Galatians 4
"My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you..." (vs 19).
Paul continues to speak in this writing so personally to the believers at Galatia! His love, commitment, and hope for them is not only seen through the words he speaks/writes, but his actions. The goal of his love, commitment, and hope is that "Christ be formed" within them! That was the heart of God for the Galatians...that is God's heart toward you and me!
It struck me in a new way this morning of how personal, how close, Paul's heart and manner was toward the Galatians. How much more intimate can one be than when a woman is in childbirth and experiencing the pain of the birthing process! Mothers who have given birth, can you say AMEN! Paul seemed to use this illustration - comparing how he felt toward the Galatians and his desire to see "Christ formed in them" and childbirth - because it most portrayed his experience in pastoring the Galatians!
All of us can think of situations and experiences that were so grueling that they could be likened to childbirth. Parents with children, raising them in ways that your hope is for them to be Godly, healthy, content - making positive and life-giving choices for themselves! Perhaps starting a project or developing an idea or having a dream and seeking to see them through to the desired end! Perhaps there is a personal issue - a health issue, a personality issue, some (perceived or real deficit) that you experience - You've been seeking to overcome, compensate or change. You find it is extremely painful and difficult.
Paul is equating his work on behalf of the Galatians to see Christ formed in them, to see them walking in the freedom to which they have been called in Christ, to see them walking in the Truth - to childbirth pains.
What is amazing is that as much as Paul experienced this pain, he did so for the joy! There is a correlation between pain and joy. To the degree we experience pain for Christ's sake, for the things of Christ's heart, we will also experience Joy! And so, that is like childbirth isn't it? Childbirth is not gone through with the expectation of - it's just pain for the sake of pain. It is pain for the sake of seeing a new life, a gift from God, come into this world!
And that was Paul's expectation. As Christ was formed in the Galatians, they would live out their calling as sons and daughters of God! "Because you are sons [and daughters], God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father" (vs 4:6). Abba means 'daddy', how personal is that! I have heard it said and have seen the reaction when father's hear their children call out "daddy!" with joy, expectation, seeking safety, seeking comfort, guidance and direction. No greater thrill for a father! No greater thrill for God, our perfect parent!
My prayer for all of you, is to see "Christ formed in you, the Hope of Glory!" While I am by no means equating myself to the Apostle Paul - I can say that the reason I write these devotionals, that partly reflect how God is working in and through my life, I do so for the sole reason of seeing Christ formed in you - in any that would read!
How about you? Do you seek to see Christ formed not only in yourself, but in others with whom you come in to contact? Your children? Your sisters and brothers? Your husbands and wives? Your family members and friends? Your church family and neighbors?
"Lord thank You that You are at work through Your Spirit to see Christ formed in each one of us. Thank You that Your heart is for us to be saved and then continually transformed into the image of Christ, starting from the inside and working to the outside. Thank You for examples like our brother, the Apostle Paul! For his tirelessness, as recorded in Scripture, his love and commitment to those You put in his path. I pray God that each one of us would seek to take Paul's example and ask You Lord to show us how to 'go and do likewise' in our time and Your ways. Thanks for loving us Lord. "Christ in us, the Hope of Glory!"
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
One in Christ
Galatians 3
"You are all sons [daughters] of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26-28). This is the foundational equality reality. Level ground at the Cross.
Thank the Lord for how He has made a way for each and every person; for each and every one of us! Contrary to the world's standards of equality: where you were born, what gender you are, what race you are, what economic state you are in, what you look like, who and what your parents were and did, what talents and abilities you possess or don't possess - God's standards and reality are not the same as the world's!
Even in Paul's day, there were some [Jewish men] who would awaken with a prayer like this: "Lord, I thank You that I am not a Gentile (non-Jew), a slave, or a woman" (NIV Study Bible p. 2121). Imagine that! There are many today, who have the same thought (if not prayer), "Lord thank You that I am not ____________________." Jesus - who was a Jewish man - literally broke the power of any such prayer, thought, or notion. He displayed not only in His speech, but His actions (as recorded in Scripture) that "all people were created equal" (not by their governmental constitution or declaration of independence, but by their Creator God!).
Paul continues to speak to the believer's in Galatia. They wanted to follow teachings of those who put the Law on the back of the Jew and non-Jew alike. Paul raises the reality of God's promise to Abraham...which is the promise of Christ, to all those who are in Christ - because, you see, Christ comes from Abraham's line, Abraham's "seed."
This was God's promise to Abraham: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:2-3).
There are some earthly realities to this promise, in terms of what took place in Abraham's earthly life time and as some theologians agree in times to come. The focus of Paul in Galatia and what is on my heart has to do with the spiritual inheritance of this promise! Through the promise of God to Abraham, came Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ, in whom our faith resides, is our blessing, the blessing lives inside of us through the Holy Spirit, and causes us to be one in Christ! Co-heirs also to everything that Christ inherited!
Paul's point in this portion of Scripture? We are one in Christ through faith (by grace through faith you have been saved, not a work of your own that anyone should boast, Ephesians 2) alone. Period. No "Christ plus" program. He was reminding the Galatians of this promise of God's...and he reminds us, of God's promise through Abraham, through Christ, to us who believe by faith!
