The Treasure Within

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

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

Paul continues to highlight, vigorously, how any power that is revealed in and through him is not in and of himself. It is from God! It is God! Paul is just like a jar of clay. He has been created, molded and shaped by God. It is the deposit of the Holy Spirit within him, the jar of clay, the treasure of Christ Himself, that dwells in Paul which displays His power and might! THIS is why Paul is not crushed, despaired, abandoned, or destroyed.

And so it is with you and me. You and I are "jars of clay." We did not create ourselves - God created us. We have not molded and shaped ourselves (the idea of a 'self-made man' is hogwash....!). God has molded and shaped us. God is molding and shaping and keeping us. As believers and followers of Christ, we also with Paul, have the treasure - Christ Himself - living inside of us by the Holy Spirit! So, when the pressures of this earthly life are pressing in on us from all sides...we are not crushed. So, when we are perplexed in our thinking because of the situations swirling on around us, we are not in despair. So, when we are being persecuted either through the actions of others or in our reputations, we are not abandoned [by God]. And when we receive blow after blow as we walk day to day, we are not destroyed.

For in Christ the world, flesh, and/or devil can not CRUSH, DESPAIR, cause God to ABANDON, or DESTROY us!! Listen, without the Holy Spirit in us - we depend on others, situations, and ourselves. And when others, situations, and ourselves are depended upon - then they can also crush, despair, abandon, and destroy us.

Case in point - in seasons past, I was part of a small band of brothers and sisters. We lived life together in Christ. We broke bread together. We served one another. We laughed together. We cried together. We experienced being hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and struck-down together. And then something happened. The world, flesh, and devil made an entrance. I found myself being the object of being hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck-down by accusations from one of our band! It was painful. It brought much grief. And it caused separation. BUT GOD.
Another case in point - in seasons past, I was engaged to be married. And then something happened. I was told I 'wasn't the one God had' for my fiancee. I was loved but not 'the one.' I found myself being hard-pressed, perplexed, and struck-down by the one with whom I was to become one! It was painful. It brought much grief. And it caused separation. BUT GOD.
Another case in point - in seasons past, I was ministering in a place of need - receiving acolades and excellent evaluative reviews on job performance. And then something happened. I was fired. I found myself being the object of lies and accusations through the same ones who were giving me acolades and excellent job performance reviews. It was painful. It brought much grief. And it caused separation. BUT GOD.

Because the Treasure within me could not be touched - because I was not dependent on the band, the fiancee, or the boss, but on the One within me - I was not destroyed or crushed or despaired or abandoned (by God). Had the band, the fiancee or the boss been my sustenance, my life-support, the air that I breath - I most certainly would have been destroyed. While each was certainly an integral part of my life in those seasons, each was not The Treasure. For that I am most thankful; for as important as they were, they were not The Treasure within.

How about you? Have you had experiences that drew blows? Perhaps you are experiencing that now. I pray that you see the treasure within you is indeed The Treasure. And that you call out God, allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain you. Mold you. Shape you. Transform you. "Let it be Lord, You in our lives, let it be. Thank You Lord."

The god of This World

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (vs 4).

Have you experienced this reality; either recalling when you didn't believe and didn't follow Christ or in the lives of loved ones, friends, or an infamous unbeliever? I mean, no matter what is said, done, revealed. No matter how a life has changed...even your own! No matter what apologetic is read. No matter how well articulated is the historicity and authentic-ness of Christ birth, death, and resurrection. A person just shakes his/her head. S/he says, "well, whatever works for you." Or, "you really believe that stuff?" Or perhaps the person has his/her own apologetic for what s/he believes.

It is as if they just don't see. As if logic even flies out the window...they sooner believe in psychic reading, tea leaves, horoscopes, or any other superstitious belief. But not Jesus.

I have a dear loved one. This beloved has heard the Gospel message from loved ones, preachers, and Billy Graham. This dear one has experienced the grace, mercy, and unconditional love of Jesus in tangible and sustained ways - from loved ones and 'strangers.' Books have been read, churches have been visited, prayers have been prayed, tears have been shed, various actions of tough love and not so tough love have been given and [seemingly] received. Debate has taken place, views have been shared, understandings have been pored through, changed lives have been witnessed, generosity has been abundant, forgiveness has been extended and asked of, and speaking the truth in love has been voiced.

It is as if there is a stopper in the ears, a wall surrounding the heart, mind shut, and eyes closed. Indeed that is what is taking place, as near as one can know! "The god of this world (Satan, the Devil, the Evil One) has blinded this dear one's mind so that s/he cannot see the light." It is with the mind that one sees. Not the brain. The mind. The part of us that sees with the eyes of our hearts, the spirit within us that knows.

I can't tell you how often I have cried, deep, agonizing, broken tears for this loved one. What can I do? What can we do? We can continue to pray. We can continue to love. We can continue to speak. We can continue to "live lives worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 4:1). "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are divine. They are able to tear down every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God" (2 Corinthians 10:4). We can pray against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places that blind the eyes of those who will not see. Command, in the Name of Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit, from our position in heavenly places with Christ Jesus, for the god of this world to cease and desist; to let go and be inoperative in our dear one's life. Call on the Name of the Lord to enter in, and unblock the mind and open the eyes of the heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to draw that loved one to Himself.

Persistent prayer leave footprints in our minds...and creates a deep grove in our souls (Paul Miller, A Life of Prayer). Let us pour out our anxieties, fears, frets, disappoints, and hopes before the Lord continually on behalf of those who are blinded by the god of this world. God is the only One that can break through! And He is able!

Love to you and yours as you seek Him in this coming New Year!,
Robin

The Veil is Removed

Food for Life:
2 Corinthians 3:7-18

"But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away" (vs 15,16).

Paul is teaching the believers at Corinth (and us!) that when someone is not born-again by the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' Name, and the Father's will and they hear the reading of Old Testament (the Scrolls/the book of the Law, for Paul and his audience), their heart is closed to the God - a veil is still separating them from the True and Living God. This is how it was when Moses received the Law and revealed it to the Jews. They had to hide their faces when seeing Moses, after he had been with God! God's passing Glory through Moses was too much for folks to endure!

BUT GOD. Paul goes on to explain that once someone 'turns to the Lord'; once someone acknowledges, 'yes, I need a Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. I am a sinner, please forgive me Jesus, I receive Your Forgiveness Lord, fill me with Your Spirit, I repent - I turn toward You!!" ... they can see! The veil is removed! They are one with Christ!

The Christmas Story is still the same. It is about God with us...Emmanuel. Jesus has come in the flesh, He has made a way for us, He is present with us even now, through the Holy Spirit which lives within all who have turned/who turn to Him.

Merry Christmas! This is the reason for the season. Emmanuel, God is with us! The veil has been lifted! Is it lifted in your life? If so, Praise the Lord of all Creation! If not, let this moment, this hour, this day be the day when your eyes are opened, when you turn toward the One Who Loves You with an everlasting, never-changing, more than life itself, Love! Let the veil be lifted for you personally!

Share this with those you love. Share the Christ Story. Share Emmanuel. When you give gifts, when you receive them, when you meet and greet folks, when you share in 'holiday' cheer....Christmas Glory! Let others have the opportunity to know and receive the reason for the season. Christmas Joy...Jesus is with us!

"Lord, please move in our hearts to share You with others - that others too would really know what 'Merry Christmas" is all about - and experience Emmanuel, God with us. Thank You Lord!"

Our Competence Comes from Whom?

Food for Life:
2 Corinthians 3:1-6

"...but our competence comes from God" (vs 5b).

Paul knew from where his giftedness, ability, strength, accomplishments - competence came. He knew that whatever good came from him and through him was given him from God. I really like Paul's reminder of this reality. Have you ever accomplished something and thought, 'wow, alright, look what I did!" Period?

It is such a temptation to commend ourselves in the achievements we experience in this life. Even if, until this point in time, you have always recognized, acknowledged, and known that your achievements are God-given and Holy Spirit empowered...be careful. None of us is above any temptation. And especially when it comes to (seeking) gaining our significance from the giftedness, accomplishments, and successes of this life. When we do so, we quickly find that it is true..."Pride comes before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).

The issue of taking credit, without also acknowledging and thanking God for what He has done and what He has given us first, ("Thank you, I thank the Lord for enabling me!) is something that can come so 'naturally', that we don't realize it! Soon, we can start to actually think that we are 'all that'....only to discover, then, at some point, "no...I guess I'm not all that." Usually the discovery comes from a painful, humbling experience.

Thank God. Thank the Lord that He loves us enough to help us not have a false sense of ourselves. The Apostle Paul said that God gave him a 'messenger from Satan' in order to buffet him...so as to not think more highly of himself than he ought (Romans 12:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9). The root of our false pride or self-importance comes from Satan himself. He is the one who started it. He was the most spectacular angel - messenger and minister on God's behalf - and he decided he wanted to be like God or even above God! God said - well not sure God said anything exactly, but just acted by booting him from His presence in Glory - him and 1/3 of all the angels because they had the same thoughts as Satan...

