the truth were not so sad.  Verse 19 and 20 says it all.  In exchange for a new "flashy" preacher they were exchanging the freedom of the Gospel Paul preached for bondage and being robbed.  Verse 21 is VERY sarcastic.

My first thought for application is our current political mess.  With all the lies and abuse of power and both sides of our political system fighting each other while the country dies.  I could make that application especially since the Jewish nation is a Theocracy (government ruled by religion) the spiritual leaders had more power than the political leaders.

However there is a deeper application.  The world, the flesh and the devil.  How often I am a fool and fall into slavery to the sin I once lived in.  The gospel clearly tells me I am FREE from sin and yet I put up even after it slaps me in the face time and time again.

The cycle needs to stop.

2 Corinthians 11:5-15

2 Corinthians 11:5-15

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” ⁶ I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. ⁷ Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? ⁸ I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. ⁹ And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. ¹⁰ As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. ¹¹ Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
¹² And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. ¹³ For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

 Paul gave his life for the preaching of the gospel and yet there were those with better speaking abilities who were wooing believers away and causing them to doubt Paul and the true gospel.  Paul loved them enough to keep doing what was right knowing that the false teachers would eventually fail.  He also warned of Satan who masquerades as an angel of light, so his servant can too.

I search for personal application today and I know that the leadership in my church is solid.  I know they love me.  I need vet out the people I do listen to to ensure they preach from the word of God.

2 Corinthians 11:1-4

2 Corinthians 11:1-4

New International Version (NIV)

11 I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! ² I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. ³ But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. ⁴ For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

Paul is talking about being lead astray from the gospel and from Jesus Christ. 

I am convicted at how quickly I can be lead away from what I know to be true and right.  Only three days ago I'm in church singing "there is no one like our God. We will praise you..." and yet this morning I had to make a conscious choice to confess and come back to God as I'd fallen away so far and so quickly. I am convinced that this what Jesus meant in Luke 9:23 "Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."  

Today I chose Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:12-18

2 Corinthians 10:12-18

New International Version (NIV)

¹² We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

At the end of my days the measure of my life will be compared to Jesus Christ's life and His alone.  Thank you God for you grace.  Thank you Jesus for you sacrifice for my sin.  Thank you Holy Spirit for convicting me and giving me that spark of faith that began this journey.

¹³ We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. ¹⁴ We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. ¹⁵ Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, ¹⁶ so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. ¹⁷ But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” ¹⁸ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Paul only boasted of the work that the Lord gave him.  He did not take credit of another's work.  His hope was that as result of his current work, that would lead to more opportunities to share the gospel.  In the end it was the Lord he said we should all boast in. 

I tend to brag about things.  Toys.  Material possessions.  I need to start thinking along the lines that where I am is a ministry.  How can this ministry be used to create more opportunity to minister for Christ?

2 Corinthians 10:7-11

2 Corinthians 10:7-11

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. ⁸ So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. ⁹ I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. ¹⁰ For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” ¹¹ Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.

The way a person looks has no bearing on what they know so I should not just a person by the way they look.   Also I need to make sure my life matches my message.  This blog for instance.  Am I the same person in public that present here on the cyber page?

2 Corinthians 10:1-5

2 Corinthians 10:1-6

New International Version (NIV)

10 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!

My temper was huge just a few years ago.  I am awed and amazed at how differently situations go when I approach people with humility and a gentleness that could only have come from God.  People who have known me for years have noticed the difference.  The ones who have benefited greatly are my children.

Thank you for those changes you have brought into my life.

² I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.

Confrontation is not fun.  Even the apostle Paul did not want to do it, but he would if required.  God give me your wisdom in confronting those who need to be confronted and just listening and coming along side those who are hurting because you are working in their lives.

³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.⁶ And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

So many battles going on in this world.  I just take a look at the mess the USA is in and I could take a side and get involved and push for my candidate or my party or my favorite pet project and as an a Christian who is an American I should participate in my local government.  However the battle in America is not just in politics.  The devil is alive and well I need to be praying and God I confess that I just don't.

If I take every though captive to Christ, every moment of every day, my life will change.  Dramatically.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

I am to give what I have decided and to so willingly and cheerfully.

⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”

God has promised to meet my needs, not my greeds.

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³ Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

The purpose of my giving is a show of gratitude for what he has given me.  Then by my giving the needs of others are met and they too have an opportunity to praise God.

The act of giving in itself is a gift according to verse 15.  I never thought of it that way.  I must rethink giving again.

2 Corinthians 9:1-5

2 Corinthians 9:1-5

New International Version (NIV)

9 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. ² For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. ³ But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. ⁴ For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. ⁵ So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

Paul continues in his encouragement and praise of the church at Corinth.  Yet his is also a realist and sends people ahead to help them be ready.

I am convicted that I lack an eagerness to help and concerned at how hollow my faith can prove in so many areas.  I also lack a generosity that I once had.

God I ask you to soften my heart.  All that has been taken from me in the past two years has made me less and less willing to give of what I have left.  And yet even as I type this may attitude should be that what I have is yours...I'm not there yet.

