2 Corinthians

August 9th – Hebrews 12:15

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Hebrews 12:15

As followers of Jesus we are to show the grace of God to all we meet. For we are His representatives here in the world. And as Paul tells us, “a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Cor. 2:15) Meaning our lives should be such wonderful testimonies of the love and grace of Jesus, they are lights to those who receive Him, and a condemnation to those who reject Him. But we can’t be those glorious reflections if our roots are tangled in bitterness, anger, and strife. Because such things only lead to trouble in our life and the lives of others. Instead we need to be deeply rooted in God and nourished by His grace. Only then will we be able to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, and forgiving; just as God in Christ forgave us.

 

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Walking In Wisdom – 2 Thessalonians 3

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2 Thessalonians 3

Something is in the air. Can you feel it? Bible prophecy is being fulfilled at record speed before our very eyes. Believers who may have put God on the back burner are now seeking Him with renewed interest. Even the secular world has become enthralled with Armageddon and the last days. With the signs all around us, how can we help but wonder if we are living in the end times.

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June 6th – 2 Corinthians 5:6-7

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2 Corinthians 5:6-7

The older I get, the more I long for my promised glorified body. One that no longer knows sickness, pain, and decay. A perfect body clothed in a beautiful white garment provided by my Lord. And one which no longer sins against God or carries the shame of my failures. But until that day, while I wait for that glorious transformation, the apostle Paul tells me I am to walk by faith and not sight. But what exactly does this mean? It means living a life of faith, glorifying God in all I do. And courageously making all of my decisions not based on what the world says, but what the Bible says. Walking by faith means that no matter the circumstance, I will obey God, trust in Him alone, and the guiding of His Holy Spirit. And even though my earthly body will grow frail, never will my love for the Lord!

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June 2nd – Psalm 73:26

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Psalm 73:26

Do you ever get weary of watching the wicked prosper? Asaph was one of David’s worship leaders in the tabernacle choir. He too couldn’t understand why God let people not only practice evil, but be rewarded by it. But God’s ways are not ours, and regardless of his wondering, Asaph still put his faith in the Lord. For he knew that as long as God was his portion, no matter the actions of the wicked, he had all he needed. To have God as our portion means making Him the source of our happiness and strength. And to be humbled, joyful, and content with all God blesses us with. Evil may swirl around us, but nothing is out of the Creator’s control. And His power is perfected in our weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9,10) So if we keep our hearts and mind focused on Him, we can be assured that God will never fail us!

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May 26th – 2 Corinthians 10:4

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2 Corinthians 10:4

The Bible describes a stronghold as a belief which is strongly defended or upheld. They are formed from the lies and deception of the Enemy. And one such stronghold is self importance. Everybody wants to be seen, known, and loved. And we live in a world that values self importance. But as Solomon so famously cautioned, pride goes before a fall. Look at Satan. Because he wanted to be like God he rebelled against his Creator. And it was ego that he used to cause Adam and Eve to fall, tempting them with the thought of being more like God. Throughout the Bible, we are warned against the love of self. For God is the only One who deserves our worship. And if we let Him, through His power we can break down all wrong thinking and sinful barriers.

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May 19th – 2 Corinthians 12:10

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2 Corinthians 12:10

Human nature tells us that when others hurt us we need to retaliate. To give just as good as we get. But Jesus says that as Christians we don’t follow the fray. And we should rejoice when suffering for Him because it’s one of the greatest blessings we can receive. Look at the apostle Paul. He experienced much tribulation for his faith. Yet he was content with the horrible things he suffered. Why? Because Paul knew that it was when he was at his weakest, he could feel the power of God the strongest. That’s the amazing blessing God speaks of. The blessing of peace and even joy when facing suffering. For in our own power we are easily defeated. But when we rest in God’s, nothing is impossible. Because no matter the trial, the grace Jesus gives us is sufficient for everything we face.

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April 18th – Matthew 26:36-46

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Matthew 26:36-46

Located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, (which literally means “oil press”) consisted of a small grove of olive trees. A fitting place since it was there that Jesus was spiritually pressed. It’s often said that our true nature is revealed during times of pressing. And how we face trials and suffering shows the depth of our relationship with God. At any time Jesus could have walked away. He could have returned to His glorious throne in heaven and never once suffered for our sins. But instead He choose God’s will over His own, and obedience regardless of the consequences. And when God didn’t remove His cup of suffering, Jesus let nothing stand between Him and that cup.

There will be times when we will find ourselves face down in our own Garden of Gethsemane. When God permits suffering and we are pressed spiritually to the point of agony. It’s then when we need to follow the example of our Lord. First, in fervent prayer we are to cry out to our Abba, Father. Emptying before Him our hearts filled with fear and sorrow. And when His answer is for us to endure, we are to humbly submit before God saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Drinking the cup of suffering is never easy. But we need to trust that God’s plans are always best, and used for both our benefit and His glory. Most of all remembering that His grace is everything we need to carry us through. (2 Cor. 12:9)

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April 7th – 2 Corinthians 7:10

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2 Corinthians 7:10

Easter is a blessed holiday for Christians. But it’s but also a time when the interest to know Jesus is peaked for nonbelievers as well. That’s why it’s so important to pray for our loved ones. Pray that they will experience, “godly sorrow.” Godly sorrow results from a heart filled with conviction that the sins we’ve committed hurt God. Such a burning conviction produces in our hearts a godly sorrow. And as we look upon Christ who died for our sins, we are deeply grieved in spirit. Even though this can be painful, this is what we need to pray for the lost. A transformation of both their hearts and minds. Because we know that it is all for God’s loving blessings, and more importantly, eternal life!

Blessings,

Mari

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March 11th – 2 Corinthians 10:4

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2 Corinthians 10:4

1 Peter 5:8 tells us the Enemy prowls the earth like a lion looking for someone to devour. That’s why it’s so important we use every weapon available to us for protection. Divinely powerful weapons intended to tear down the strongholds of Satan. And one such weapon is prayer. The Enemy will do anything he can to keep us from praying. Because prayer limits his power, disrupts his plans, and stop him in his tracks. Prayer is a powerful force. For as our communication with God, the prayers of His children move God to act. Satan cannot touch or do what God does not allow. Which is why he delights in the absence of a prayer life. And also why the Enemy uses every trick in the book to distract, defeat, and discourage us from praying.

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February 9th – 1 Peter 4:14

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1 Peter 4:14

It’s hard to consider suffering a blessing. But for the Christian, suffering is God’s “refining fire”. A fire that burns away the impurities of our flesh nature, producing in us a new nature. One reflective of the purity of Christ. Those who suffer on behalf of Christ do so because they have a unique perspective.  They are focused on the eternal instead of the temporal, they value God’s opinion more than the opinion of mere man. And they know that if God allows suffering, it is to serve the higher purpose of His will. God promises that such suffering has eternal merit and reward.

If we are submissive to His will, God will give us the strength and resources to endure whatever circumstances He allows into our lives. He wants us to trust even when we don’t understand and challenges push us to our utter limits. To depend completely on Him and trust that He has a higher purpose. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Blessings….Becky

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