So, we get this struggle within, through inheritance (Adam and Eve), and can carry it on quite nicely on our own. The recourse is not to think of ourselves as 'dirty dogs' or worthless...after all Christ died for us! The Scripture tells us to think of ourselves as we ought - not too lowly or highly, but in measure. Really, as those who need... God. We need God's favor and deposit and on-going activity in our lives. And we need one another. We need the body of Christ (recall 1 Corinthians 12 and 13).

God reminds us through Paul that our competence from Him. Elsewhere we are reminded that we 'have been given EVERYTHING pertaining to life and Godliness through His divine power according to our knowledge of Him that called us to His glory and goodness, (2 Peter 1:3). We are also told that 'we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us' (Philippians 4:13). Praise the Lord for giving us all things and empowering us through His Spirit!

"Lord, please forgive me (us) when I think my competence comes from myself and not You. Lord, please forgive me (us) when I either think more of myself or less of myself than seeing my identity and significance as Your child/daughter (son)/beloved. Lord, please help me (us) to recognize all You have given me, to be thankful to You, and give You the glory! Thank You Lord!"

God's Grace in Our Weakness

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

In the first few verses of this section the Apostle Paul writes that God opened a door for him to preach in Troas. God made a way, went before him, to Troas, preparing the way for Paul to minister. Paul then says that because his brother (in the Lord) Titus wasn't there....he left! Paul knew he had an open door from the Lord, but he chose not to enter...this is surprising to me. When I think of Paul, I don't think about the fact that he made mistakes like this - knowing God opened a door but not going through it!

I have done that before. My guess is that you have done so as well. But, I just don't think of Paul as doing so! I wonder why the Lord included this of Paul's recording, in Scripture. Maybe to show us that even the Apostle Paul made (what I consider) serious missteps...it's not just me who does so. The recording of this, among other points, speaks to God's grace toward us. I get really disturbed at myself when I see that God has spoken to me, opened a door, given me guidance and direction - and I don't follow. I kick myself. I ask God to forgive me. I determine to do better; to follow the Lord's leading; to not only recognize answer to prayer but to be the answer, as God allows.

But God. I'm glad to know that the chief Apostle Paul had times of (deliberately!) not going through doors God opens. Not that I rejoice that he did so, but that God forgave him, that God still used him, and perhaps used him in spite of himself. Because God perhaps takes weakness (Paul's and mine...and yours) to perfect His power through (2 Corinthian 12:9) ...revealing Paul's, my, your need to depend on God more. Always. Forever.

"Lord, thank You for revealing in Your Word the weakness of even the greatest of Yours, so that I, we can see that You work through our weakness too. Thank You that You redeem even our worst mistakes/sin for Your Glory and Good. You are so gracious, kind, and good. Your Love endures forever. The gates of hell will not prevail against You, Your will, and Your way. Thank You Lord that Paul and we are part of Your Story. We love You Lord."

Repentance, Forgiveness, Embrace

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

"The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient...Now instead, you out to forgive and comfort him....I urge you therefore to reaffirm your love for him...If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him....I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes" (vs. 7a,8,10,11).

Paul continues to exhort and instruct the Corinthian believers (and the Lord, us through Paul) about how to approach, relate, and be proactive toward a brother (or sister) who has sinned (Paul is referring to the brother described in 1 Corinthians 5) in their fellowship - their local church body. Paul describes what has taken place - the church exercised discipline - "punishment" and it is clear that the man was sorrowful and repentant. Paul would not have extended forgiveness along with the church folks, if the offender had not repented. For Paul then instructs the body that it is now time to reaffirm their love for the brother, so that he doesn't become overwhelmed.

Paul is seeking to see that the body follows Christ's example - if not, when the brother was repentant, if forgiveness and love (restoration) was not extended, the brother could have then been given to despair. The last verse indicates that Satan loves to take advantage of us going off course. In this example, Satan would take a stronghold or foothold in a situation in which a believer is disciplined, repentant but not forgiven and embraced. Despair and even suicide could be the stronghold perpetuated by Satan toward the offender. Within the church body where unforgiveness dwells, where grace is not extended, and Godly love expressed (which actually is part of and to be evident through the whole process of discipline and restoration) then Satan will wreak havoc within the congregation.

Please note the order of the process. Paul was not instructing the believers to turn a blind eye to this brother's sin/offense. He was not encouraging 'cheap grace' - grace that ignores and condones sinful actions - for that is not grace or love for another at all. To ignore a destructive (sinful) action or inaction of mine, would not be showing your love for me. It would be showing a lack of love and care, in the face of me offending God, destroying myself and others around me.

No, Paul sees that the body loved this brother enough to call attention and speak the truth in love to him. They demonstrated love by carrying out church discipline (we aren't told exactly what they did, but if you recall/read 1 Corinthians, you will note Paul's instruction); the brother repented, and they then demonstrated love through embrace and forgiveness.

Please note: discipline described is toward one who confesses Jesus as Lord and is part of the Body of Christ gathered - the local church; and it is the Body of Christ that is carrying out the discipline (present day this would be guided by Scripture and the Holy Spirit through the leadership of the local church).

People who do not confess Christ are not subject to the Christ or the local fellowship. Also, Paul is not speaking to the broader issue of forgiveness. We are to forgive before God, someone who personally sins against us, even if they don't repent or ask for forgiveness. This type of forgiveness is more releasing the one who has been sinned against and giving the offender to God for His intervention. this act of forgiveness is an act of our will and also a process of healing within us...an (important) topic for another day.

"Lord, thank You for how You have provided an avenue for us to restore and be restored within the Body of Christ. Than You Holy Spirit that You help us to do that which is not natural for us in our humanness. Thank You that You empower us to carry out the path of grace and mercy - of love - that is from You."

Causing grief out of Love

2 Corinthians 2:1-4
"For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you" (vs 4).

The Apostle Paul is expressing his reasoning for his actions - writing to the Corinthian group/body of believers first before meeting/visiting them. He said that he wanted to write to them about the actions and decisions of some (as we read in 1 Corinthians) along with how to address folks who were acting in ways unbecoming Believers - sinning. He wrote that he was confident that the body would correct/act rightly in the face of the issues, so that when he came to visit, things would be as they should.

What strikes me about his approach is what he said in verse 4. His reason for writing before visiting came from his "depth of love" for the people - his brothers and sisters in Christ. So deep was his love, that his confrontation to them, because of their sin, brought tremendous grief for him - to the point of experiencing 'great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears."

As I think about the confrontations and challenges I have experienced, the approach someone uses with me makes all the difference. If I sense that someone who challenges me does so out of his/her love for me, I am able to receive the challenge much more readily. Conversely, when I've challenged someone out of love - love for the person and love for Christ - the interaction has a much different tone. Even if the person isn't able//doesn't receive the challenge with 'thanks so much for caring' (LOL - most of the time this doesn't happen...but it does sometimes!), I still am able to have peace in the midst of heartache. In the midst of heartache because I know what I'm saying causes grief, but a grief that has (the potential) for greater good. But if confrontation is done out of...jealous, envy, superiority, inferiority, strife, hatred, and selfishness...then the grief brought about is grief without good.

How about you? Have you experienced being challenged out of love and out of - not love? Have you challenged out of love and not out of love? Isn't there a difference?

"Lord, please forgive us for the times we are critical, point fingers, challenge others out of selfishness rather than love. Lord, fill us with your Spirit in such a way that Your Love is manifested in our hearts - a heart of love and compassion - that can 'speak the truth in love' - and bring about Your good in the lives of others. Help us to follow the example of the Apostle Paul. And let those around us, those hearing the challenge, hear more loudly the Love. Thank You Lord."

Yes in Christ

2 Corinthians 1:12-24

"For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are YES...Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge...for in your faith you are standing firm" (vs 20a,21,24b).

The Apostle Paul is letting the Corinthian believers know, he is reassuring them (even as he is, us) that unlike people - you and me - God does not waiver. God's yes, is yes. In Christ, we can count on the Lord to fulfill His promises - His promises to us who believe, to us who belong to Him through Christ. Whether is it the promise of Salvation (He fills us with His Spirit when we are born-again; His pledge of the promise that we will spend now and eternity with God), or the many promises seen in Scripture.

God's promises are true. We don't have to wonder, "well, I know God said He would 'provide for all of my needs according to His riches in glory, in Christ Jesus'...but will He really make a way for my provision of need?" Check out Philippians 4:19 for this promise.

Another promise, "We know that God hears our prayer, and if He hears our prayer, He answers our prayer" (1 John 5:14-15)....sometimes we don't believe this promise, because God doesn't answer according to what we think should be the answer....His answer is according to what is best...and our Father does know best... .

Challenge: look through Scripture - Old and New Testaments - and see how many of God's promises you can find. They are all true. One note. Be sure you understand who God is speaking to (believers or non-believers) as well as exactly what is being said. The context of God's promises (all of Scripture) is important - many times we don't think God keeps His promise(s) because we have not understood what is being said. One misinterpretation - or just plain taking it out of context - is this "all things happen for a reason." Many times people say this as an explanation for trials and heartache. They go on to think that "it was meant to be."

