"He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." 2 Corinthians 1:10-11
I want to share three very important lessons addressed by this passage of scripture that Paul uses to build his spiritual connection and relationship with the believers in Corinth.
"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." 2 Corinthians 1:7
Here is the first question I asked after reading this verse. How is it that hope is firmed up, knowing that someone shares in both sufferings and comfort? This is what I think.
If you understand, empathize, and share in someone's troubles, pain, and suffering, it is because you know the only solution for that is the comfort… that only knowing Christ can bring.
"Again the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and he gave them a deliverer--Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab." Judges 3:15
I heard something on the morning news the other day that made me stop and laugh. What was the comment? Well, they were talking about milestone birthdays! You know the ones – 30 years old, 40 years old, 50 years old, etc. What made me laugh was when they said that 30 was the new 20, 40 is the new 30 and that 50 is the new 40 years old! Yea! Why did I say Yea? Well, I just turned 50 years old on my last birthday. So, with this new thinking I’m only 40 years old but that doesn’t really help because I have the skeletal system of someone who is 80 years old.
Most of us know someone whose family has experienced challenges because of Alzheimer’s disease. I think about this frequently, because it is impacting friends in our church this very day. In fact, some of our church members are participating in an upcoming Fundraiser Walk for Alzheimer’s in honor of those friends or in memory of precious loved ones who have suffered from Alzheimer’s in the past.
"Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God at Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:" 2 Corinthians 1:1
Bible Study or Bible knowledge does not have to be so daunting. As a matter of fact, I hope over the weeks ahead as I use 2 Corinthians as a source for my devotionals, you will join me in being both inspired and informed. The Word of God is 'learnable' and accessible to anyone who desires to understand it. Hope this makes being hungry for God's Word more appetizing. I will give an example by breaking this verse down, a word and phrase at a time.
"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 1:2
I have already written a devotional about this verse, not this exact verse, just these exact words. They bear repeating. Paul wrote them to everybody. In every letter he writes he uses these words. He sends them to the Romans, the Corinthians (2x) the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, The Thessalonians (2x), Timothy (2x), Titus and Philemon. I am not exaggerating. Literally, everyone he wrote to he said grace and peace to them from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Must have been important.
"Jesus said: 'I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. NO MAN can come to the Father except through ME.'" John 14:6
God’s Word is very clear as to how many roads lead to God… only ONE. And that ONE is His dearly beloved only Son, Jesus Christ. Isn’t it assuring that you don’t have to worry about such things? God made it simple and He made it abundantly clear over and over again that there was only one way to be reconciled with Him, only one sacrifice that was pure enough and perfect enough to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. By putting your full confidence, trust and faith in the name and redeeming work of Jesus Christ, you can have complete peace and know that you are saved!
"The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride." Ecclesiastes 7:8
You may have learned this same wisdom through idioms like "Anything worth doing is worth doing well", or maybe even reading workplace signage like "Safety is no accident!" In this day and age; however, it seem everyone hurries about trying to get too many things done in too little time, measuring their accomplishments by the number of items checked on their To Do list. Corners get cut. Steps get skipped. Things get done, but are often a far cry from being done well...much less correctly.
Grace Harbor Saints – I was reminded recently that “a saint is not to take the initiative toward self-realization, but toward knowing Jesus Christ, and that a spiritually vigorous saint’s aim is to achieve the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of their daily circumstances.” (From Oswald Chambers ‘My Utmost for His Highest’ - July 11)
"But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also." 2 Corinthians 8:7
Paul was encouraging the church in Corinth with this passage, and identifying their strengths. They had asked how they could support the work, and he was explaining that they were doing so much already in their maturity, but yet they could abound even more! The point of this passage of Scripture is NOT to guilt us into "doing more" out of a sense of duty, obligation, or fear. I believe it is more of a reminder not to become comfortable where we are in our walk with God. There are always areas to consider, ways we need to grow, disciplines we're possibly neglecting, or perhaps things in our hearts that aren't quite right. Whether you’re a seasoned saint or a new believer, we all have the need to go DEEPER with the Lord.
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
Sometimes there are verses that resonate with us at a specific time. Whether the circumstances are difficult or easy, big or small, all-important or seemingly trivial. The truth always applies and needs to be applied.
