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."