2 Corinthians 8:16-24

2 Corinthians 8:16-24

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. ¹⁷ For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. ¹⁸ And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. ¹⁹ What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. ²⁰ We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. ²¹ For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
²² In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. ²³ As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. ²⁴ Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.

As Paul is discussing the merits of Titus and an unnamed brother who has proved "zealous", there is only verse 16 that has pierced my heart today.  It was God who put the concern into the heart of Titus.

Dear God, my heart has been consumed by my own pleasure.  I need you to put a love for you in my heart.  I need you to put a love for someone other than me in my heart. 

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

New International Version (NIV)

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³ For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. ⁵ And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. ⁶ So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. ⁷ But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

⁸ I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 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 through his poverty might become rich.
¹⁰ And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. ¹¹ Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. ¹² For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
¹³ Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. ¹⁴ At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, ¹⁵ as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

New Testament church giving is supposed to be motivated by love for fellow believers.  It's to be given joyfully for the benefit of others.  Our giving is in truth a test of the sincerity of our love.

I don't give what I should.  That needs to change. 

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

New International Version (NIV)

² Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. ³ I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. ⁴ I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

Paul wronged, corrupted or exploited no one.  That is my goal as well.

⁵ For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. ⁶ But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, ⁷ and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

When down and harrased wait on God and he will lift me up.

⁸ Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— ⁹ yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. ¹⁰ Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. ¹¹ See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. ¹² So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. ¹³ By all this we are encouraged.

The expression, "This is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you." has truth to it.  Confronting or correcting a bother that is in sin is not easy.  Just yesterday I had to speak to someone and I had a pit in my stomach that made me want to lose my diner.  

Done properly correction can bring about Godly sorrow which drives the recipient back to God and back to fellowship.

If I feel guilty about something and it keeps me from Christian fellowship and drives me from Bible study and prayer, that is not Godly sorrow.  That is guilt and condemnation that is either from myself or from Satan and his demons.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. ¹⁴ I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. ¹⁵ And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. ¹⁶ I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.

 Paul was delighted to see his spiritual children behave in the way he'd taught them.  It's no different for God in my life.  He takes delight in me following what I have been taught.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵ What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? 

A yoke was put on two oxen so they could pull a cart or perhaps a plow together as a team.  As a Christian I have different values than non-Christians.  Therefore I should not enter into any binding relationship with them.  Marriage for example or perhaps business together.  These are all places where my standards in Christ will be higher than my non-Christian counterpart.

For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.”

¹⁷ Therefore,

“Come out from them
    and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
    and I will receive you.”

¹⁸ And,

“I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”

7 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

These verses are NOT saying I can't have unsaved friends.  They are not saying I am to ignore or not speak to unbelievers.  They are saying I am to be different.  God has promised fellowship with me if I chose to walk with him.  My life is to change the world through Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:3-11

2 Corinthians 6:3-13

New International Version (NIV)

³ We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. ⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: 

I understand the point of not being a stumbling block as that has been addressed before by Paul in other portions of scripture.  Upon reaching the word commend I did not grasp it's use in the context.  Upon looking it up I learned that commend can mean "Present as suitable for approval or acceptance".  Now I can wrap my mind around Paul's point.

in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶ in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷ in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹ known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

I notice that Paul uses good things and bad.  His goal is to be worthy.  I am to assure that I present myself in a worth manner for God's glory no matter what occurs in my life.

¹¹ We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.¹² We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³ As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Am I withholding my heart from someone?  God if there is someone to whom I need to open my heart to, convict me of it.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

2 Corinthians 6:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

6 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. ² For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

God, I've spurned your grace last week.  My prayers were weak and my devotion to you was nonexistent. 

I turn back to you now Lord.  I love you Lord.  Help me with my lack of love for you.

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. ¹² We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. ¹³ If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

My goal as a Christian is not to say "look at me", but to say look at what God has done for me.  My love for him should be the driving force behind showing Him to the world.

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

How quick I am to judge people by their appearance and then I need remind myself that God loves them and Jesus died for them too.

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

A pet peeve of mine is Christians saying, "I'm just a sinner saved by grace."   I realize they are attempting communicate they are no better than anyone else, but words and their meanings are important.  I WAS a sinners, but now I am a NEW CREATION. Yes I will still to battle against sin as long I live, but I am new.  I have died with Christ and I find my identity in Him not my former life.

¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

I am not a sinner, but the righteousness of God.  It's not through anything that I did.  Christ did it all.  This is why I share my lessons with the world.  I want them to have what I have.  

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

New International Version (NIV)

5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ² Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, ³ because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

The worst thing that can be done to me is the killing of this body.  In light of eternity, that is not a bad thing.  I have a new body the is promised to me one that is not broken.  I have several things wrong with this body and every year I am reminded more and more that it will not last.

The Holy Spirit has been given to me as proof that God will  do as he promised.  The new body will make this mortal life seem so trivial.  "...swallowed up by life", gives me the image that the new body will feel like I am living for the very first time.