"Lord God, thank You for the promise to Abraham long ago, that is for us today through Christ our Savior! Lord, help each one of us to be convinced by faith of what we receive/ed in You. Let us go and do likewise - by Your grace and mercy. Thank You Lord!"
"You are all sons [daughters] of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26-28). This is the foundational equality reality. Level ground at the Cross.
Thank the Lord for how He has made a way for each and every person; for each and every one of us! Contrary to the world's standards of equality: where you were born, what gender you are, what race you are, what economic state you are in, what you look like, who and what your parents were and did, what talents and abilities you possess or don't possess - God's standards and reality are not the same as the world's!
Even in Paul's day, there were some [Jewish men] who would awaken with a prayer like this: "Lord, I thank You that I am not a Gentile (non-Jew), a slave, or a woman" (NIV Study Bible p. 2121). Imagine that! There are many today, who have the same thought (if not prayer), "Lord thank You that I am not ____________________." Jesus - who was a Jewish man - literally broke the power of any such prayer, thought, or notion. He displayed not only in His speech, but His actions (as recorded in Scripture) that "all people were created equal" (not by their governmental constitution or declaration of independence, but by their Creator God!).
Paul continues to speak to the believer's in Galatia. They wanted to follow teachings of those who put the Law on the back of the Jew and non-Jew alike. Paul raises the reality of God's promise to Abraham...which is the promise of Christ, to all those who are in Christ - because, you see, Christ comes from Abraham's line, Abraham's "seed."
This was God's promise to Abraham: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:2-3).
There are some earthly realities to this promise, in terms of what took place in Abraham's earthly life time and as some theologians agree in times to come. The focus of Paul in Galatia and what is on my heart has to do with the spiritual inheritance of this promise! Through the promise of God to Abraham, came Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ, in whom our faith resides, is our blessing, the blessing lives inside of us through the Holy Spirit, and causes us to be one in Christ! Co-heirs also to everything that Christ inherited!
Paul's point in this portion of Scripture? We are one in Christ through faith (by grace through faith you have been saved, not a work of your own that anyone should boast, Ephesians 2) alone. Period. No "Christ plus" program. He was reminding the Galatians of this promise of God's...and he reminds us, of God's promise through Abraham, through Christ, to us who believe by faith!
"Lord God, thank You for the promise to Abraham long ago, that is for us today through Christ our Savior! Lord, help each one of us to be convinced by faith of what we receive/ed in You. Let us go and do likewise - by Your grace and mercy. Thank You Lord!"
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Recognizing Grace
Galatians 2
"James, Peter, and John, those reputed pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews" (vs 9).
Paul continued to make a defense for the Gospel he preached - this time more for his message rather than for his right to preach it (as to the Corinthians). He defended the message because the Judizers - Jews Christians (professed) - sought to hold Gentiles (non-jews) to being circumcised and to following the Law, in order to follow Christ. In other words, the Judizers taught and lived a message of Jesus plus the Law, in order to be saved. This is the background to the happenings in Galatia to which Paul addressed.
But God. The verse that leaped out on the page of my heart was, "...they recognized the grace given to me." My immediate thought was, "do people recognize the grace of Jesus given to me, working through me? In the way I walk In the way I talk. In the decisions I make?
There are several powerful realities in this little phrase, "they recognized the grace given to me." First, grace is a gift from God. What is grace? It is an approach that gives me what I didn't earn and don't deserve. Primarily grace is highlighted as the activity through which salvation comes. The gift of salvation is by grace through faith. By grace - salvation is a gift that I didn't earn, work for, or deserve - nor could I have even if I wanted to! And what does a gift cost the one who receives it? Nothing. Even though it can cost the giver much; the Giver of Salvation counted the cost, death, and gave His Life.
The second reality that jumps out to me in this little phrase, "they recognized the grace given to me" - real grace is recognized by others that see me, hear me, live with me, and watch me. One way to affirm the grace which I claim to have received is that others can see it! They experience grace through me! As in Paul's case, through his teaching and preaching, through his wisdom and decisions - in the way that he carried himself. Do others recognize God's grace in my life, in your life?
Thirdly, notice the response to the recognition of God's grace in Paul. The Apostles - the pillars of 1st Century Christianity - James, Peter, and John embraced Paul (and Barnabas). They offered them "the right hand of fellowship." They accepted Paul and Barnabas as one, as one of them!
It was God's grace in and through Paul and Barnabas that caused the Body of Christ, in this case Peter, James, and John, to receive Paul and Barnabas. What causes you and I to accept others as close allies - as brothers and sisters? Who do we look to for direction, wisdom, and acceptance?
If it is anything other than the recognition of God's grace working in and through them - we ought to take note. The world gives recognition, acceptance, and accolades to those who display wealth, prominence, prosperity, success, and prestige. For what do you and I want to be recognized?
"Lord thank You for the gift of grace - thank You for salvation and Your continued grace toward me and those reading this - grace that without it we wouldn't be able to stand. I pray God that as I receive Your grace, it would be extend through me to all those I encounter. Lord let my, let our speech, decisions, teaching, and relationships be overrun with Your Grace - recognized as grace given by You. Thank You Lord."