Well, actually, we will not find in Scripture either of these two statements. We do find Romans 8:28 - which states that God works all things out for the good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. This is not saying, "all things happen for a reason, or it was meant to be." It is saying that God takes all things that do happen and brings good from them, for - not all people - but for people who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Do you love God? Are you called? How are you responding?

"Lord, thank You for Loving us. Thank You that all Your promises are Yes/Amen, are true. Thank You that You are not a man that You should lie, but that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank You that we can count on You. Lord, please increase my faith. Lord, please increase our faith. Thank You Lord. Let my yes be yes and my no be no. Let our yes be yes and our n o be no."

Despair, Hope, and Prayer

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

"We don't want you to be uniformed brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia."
Paul, a chief apostle, had lots of troubles in the part of Asia in which he was traveling and preaching/teaching the Gospel.

"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself." Wow, Paul was under such great pressure, it was way beyond his ability to bear it! Have you experienced anything that you thought, "man, this is just too much for me to handle?" YES, and so have I! Paul was so stressed he actually was suicidal! This just hit me, as many times as I''ve read this - it didn't strike me, that the Apostle Paul (and those accompanying him) were suicidal. They 'despaired of life itself.' Like folks who do commit suicide, the Apostle Paul was in great despair, so much so that he felt like life wasn't even worth living! So much for folks who say that Christians who feel suicidal or are depressed just don't have enough faith; or real Christians don't get depressed.... Paul and his companions even thought and felt, "Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death." They thought that death was their destiny in the pressurized situation in which they found themselves!

BUT GOD. The difference between Paul et al and those who commit suicide is perspective....one Person...one Hope. Paul goes on. "But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." So, Paul recognized, "yeah, I really don't have what it takes, yes, this is WAY beyond me, yes, if left on my own and if this was up to me...I really do despair and have a death sentence because, 'I can't do it.' BUT GOD. Paul wasn't all there was - he goes on, "He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. On HIm we have set our hope that HE will continue to deliver us..." He wasn't just hoping against hope or wishing or in denial. He knew whom He had believed, and knew who it was that had the power of life and death in His hands...the One who raised from the dead, the One who dwelt within him! The Only Hope!

But that isn't all. Paul writes, "...as you help us by your prayers. !!! The brothers and sisters he was writing to, it was they who prayed and Paul testified that through their prayers, they were delivered! We don't know exactly how this works, but Paul testifies that God moves through the prayers of the saints! You and me! He continues, "Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."

Your prayers matter. Of course it matters to whom you pray! To God the Father, through Jesus His Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit - who dwells within all believers.These prayers are connected to 'the comfort' wrote of in the preceding verses in 2 Corinthians 1. Your prayers and mine are powerful to comfort and see movement (God is at work even if we can't see what is happening) in peoples lives all around us, near and far. People and situations are better off as a consequence of the saints and our prayers...not because of who we are, but because of Whose we are. Because of the One who lives within us. You are a bearer of Hope!

"Lord, thank You that in and through You, we are bearers of Hope - Hope that is needed by individuals, families, communities, yeah even the world! The only Hope for (us) the world today is Jesus. We are Your image bearers and the bearers of Hope. Help us to see the end of ourselves, so that the real Hope will begin, and today minister to one who is in despair of even life itself - whether it be one who is reading this, or one who we know. Thank You Lord, we love You. Let us become more and more men and women of prayer. Hope Bearers."

Sufferings and Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:5-7

This is such an important part of Scripture - as many of us wonder about the troubles of this life...the why's and wherefore's. We wonder 'how come this is happening to me?" Or, "how come that is happening to them, or in the world?" Many times we will not have a specific answer..perhaps we will in eternity...however I'm thinking we won't have the same questions then. So let's look at a few of these verses individually.

"For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ." Paul is telling us that there is a relationship between the sufferings we experience in this life, and the comfort we receive from Christ. We will receive the portion of comfort needed...actually abundantly...to the sufferings. Thank You Lord. Note something else. Paul experienced tremendous, abundant sufferings...for Christ sake. As he preached and taught the Scripture, and followed the leading of the Holy Spirit, and exercised the gift of the Spirit given him (healing, prophecy, wisdom, exhortation, rebuke, teaching etc.) he experienced sufferings. ....What are my sufferings related to? How many of them are related to the cause of Christ?...What about you?

I'm thankful to the Lord because the sufferings I experience here, even if I bring them on myself, through confession,repentance, receiving forgiveness and cleansing...God's comfort abounds. He may not take away the earthly consequences, but He carries me with His grace and mercy and does a Romans 8:28 (look it up if you aren't familiar:)).

"If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer." Wow, Paul as minister of Jesus, states his distress is for believers he is ministering to. His distress is used for their comfort because he shares the same comfort he receives from God, with them when they are distressed. He also is distressed/persecuted for (Christ sake) them so that they may know the way of salvation! He then states that when they are comforted by God, it helps them endure, with patience, their trials - their sharings of the sufferings that Paul suffers. Brothers and Sisters - and so it is with you and me. We experience distress in walking with and ministering in Jesus, we experience comfort from the Lord in the distress, we pass that on to others, and we are helped to endure with patience, sufferings of this life. Hallelujah, what a Savior! Hallelujah, what a Comforter (the Holy Spirit)!

"And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort." We receive hope which is firm, in this reality! The reality of the relationship between the sufferings for Christ, the sufferings of this life, and the comfort we receive. For ourselves and for others. This is part of what it means to be the Body of Christ, such as we are, the church.

"Thank You Lord. Help us to see with Your eyes, the sufferings and comfort from You of this life. Let us share Your/our sufferings and Comfort, producing patient endurance for this life on earth....and for what awaits us in Glory!"

The God of All Comfot

2 Corinthians 1:1-4

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

Did you know that when God comforts you in your troubles, He does so, so that we in turn can comfort others in their troubles, with the same comfort we have received from the Lord? Awesome, isn't it? Awesome, isn't He? Just think of it. When I'm experiencing pain, difficulty, trouble, confusion, heartache, depression, and devastation - and turn to the Lord in it - God comforts me. God speaks to me. God reassures me that God is trustworthy, faithful, able, all wise, all knowing, all powerful, everywhere all at the same time (omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent :)), and only good. Paul guarantees us, (I guarantee you :)), that in turning to the Lord and staying before Him, somehow, in a way that only God can do, we will receive comfort from Him.

And then, just as we have, God will then use us to share God's comfort with others. You don't need to know the answers (although sometimes you will), you don't need to 'fix it' (although sometimes you can), you don't need to remove the trouble (although sometimes you will be able to)...BUT GOD...by His grace and mercy, by His ever-present goodness - working through you - you will be able to give comfort as you have been comforted by the Lord.

So, I so grateful to the Lord for His comfort. And I'm so grateful that when I don't know what to do (many times :)), I can seek the Lord and just ask Him to help me offer the same comfort to a hurting, confused, pained one - that He gave to this hurting, confused, and pained one.

"Lord, thank You that You always give comfort, You always give Yourself to me in trouble. And thank You Lord that You then are able and purposing for me to be used by You to do so unto others, as You have done to me. I love you Lord, thank You for loving me, thank You for Loving us."

Do everything in Love

1 Corninthians 16

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (vs. 13,14).

I’m so grateful to the Lord for how He’s insured to be recorded in Scripture the very things we need ‘for life and Godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). I’m so thankful that not only is Scripture relevant, pertinent, necessary, and spot-on for life on earth, and a glimpse of Glory; But God, through His Spirit, through fellowship with the Body of Christ, has empowered us with what we need to live for God!

Paul tells the Corinthians in these verses, ‘Be on your guard.’ He has instructed them in many things throughout his previous writings in 1 Corinthians. These verses are his wrap up. So, he exhorts them, to be vigilant, to be alert, in the things he has shared, so that they are not deceived. To guard themselves by practicing the spiritual disciplines which position them (us) to meet the Lord and receive continually His empowerment. – For us – read and study the Word and meditate on it, seeking the Lord’s presence in it; be prayerful, be in fellowship with brothers and sisters who also are seeking the Lord, serve the Lord with the spirituals gifts He has given you, and put on the full armor of God (Ephesisan 6:10-18).

God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) guard ourselves.

Paul exhorts us to stand firm in the faith. As we practice the spiritual disciplines above (there are other spiritual disciplines as well, really anything that helps position ourselves to grow in the Lord) we are enabled to stand firm, as our faith is continually strengthened. Stand firm, don’t waiver, don’t be carried away by what is not of the Lord. Sometimes deception is the most rational, logical, practical argument…and opposite of what God’s design is for us.

God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) stand firm in the faith.

Be courageous. Paul tells us to be courageous…knowing that there would be much in this world to fear in and of ourselves…one can only be courageous – courage is only revealed – in the face of what is fearful, difficult, dangerous, and cause for shrinking back. Only with the assurance of God’s presence, protection, and guidance can we be courageous.

God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) be courageous.

Be strong. “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His Might/in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). Paul exhorts us to be strong. Really, if we are on guard, if we stand firm in the faith, if we are courageous, we will be strong. This is how we become strong. The essence of which is revealed through our dependence the Lord’s mighty, divine power.

