2 Cor. 12

The Apostle made it clear in this chapter that his target was the well-being of his followers and students … the members of the churches he ministered to. “Everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.”

He made it clear that his target was not their money. It’s so sad that this seems to be the motive for so many ministers … to target Christians’ money to pay for buildings, TV time, personal jets etc.

It’s so refreshing to be around Christians who just want to be a blessing to others – to seek the welfare of others above their own.

2 Cor. 10.11

We don’t fully realize the power we have against powers of darkness. To react emotionally against spiritual opposition we are experiencing happens all the time … we should in that moment realize that we don’t struggle with flesh and blood but against demonic strongholds which can only be handled spiritually. Our weapons are praise and prayer. We praise and acknowledge God’s power over every force. We pray IN THE NAME OF JESUS that He will become involved and subdue our enemy.

Resist the devil and he will flee from you. [James 4:7]

2 Cor. 8,9

Whenever offerings are taken, this scripture passage is often quoted. “Sow sparingly, reap sparingly; sow generously, reap generously.” This is actually a principle God has inserted into the DNA of the universe. When He operates in a principle, it is up to HIM to prove it true.

When we give, God is the ONE who sees it and sees to it that you reap. When we get to heaven and sit at the judgement seat of Christ, what kind of an account will you have?

Here comes that person who was always looking out for themselves, and never could bring themselves to be generous to others. Guess what?! They are going to get some proverbial lumps of coal in their stocking!

2 Cor. 6,7

The quest for purity is noble. Paul encouraged it. Jesus encouraged it.

Purity is measured by the absence of contaminating elements. It’s what we keep ourselves AWAY FROM rather than what we pursue. We learn to filter what goes into our life. It’s a life of less rather than more.

Purity of heart (mind, will, emotions) is the goal.

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” [Matt. 5:8]

2 Cor. 5

Nobody likes the sound of judgement to come. This judgement, however, is not to be feared but to be prepared for. The Psalmist said, “(God) will reward each person according to what he has done.” Jesus said, “The Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what He has done.”

The greek word used here is bema, and it means a tribunal for rewards, a place where crowns were given for accomplishment. John said, “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we have worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.”

We still have time and space to do good works of faith for which we shall be rewarded. Jesus said, “In that you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto Me.”

2 Cor. 1-4

Paul gloried in his afflictions and sufferings because he discovered that God’s antidote was far more rewarding than the momentary trouble he endured. It’s like this; you like ice cream, and God gives you a big cone of your favorite flavor if you endure a trial. We have the promise that in eternity, God will MORE than reward us for what little pain we endure here in this life. Paul encouraged us to “fix our eyes on what is unseen,” the glorious reward we have.

Father, forgive us for having our mind limited to this life. We hereby focus on eternity where ALL SUFFERING will be OVER!

1 Cor. 16

Paul was raising funds for the poor in Jerusalem as suggested by the Acts 15 council. He presented the need to the gentile churches and simultaneously gave us a pattern for our giving. He suggested a weekly portion of income to be set aside and collected at the church gatherings.

He put the responsibility upon each church member to discipline their own financial commitment. It was to be a weekly practice. This is a solid New Testament model for our giving practices in the 21st century.

1 Cor. 15

At nearly every Christian funeral, portions of 1 Cor. 15 are read. This is the Bible seedbed for what happens to us when we die. Above all, we are given hope that this earthly body will have ONLY been for earth, and that we will have a heavenly, imperishable body to live in heaven with.

This is good news. Lately, I have been wearied by the malfunctions my earthly body is experiencing. (I won’t bore you) I look forward to the moment I am “changed.” Those of us who have our ticket stamped for Heaven by believing in Jesus, our Savior, will all be transformed into a Heavenly body that God will give us. No tears, no aches and pains, no bowel disorders, NO CANCER etc. All that will be left behind.

Nevertheless, we plod on and do what we can to prop ourselves up to get a few more miles on the body we’re living in now.

1 Cor. 13,14

Chapter 14 is one of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible. Many churches and Christian movements simply ignore it or pigeonhole it to fit their spiritual comfort level. Paul, however, makes an profound observation. If the gifts of the Spirit are in use in a church gathering, the unbeliever or inquirer will fall down and worship God and say, “God is really among you.”

This is the kind of power we desperately need in our churches, especially now when society and culture around us is upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now would be a good time for Christians to get so full of God that when we DO get back together, His Gifts would be flowing in great power.

Let this be our goal.

1 Cor. 12

The analogy of believers being called a body gives us an understanding of how important each person is. With some believers, it’s obvious how they fit … pubic ministries that are functioning for all to see. With others, they may be hidden, yet vital.

Regardless of how a person may look or act, God has ordained that they contribute something essential to the operation of His Kingdom here on earth. This should revitalize our appreciation of one another, and set us on a quest to seek that they function in health.

When you greet a saint next time, treat them with the utmost respect and acceptance and commission yourself to make them feel needed.