"James, Peter, and John, those reputed pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews" (vs 9).
Paul continued to make a defense for the Gospel he preached - this time more for his message rather than for his right to preach it (as to the Corinthians). He defended the message because the Judizers - Jews Christians (professed) - sought to hold Gentiles (non-jews) to being circumcised and to following the Law, in order to follow Christ. In other words, the Judizers taught and lived a message of Jesus plus the Law, in order to be saved. This is the background to the happenings in Galatia to which Paul addressed.
But God. The verse that leaped out on the page of my heart was, "...they recognized the grace given to me." My immediate thought was, "do people recognize the grace of Jesus given to me, working through me? In the way I walk In the way I talk. In the decisions I make?
There are several powerful realities in this little phrase, "they recognized the grace given to me." First, grace is a gift from God. What is grace? It is an approach that gives me what I didn't earn and don't deserve. Primarily grace is highlighted as the activity through which salvation comes. The gift of salvation is by grace through faith. By grace - salvation is a gift that I didn't earn, work for, or deserve - nor could I have even if I wanted to! And what does a gift cost the one who receives it? Nothing. Even though it can cost the giver much; the Giver of Salvation counted the cost, death, and gave His Life.
The second reality that jumps out to me in this little phrase, "they recognized the grace given to me" - real grace is recognized by others that see me, hear me, live with me, and watch me. One way to affirm the grace which I claim to have received is that others can see it! They experience grace through me! As in Paul's case, through his teaching and preaching, through his wisdom and decisions - in the way that he carried himself. Do others recognize God's grace in my life, in your life?
Thirdly, notice the response to the recognition of God's grace in Paul. The Apostles - the pillars of 1st Century Christianity - James, Peter, and John embraced Paul (and Barnabas). They offered them "the right hand of fellowship." They accepted Paul and Barnabas as one, as one of them!
It was God's grace in and through Paul and Barnabas that caused the Body of Christ, in this case Peter, James, and John, to receive Paul and Barnabas. What causes you and I to accept others as close allies - as brothers and sisters? Who do we look to for direction, wisdom, and acceptance?
If it is anything other than the recognition of God's grace working in and through them - we ought to take note. The world gives recognition, acceptance, and accolades to those who display wealth, prominence, prosperity, success, and prestige. For what do you and I want to be recognized?
"Lord thank You for the gift of grace - thank You for salvation and Your continued grace toward me and those reading this - grace that without it we wouldn't be able to stand. I pray God that as I receive Your grace, it would be extend through me to all those I encounter. Lord let my, let our speech, decisions, teaching, and relationships be overrun with Your Grace - recognized as grace given by You. Thank You Lord."
Monday, February 14, 2011
Praising God for you!
Dear Ones,
Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!! May the Love of God, the Grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be experienced by you! God love you more than you could possibly grasp!
I love you too!
Your sister,
Robin
Galatians 1
"They only heard the report: 'The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy'" (vs 1:23). ...!!
Wow, do you know of whom this verse above speaks?
The Apostle Paul, the writer God used to write 13 books, one book shy of half, of the New Testament! Paul, as we have read, was a chief Jew, following the Law we read of in the Old Testament. He went after Jewish Christian converts (Jews were the first Christians...), he hunted them to have them ultimately imprisoned or killed because Paul believed they were blaspheming God! Then if you recall, Acts 9 records Paul's (then Saul) conversion...Jesus revealed Himself to Paul so clearly, Paul was blinded and knocked off his horse! Jesus spoke to Paul as he was "breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples" (Acts 9:1)! Jesus said to Paul, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?...I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting...Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do" (Acts 9 4-6).
Paul continues in the book of Galatians to defend the Gospel, as he defends himself from whom the Gospel was preached to his hearers in Galatia. Some of the Galatians, like the Corinthians believers, were being led astray. The Galatian believers were being confused because some of the them were instructing others of them to continue to follow the Law in addition to believing in Jesus. This situation is likened to our present day situation in which some believers teach other believers that they must do 'good works' or follow certain rules in order to be saved - in addition to believing in Jesus and His work of forgiveness through Grace, on His Cross...
SO, in Paul's defense, he recounts the events prior to and following his encounter with Jesus and salvation. He includes what those who witnessed his before and after, said regarding him. "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy" (vs 23). The recorded verse after verse 23, describes the astonishing response of those who heard about Paul...
"And they praised God because of me."
I wonder. What do people say about me - those who knew me before being born-again, before Jesus saved me? Like Paul, do they look at my before, and after (and by the Grace of Jesus, continuing!) and praise the Lord for me? Or do they notice anything different? Or do they say, "if that is what it means to be saved...no thanks." Or, do they even see a difference?
And what about you? What is revealed to you as you ask yourself the same question? Better still, let's ask God this question about ourselves. The Lord's heart toward you and toward me is only Good. God has your best interest and mine in His heart. So, let's not be afraid to ask the Lord this question about ourselves. God is not seeking to condemn you or me. God is not seeking to kick us to the curb. God will reveal to us the reality of our situation/ourselves related to this question in a life-giving way! Whether God rebukes us, or commends us - or a little of both - it is only for our encouragement and good!