God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) be strong.

And finally, Paul reminds the Corinthians and us that everything is to be done in love. Love is the common denominator. Love is the motivator – both of the one loving and being blessed with love. God is love. We hear from Paul that love is the most excellent way (1 Corinthians 13). In fact, Paul could very well have stated (again) that if you are on guard, if you stand firm in faith, if you are courageous, if you are strong, but it is not in love…it is all for naught, it is worthless.

God has had this recorded in the Word because He knew we would need to (be reminded) do everything in love.

“Lord thank You that You have provided me (us) as Your sons and daughters, everything we need to be on guard, to stand firm in faith, to be courageous, to be strong, and to do all in love. Please show me (us) ways in which we could follow these reminders more fully. Even so Maran atha – Come Lord – we love You.”

Death Has No Victory!

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?...Therefore, dear ones, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain"(vs 55,58).

Paul continues to confirm that Christ's resurrection and thus our resurrection is reality, an eternal reality, and the very reality that gives us hope, the only hope for this current world system! He explains that while we don't know, we are not told, the exact details of our resurrected bodies, when Christ returns, we can know some things. We know that we who are in Christ, will be resurrected when Jesus calls/returns and that those who are still physically alive on this earth when Christ raptures/calls for us - we will all be changed - we will have 'glorified' bodies - bodies that were physically mortal and inevitably readied for destruction through disease, decay, and death (perishable) - will be raised up and changed to imperishable bodies; bodies like the body of Jesus when he rose from the grave. Bodies that are recognizable yet will never die, will never decay, will not be destroyed! Bodies with no aliments, disabilities, or physical limitations.

And then, because of Jesus' resurrection - that which the Devil meant for death - was/is actually victory, because Jesus rose from the dead! Jesus overcame the destruction and death-wish of Satan...and so, therefore will we!!! Paul says in Romans that we are MORE than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:37)!

And because this (present world) is 'not all there is'...because we will live on with Christ in eternity after our earthly demise, we have hope! We have a forever hope - therefore Paul admonishes, exhorts, encourages - he tells us to stand firm (in Christ). Don't let anything (of this earth/world system/the Devil) move us from our firm standing in Christ. Don't think that our labor/work/ministry in and for the Lord is in vain, for nothing. Even though we can't see the fruit, the victory right now...know that we DO have the victory and we will experience it in eternity and for eternity with Christ! God has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11)!

"Lord, help us to 'see' Reality, Your Reality which is also ours in Christ. Sometimes we are so weighed down by what we see and experience in these earthly bodies...life can be really hard. BUT GOD, help us by Your Spirit to see Reality - reality of eternity, here and forever with You. Lord, Help the Spiritual Reality of You and eternity be more powerful in our current lives...than our current circumstances - and the circumstances swirling around us. We have a higher calling. Help us to live it. Thank You Lord. Be glorified in our lives now, as we will be glorified in Yours for eternity."

"Is This All There Is"

1 Corinthians 15:12-34
"If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,
'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die'" (vs 32).

There is an older pop song, you may or may not remember or have heard it - because it was before your time for most that are reading this :) The song had this refrain, "If that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing, let's bring out the booze, and have a ball, if that's all there is...." This is what the Apostle Paul is saying in this Scripture. His premise is likely different than that of Peggy Lee's rendition of, "Is This All There Is?"; but the conclusion is the same.

Peggy is singing about the tragedies of life that have befallen the subject of the song. She is lamenting that if all there is to this life on earth is heartache, sorrow, and suffering, then - why not - why not just 'live it up'? Who cares? Why not just live with reckless abandon with a lifetime of partying?

Paul is saying - if all there is, is this EARTHLY life; if there is not eternal life after this earthly body is dead, if there is no resurrection unto glorified bodies, living forever with Jesus....then why risk my life in fighting wild beasts....in risking my life for Christ? Paul says, if Christ was not raised from the dead, and thus you and I looking forward to being raised up (after this earthly life) with Christ - to live forever with Him...then, let's just continually fill our fleshly, earthly appetites; like eating and drinking until we die!

Of course, Paul is speaking rhetorically - he is chastising/rebuking those of his day who once heard and believed of Christ's resurrection, but were carried away by other (false) teachings and started believing that there was no resurrected Christ, and that neither would they be resurrected.

And so, the Lord says to us. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. As read in the Word (even vs 1-11), believe the Jesus Christ as recorded in Scripture. Believe in the testimonies of not only those who saw Jesus first hand (as recorded in Scripture) but believe present day testimonies of the saints (that is you and I who are saved!) of how God has worked in and through their (our) lives! Don't live today as if this is 'all there is.' Don't squander your lives with drinking, partying, fulfilling earthly appetites...wasting the precious life God has given you today - for the sake of Christ and others who need Jesus!

In eternity, our lives on this earth will matter. They matter today but they also matter for ETERNITY!

"Oh God, please forgive me for the ways I've squandered, lived less than who You created me to be. For the ways in which I've lived that have said, "this is all there is", instead of 'my life matters, my life counts, I count for today and for eternity...for God!' Lord, help us today to see the ways in which we are living for the things of this earth alone, rather than for You. Thank You Lord. Help us by Your Spirit. We need You today...be glorified Lord. Thank You."

God knows the way I take.

Job 23:10

"But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold."

Dear Ones, This morning I woke to a reality of alone-ness. You know, the feeling that creeps upon us sometimes. The feeling that is not dependent on our circumstances, on those who are around us or not around us; that is not a respecter of persons. The alone-liness that is part of the human condition and will not be fully extinguished until we see Him face to face in glory.

The first thing this morning, however, the feeling didn't hit me as described above. It first hit me as, "I feel lonely." Thinking that I feel lonely because of the circumstances of (my) life today. I thought, "I wish Lord you would tell me Your point (of my circumstances)..?" Almost immediately, I heard, "But I know the way you take, and when I have tested you, you will come forth as (pure) gold."

Wow. So I knew this was what Job had written. I googled the exact verse, and then opened my Bible to Job 23:10. And then tears welled up in my eyes, as an overflow of my heart (even as I write this), because God spoke (is speaking) to me. And, you know how this is (I hope), that I am experiencing both comfort and an unsettledness, at the same time. That is the cross of Christ...isn't it? Both suffering and glory...at the same time. Only in Christ. Only in Christ is this true - conflicting (seemingly) emotions - both true at the same time.

Now, in using this example, of the Cross of Christ, I am not comparing myself or (my) life to that of Jesus. Nor is (my) life anywhere near the circumstances of Job's (as described in his book); nor am I seeing my walk with Jesus, as Job's was with God (Job is described as a man who "was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil" (Job 1:1).

The point is, that God has given His Word and preserved it for us so that we can see Who He is, who we are as people, how He works in the affairs of people, and thus how He moves in our present day lives. And how He speaks to us today, through His Spirit which indwells us who believe and are saved, according to His Word.

So, when I asked the Lord this morning, or actually just made a statement to God, "I wish I knew Your point," He spoke very clearly to me. "I know the way you take" - so regardless of how I feel or what I think, or what my present circumstance, God knows me intimately - God knows every point in every second of my life, today....He knows the way I take.

And then, "when I have tested you." - God is using the circumstances of my life to deepen the gift of faith in Christ that He has given me; to burn off the dross/the surface rust, KEEPING me by His Grace the entire time.

And then the outcome, the goal, the end....the point of it all, "you will come forth as (pure) gold." Wow. The example of the most lasting earthly element...just as a comparison that I (we) can understand. And the "point of it all" ultimately, (is to) brings Glory to God.

So here I sit. Experiencing the presence of the Christ, His precious Holy Spirit, with me. Have circumstances changed? No. Will I experience the aloneness, loneliness again? Yes, and I hope so. Because, God used (uses) that to bring me to Himself. To remind me. To remind me of Who God is, what God has done, what God is doing, and the relationship we have (God and I) because of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

How about you? What is God's point in your present circumstance and the thoughts and feelings you experience? Ask God. And wait for God's answer. Wait for God's Presence...which actually is even better than the answer.

"Lord, I pray that how You have revealed Yourself to me this morning would speak to those reading this today - please take my feeble attempt to describe how You have spoken to me, to reach the heart and spirit of the dear ones reading - giving them hope, encouragement, and a spurring on in their present circumstances. For Your Glory, our good, and the good of others. Thanks for loving us Lord."

The rest of the subsequent verses Job 23:10-17).

" My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. But H stands alone, and who can oppose Him? He does whatever He pleases, He carries out His decree against me, and many such plans He sill has in store. That is why I am terrified before Him; when I think of all this, I fear Him. God has made my heart faint; and the Almighty has terrified me. Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face"
(vs 10-17).

The Gospel of Grace

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

"By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain"(vs2).

The Gospel and Grace. These are the themes of this portion of Scripture. Actually, the Theme of the Word of God - we are saved by Grace through faith, not a work of our own that we can boast (Ephesians 2:8). Paul is confirming and affirming to the folks he is preaching/writing to that the Gospel (vs 3-7, the gospel in a nutshell :)) he has preached, they have heard and believed, is the Word for them to hold on to...least they believe in vain.