⁶ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

Just the other day I was thinking about all the distractions I have available the take my attention away from the Lord.  My life is supposed to be pleasing the Lord.  I should be doing my work diligently, but longing to be with my Savior.

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

This judgement seat is NOT about salvation.  It is about what I did with the opportunities God has provided for me to serve him.  Though I will not be thrown into hell for any sin I've committed as those were paid for my Jesus Christ, there will be loss for those times that I knew to do right and chose to do wrong.  

2 Corinthians 4:13-18

2 Corinthians 4:13-18

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. ¹⁵ All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

It's easy in church or in Christian circles to speak what I believe and as I grow in my faith it is easier to speak all the time.  Verse fourteen should have me excited.  God is going to raise me as He did Jesus and then present me to Himself.  I'm going to stand before God.

I often speak of grace and how I've come to a deeper understanding of grace.  I'm not as thankful for this grace at times as I should be.

The pattern I'm seeing here is that I believe because of grace and I speak.  Others hear my words and see the grace of God in my life and see me extending that grace to others.  They then turn to faith and receive God's grace and for that we are all thankful.  Which in turn causes others to see our faith and they turn to God and receive grace.   

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

I've lost heart the past few days because I unplugged myself from God.  Oh yeah I did Bible study, but I was not turned on or tuned it.  I was auto pilot with no real desire to learn or to change. Just one more chore for the day.

¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

It's been far too long in my eyes since I've had a job.  I'm lonely since the divorce.  Unemployment runs out next week.  I am so far behind in my school work that I will probably not finish on time for next Thursday.  I struggle with these because I've taken my eyes off Christ.  Forgive me God for turning from you and toward my own strength.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

When I'm healthy and things are going well, I admit to self reliance.  I ignore God until I need Him.  Yet when I look back at the last two years I had many days, weeks and even months that the only reason I got through was God.  I irony of that statement is that every day I open my eyes, it is only because God's power has allowed it to happen.

¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

I must give up my life for Jesus' sake.  I'm reminded of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 in that I am not my own.  I've been bought with the blood of Jesus Christ.   There are days though that I don't live like it.

God I want you life to live through mine.

God Bless

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

New International Version (NIV)

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

God's mercy is the way that I can avoid discouragement.  Relying and trusting in Him.

² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

I keep no secrets and live an open life before God and his people.  This does not mean that I air all my dirty secrets and private sin to the world.  But I do have accountability partners that know what I struggle with and I don't pretend to have it all together.

³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

When I am rejected for my faith or for the message of God, I feel sorry for them.  Many may be blinded by Satan and it is not ME they are rejecting but Jesus Christ. My job is to shine and let this world see what Christ has done in my life.  It's not a number game of "how many".  It's a life of obedience and faithfulness to the opportunities provided.

God Bless.

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, ⁸ will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ⁹ If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! ¹⁰ For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. ¹¹ And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

When Moses came back to the people after standing before God to get the law, his face shown with the radiance of God.  So much so that the people could not look at him. What a great and exciting time to live and what an event to witness.  Yet the law was given to show people their need for a savior.  It was temporary.  What we have now is Christ is so much better.

I'm frustrated as I read this because I should be much more excited than I am.  Christ came that I might live.  I have the Holy Spirit within me.  These are things I have right now where for Moses and the nation of Israel they were things to come.  For give my complacency Lord and wake my spirit to the joy available in you.


¹² Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. ¹³ We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. ¹⁴ But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵ Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. ¹⁶ But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

God I pray now for Israel.  That their darkness may be lifted and they will see their true Messiah. I pray that my my own dullness and apathy will be lifted from my own life.  I pray the I will be transformed into your image and for that "ever-increasing glory" mentioned here.

God Bless.

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

New International Version (NIV)

3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? ² You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. ³ You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

⁴ Such confidence we have through Christ before God. ⁵ Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. ⁶ He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
  
The practice of letters of recommendation still exists today.  In fact I as a man looking for a job am required to have at least 3 references that will vouch form me.  People who know me that can say, "Peter is a good worker.". 

Paul did not need a letter.  The conversion of the people at Corinth were his proof.  His confidence in the message came from God, through Christ.  He did not require a letter from human hands that cannot save a person.  He carried the Holy Spirit, who regenerated the souls of those who believed in Christ.

So...application.  I need to practice what I know about God's word more so that I too will gain Paul's level of confidence in it.  In fact just last night I took a big step in exercizing that confidence in an area that I struggle greatly.  Praise God for little victories that will one day lead to great ones.

God Bless.

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

New International Version (NIV)

¹² Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, ¹³ I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

God will open doors for me and he will tell me when it is time for me to move on.

¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. ¹⁵ For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?

When we speak of God when we are lead by God, our words will be accepted by some and rejected by others.  Those who will not accept Christ are going to die without him and this something they don't want to hear.

¹⁷ Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
  
What my motive for teaching?  Fame, money, pride or the sincerity of one sent by Christ?


God bless.