"Lord, who do people say You are as they look at my/our life before I/we received Your Salvation and now. God, help me/us by Your Spirit to yield to You, and in that I/we will let go of anything that hinders. Thanks for loving me/us Lord, I Love You!"
Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!! May the Love of God, the Grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be experienced by you! God love you more than you could possibly grasp!
I love you too!
Your sister,
Robin
Galatians 1
"They only heard the report: 'The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy'" (vs 1:23). ...!!
Wow, do you know of whom this verse above speaks?
The Apostle Paul, the writer God used to write 13 books, one book shy of half, of the New Testament! Paul, as we have read, was a chief Jew, following the Law we read of in the Old Testament. He went after Jewish Christian converts (Jews were the first Christians...), he hunted them to have them ultimately imprisoned or killed because Paul believed they were blaspheming God! Then if you recall, Acts 9 records Paul's (then Saul) conversion...Jesus revealed Himself to Paul so clearly, Paul was blinded and knocked off his horse! Jesus spoke to Paul as he was "breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples" (Acts 9:1)! Jesus said to Paul, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?...I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting...Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do" (Acts 9 4-6).
Paul continues in the book of Galatians to defend the Gospel, as he defends himself from whom the Gospel was preached to his hearers in Galatia. Some of the Galatians, like the Corinthians believers, were being led astray. The Galatian believers were being confused because some of the them were instructing others of them to continue to follow the Law in addition to believing in Jesus. This situation is likened to our present day situation in which some believers teach other believers that they must do 'good works' or follow certain rules in order to be saved - in addition to believing in Jesus and His work of forgiveness through Grace, on His Cross...
SO, in Paul's defense, he recounts the events prior to and following his encounter with Jesus and salvation. He includes what those who witnessed his before and after, said regarding him. "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy" (vs 23). The recorded verse after verse 23, describes the astonishing response of those who heard about Paul...
"And they praised God because of me."
I wonder. What do people say about me - those who knew me before being born-again, before Jesus saved me? Like Paul, do they look at my before, and after (and by the Grace of Jesus, continuing!) and praise the Lord for me? Or do they notice anything different? Or do they say, "if that is what it means to be saved...no thanks." Or, do they even see a difference?
And what about you? What is revealed to you as you ask yourself the same question? Better still, let's ask God this question about ourselves. The Lord's heart toward you and toward me is only Good. God has your best interest and mine in His heart. So, let's not be afraid to ask the Lord this question about ourselves. God is not seeking to condemn you or me. God is not seeking to kick us to the curb. God will reveal to us the reality of our situation/ourselves related to this question in a life-giving way! Whether God rebukes us, or commends us - or a little of both - it is only for our encouragement and good!
"Lord, who do people say You are as they look at my/our life before I/we received Your Salvation and now. God, help me/us by Your Spirit to yield to You, and in that I/we will let go of anything that hinders. Thanks for loving me/us Lord, I Love You!"
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
All Sufficient Grace
2 Corinthians 12
" 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
This is one of my most relied upon gifts from the Lord. His grace being enough for me, revealing His power in my weakness; knowing that in this, when I'm weak, I am strong! So opposite, antithetical to the world's way! In fact, how like the Lord to communicate through His Word directly to us relevant to even today's affairs! I have been praying over a matter that is a great opportunity offered to me, but for which I feel quite inadequate to carry out! SO - I'm trusting that by God's grace, my weakness/inadequacies will be fueled by God's perfect power - and that He will 'prove' Himself as He has time and time again. Not to mention - how wonderful of God to present opportunities for (my) faith to be deepened as dependence on God is needed!
Paul continues "to boast" to the Corinthians, out of love, in response to their teetering on letting go of what Paul has taught them and turning to false beliefs through false teaching! Yet, in this portion of Scripture, Paul turns to non-worldly standards....he shares with the Corinthians about the unbelievable, other-worldly revelations received by him from God! He then goes on to say that because of such super-natural displays of God to him, God sent "a messenger of Satan to torment" him (vs 7)! Paul prayed to have this "thorn in the flesh" removed, but alas, God did not remove it. Paul saw the thorn as God's intervention to help Paul remain humble (grateful, dependent on God and not himself). THIS is the point at which Paul saw God's power through him perfected in his weakness (the thorn in his flesh).
We don't see God's power perfected until we see our weakness. Not before....thank God for the testimony of the saints! Saints of old (Paul) and present day saints - you and I! Grace is not something stored up to keep for a rainy day - grace is given just in the moment it is needed! That is a powerful way God reveals our need to depend on Him and not ourselves! God comes through every time. He promises.
So join me today in asking God to reveal our weaknesses (not a request of manufacturing them or to purposely 'be weak'), those areas of our lives where we are prone to think and feel (perceived or real!) inadequate, don't measure up, don't have what it takes, our stresses/anxieties/worries - and ask God to show us, by His grace,....Himself!