Others were preaching that there is no resurrection from the dead....Christ did not raise from the dead. Paul makes it clear that Christ's resurrection was/is an historical fact. He cites those that walked with Christ in the flesh, and then those same and others (including himself at a later date) who saw Christ when He appeared to them AFTER His resurrection.

Paul explains that he works 'harder than all others' because of his past. Because he was one who actually chased after, captured, persecuted 'followers of the way'; ....and then he was knocked of his horse and blinded by the Light....Jesus appeared to him and set him straight. Jesus saved him. Jesus went on to tell him that he would suffer and be persecuted himself in light of his actions, and many would be saved as a result. Paul makes it clear however, that it wasn't that he was high and mighty because he 'worked harder', but it was because of and through GOD'S GRACE that he was saved and enable to do so.

Paul is BIG on grace. I recall a dear one who said, "I've done so many bad things, I can't be saved." He was then led to hear about and read about the Apostle Paul; persecutor of Believers, 'chief of sinners', saved by God's Grace and turned into God's man. This dear one, with tears in his eyes then said, 'oh, I guess I can be saved...what must I do.' He was then led to pray, confess, repent, received Christ's forgiveness, filled with the Holy Spirit, be born-again. What a rejoicing moment - not only of those present, but of the angels in heaven.

I am big on grace too. How about you. If it were not for God's grace I would not be able to stand....neither would you. Even if a one does not recognize God's grace toward him/her...it does not change the fact. It is only by God's grace that we...are. What do you see today that requires an extra measure of God's grace? "Lord, I need your grace today. I'm tired and weary. Troubled in my sleep with the cares of this world and loved ones. OH GOD. I receive Your Grace today - in this moment. You say that 'Your grace is sufficient for Your power is perfected in my weakness...I am weak...You are strong...I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Dear One, I pray you make this your prayer now - in whatever form and circumstance of life you find yourself in today. Love and prayers, Robin

Edifying the Church Gathered

1 Corinthians 14

Paul continues to speak to the Corinthians about order in the church - public gathering - and the reasons for spiritual gifts. There was a need for him to speak about the gift of tongues and prophecy specifically. His point is that the time of public gathering of the church is for the purpose of worshipping God and the spiritual gifts are for the purpose of edifying - building up - the body of Christ.

Spiritual gifts are given to individuals to be used in the context of the gathered church. If tongues (unknown languages and/or utterances) is used in the gathered church, then it must be understood by those gathered - it must be interpreted. So, believers gathered would be encouraged, taught, exhorted, rebuked - and unbelievers would see/hear the power of God in their midst, and (prayerfully) believe in Christ!

Prophecy is the same - the preaching and teaching of the Word - and/or folks sharing something God has given them for the particular believers gathered - also must be clearly spoken for those gathered. Otherwise, it is for naught. In the last part of this chapter - vs34,35 - is (also) controversial, but need not be. Is Paul saying that women should not speak in church? No - read 11:5; and chapter 12-14 - clearly women are gifted by God to prophesy and speak and pray in public worship. Paul is speaking to this particular congregation, where in, apparently there was much disorder and disunity. In the Corinthian culture women weren't allowed to question men in public, and in the church this was happening with questions that could easily have been answered 'at home' (p2085, NIV Life Application Study Bible).

"God, help us to seek You with pure hearts, to desire unity, purpose, and building up of Your Kingdom, in the midst of the church gathered. Forgive us for the times we strive to 'have our own way', to show off and show up; fill us to overflowing with the 'rivers of Living Water', such that the "words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts would be pleasing and acceptable in Your sight" (Ps 19:14); and would be for the building up, edifying toward salvation for those unbelievers, and growth for those who are saved. Thank You Lord."

The Greatest of These

1 Corinthians 13:8-13

"Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love" (vs8, 13).

"She doesn't love me anymore. He doesn't love her anymore. I love hot dogs. I love that car. I love BBQ chicken." Today, like in the Corinthian church, folks were very confused about love - the nature of love and what love really means. This one really gets me, "Love means never having to say you're sorry." Wow - actually, it is just the opposite, it is very important to say we are sorry for hurting, offending, falling short of loving those that are in our family, the family of God, and our friends.

Our society, our culture, and in the church at large - we don't really know what love is. The tendency is to use the word love for infatuation, lust, hormonal feelings, and the appetite of our eyes and our taste buds. That is why we can say, "I don't love you anymore; I use to love you, the 'feeling' is gone...." That is why we can say we love food - because it tastes good. Or we love a Porsche because it looks good, or we can say we don't love a spouse anymore, because the romantic feelings that begin a relationship are gone.

As we read 1 Corinthians 13, we discover quickly that none of those above understandings of love are the real deal. For marriage, God certainly has given us what we need to be attracted to a potential husband or wife, and those feelings can be roused throughout marriage (and should be) but those feelings aren't the foundation of love.

Love is patient, it is kind, seeks the other's best, isn't rude....love never fails. Love is an action word. It is a verb, not a noun. It is God given (God is Love 1 John 4:8, Romans 5:5)) and Jesus procured (John 15:13) and Holy Spirit maintained (Galatians 5:22,23). This is why Love never fails. Love has its origins in God, is given to us through Jesus and helps us to pass it on to others through the Holy Spirit. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God has always been, is, and willl always be. It is out of Love that we even exist - that we were created. It is out of Love that Jesus died, to set us free so that we could blossom into the people God created us to be and we have been given the Holy Spirit in Whom and through Whom we live on this now and forever in eternity.

So, all the gifts, including those described in 1 Corinthians 13 will pass away, as this known earth passes away, but Love will last forever. We experience love through the gift of Faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8), we receive Hope through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) and because of these two, Faith and Hope, we can Love.

"Lord, forgive me (us) for the ways we have defined love. Forgive me (us) Lord for taking on the surrounding culture's definition of love. Thank You for making a way for me (us) to be loved, receive love, and give love. Help me (us) to receive more and more of Your Love so that I (we) in turn can love the way You love. And it will last forever. Thank You Lord."

Real Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Paul continues to describe what Love really looks like - which easily helps us discover how far the distance is between real love, unconditional love - and love as defined and acted out by the world today. The people of Paul's day must also have had the wrong understanding of love, even as we do today in our society.

So the question is, "How am I doing in the 'real love' department?" How does the way I actively display love reflect the descriptives in Paul's declaration? Well....I have a long way to go to love. I need the Holy Spirit to continually empower me to love. As I grow in Christ, I will reflect, more and more, the way of Love. Without which, nothing else really matters.... How about you?

As I read and meditate on these verses, some really stick out to me...Love is patient - this is probably one of the most difficult for me...Love isn't self-seeking....this is another one - loving simply because God is Love, not an issue of being loved in return or what I will receive from the one I'm loving... How about you? Which aspect(s) of Love in these verses seem to be the biggest challenge for you?

"Lord, please forgive me for my times of impatience; for not laying aside 'myself' in loving others. God, I cannot Love apart from receiving Your Love and without the power of the Holy Spirit's continued transformation - Help me to love like You Lord....that You will be glorified, others will experience Your Love, and for my own good. Thank You Lord."

But Have No Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."

Wow...basically the Apostle Paul is telling us that we could have all kinds of gifts/talents from the Holy Spirit, we could do all kinds of good works empowered by the Holy Spirit - but unless we have a heart of love, unless we carry out these great feats with a heart of love - then it not only amounts to nothing - but it is quite irritating (like listening to a gong or clanging...) - worth nothing, and in fact I am nothing....

I think this is enough to meditate on for now! Next time we will turn to the rest of the passage that describes exactly what Love looks like....

"Lord please forgive me (us) for the times that I minister/help/take action that is good, but without a spirit of love, compassion, and kindness - without the 'best interests' of the other in my heart. Lord, I (we) need You to fill me (us) with Your unconditional love - I (we) can't muster it up myself (ourselves) - You have to do that within. I (we) need Your help in receiving, continually the Love You have for me (us) so that I (we) can give Love to others. The measure of Love I (we) am/are able to receive from You, is the measure I (we) can give to others. Thank You Lord that You are able. Thank You for giving me (us) the desire to do/act all things out of Love. And not to just love others that love me (us), because that is not love, that is selfish motivation. But to love because You first loved me (us) and gave Yourself up for me (us). Thank You Lord."

One body, many parts

1 Corinthians 12:12-29

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body" (vs 12).

Wow, envision the body of Christ, all believers, as one body - like your body is one and mine is one. Our physical bodies have many parts - eyes, ears, elbows, feet, etc. So what if you had a really painful earache? How would that effect the rest of your body? You would feel really lousy, wouldn't you? You would find it hard to really be active because you hurt so much!

The Apostle Paul analogizes the body of Christ, the church, as being just like our physical bodies. When one part of the body is suffering, it effects every other part...when one person is suffering, it (should) effect us all. Our physical bodies are not divided, we don't think, "well, I don't really need this hand, I'll just lobe it off!" Yet, when we judge, talk against, gossip other believers or whole local gatherings/churches of believers - it is like hurting or dismembering a part of our own physical bodies! WOW.

