2 Cor. 9, 10

We greatly underestimate the power we have in Christ. It’s not provided for our amusement or personal glory … it is for doing Kingdom work.

Near our church a piece of property is being prepared for a new grocery store and other businesses. There was a formidable mini-mountain of stone that has been leveled by giant machines and dynamite. Real earth-moving power was on display. Spiritual power is similar. Through God, impossible obstacles can be removed to make way for righteousness. These are called strongholds and they can be pulled down through prayer, praise, and faithful obedience to God’s Word. [2 Cor. 10:5, 6; Matt. 21:21]

Through God, WE have the big guns.

2 Cor. 6-8

In chapter 8 Paul discusses the principle of giving that those who have more than enough share with those who have much less. At Christmas time it’s healthy to see this. Christ Who was rich became poor that we could become rich.

Seasons of life change. When we are full, others may be empty. When they are full, we may be empty and in need.

Paul commended the Corinthian church for its excellence in so many areas. He also drew attention to the act of giving and challenged us all to excel in it.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? [1 John 3:17]

2 Cor. 5

“So we make it our goal to please him,” is the advice Paul gives to the Corinthian believers. This regarding was to be their modus operandi … those wishing to leave this life and graduate to the next where they would have their eternal body.

I have a dad in this category. He’s 97 and is READY to go. At a recent Dr.’s visit upon being told his blood pressure was 120/70 and that he would probably live longer, Dad said, “Oh, no.” Meanwhile, he really enjoys Jimmy Swaggart’s preaching and music, and he likes to order food through GrubHub. But to me and my siblings, we can testify that our dad has lived his entire life to please God. This has been a revered role model for me and many others.

Thanks Dad, for the inspiration.

2 Cor. 4

People ask me how I’m doing. My stock answer is, “I cope.” I won’t bore you with any complaining here, but the truth is, I’m far from how i felt as a strong, young man. (Aren’t we all?!?)

Any suffering I do in my body is a chance to relate to Jesus. Paul said he carried about in his body the death of Christ which is in contrast to the resurrection life that will also be seen in us. Also, Christ’s healing, sustaining power keeps us going. (15 years ago the life expectancy for multiple myeloma was 3 to 5 years) Here I am 10 years out from my diagnosis and I am still going! In my weakness, Christ’s strength is revealed. I live to serve Him. He loves people through me. Now how can you improve upon that?

2 Cor, 3

I can understand why a Jewish person who comes to Christ would want to be Messianic, but I don’t get why a gentile Christian would get taken up with studying the Law and observing Old Testament rituals. Paul spent his entire ministry trying to show Jewish and Gentile believers that going backwards in their faith was fruitless.

I suppose they may feel some advantage by thinking God is more pleased with their life when they observe Jewish worship traditions. I don’t think He is. The Law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Christ doesn’t bring us back to the Law.

It’s a slippery slope when you begin jumping through Jewish religious hoops to become a “better” Christian. You can’t improve on just living face to face with JESUS!

2 Cor. 2

Sadly, Christians mess up and fall into sin. What do we do with them? We forgive them.

Paul’s communication with the Corinthian church about the man who was taken in sexual sin is an example of New Testament forgiveness as it should be. Too often, we feel that we should administer some payback through our sternness. (Paul had instructed the church to put him out until he repented.) They are already feeling the guilt and sorrow laid upon them by the Holy Spirit. (WE are NOT the Holy Spirit)

If God forgives them, who are we to withhold forgiveness? Obviously, if they are unrepentant and calloused toward their indiscretion, they probably have not fully repented of their sin. But, if they are repentant and truly sorry, we can help their restoration process by extending our forgiveness.

The way we give our forgiveness may come back upon us if we too sin. We reap what we sow.

2 Corinthians 1

When do you need comfort? When you’re sick or distressed. Paul addresses the subject at the outset of his second letter to the Corinthian church.

He established God as the source of his comfort. It comes as strength and hope when you’re in a tough place. God doesn’t always deliver us from trouble, but He always gives us strength to endure. As a loving parent, He knows we need struggles to become strong. After we’ve received comfort from Him, we are to give it to others.

Someone who has lost a loved one REALLY KNOWS how to comfort someone else who is grieving. Someone who has cancer can comfort someone else who has received a frightening diagnosis.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [Ps. 23:4]

Matt. 5:48

I heard this scripture in my spirit this morning. Who doesn’t want to be perfect? What does this mean? How do we understand this goal?

Let’s look at the context of these words Christ spoke as paraphrased by J.B.Phillips: “For if you love only those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even tax-collectors do that! And if you exchange greetings only with your own circle, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do that much. No, you are to be perfect, like your Heavenly Father.

The Hebrew word shlemim is used here. It means “complete.” Yet, it has the association with how you love people who don’t really even deserve your love. Does God love them? Most assuredly, “YES!” Should we then, like Him, love those who don’t even deserve our love? In the same sense, “YES!”

Are you there yet? Probably not. Just let God’s grace open your eyes to love the unlovely He puts in your path. That’s a start to becoming perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.

1 Cor. 16

Paul proposes a systematic approach to giving when he says, “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up … (to give to those in need in Jerusalem).” This was a practical admonition and encouragement for the saints to budget a portion for the poor.

Needy people are placed in your path. How you respond to them will affect your giving profile.

A testimony: Luis came into my path recently. He is a homeless Army veteran who has been living in the back seat of an old Lincoln Town Car. I couldn’t get him off my mind. It’s as if God was saying, “Dean, what are YOU going to do about this?” I shared this situation with several other veterans and they said, “We will chip in to buy him a camper to live in.” Saturday I found a suitable camper for Luis. As I was picking him up to go buy the camper, another homeless man approached my truck window. He too was asking for help. We went and picked up the camper. Luis was SO EXCITED. He was calling everyone he knew to share the good news. I put the other man up in a reasonable motel room overnight. It was a cold rainy night. Yesterday, another needy man told me how his trailer roof is leaking. He needs a tarp to cover it.

Giving opportunities are “blossoming.”

1 Cor 15

Now here’s a word we don’t often use – splendor. Defined, it means; great brilliance, richness or glory. We know of the song, “Love is a many splendor-ed thing.” It is used to describe planets or stars in the sky. Other Bible translations use the words glory and beauty in the place of “splendor.”

Humans have splendor. You certainly have more brilliance than a common rock … unless it’s a diamond. Nevertheless, YOU have been given splendor by your Creator. No amount of makeup or costly apparel can increase the value and beauty God has already invested in YOU. These can possibly reveal the beautiful splendor your Creator has placed upon you.

Hold your head high. You are a child of THE KING.