"Lord, please reveal Your grace in our weaknesses today. Help us to depend on You more and more - and to see that You are more than enough. That You indeed have given us 'everything pertaining to life and Godliness" and today there isn't anything You have called upon us for that is too much for us - for us in You....Thank You Lord!"
" 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
This is one of my most relied upon gifts from the Lord. His grace being enough for me, revealing His power in my weakness; knowing that in this, when I'm weak, I am strong! So opposite, antithetical to the world's way! In fact, how like the Lord to communicate through His Word directly to us relevant to even today's affairs! I have been praying over a matter that is a great opportunity offered to me, but for which I feel quite inadequate to carry out! SO - I'm trusting that by God's grace, my weakness/inadequacies will be fueled by God's perfect power - and that He will 'prove' Himself as He has time and time again. Not to mention - how wonderful of God to present opportunities for (my) faith to be deepened as dependence on God is needed!
Paul continues "to boast" to the Corinthians, out of love, in response to their teetering on letting go of what Paul has taught them and turning to false beliefs through false teaching! Yet, in this portion of Scripture, Paul turns to non-worldly standards....he shares with the Corinthians about the unbelievable, other-worldly revelations received by him from God! He then goes on to say that because of such super-natural displays of God to him, God sent "a messenger of Satan to torment" him (vs 7)! Paul prayed to have this "thorn in the flesh" removed, but alas, God did not remove it. Paul saw the thorn as God's intervention to help Paul remain humble (grateful, dependent on God and not himself). THIS is the point at which Paul saw God's power through him perfected in his weakness (the thorn in his flesh).
We don't see God's power perfected until we see our weakness. Not before....thank God for the testimony of the saints! Saints of old (Paul) and present day saints - you and I! Grace is not something stored up to keep for a rainy day - grace is given just in the moment it is needed! That is a powerful way God reveals our need to depend on Him and not ourselves! God comes through every time. He promises.
So join me today in asking God to reveal our weaknesses (not a request of manufacturing them or to purposely 'be weak'), those areas of our lives where we are prone to think and feel (perceived or real!) inadequate, don't measure up, don't have what it takes, our stresses/anxieties/worries - and ask God to show us, by His grace,....Himself!
"Lord, please reveal Your grace in our weaknesses today. Help us to depend on You more and more - and to see that You are more than enough. That You indeed have given us 'everything pertaining to life and Godliness" and today there isn't anything You have called upon us for that is too much for us - for us in You....Thank You Lord!"
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Angel of Light
2 Corinthians 11
"Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!...Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their action deserves" (vs 11,14,15).
These verses stand out to me as I prayerfully read chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians. Paul continues to record his experience with the Corinthian church as they battle between how they first believed - based on Paul's preaching and teaching and the drawing of them by the Holy Spirit - and these false teachers and waxing eloquent speakers who were 'fronting' Paul! Paul found it necessary to recount not only the trials he went through in order to minister the Gospel to the Corinthians, but also to be "foolish" as the false teachers by recounting his royal birth, credentials, and worldy accolades! Foolish in the sense that Paul needed to let the Corinthians as well as the false teachers know that he actually was as qualified if not more so, according to the worldly standards that the false teachers were using, even if his presentation wasn't as catchy as theirs!
It is clear from the reading that Paul was uncomfortable in "boasting" in his earthly credentials - but he did so because of his great love for the Corinthians! Acting in love sometimes is uncomfortable! It isn't always easy to act in the best interest of those we love! Yet Paul recorded earlier that he became all things to all people if it would help to win even a few! And so it was in the boasting - he went toe-to-toe with the false teachers in order to prove along the lines of their standards, that he was qualified and could be trusted! Now, does this mean that we should do this when we find ourselves in similar situations? It depends. It depends on how the Holy Spirit leads us - sometimes yes, sometimes no. Always though, in humility and gratefulness...and out of Love! Love for God and those we are serving.
The second reality that struck me, is Paul's exposing of Satan in the mix of the Corinthians being led away in error. Satan was masquerading as an angel of light - he was looking attractive and appealing to the Corinthians, through the false teachers. Paul exposes the demonic activity through the false teachers, and then lets folks know what their end will be...Satan, his demons, and the false teachers....their actions will reveal their deserved end.
The world, the flesh, and the devil were at work, together in deceiving the Corinthian believers. As it is with any (of us!) today who would be deceived by false teaching and preaching. Beware...we must seek the Lord in the Holy Spirit and read the Word of God ourselves in order to measure the truth being taught to and around us. We don't have to be familiar with the details of the false teaching and/or evil. We just need to know the Truth in the Spirit through the Word - and we will be able to distinguish the "angel of light" when, not if, we encounter him.
"Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to us! Thank You for residing within us through Your Spirit! Thank You for the Word that aides us in growing in relationship with You! All Glory and Honor to You! Thank You for Loving us! Help us God to go and do likewise!"
"Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!...Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their action deserves" (vs 11,14,15).