Also, Paul points out that each member of believers has been given at least one spiritual gift - a gift, something given by the Holy Spirit to be used in building up and helping the whole body of believers grow/heal/be fed/etc. He lists some of those gifts in 27-31; this is not an exhaustive list. Other Scripture speaks to additional gifts God gives, in Roman 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:11-13 for example. Paul states that just like individual members of the body of Christ, each gift is needed - no one gift is "better or more important" than another gift. That goes against our worldly thinking, doesn't it?

If we are honest, each one of us has thought, "oh, I'm glad I have this ____ instead of ____; or, I wish I could _____like him/her." When we do that we discount how God has made others and ourselves. We actually discount God. Each one of us are needed, valued, and necessary. In fact, Paul points out that unlike the world that thinks those who are weak/dishonorable can be put away or forgotten, the body of Christ is to actually honor those who are weak!! .....And all of us have weakness - the Scripture says, in fact, that we 'can boast in our weakness, for God's power is perfected in our weakness, then when we are weak, we are strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9,10)!!!

"Lord, forgive us for putting others down, ourselves up as well as ourselves down and others up. Forgive us Lord for shunning those members and gifts that we think are less honorable or weak or less important. God, heal our minds in such ways that we think the way You do, that we honor others as well as ourselves in the body of Christ. That we know, realize, and accept/receive that each one of us are 'fearfully and wonderfully made; that each one is valuable and precious" (Psalm 139). Oh God, give us Your eyes to see, Your heart to know, and Your Spirit to live. Thanks for loving us God. We love You. More Lord, more."

Many Gifts, the Same Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

"Now about spiritual gifts, brothers [and sisters], I do not want you to be ignorant...There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men [people]" (1 Corinthians 12:1,4,5,6).

This chapter of Scripture is one of the most controversial in the church. It is interesting that this is so, because in reading the words of this chapter, it seems quite clear. The only phrase that may not be quite as clear is "to another speaking in different kinds of tongues" (vs 10). Some interpret this to mean different known languages (English, Spanish, Aramaic, Greek, Hebrew etc.) that one speaks without having learned them. Others interpret it as a language that is not decipherable to people, but is a heavenly language that must be interpreted by someone who has a gift of interpreting the heavenly language, if it is spoken in the midst of the assembly. For the purposes of this meditation, I'm not going to outline the reasoning behind these different interpretations. If you are interested in understanding more (and I hope you are), let me know and I will recommend some commentary to you.

Perhaps the most controversial issue related to spiritual gifts, is whether or not some gifts of the Holy Spirit are operable today - whether or not God still moves in the gifts of physical healing as well as words of knowledge and wisdom, and prophecy. What some might think of as the more miraculous gifts.

Simply stated (because there are reasonings behind these positions that are quite involved, which you can read much more about if you are inclined - let me know and I can sent you some references to check out), there are believers who think that God has ceased to move in many of the ways described in the book of Acts (and in this chapter) - that God has certain dispensations (theological term) in which He acts throughout the ages. Others think that God acts in the same ways today as He did in the past and will in the future.

One of the greatest difficulties for believers to deal with is how there are many abuses and missuses of gifts of healing as well as signs and wonders. Therefore, instead of "testing the spirits" (1 John 4:1-6) to discern whether or not the supernatural acts are from God, the demonic or the flesh, some believers dismiss the manifestation of the Spirit in these ways altogether (because we have the flesh and the demonic who can mimic God's movement through healing, prophecy, words of knowledge and wisdom). It can be very uncomfortable and scary to be in the midst of signs and wonders, and not be sure if it is God, the demonic, or the flesh - people 'faking' it for all kinds of reasons.

John Piper has stated that:
“So what I think I can say for our guidance is this, [Are Signs and Wonders for Today?]:

1. On the one hand, we ought to honor the uniqueness of Jesus and the apostles and of that revelatory moment in history that gave us the foundational doctrines of faith and life in the New Testament.
2. On the other hand we ought to be open to the real possibility that this too might be a unique moment in history, and in this moment it may well be God's purpose to pour out his Spirit in unprecedented revival—revival of love to Christ and zeal for worship and compassion for lost people and a missionary thrust with signs and wonders.

I want to have my keel [center structure,frame (of a ship)]deep and stable in the once-for-all biblical revelation of God, and I want to have my sails unfurled to every movement of God's Spirit upon the deeps” (http://desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/are-signs-and-wonders-for-today).

I join John Piper, stating that I want to keep my footing firmly rooted in the revealed Word - Jesus and the Apostles - and be open to God's movement by the Holy Spirit in and through people, even as was true in Paul's day - as recorded in the book of Acts and written of in 1 Corinthians 12. Scripture says that the Gospel message is not about words, but power - see for example: 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 1 Thessalonians 1:5.

What gift(s) have you been given by God? Are you yielding to the Holy Spirit to see these gifts used through you to the body of Christ and others for the common good?

"Lord, forgive us for times that we have relied on our own strength and abilities, convictions and commitments, understandings and tradition, instead of on Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, in the full counsel of God. Have Your way Lord - thanks Jesus for leaving so that the Holy Spirit would be sent by the Father...even so Come Holy Spirit, Come (John 14:15-27).

"Doing more Harm than Good"

1 Corinthians 11:17-33
"For the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it" (1 Corinthians 11:17, 18).

Paul has continued his instruction regarding issues that were brought to his attention, in order that he might help resolve them. Paul is quite direct, as is his style and pattern as we read his letters. He tells the gathered at Corinth that when they come together to celebrate the Lord's Supper - Communion as we call it in the church - it does more harm [for them] than good!

The purpose of them coming together for the Lord's Supper was, and is today, to strength their fellowship of faith in Christ, reminding them of what Christ did on their behalf. In Corinth, the practice of the culture was to come together for a meal and then the Lord's Supper. Paul describes some as coming to the meal and being gluttonous as well as some getting "drunk"! There were some who didn't get anything to eat. And then, in those frames of mind and heart, they would proceed to the Lord's Supper.

Paul's exhortation was that no one ought to come to the Lord' Supper "in an unworthy manner" because they would be "sinning against the body and blood of Jesus" (vs 27). While it is not the general practice to eat a meal as the gathered church before partaking in the Lord's Supper, there are many other ways in which we could come to the Lord's Supper in an "unworthy manner."

If we come with unconfessed (known) sin in our hearts - having discord and dissension with another, having an offense that is unresolved - unresolved as it concerns ourselves ( we cannot 'make' another person reconcile, but we can practice Matthew 5:23-25 which instructs us to go, ask forgiveness and be at peace as far as it concerns us), then we would be coming to the Lord's Supper in a manner unworthy. This is how the Corinthians were coming to the Lord's Supper...and Paul said it not only was not good, it caused [them] harm!

Today, there are differing interpretations of what Christ meant when He said, "This is my body." Some believe the the wine and bread actually become Christ's physical blood and body (transubstantiation). Others believe that the bread and wine remain unchanged, but Christ is spiritually present with the bread and wine. Still others believe that the bread and wine symbolize Christ's body and blood (transignification). However, Christians generally agree that participating in the Lord's Supper is an important element, in the Christian faith and that Christ's presence, in some way, strengthens us spiritually. (p2080 NIV Study Bible).

"Lord please forgive us for the times we have come together as Your people, and done 'more harm than good.' Lord, alert us by Your Spirit as individuals when we approach Your Table with attitudes, actions, thoughts that are not of You. We know God that we will not be perfect on this earth, but You have made away for us to have a clean heart and conscience - through the blood and body of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit for new life. Thank You Lord."

"Follow me as I follow Christ"

Food for Life:
1 Corinthians 11:1-16

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1:1).

Paul continued to respond to questions as well as actions/behavior/attitudes in the Corinthian Church. Recalling that the Word was not written as the New Testament at this time, folks who were new believers - from Jewish and Greek tradition - couldn't pick up the Word and learn of and from Christ in that manner. So, Paul exhorts them to follow his example, of action/behavior/attitude, as he follows the example of Christ. Wow, talk about the awesome responsibility Paul had - folks couldn't go to the written Word to discern and judge what was of Christ and not; they had to rely on a living Apostle.

Today, we ought to be able to say as Paul, "follow me as I follow Christ." And yet, we know that our imperfection and sin is not the 'final word' by example, of what it means to follow Christ (although we ought to be as concerned about our testimony of Christ in our lives) - folks have the Word of God and the Holy Spirit Presence to guide, direct, follow, walk along side, and within!

The verses following 1:1 - 16, focus on public/congregational worship. Apparently headcoverings were an issue of the day in society - "In Corinth long hair on men was thought to be a sign of male prostitution in the pagan temples. And women with short hair were labeled prostitutes" (p 2079 NIV Study Bible). Paul was instructing the new believers about how to be set apartby appearance from the pagan culture. These verse are not a command about our present day appearance related to long and short hair and hats.

Paul speaks to issues of 'headship'; which today is an explosive issue within and outside the church. Paul's focus was inside the Corinthian Church; he was not speaking about marriage or any other relationship. Among his issues of focus - which are most important for us today are: respect for one's spouse, reverence and appropriateness in worship, and God being the number one focal point of our lives. "In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God (vs 11).

