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."
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
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."
"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."
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
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."
"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."
Monday, November 29, 2010
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!"
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!"
Saturday, November 27, 2010
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."
"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."
Friday, November 26, 2010
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.”
“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.”
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
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."
"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."
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