Why are you alone?

2 Corinthians 8:16-24

     I am thankful to God that he has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. He welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was eager to go and see you. We are also sending another brother with Titus. He is highly praised in all the churches as a preacher of the Good News. He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem – a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help. By traveling together we will guard against any suspicion, for we are anxious that no one should find fault with the way we are handling this generous gift. We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to know we are honorable.

     And we are also sending with them another brother who has been thoroughly tested and has shown how earnest he is on many occasions. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his increased confidence in you. If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And these brothers are representatives of the churches. They are splendid examples of those who bring glory to Christ. So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.

     In this short passage of scripture, Paul is emphasizing accountability and partnership. God did not place us on this earth to be an island unto ourselves, maneuvering through life’s journey all alone. He understands our deepest need for companionship and encouragement, and often times, he specifically places others into our lives to meet those needs. Sometimes, due to past hurts and disappointments, we choose to isolate ourselves and reject all forms of intimate friendships, keeping all relationships superficial and distant. At the end of the day, this is a very dysfunctional and disabling way to live life and ministry.

     Jesus had 12 disciples, but within those 12 he had an inner circle of 2 or 3 more intimate confidants. These few men were those that he shared more guarded details of his life and ministry. He looked to them for accountability and companionship. In the end, every one of them disappointed and deserted him at his most desperate point of need, but that didn’t change his love and acceptance of them. Because of Christ’s love and unhindered acceptance, most of them went on to become the greatest world-changers for the cause of Christ. Even in the midst of pain and rejection, Christ modeled what perfect friendship, love and accountability is to look like. We have the choice to either follow Christ’s example and include others into our lives and ministries or choose to continue to isolate ourselves and walk out our lives hindered and lonely. The choice is ours.

     Do you have someone that you consider a close, intimate, accountability friend? If not, why? Do you purposely keep people at arm’s length because of past hurts, or do you sincerely desire a close friend and confidant? Have you been the friend to someone else that you desire in your own life? Have you ever destroyed a friendship due to your own lack of loyalty or unfaithfulness? I encourage you to go to that person today, and make things right. Ask God to reveal weaknesses in your own life that are hindering you from developing long-lasting, trustworthy friendships. Begin to work on those weaknesses and challenge yourself to become a more faithful friend. Then ask God to begin to send you divine relationships that will bring about encouragement and accountability.

Have a great day!

Do you need what you want?

2 Corinthians 8:9-15

    You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

     I suggest that you finish what you started a year ago, for you were the first to propose this idea, and you were the first to begin doing something about it. Now you should carry this project through to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it. Give whatever you can according to what you have. If you are really eager to give, it isn’t important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don’t have. Of course, I don’t mean you should give so much that you suffer from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, everyone’s needs will be met. Do you remember what the Scriptures say about this? “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

     Christ gave up his throne and position and humbled himself to become a man just so we can experience salvation. In other words, he became poor so we could become rich. He gave up all that he had so we could have everything we need. That is powerful! When was the last time you gave enough of something to become uncomfortable so that someone else could gain what they needed? If Christ gave His all for us, we should at least be willing to give a little of ourselves.

     Paul is encouraging the Corinthian church to follow through on what they had promised to do a year earlier, which was to take up an offering for the Jerusalem church. They apparently had good intentions but failed to follow through with those intentions. Paul was making them live up to their commitments because he wanted to teach them some valuable lessons: 1) they needed to be a people of their word; 2) the principal of sowing and reaping; 3) God gives to us so that we can give to others.

     The last verse in this portion of scripture, Paul is quoting Exodus 16:18, which is in reference to God supplying manna each morning for the children of Israel. God knew that they were in the middle of the desert and had no means for supplying their own food, so each and every morning after the dew dried up; thin, white, frost-like flakes were left on the ground. God commanded that each person was to gather two quarts for themselves each day, no more, no less. So each family went out each morning and gathered manna, the larger the family, the more manna they had to gather, but still only two quarts per person. The smaller the family, the less they had to gather, but still only two quarts per person. With this principal, each family had enough manna to meet their needs for that day, no more or no less.

