2 Cor. 12,13 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

In Paul’s conclusion to his second letter to the Corinthian church, he gives this recommendation … “Live in peace.” It seems they may have lived otherwise, in strife and turmoil.

Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Getting along with your fellow members in the Body of Christ is essential. Whatever is necessary, work to live in peace with your fellow Christians. When you sense contention, pride is present somewhere.

Only by pride cometh contention. [Pr. 13:10]

2 Cor. 10, 11 [NIV Dramatized Audio]]

If you want to be impressed, look over Paul’s catalog of hardships suffered for the Gospel in chapter 11. It makes us blush with embarrassment. Very few have paid the price he did to minister for the Lord.

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 

Can you beat that? I surely can’t.

2 Cor. 8, 9 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul commended the Corinthian church on their generosity in the offering for the Jerusalem church. He made it clear that God would not let them do without, but would reward their generosity.

A generous person is a refreshing breath of life. On the contrary, a selfish, stingy person is a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. When we give, God takes note and makes sure we don’ do without. In that way, we become a river with a constant stream of provision for us and others.

Be a river. Not a reservoir.

2 Cor. 7 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

In this chapter, Paul commends the Corinthian believers for their care of him. They sent Titus to him to assist in ministry. It was a practical gesture of support and care we can learn from.

Too often we think Christian leaders are sort of “untouchable.” Actually, some leaders have adopted a lifestyle of excess that places a barrier around them. They all have periods in their lives when they NEED the comfort and care of others.

The best thing you can do for a leader is PRAY for them. As the Lord leads, respond in faith to what He asks you to do.

2 Cor.3-7 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

In Paul’s appeal to the Corinthian believers he emphasizes purity of lifestyle to please the Lord. One of the biggest targets of our enemy is our mind. We can surely avoid walking through mud puddles when we have clean clothes on, but what about ALL the mental mud puddles of life?

Attitudes, moral purity, emotional health are some of the targets of our enemy. His tools? Media … TV, movies, cell phone temptations.

Jesus help us to DECIDE to live pure lives for you.

Blessed are the PURE IN HEART (mind). They shall see God … live in the front row of God’s blessings.

2 Cor. 3 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul referred to the fact that the eyes of unbelievers had been blinded by Satan, the god of this world. Practical solution; we should pray that their eyes would be opened.

This inspires me to a whole new prayer strategy. Whenever someone is bound in unbelief and suffering because of it, I’m gonna pray for their eyes to SEE.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the POWER OF GOD unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [Rom. 1:16]

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. [Ps. 119:18]

2 Cor. 1, 2 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

This is one of my favorite passages in the entire Bible; We are the sweet smell of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are being lost. To those who are lost, we are the smell of death that brings death, but to those who are being saved, we are the smell of life that brings life. [2 Cor. 2:15. 16 NCV]

I always smell better after I’ve taken a shower. The same when we bath often in God’s Word. We put off the aroma of God’s eternal Kingdom. Just stay on the Word daily.

1 Cor 14, 15 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

In Paul’s instructions to the Church at Corinth, he admonishes the saints to give themselves fully to the Lord’s work, always keeping busy in Christian work.

We can ask ourselves, “What have we given ourselves to?” Our hobbies, our golf game, our fitness routine, our career goals? These things are not bad, but if our devotion to them causes us to choose them over our Christian service to the Lord, they might have become an idol.

When we stand before the Lord at the Judgement Seat of Christ and give account of our lives, how will earthly ambitions stack up against Christian service?

Who knows, maybe they have golf in Heaven.

1 Cor. 13 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

When you can easily get upset or dissappointed by the attitudes and immaturity of others, read this chapter.

1 Cor 11,12 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

God gives differing functions to us to create a healthy body that gives profit and health to all. He isn’t in the cookie-cutter business, but has made us all different. The rest of the Body of Christ needs your function. You shouldn’t glory in the function given to you, but you should use it confidently so that everyone else can achieve spiritual health. His Spirit is in charge when we gather. He gives us faith to operate in our gift. No faith -no operation of the gifts.

Ask God what your gift is and grow in it. Seek prayer to confirm your gift. Then, begin operating in your gift. You are robbing the rest of the members of this Body if you don’t.