These verses stand out to me as I prayerfully read chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians. Paul continues to record his experience with the Corinthian church as they battle between how they first believed - based on Paul's preaching and teaching and the drawing of them by the Holy Spirit - and these false teachers and waxing eloquent speakers who were 'fronting' Paul! Paul found it necessary to recount not only the trials he went through in order to minister the Gospel to the Corinthians, but also to be "foolish" as the false teachers by recounting his royal birth, credentials, and worldy accolades! Foolish in the sense that Paul needed to let the Corinthians as well as the false teachers know that he actually was as qualified if not more so, according to the worldly standards that the false teachers were using, even if his presentation wasn't as catchy as theirs!
It is clear from the reading that Paul was uncomfortable in "boasting" in his earthly credentials - but he did so because of his great love for the Corinthians! Acting in love sometimes is uncomfortable! It isn't always easy to act in the best interest of those we love! Yet Paul recorded earlier that he became all things to all people if it would help to win even a few! And so it was in the boasting - he went toe-to-toe with the false teachers in order to prove along the lines of their standards, that he was qualified and could be trusted! Now, does this mean that we should do this when we find ourselves in similar situations? It depends. It depends on how the Holy Spirit leads us - sometimes yes, sometimes no. Always though, in humility and gratefulness...and out of Love! Love for God and those we are serving.
The second reality that struck me, is Paul's exposing of Satan in the mix of the Corinthians being led away in error. Satan was masquerading as an angel of light - he was looking attractive and appealing to the Corinthians, through the false teachers. Paul exposes the demonic activity through the false teachers, and then lets folks know what their end will be...Satan, his demons, and the false teachers....their actions will reveal their deserved end.
The world, the flesh, and the devil were at work, together in deceiving the Corinthian believers. As it is with any (of us!) today who would be deceived by false teaching and preaching. Beware...we must seek the Lord in the Holy Spirit and read the Word of God ourselves in order to measure the truth being taught to and around us. We don't have to be familiar with the details of the false teaching and/or evil. We just need to know the Truth in the Spirit through the Word - and we will be able to distinguish the "angel of light" when, not if, we encounter him.
"Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to us! Thank You for residing within us through Your Spirit! Thank You for the Word that aides us in growing in relationship with You! All Glory and Honor to You! Thank You for Loving us! Help us God to go and do likewise!"
Friday, February 4, 2011
To God be the Glory!
Dear Ones,
This song at this address came to my mind as I was reading and meditating on today's Scripture. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jhBK6bnyXg&feature=related ;
2 Corinthians 10:7-18
"But, 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.' For it is not the one who commends oneself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends"(17,18).
Paul continues to defend his right to write and speak the way that he does to and among the Corinthian believers. He recounts to the nay-sayers - the false teachers and those opposed to him (jealous of him?) - that not only does he have authority as God's man, but he was the one who introduced the Gospel to the Corinthians!
He also points out that those who are basically saying they are better than he in their speech - they are comparing themselves with one another and with him. He was in good company if his oratory was not eloquent - like Moses and Jeremiah! And God used them (too) mightily!
It is interesting isn't it, that when we compare ourselves with others, there is always those who are better than us in areas, worse than us, or equal! Paul calls his opponents (and God, us!) to compare ourselves with the True Standard, God...if we are going to compare ourselves at all!
And so, what happens when we compare ourselves to Jesus? Our eyes will be on the One who has called us, who has gifted us, who works in and through us...so - if I boast then, of whom and what do I boast?
And from whom do I seek praise? Do I boast about myself? Do I seek praise from others? If so, I will most often be disappointed and...the praise from others or myself is a dead-end. It lasts as long as the moment. Have you found that to be true? I have.
Accolades usually are forgotten quickly..."remember when" doesn't last very long. BUT GOD. When I seek the Lord and recognize any good that I have and give originates in God to and through me...then "To God Be the Glory!" We can rejoice ourselves in seeing what the Lord does in and through us because we see that it isn't in and of ourselves. We can rejoice when we see the good in and through others as well, because we see it comes from God! No boasting here.
Wait for the Lord to commend/praise/affirm you...and when the Lord does - whether or not others follow, will not matter because God's commendation does not fade - it is for now and eternity!
"Lord, all that I am, all that we are; all that I am not, all that we are not; everything of the past, present, and future - is all of You and to You Lord! Forgive me, forgive us, when we seek praise of another - even though Lord it is 'natural' and we need affirmation - help us Lord to first seek our affirmation in and from You. Remind us Lord when we forget that "it is all about You"...and when it is all about You then I and we can not help but to be filled with boasting and pride and fulfillment....because boasting is given to You and Your Glory! Thank You Lord!"
This song at this address came to my mind as I was reading and meditating on today's Scripture. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jhBK6bnyXg&feature=related ;
2 Corinthians 10:7-18
"But, 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.' For it is not the one who commends oneself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends"(17,18).
Paul continues to defend his right to write and speak the way that he does to and among the Corinthian believers. He recounts to the nay-sayers - the false teachers and those opposed to him (jealous of him?) - that not only does he have authority as God's man, but he was the one who introduced the Gospel to the Corinthians!
He also points out that those who are basically saying they are better than he in their speech - they are comparing themselves with one another and with him. He was in good company if his oratory was not eloquent - like Moses and Jeremiah! And God used them (too) mightily!