     Paul was using that story to teach the Corinthians the same principal. God would supply their NEEDS each and every day, no more or no less, as long as they were faithful and obedient to the Lord. The same holds true for us. As long as we are faithful and obedient to the Lord, He will supply or NEEDS each and every day. The problem that we have is our distinction between our needs and our wants. If we are faithful and true to God, often times, He blesses us with our wants, but we need to remember that we can survive in this world with just our needs. Overindulgence on self is not God’s will for our lives. He blesses us so that we can bless others, plain and simple.

     Have you ever gone a day where your NEEDS have not been met? Have you ever taken the time to thank God for meeting your NEEDS, or have you instead grumbled, complained, begged and pleaded for God’s help in paying for your wants? Take some time today to contemplate the difference between your needs and wants. Ask God to show you some things that you may need to get rid of in your life. Take some extra time today to sincerely thank God for all that He has supplied for you.

Have a great day!

What's in your heart?

2 Corinthians 8:1-8

     Now I want to tell you, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done for the churches in Macedonia. Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the gracious privilege of sharing in the gift for the Christians in Jerusalem. Best of all, they went beyond our highest hopes, for their first action was to dedicate themselves to the Lord and to us for whatever directions God might give them.

     So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to complete your share in this ministry of giving. Since you excel in so many ways – you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm, and such love for us – now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving. I am not saying you must do it, even though the other churches are eager to do it. This is one way to prove your love is real.

     The Christians in Jerusalem were suffering from poverty and famine, and many churches that Paul had planted were coming together and taking up offerings to be given to the Jerusalem church. In this passage of scripture, Paul is encouraging the Corinthian church to join in the effort. This special love offering was above and beyond the normal tithes that were to be given to the Lord.

     Giving is a natural response of love. As Christians, we are commanded to love one another and share one another’s burdens. When you love much, you give much. Think about your own family and children. The church is our extended family and when any are in need or experiencing trouble and hardships, our natural expression of love should be giving. The world teaches us to look out for ourselves and hoard up all the possessions and money that we can while we’re on this earth, but Christ teaches the direct opposite. When we give things away and bless others, the craziest thing happens; we are blessed above and beyond what we gave away.

      If your child gave away their most prized toy or possession to a less fortunate child, without you encouraging them to do so, what would your reaction be? Wouldn’t your heart just melt at the fact that your child was so compassionate, loving and caring? Wouldn’t you want to bless and reward your child for such behavior? If we as human parents rejoice and reward our children, how much more do you think our heavenly Father rejoices and rewards such behavior? Only if done out of love and compassion though. If we give out of an expectation of receiving, then the deal is null and void. God is looking for a pure heart and pure motives.

     Do you have a giving heart or a selfish heart? How do you view others who are hurting or in real need? Do you long to love others more than what you do? Take some time to today and ask the Lord to break your heart for what breaks His. Ask him to give you a deeper love for those around you, even those you view as unlovable. Do one thing today to reach out and bless someone in need, preferably someone you don’t know.

Have a great day!

It's a matter of trust.

2 Corinthians 7:11-16

Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish the wrongdoer. You showed that you have done everything you could to make things right. My purpose was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could show how much you really do care for us. We have been encouraged by this.

     In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was at the way you welcomed him and set his mind at ease. I had told him how proud I was of you and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true! Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way you listened to him and welcomed him with such respect and deep concern. I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you.

     Paul was such an amazing leader and teacher. Not only did he have a way of powerfully bring forth the truth of God’s Word, but he was the ultimate mentor to those who came forward to accept salvation and complete obedience to God. In all of Paul’s missionary journeys, he implemented and planted many churches. Once a church was planted and established, he moved on to the next place where he felt God was leading him to go, but he always kept tabs on each and every church that was in existence. In a time with no internet or telephone service, he had to find a way to keep communication between himself and the churches strong, so he assigned other strong spiritual leaders who traveled with him, to visit these churches on his behalf. They would carry messages of hope, encouragement and sometimes correction from Paul, to these churches. In this case, the letter of 2 Corinthians is written to the church in Corinth, in which Paul is bringing correction and encouragement to the believers gathered there.