"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity(fear) but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline(sound mind)." II Timothy 1:7
This week has been a fun week for me to watch the Discovery Channel on television. What makes this such a fun week for me is that its their annual shark week. Ever since I was a little boy I was amazed by sharks. It was the beauty and the power and the speed of the animal that drew me to my fascination and admiration of these magnificent creatures that God had created. Just the word “shark” or being able to see the top fin glide through the water strikes fear in people. And justly so it should. The power and ability to kill is something that all should fear and respect. In one of the episodes I watched, it showed a scientist diving in the water of the ocean and reaching out to pet the animal on its snout and belly. This individual was FEARLESS! He showed no fear but he did show respect at what this animal was capable of. What caught my attention was how the diver would stroke the length of the great white shark and then he would hold the top fin and the shark would allow the diver to be pulled 75 feet by this most awesome and most beautiful animal. At any moment this incredible animal could flip him over and turn him into an afternoon snack. But what was amazing was the confidence, peace and joy that this diver exhibited as he swam with the sharks.
Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Kim:
"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding." Proverbs 3:5
I have heard many people say that reading the Bible is confusing. They say “I have tried to read the Bible, but I don’t understand what God is saying and I end up feeling frustrated and confused.” I am learning that there are some things that I am not meant to know or to understand. But I am suppose to ask God to show me what I can do to understand and then I must NOT question God when He reveals it to me.
"Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1Peter 4:8
This verse brings to mind a wide variety of observations and reflections. Loving deeply reminds me of the way Jesus loves me. He loves me as deeply as it takes, way down to the depths of the darkest places in my mind. Loving each other would be reciprocal wouldn't it? We should all love each other because Jesus commands it. He said we are to love one another like we love ourselves. Not always easy to do, especially deeply.
"And a voice from Heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17
How appropriate. Can you picture the sequence of events that precede this statement? Jesus comes from Galilee expressly for the purpose of having John the Baptist baptize Him. John resists out of respect and deference. Jesus explains that this is what He and John have to do and now.
"Don't put out the Spirit's fire..." 1Thessalonians 5:19
This is a very short, specific, and targeted encouragement from Paul. Can you receive this teaching today? If not, you may already be quenching the Spirit and the fire that is within you from the point of salvation.
Our Monday Devotion comes to us from, Pastor Rick Ballester:
"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little." Philippians 4:11-12 NLT
As a child growing up, I use to go to work every day with my father to his business that he owned. My father owned a gas station and an auto repair shop. Like every type of business we had our great seasons where the money was pouring in hand over fist, and we had our drought seasons too when my father used his personal savings and refinancing of our house to keep the business going.
Our Friday Devotion comes to us from, Pastor Rick Ballester:
"Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain on it." Proverbs 22:6 NLT
One of the greatest joys in life is being a parent. As your child grows you get to experience life through their eyes. We get to re-live the wonderment and awe of the world around us as our children experience everything that God’s creation has to offer. Along with getting to enjoy the wonderment of the world with our children comes the responsibility of teaching and training our children what is right and what is wrong, and most importantly we have the responsibility of teaching and training our children in the way of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-29
I am not exactly sure why this passage of scripture moved me to tears today. I'm not talking about misting or welling up either, but tears running all the way down my cheeks. Feels good. I think it is the fact that the words are those of Jesus. Sometimes His words, you know the ones that used to be in red letters in your old King James Bible, they are the ones that are most likely to get through to me.
"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you." 1 Corinthians 16:23
Today I want to share with you a comment posted by Heather Gent in response to a recent devotional submitted by Alan Severin, written by Dr. James Emery White. My reason for sharing this comment is to encourage you to keep reading the daily devotionals.
"When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, He said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions." Mark 12:34
Ooh... I really like that last line. Jesus has a way of having the last word. After all, He is the Alpha and the Omega isn't He? Jesus said the man was close to the Kingdom for two reasons. One, he was literally close because Jesus is the King, therefore the closer you are to Him, the closer you are to His Kingdom. Also, Jesus told Him He was close to the kingdom because the man had just said that what Jesus was teaching was wise. We say of course it was, but this teacher of the law didn't grasp that yet, but He was getting closer. What had Jesus said?
Our Monday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, John Adams:
I'll start this devotional by letting you know upfront that I cannot take credit for the words quoted that follow which are credited to Sarah Young, who has written a wonderful tiny book called "Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence", which gives devotions for every day of the year.
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