It is interesting isn't it, that when we compare ourselves with others, there is always those who are better than us in areas, worse than us, or equal! Paul calls his opponents (and God, us!) to compare ourselves with the True Standard, God...if we are going to compare ourselves at all!
And so, what happens when we compare ourselves to Jesus? Our eyes will be on the One who has called us, who has gifted us, who works in and through us...so - if I boast then, of whom and what do I boast?
And from whom do I seek praise? Do I boast about myself? Do I seek praise from others? If so, I will most often be disappointed and...the praise from others or myself is a dead-end. It lasts as long as the moment. Have you found that to be true? I have.
Accolades usually are forgotten quickly..."remember when" doesn't last very long. BUT GOD. When I seek the Lord and recognize any good that I have and give originates in God to and through me...then "To God Be the Glory!" We can rejoice ourselves in seeing what the Lord does in and through us because we see that it isn't in and of ourselves. We can rejoice when we see the good in and through others as well, because we see it comes from God! No boasting here.
Wait for the Lord to commend/praise/affirm you...and when the Lord does - whether or not others follow, will not matter because God's commendation does not fade - it is for now and eternity!
"Lord, all that I am, all that we are; all that I am not, all that we are not; everything of the past, present, and future - is all of You and to You Lord! Forgive me, forgive us, when we seek praise of another - even though Lord it is 'natural' and we need affirmation - help us Lord to first seek our affirmation in and from You. Remind us Lord when we forget that "it is all about You"...and when it is all about You then I and we can not help but to be filled with boasting and pride and fulfillment....because boasting is given to You and Your Glory! Thank You Lord!"
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Divinely Powerful Weapons
2 Corinthians 10:1-6
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (vs 3-5).
In chapters 10-13 Paul is defending his authority, given to him by God, (just as God gives each one of us authority in Him!) toward a minority of Corinthians who were criticizing him as someone who was not impressive in his preaching - but more powerful (to them) in his writing. He speaks to his standing in Christ - which also speaks to our standing, in the verses above. He writes that although we live in this world, we aren't of it (for more insight - http://www.gotquestions.org/in-but-not-of-world.html). Since we aren't of it, we don't see, understand, nor act in the ways of the world.
Paul uses the analogy of war. Our weapons aren't like the world's weapons - our weapons are of divine power! Our weapons can tear down strongholds - grips and attacks of Satan, the flesh (our own sin), and the world (system)! Guns, cons, manipulation, beating down, persuasive words and glitter, intelligence and debate - these worldly ways do not have divine power - God's power. They are an end in themselves. They last as long as the next time. They are selfish, self-centered, and ultimately no match for God's power.
Paul was being criticized/evaluated by a few according to their standards - Greek eloquence and superiority (in their own eyes!). Paul let them know that their standards did not match up with God's wisdom and ways. Paul was "God's guy"...he was seeking to be and do according to God's ways. The Holy Spirit, Faith, Prayer, Hope, Love, and God's Word - these were Paul's weapons - these are our weapons...the world, the flesh or the devil are no match to God's weapons - for God's people (Ephesians 6:13-18).
How about you? What about me? Are we depending on God and His weapons? God's ways and wisdom in this world for our time? Or are we depending on the world's way - our own strategies, strengths, abilities, - matching, going tow-to-tow with our opponents?
"Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit, Faith, Prayer, Hope, Love, and Your Word - thank You for the relationship we have with You - that You have initiated and that by Your grace we continually seek to be before You. Speak to each one of us about areas where we are depending on ourselves and the world's ways rather than Yours. Thanks for loving us God, we love You...help us to love You more and more!"
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (vs 3-5).
In chapters 10-13 Paul is defending his authority, given to him by God, (just as God gives each one of us authority in Him!) toward a minority of Corinthians who were criticizing him as someone who was not impressive in his preaching - but more powerful (to them) in his writing. He speaks to his standing in Christ - which also speaks to our standing, in the verses above. He writes that although we live in this world, we aren't of it (for more insight - http://www.gotquestions.org/in-but-not-of-world.html). Since we aren't of it, we don't see, understand, nor act in the ways of the world.
Paul uses the analogy of war. Our weapons aren't like the world's weapons - our weapons are of divine power! Our weapons can tear down strongholds - grips and attacks of Satan, the flesh (our own sin), and the world (system)! Guns, cons, manipulation, beating down, persuasive words and glitter, intelligence and debate - these worldly ways do not have divine power - God's power. They are an end in themselves. They last as long as the next time. They are selfish, self-centered, and ultimately no match for God's power.
Paul was being criticized/evaluated by a few according to their standards - Greek eloquence and superiority (in their own eyes!). Paul let them know that their standards did not match up with God's wisdom and ways. Paul was "God's guy"...he was seeking to be and do according to God's ways. The Holy Spirit, Faith, Prayer, Hope, Love, and God's Word - these were Paul's weapons - these are our weapons...the world, the flesh or the devil are no match to God's weapons - for God's people (Ephesians 6:13-18).
How about you? What about me? Are we depending on God and His weapons? God's ways and wisdom in this world for our time? Or are we depending on the world's way - our own strategies, strengths, abilities, - matching, going tow-to-tow with our opponents?
"Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit, Faith, Prayer, Hope, Love, and Your Word - thank You for the relationship we have with You - that You have initiated and that by Your grace we continually seek to be before You. Speak to each one of us about areas where we are depending on ourselves and the world's ways rather than Yours. Thanks for loving us God, we love You...help us to love You more and more!"
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sowing and Reaping
2 Corinthians 9
Paul continues to speak the truth in love to the Corinthian believers...even as God uses Paul to speak to you and I - out of God's love for each of us! God so desires for us to relate to Him and one another out of love - a relationship of love. My recent reading outside of the Bible, has been calling (me) to think more about relationship - the reality that God is revealing Himself through the Scripture in order to draw us into a deeper still relationship with Him!
The Bible is words on a page without experiencing a relationship with our Creator, Maker, Savior, and Sustainer of our lives! Before the Bible was - God was! The Bible isn't God (sounds silly, doesn't it?), the Bible isn't first about authority (God's) and submission (ours). It is first to draw us into relationship with the Lover of our souls - the One in Whose heart and mind we were...before we were!
So, with this reality in mind - we hear Paul saying through his words, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should give what s/he has decided in his/her heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace about to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (vs. 6-8).
Paul was able to share this admonition about giving, because he had a vital, life-giving, love relationship with God - through Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit - AND he had a relationship with the believers at Corinth! He knew God - God's heart and character; and he knew the Corinthians. He was being used by the Lord to connect further the Corinthians to the Lord. He was using the example of God's generosity, which is (to be) displayed through God's people - in giving. Just as God loves to give and be generous, without expecting anything in return, God enables us to do the same. The reason we can do this is because God (the Holy Spirit) lives in us who are saved, we experience God's generosity (God's grace) time and time again, and we are enabled to 'go and do likewise.'
Paul can assure the believers at Corinth that their cheerful giving will be poured back onto them in abundance through God's grace. The important aspect for God is the condition of their hearts in giving - not the amount. It is funny, isn't it - that when we have the desire to give from the heart, we do have a cheerfulness and gladness in it...and often give more than we think is possible! Paul is speaking of money in this portion of Scripture - but giving is not limited to money. Giving of ourselves, talents, gifts, abilities, time and self is to be generous!
And in our relationship with the Lord, through our relationship with the Lord, generosity is not only possible, but is forth coming - as a natural (super-natural) outgrowth of our relationship with God and all that God does and has done and will continue to do in our relationship with Him!
"Lord, thank You for such great generosity You show to me, to us. God, I ask that You give each one of us a greater capacity to see You in relationship with us - Your giving, kindness, graciousness, mercy, and abundance - that we in turn would display generosity, as an overflow of our relationship with You! Thank You Lord!"
Paul continues to speak the truth in love to the Corinthian believers...even as God uses Paul to speak to you and I - out of God's love for each of us! God so desires for us to relate to Him and one another out of love - a relationship of love. My recent reading outside of the Bible, has been calling (me) to think more about relationship - the reality that God is revealing Himself through the Scripture in order to draw us into a deeper still relationship with Him!
The Bible is words on a page without experiencing a relationship with our Creator, Maker, Savior, and Sustainer of our lives! Before the Bible was - God was! The Bible isn't God (sounds silly, doesn't it?), the Bible isn't first about authority (God's) and submission (ours). It is first to draw us into relationship with the Lover of our souls - the One in Whose heart and mind we were...before we were!
So, with this reality in mind - we hear Paul saying through his words, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should give what s/he has decided in his/her heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace about to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (vs. 6-8).
Paul was able to share this admonition about giving, because he had a vital, life-giving, love relationship with God - through Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit - AND he had a relationship with the believers at Corinth! He knew God - God's heart and character; and he knew the Corinthians. He was being used by the Lord to connect further the Corinthians to the Lord. He was using the example of God's generosity, which is (to be) displayed through God's people - in giving. Just as God loves to give and be generous, without expecting anything in return, God enables us to do the same. The reason we can do this is because God (the Holy Spirit) lives in us who are saved, we experience God's generosity (God's grace) time and time again, and we are enabled to 'go and do likewise.'
Paul can assure the believers at Corinth that their cheerful giving will be poured back onto them in abundance through God's grace. The important aspect for God is the condition of their hearts in giving - not the amount. It is funny, isn't it - that when we have the desire to give from the heart, we do have a cheerfulness and gladness in it...and often give more than we think is possible! Paul is speaking of money in this portion of Scripture - but giving is not limited to money. Giving of ourselves, talents, gifts, abilities, time and self is to be generous!
And in our relationship with the Lord, through our relationship with the Lord, generosity is not only possible, but is forth coming - as a natural (super-natural) outgrowth of our relationship with God and all that God does and has done and will continue to do in our relationship with Him!
"Lord, thank You for such great generosity You show to me, to us. God, I ask that You give each one of us a greater capacity to see You in relationship with us - Your giving, kindness, graciousness, mercy, and abundance - that we in turn would display generosity, as an overflow of our relationship with You! Thank You Lord!"
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