     Titus, one of Paul’s traveling companions and partners in ministry, was sent to the Corinthian church as a representative for Paul, to check on the work that was going on there. In this portion of scripture, Paul is complimenting the church for how well they received and welcomed Titus on his behalf. Just like in today’s church culture, we tend to have favorite preachers and leaders, and if they are gone on vacation or out for an extended period of time, we tend to grumble, complain and not always be willing to accept a replacement. Paul knew and understood this fact, and was elated to hear how well they accepted and treated his replacement, Titus. Paul was trying to teach all believers to keep their focus on Jesus Christ, not on the earthly humans that were Christ’s representatives, including himself.  Idol worship can happen within the church too, if we’re not careful! All of us are still just merely human beings, including ministers, and placing them up on pedestals is a dangerous place to dwell. Be careful who and what you idolize. Jesus Christ is the one true God and he will not share his glory with anyone, including His representatives!

     Who do you place your trust in? Yourself? Your boss? Your minister? Your husband or wife?  Your doctor? The list could go on and on. Do you immediately turn to God with your situations and troubles, or do you exhaust all other options first before you finally turn to Him? God has representatives on earth that He has placed here for our benefit, but we are not to use these representatives to replace God. I encourage you to go before God today, and lay your burdens at His feet. Stop wandering here and there, looking for one of God’s representatives to give you what only God himself can supply. Make Him your one and only trustworthy source!

Have a great day!

Let me correct myself.

2 Corinthians 7:2-10

     Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone. We have not led anyone astray. We have not taken advantage of anyone. I am not saying this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts forever. We live or die together with you. I have the highest confidence in you, and my pride in you is great. You have greatly encouraged me; you have made me happy despite all our troubles.

     When we arrived in Macedonia there was no rest for us. Outside there was conflict from every direction, and inside there was fear. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told me how much you were looking forward to my visit, and how sorry you were about what had happened, and how loyal your love is for me, I was filled with joy!

     I am no longer sorry that I sent that letter to you, though I was sorry for a time, for I know that it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to have remorse and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death.

     In this portion of scripture, Paul is picking up where he left off in 2 Corinthians 2:13. He had written another letter to the Corinthian church (which is now lost) bringing correction and rebuke for an unknown situation that occurred in the church. As stated in chapter 2, it brought much pain and sorrow for Paul to write and send the letter, but he knew and prayed that it would bring joyous results, which it did.

     Often times, bringing correction or rebuke into a situation, is very difficult for everyone involved. But when left undone, disastrous results take place. Children left undisciplined result in immature, irresponsible, chaotic adults. The same holds true for Christian believers. Pastors and leaders are held to an expectation by God to bring correction and discipline to those serving under them, who will ultimately answer to God for their responsibility. If left undone, the church is often filled with immature, irresponsible, chaotic Christians, wreaking havoc on those around them and the church body as a whole. Fear of job and financial loss, often paralyzes a leader from making the decision to bring correction and rebuke. Paul, who is an awesome example to us, pushed through that fear and was obedient to his call and responsibility.

     From the other side of the coin, the one receiving the correction has the option of rejecting or accepting the rebuke. Human nature usually reacts in the negative, defensive tone, but in this situation, those involved received the correction and made the necessary changes to bring positive results. As hard as it is to accept and understand, God uses sorrow to bring about positive changes in our lives. If we could just learn to accept God’s correction immediately instead of fighting, fussing and whining, we would see such growth, maturity and joy in our lives.

     Think about the last time you had something sorrowful happen in your life. Could it have been that God was trying to teach you something through that event? Did you ever consider that option? Go back and consider what God was trying to teach you. Rethink and relive the situation and try to take away a new perspective or a new life lesson that you never even considered before. Ask God to reveal it to you.

Have a great day!

Warning, Warning!

2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1

     Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:

            "I will live in them and walk among them.

             I will be their God,

             and they will be my people.

             Therefore, come out from them

             and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.

             Don't touch their filthy things,

             and I will welcome you.

             And I will be your Father

             and you will be my sons and daughters,

             says the Lord Almighty."

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body and spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God.