"Lord thank You that Jesus Christ came to earth for our salvation and as an example of how to walk with You our God. Thank You that we, by the power of the Holy Spirit, can also say with Paul, "Follow me as I follow Christ." Thank You that You have given us Your Word, which when empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are able to live out here on earth. Thank You that as men and women we are interdependent, and that we all are dependent upon You. We love You Lord, Thank You for Loving us. Use our lives to draw others, by Your Spirit, to Yourself, thank You Lord."

A Way Out

1 Corinthians 10

"These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (vs 11-13).

Good News! The verses that come before - 'these things happened' - are from the Old Testament saints experiences...when they set their hearts on evil, we see what happened.

And now, we who live in the 'fulfillment of the ages'...which is the age in which Jesus has come; salvation has been accomplished through the God & Man Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit has been given...we do well to not take pride in ourselves in thinking we stand (apart from Christ) and will not give in to temptation. We are all vulnerable.

Yet, Paul assures us that we will not encounter any temptation, that others before us have not encountered (including the Man Jesus Christ - who did so without sin, without giving in). Paul reaffirms that God is faithful! God will be with us in any temptation we encounter - not just watching and waiting to see what we will do - sin or not - BUT God is faithful and is with us, showing us a way OUT of the temptation, so that we do not have to give in!! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

"Lord, I pray this day for You to give me eyes to see where You are and the way out You are providing, when I encounter temptation today. Lord, reveal Yourself in the Spirit to my brothers and sister too, that they will see You and Your way out. Because, temptation WILL come today, for each one of us...You are more powerful and fully faithful, to empower us through the way out, to not give in, but to say YES Lord....and run, walk, turn, jump, whatever it takes. Lord, let us be a people of 'whatever it takes', to follow You. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit. Even today, fill us Lord. We love You."

Free

1 Corinthians 9

"...I have emptied out my cup, so that You can fill it up, now I'm free, I just want to be, more available to You. Lord, I'm available to You, my storage is empty, and I am available to You. Paul's declaration in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 reminds me of this song. It is a song of prayer, emptying of self, asking for the in-filling of the Holy Spirit, and making a commitment to the Lord to be available. In His Power, in His Strength, by His Leading and Direction.
Paul is telling the Corinthians that he belongs to " no man", no person owns him, he is free. And he states that because he is free [free in Christ] he chooses to make himself "a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible" (vs 19)!! He is compelled by the love of Christ, and what Christ did for him, to go and do likewise! To empty himself out, to choose not to exercise all his freedoms, but to exercise them in way a that he 'becomes all things to all people!" He is determined to be used by the Lord with anyone and everyone God give him to...to the weak he shares his weakness, to those under the law - he puts himself under the law, to those not having the law - he becomes like one not having the (Jewish) law.

Paul is determined to put away anything that may be seen as dividing, separating, putting walls between him and others....because of Christ. This is why I thought of the song from which the above excerpt comes. The picture is of one who is SOLD OUT. Giving up all rights for the purpose of Christ. Emptying self of self with all it's particulars. Asking the Holy Spirit to fill, and be available. No conditions. No criteria. No qualifications or preferences. "I will not do that, I will not go there, that isn't my style, I couldn't possibly be in the midst of that...." No. Paul said "whatever", meaning "whatever You say Lord, wherever You lead Lord...in another portion of Scripture, Paul says, "I've been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and delivered Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20).

Are you in a place that is perhaps not your preference? I've been there. Are you doing something that you'd rather not be doing? I've done that. Are you among a people not of your choosing? I've lived that. Have you found yourself in a position that you've said or thought, "I will never!" I've been there too.

Chances are any one of us may be experiencing the above right now! Or you have. Or you will. It is called life on this earth. What is your response? Are you bucking it? I have done that before. God help me. God help you. Today, will you join me in asking the Lord to help you at whatever point you are at with this?

" Lord, I empty myself, Lord would you help me to empty myself? Lord, please fill me with Yourself. Help me like Paul, to be so compelled by You that I will be willing and be all things to all people that some might be won. I'm available Lord, Help me Lord to wanna' be available, help me to be available. Use me Lord - to show someone the way... Thank You Lord."

Love and Freedom

1 Corinthians 8

"So the weak brother [sister], for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers [sisters] in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother [sister] to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him [her] to fall" (vs 11-13).

Paul is talking about the freedom we have in Christ, and how to walk in wisdom, as we walk in our freedom. All of us have what Paul may call 'weak' areas. The things that tempt me are not the same things that tempt you. Particularly when I was a new believer, I had things that if more mature believers exercised their freedom in certain areas, would have caused me to stumble, fall, and/or sin. But even as a more mature believer, each of us have 'blind spots', areas in which we are particularly vulnerable. Wisdom would tell us that it is important for us to know those areas for ourselves. And yet, Paul is pointing to an area of responsibility, which is predicated - in the context of - Christian Love, in the Love of Christ as the body of Christ. Paul highlights that walking in Love for others, is more important than walking in our freedom! It is more important to Love than to have the last word, or win the argument....(ouch).

By way of illustration (like Paul illustrates his point through the eating of foods/meat, sacrificed to idols - which was clear to the folks of his day), I share with you about the 'red dress.' This experience is from years ago. I was part of a body of believers in which my church tradition was different...actually, I didn't really have a church tradition because I was not raised attending church.

One Sunday, a dear 'mother of the church' came up to me quite serious and with a warning in her voice. She is now gone to be with the Lord. At the time she was @ 65 ish years of age, a matriarch of the community, raised in an African-American church tradition. This dear Mother pulled me aside and said, "only 'ladies of the night' wear red...never wear a red dress to church!" "Ladies of the night' is my translation of Mama's phrase which was in her own, Mother style :):). (some of you are saying, "Mother of the church...what is that?...because you are from a different tradition than one in which their are older women who are viewed as 'mother's of the church body" :)).

I was stunned, felt really sorry that I offended her, and didn't quite know what to say! I think I stammered and apologized. I had never heard of this understanding. Yet, as I prayed about the situation, I was led to not wear a red dress to the church again! At the time I'm not sure if I came to that decision because I wanted to 'fit in' or if I didn't want to offend this dear one, or anyone else who thought that way. The outcome however, relates to Paul's admonition. If my red dress, caused Mother to think about brothels and the like, then I didn't want to be a stumbling block to her! One may argue that she needed to 'understand' that wearing a red dress, just like Paul's illustration of eating meat, didn't mean anything....But - it was likely that this ingrained idea in Mother's mind was not going to change. I was "free in Christ" to wear a red dress... but really, was it more important for me to wear a red dress, or for Mother's mind and heart to be focused on Christ?

So, what is it today, that is cause for others to stumble, that is part of my Christian liberty? How about you, is there something that if you ceased, would be cause to help another continue to grow in their walk w/Jesus? This is a matter of prayer - because there isn't one 'rule', instead it is something that through prayer, the Holy Spirit will reveal to you and to me.

"Lord, show each of us today, anything that, while I'm free in You to engage in, it does not edify another and actually is cause for anothers stumbling. Give me the wisdom and grace to see this, and with humility follow You in it. Lord, help me not to judge another in this, but instead to act in and through Love...because while I pray over this/these situations, others are praying to not be a stumbling block for me. The ground at the cross is level, and we all stand there. Thank You Lord."

Married or Single follow-up

Dear Ones,
Below is a reply I received based on yesterday's thoughts from 1 Corinthians 7. Under that response is my reply. It is so good to receive responses to the readings and devotionals. Please feel free to respond with your insights, comments, questions, etc. Hit 'reply all' if it is something you'd be willing to share with everyone. Otherwise, I can take out any identifying information and share it so others can benefit!
Blessings of God's grace and forgiveness, His Love and Compassion today! May you call on His empowering Presence to address, walk through, respond to whatever today presents!

Excerpt from a dear one:
"sometimes I think I would be able to do more for God unmarried, but I know that it is like a mirror. I am constantly aware of my shortcomings while I am with my spouse...it is a character building life for sure...and a blessing in many ways that I don't even understand yet..."


"Yes ! I've heard many say that in marriage, it is discovered how selfish we are (although I certainly see that through singleness as well :)). Marriage is ordained and called by God - He uses marriage relationship as illustrative of Christ's relationship with us, the church. Paul was speaking to folks that were in the midst of having received Christ and wondering....should I marry, should I divorce (to focus on God!!) - Paul was exhorting them to 'stay as they were' - if married, married; if single, single (pointing out the serious commitment of marriage...)
One of the first human relationships Satan attacks is marriage b/c of it's importance in God's Kingdom...the relationship that is to promulgate the Kingdom through raising children in Christ...God help us today - it is a battle for the hearts and minds of our children...
Well, bless you my sister in the Strong Name of Jesus as you seek the Lord in your marriage and family - yours is an awesome responsibility and joy, with the empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit, who is able!"

Married or Single?

