Friday // Aug 31 :: 2 Corinthians 8

Has "deep poverty" ever overflowed in "rich generosity" in your life? These are the New Living Trans words for v. 2. This church in Macedonia understood the root of joy is not living in comfort - I need to learn that.

v 8 - One way to "prove our love is real" is by looking at our wallet. That's true in dating, and in church-life. If we are willing to give sacrificially, it's likely because we are motivated by our love.

Would you pass the test? V. 22 speaks of a person who was selected to travel with Titus to the Corinthian church but only after he "had been thoroughly tested and has shown how earnest he is on many occassions." I'm wondering, would I pass that test? What did it involve? Was it by observation? What it based on knowledge of the scriptures? I would love a test today for everyone in the church - a "motives test" or "genuine believer" test would be great for me. I obviously lack faith. Another strike on my test.

Thursday // Aug 30 :: 2 Corinthians 7

Doesn't it feel good when someone compliments you? When they go out of their way to encourage you and express joy in you? Paul does that for the church in Corinth here ... "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." (4)

"For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation." (10) THis is a tough pill to swallow.

Encourage someone today ... go out of your way to make someone else's day brighter!

Wednesday / Aug 29 :: 2 Corinthians 6

"Today is the day of salvation!" Access to God doesn't have to wait! It's available 24/7/365.

v7 : "God's power has been working in us." Has God been working in me? Can I see His hand in my life? I'm thankful that I can say 'yes.' It was great to feel God work through me on Sunday as I preached. I've felt a constant connection to God this week as I've been reading the scriptures and finishing "Experiencing God" book. That's a great read!

v.8-10 is sweet poetry to me. So encouraging. I will serve no matter what! Call me whatever you want, treat me however you want, believe whatever you want. My hope is found in my walk with the Lord!

Tough area to totally understand: v17> "Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord." How can we effectively "walk across the room" if we are separated from them? I'm sure that Paul isn't saying don't lose connection with non-believers - he's so evangelical everywhere else in his writings. But I think he is saying, once we come to faith, we must be TRANSFORMED. We can't stay doing the same things.

Tuesday // Aug 28 :: 2 Corinthiasn 5

New bodies: I wonder what our new bodies will be like. Will we be alien looking things? Will we all be good lookin? haha Will there be geeks there? haha

I like this: "So our aim is to please him always, whether we are here in this body or away from this body."

Our Life Purpose: "We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you." This is what we should be about ... representing Christ to others: in our speech, in our work, in our leisure reading, in what we laugh at with others and in how we treat others.

Monday // Aug 27 :: 2 Corinthians 4

I'm struck by the first words of chapter 4 ... they tie right back to the end of chapter 3 which says, "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." Then Pauls next words in chapter are "since God ... has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up."

We never give up becoming more and more like Him.
We never give up turning from sin and wreckless living.
We never give up reaching out to others and reaching up to Him for mercy.
We never give up reflecting His image everyone around us.

I believe that our understanding of Christ's mercy is best seen when we realize that God is the one that has ALLOWED us to see it. Verses 3-6 show us that Satan is trying to block our view of Christ but it's the Lord who can take that "veil" away.

Renewal. Verse 16 says that even though our bodies are getting weaker, our spirit is being renewed everyday. I find this interesting because as I observe many who are aging in the faith, it seems they often become more synical and narrow focused. If our spirits are being renewed everyday, then our faith would only seem to get more and more refined as we age.

My body feels like it's getting older quicker. I ran 6 miles today. Furthest I've ever run in my life. Since the 5K I ran at the end of July, I've decided to run further distances. I've done 4 a couple times, and nearly 5 the other day. It was great running with Corbin, too. He parked his bike at the Sleepy Hollow pet cemetary (as they were burying a dog) and he ran from there to the M6 tunnel and back. He definately seems to enjoy running and I believe he is impressed by his old dad doing this. Some day he'll beat me at it ... I'll enjoy it while I have the upper hand. Tammy ran today, too. She's done really well with it. If we could get out more consistantly, I think it's something we could enjoy together.

August 22 Reading: 2 Corinthians 1

I've finished 1 Corinthians and back on track. I have a few chapters of Luke to hit but I'll get there in good time. Chapter 1 seems to be typical Paul - saying hello and catching up. I love Paul's dependence on God in times of struggle. I need to hear that. "You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ." (5)

Okay, my summer vacation is nearing an end. My Bible reading has taken it on the chin lately. I'll will complete this task of reading the NT this year. Catch up is really good but it will take some time.

I'm reviewing much of what I've read from 1 Corinthians today - this is a great book/letter.

2:1-9 > our world values wisdom but what does that mean really? I listen to talk radio and I watch the news networks ... wisdom doesn't seem to be very wise anymore.

3:9 > I was moved recently watching the dedication of the Billy Graham library. We have lots of church leaders today who sell books with their pictures on the cover, who get lot's of money to attend their seminars, etc .... but in Dr. Graham, we have a guy who just wants to be a mirror so that others don't see him they see the Lord. He said at this ceremony, "the one issue I have with this building is that it's too much Billy and not enough of the Lord." He understands his role - his partnership - with the Lord so perfectly.

4:4-5 > We are not the judge of people's faithfulness - but we try to be all the time. Help us stop. Help us be open and honest with our own motives. I want no secrets.

4:20 > For the kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God's power. -- that's good.

5:6 > "if one person is allowed to go on sinning ..." This strikes something in me. The first century church was made up of Believers - salvation took place before people became a part of the church - evangelism wasn't an arm of the church, it's what the church did 6 days a week (so to speak). Today, our church exists to bring the sinners in. We should be going to the sinners and bringing the repentatent ones in ... makes me think.