     Too many people take these verses to mean total separation from anyone and anything that doesn’t believe in the same way they do, even to the point of being mean spirited and rude. This is not what Paul was referring to, in these verses. As believers of Jesus Christ, we are to be a light in a dark world, sharing the truth and love of Jesus Christ with everyone and anyone we come in contact with. In order to accomplish this, we must associate and be friendly with everyone. Should we get into deep, intimate personal and business relationships with non-believers? No, that is where the line needs to be drawn. That is what Paul is trying to communicate here. When we are personally intimate with others, spending untold numbers of hours each day with them; we become influenced by their beliefs and customs. And if those beliefs or customs are contrary to the word of God, then we usually become torn as to whether to accept them or not. This is especially true in marriage. Loyalties between God and spouse are challenged, and often result in heartache and stress.

     Making the decision to be loyal to God and His truth before entering into a deep, intimate relationship with someone who doesn’t have the same belief system, will save us from much turmoil down the road.

     Are you entertaining relationships that are in direct opposition to what you believe?( If you’re already married, God does not want you to end your marital relationship, but rather, continue to pray for your unbelieving spouse, as you faithfully serve and love them.) Are you afraid to be by yourself so you befriend anyone that will accept you? Take some time today, to examine your belief system and whether or not it truly lines up with the word of God. Ask God to show you where to make changes in the friendships that you currently have in your life.

Have a great day!     

Stepping Up!

2 Corinthians 6:3-13

     We try to live in such a way that no one will be hindered from finding the Lord by the way we act, and so no one can find fault with our ministry. In everything we do we try to show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in jail, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, our sincere love, and the power of the Holy Spirit. We have faithfully preached the truth. God’s power has been working in us. We have righteousness as our weapon, both to attack and to defend ourselves. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us imposters. We are well known, but we are treated as unknown. We live close to death, but here we are still alive. We have been beaten within an inch of our lives. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

     Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you. Our hearts are open to you. If there is a problem between us, it is not because of a lack of love on our part, but because you have withheld your love from us. I am talking now as I would to my own children. Open your hearts to us!

     Paul always considered what his actions spoke to others. He lived in a place where he understood that one wrong decision or one questionable action could cause just one person to be turned against the truth about Jesus Christ. He goes on to list actions that he considered to be vital in proving his allegiance to his Savior and to his call as a minister of Christ. If we are believers in Christ then we are also ministers, whether we choose to accept that fact or not. Let’s take a closer look at this list of actions to see if we are patterning our life after our forefathers of faith and living up to our calling as ministers for Christ.

          1.    Patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind
           2.    Been beaten
           3.    Put in jail
           4.    Faced angry mobs
           5.    Worked to exhaustion
           6.    Endured sleepless nights
           7.    Gone without food
           8.    Prove ourselves by:
                     a.    Our purity
                     b.    Our understanding
                     c.    Our patience
                     d.    Our kindness
                     e.    Our sincere love
                     f.     The power of the Holy Spirit
           9.    Have faithfully preached the truth
          10. God’s power works in us
          11. Use righteousness as our weapon
          12. Serve God whether people:
                     a.    Honor us
                     b.    Despise us
                     c.    Slander us
                     d.    Praise us
           13. We’re honest
           14. Well known
           15. Live close to death
           16. Beaten within an inch of our lives
           17. Always have joy
           18. We’re poor
           19. Give spiritual riches to others
           20. Own nothing
           21. Have everything


      So, how does your life as a Christian compare to Paul’s? Being a Christian is the most phenomenal lifestyle you and I could ever experience, but to believe that we will never experience anything negative in our life is a lie from Satan himself! In the American Christian culture, God has blessed us beyond measure even to the point that we are like spoiled children. One flat tire, or one hour without electricity sends us into a temper tantrum, whining and crying to anyone that will listen to our pitiful plight. I believe that God is attempting to empower a people that will go forth in His name regardless of the circumstances around them, a people that will believe that they are more than conquerors through Christ, in every situation! Rise up and be all that you were created to be!

 

What do your actions speak to others? Have you ever considered the fact that you are a “minister for Christ?” Having that label placed on you, would you live your life differently? Take some time today to seriously consider the fact that you are a minister. Ask God to reveal to you some actions that you may need to change, in order to step into that role more effectively.

Have a great day!