Food for Life:
1 Corinthians 7

Please read this chapter prayerfully and thoughtfully. It is power-packed and easily misunderstood. A few observations, by way of summary are in order. Paul had been asked by the church at Corinth many questions pertaining to daily life - living as Believers. There culture was similar to ours today - much immorality and sexual temptation at every turn...."whatever" goes. Paul's basic premise and exhortation was - whatever situation you find yourself in, stay that way for the present - if married, stay married, if single stay single.
He even stated that he would prefer everyone be as he was, single - because those who are married need to be concerned about the affairs of spouse, children, and home. Single folks had time to for more devoted focus on the Lord's work and ministry.
However, he was NOT criticizing marriage...marriage is ordained by God! He did stress the utmost importance of prayerfully considering marriage, before marrying - marriage is a life-long commitment through the trials and joys of relationship and life!
Once one is married, it is then imperative to focus on your spouse, children, and home only second to your love relationship with Jesus.
Both singleness and marriedness bring the same life issues, only in different context - in both states of life people struggle with the same issues: loneliness, sexual temptation, satisfaction of one's deepest emotional needs, life difficulties. The commentary author wrote, "Marriage alone does not hold two people together, but commitment does - commitment to Christ and to each other despite conflicts and problems. As wonderful as it is, marriage does not automatically solve every problem" (p 2072).
As a single person, Paul's admonition resonates with me, "An unmarried woman is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world - how she can please her husband" (vs 34). I have found this to be true. does this mean I've not had the desire to be married? No. It does mean tho' that as long as I'm single, my time is devoted singly focused rather than divided by the affairs of husband and home.
Paul goes on to say, An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs - how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world - how he can please his wife - and his interests are divided" (vs 33.34). Paul is letting single folks know how life changes when married - as far as focus - and rightly so! A married man or woman, after their first love with Jesus, is to love, respect, care for, provide, nurture, raise, their families.
SO - if you are single, how are you spending your time? If you are married, how are you spending your time? What are the priorities?
As we read through this chapter we see Paul giving very clear answers - directions and guidance - to the questions posed to him regarding marriage, singleness, divorce, remarriage, sexual temptation - we would do well to ponder the admonitions.
"Lord, thank You that there is nothing of this life that You have left up to us to 'figure out' apart from Your Word, and Your Holy Spirit to empower us to carry out. This life on earth is not heaven. Jesus said there would be trouble here, but we can 'take heart' and 'be of good courage' because He has overcome this world. You help us on the path we are on and making choices along the way that will bring Honor and Glory to You, will be for our good, and for the good of others. Thank You Lord."

Everything is permissible, but not profitable

1 Corinthians 6

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body" (1 Corinthians 6: 19,20).

Paul's focus in this portion of his letter relates to how believers are to approach disputes between one another and how believers are to view choices about how to conduct themselves. Paul admonishes believers to handle disputes among themselves, instead of taking their disputes before a worldly court system. Matthew 18:15-17 describes how we are to approach one another.

The second focus, which comes to my focus this morning is how we as believers ought to approach our choices. Paul points out that "Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me - but I will not be mastered by anything"" (vs 12). He then describes current Corinthian society situations to illustrate his point.

I would like to use an example that is current for us today. The Bible does not forbid the drinking of wine. Ephesians 5:18 does point out however that to be drunk with wine is dissipation; instead we ought to be filled with the Holy Spirit - drunk with the Holy Spirit - intoxicated not with alcohol, but with the Spirit - pneuma-holics (pheuma - Greek for 'breath' breath of God or the Spirit of God - Holy Spirit holics). Throughout Scripture we read how drunkenness has caused great havoc and destruction.

In our day, drunkenness causes great havoc and destruction - from the famous, to you and me. We have families that have been separated because of drunkenness; children have been abused at the hands of drunkenness; lives squandered; horrific life choices. Drunkenness is usually a symptom of an underlying issue(s) that is being handled through drinking - and handled poorly, leading to bigger issue(s) than the original issue!

Everything is permissible - it is not sin to have a glass of wine. Everything is not profitable - so much destruction takes place in wine/alcohol consumption...perhaps it isn't beneficial to have one drink...? so many folks turn to alcohol to handle problems, so many folks are tempted to indulge to intoxication....why even go there? So many become 'mastered' by the drink. What is the benefit as believers? How does this honor God?

These are my questions. This is one of my 'I'm permitted, but what is the benefit? Does any benefit outweigh the possible destruction? Personally, I have seen the devastation of drinking being used to handle struggles...and it caused much more destruction in addition to the original struggle. Professionally, in the field of child abuse and neglect - I have seen people die from too much drink; children abused; families neglected; lives destroyed.

So, for me, drinking is an example of something that is permissible, not but not beneficial. Not just non-beneficial, but destructive. How about you? What in your life is permissible, but not profitable for you or for others around you?

"Lord, I pray for each one of us today that you would reveal to us what may not be beneficial in how we are making choices. God, fill us so with Your Holy Spirit that the Spirit overrides whatever we would choose that is not beneficial, that does not bring You Honor and Glory. More Lord, more of You. Quench our thirst with Yourself. You are the Only True thirst Quencher and Satisfier of our hunger. Help us to then be portraits of Grace to others; even as we are now portraits of Your Grace, such as we are. We love You Lord, thank You for loving us."

Grace, Mercy and Sin

1 Corinthians 5
"But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat" (1 Corinthians 5:11).

The operative word here is "brother." This admonition is directed toward a body of believers, who has in their fellowship someone who confesses Christ and at the same time is living in sin which s/he is 'proud of' - which s/he is publicly open about, reveals that s/he knows it is sin, and has every intention to continue in it.

This is not directed to believers who have in fellowship someone who is struggling with (a) sin which is debilitating, in which s/he is broken over and is seeking to put away, but hasn't been able to, as of yet. Otherwise, all of us, at one point or another would find ourselves outcast. This is not about judging the heart or motivation or intention of someone; it isn't about being legalistic or ungracious or unmerciful. This is not about categorizing people and dividing people. This is not about not associating with people who do not profess Christ - who are in sin.

One commentary has this to say about this verse: "Paul makes it clear that we should not disassociate ourselves from unbelievers - otherwise, we could not carry out Christ's command to tell them about salvation (Matt. 28:18-19). But we are to distance ourselves from the person who claims to be a Christian, yet indulges in sins explicitly forbidden in Scripture and then rationalizes his or her actions. By rationalizing sin, a person harms others for whom Christ died and dims the image of God in himself or herself... Church leaders must be ready to correct, in love, for the sake of spiritual unity" (p2068, NIV Life Application Bible).

"God, help us by Your Spirit to walk in such a way that reveals growth, healing, and wholeness in You; individually and corporately. Help us to be People of Presence - people who are filled with Your Spirit - who evidence Your Fruit - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control (Galatians 5:22). We then will be able to act loving - according to Your Love - to all around us - within and outside the body of Christ. Thank You Lord."

Talk or Power?

1 Corinthian 4
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power" (1 Corinthians 4:20).

Faith and the power of God is not only or even primarily a cognitive discourse or exercise. Yes, we are to "be transformed by the renewing of our mind" but the Scripture doesn't end there. Paul's continues to write "THEN you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing, and perfect will" (Romans 12:2). Renewing our mind is not only a cognitive exercise, our minds are the part of us which reasons, thinks, feels, wills, perceives, judges... We ask the Holy Spirit to speak to us (yes, the Holy Spirit speaks today - audibly?, no (although don't rule that out...God moves in any way He deems fit..), but He 'speaks' in ways so loudly sometimes, or so softly sometimes - through our conscience, through impressions and senses, through others - all in accordance with the Scripture - that it seems audible.

Do you know what I mean? Have you heard from the Lord in a way that you just knew it was God? That is the Holy Spirit. That is the God of the universe(s) who knows you so intimately that He knows just what you need and how you need it....better than you know yourself. God knows how He has gifted you, how He wants to use you in the working out of His plan and purpose, in your story and in the bigger story around you, History, His story.

The power of God is manifested in many ways. All you need to do is to read Scripture and you can see how God moved in the lives of the folks portrayed and recorded in the Word. Does God manifest Himself in the same ways He did in years and centuries before us? There is debate among believers about this - there is great theological (study of God) discussion about this.

I am simple. As I read the Scripture of the New Testament, I see God moving in supernatural ways through and around His people...and through and around those who do not confess Him! I do not read that He does not act in the same ways...with power...as He did in previous days. I do not read that He has ceased His activity - in fact Jesus said that the disciples (which includes us) will do 'even greater things' than Jesus did....God is still supernatural.

So, if we are not seeing the power of God in, through, and around us...who changed? Or where is the hindrance? "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). God does not change (James 1:17).

The kingdom of God is not about talk but about power. There is a difference between talking about God, and believing and experiencing God. Paul said that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead...lives inside of us (those who have been regenerated, born-again, through the Spirit) (Romans 8:11). When was the last time you saw, sensed, the power - the presence of God - in, through, and around you?

"Lord, forgive us for relying and believing more in talk and our own thinking, than in You. Help us to think Your thoughts and to rely in Your moving of the Holy Spirit - in, through, and around us. Help us not to first focus on Your power, but as we focus on You, and we ask for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to know, we will see You move in power. Thank You Lord."