The Destructive Path
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved, What you find in the verses below from the early part of Romans will appear to be a collection of harsh words and strong language. It is certainly not what you might expect from the premiere letter of Paul about the Father’s grace, My sacrifice, the Holy Spirit’s power, and your faith that connects you to salvation. And yes, I acknowledge these words are hard words, bold words, and frank words. But, dear child of the Father, these are true words. Part of what Paul was doing was demonstrating the need for the salvation and spiritual blessings that We offer. He will discuss these matters at length later in this letter. First, however, Paul needed to address what happens when folks worship created things instead of the Creator! Paul had powerfully proclaimed the nature of the one true God — Us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in his sermon in Athens. He had called on people to turn away from idols and had told them that they must seek after the One Who “made the universe and all it contains, the God Who is the King of all heaven and all earth” (Acts 17:24). We made the universe and all that is in it so that all people would seek after Us and find Us. We are close to you, not far away (Acts 17:27-28). Unfortunately, much of humanity has often refused to believe in Us even after seeing the evidence in nature of Our glorious presence and the indications in the universe of Our eternal existence. In fact, people have often drifted into celebrating and worshiping the things that We created to bless them instead of celebrating Us, the source of all their blessings! Paul told the Roman believers that people became so caught up in chasing the thrills of their existence that they had forgotten about the Father’s love, My creative attentiveness, and the Spirit’s work throughout creation. They then gave themselves so completely to reveling in the created things and celebrating the created experiences that they abandoned the love, grace, and power of their Creator. They gave themselves over to all sorts of depraved distortions of Our creative gifts because they forgot the origin of these gifts. They failed to see that their ravenous desire for more of these gifts is the sinfully destructive hook repeatedly baited by Satan to enslave them in their own depraved desire for more. They experienced one thing after another, but never had enough and never found satisfaction in what they had because they lost sight of the Father. Their hearts grew so cold to the Father’s love and grace that He turned them over to their own lustful desires and to the destructive consequences they bring. Beloved, things that are very similar to what Paul described are prevalent in your own culture and are happening before your own eyes. The Creator has largely been forgotten in your world. Those who have been created have forgotten their Creator and become more and more self-absorbed. The result has been the exaltation of created things and special experiences to the point that they are made common. They have become debased because they have lost their grounding in the intent of the Creator and the purpose of their being created. So what was the punishment for those who pursued this “counterfeit” path of self-indulgence? The Father stepped out of the way of these sinners and “turned them loose to follow the unseemly designs of their depraved minds and to do things that should not be done.” They were allowed to lose themselves in the depravity they pursued. Their destruction was of their own making and breaks the heart of their Creator! Be warned. What was true in Paul’s day is also true in your own day. Verses to Live I challenge you as you read these verses not to assign them to long ago and far away. Think of how your own time and culture are reflected in the following verses. Then, choose to give thanks, praise, and your devotion to the Father, your Creator, as the One from Whom all good and perfect gifts have come (James 1:17)! For the wrath of God is breaking through from heaven, opposing all manifestations of ungodliness and wickedness by the people who do wrong to keep God’s truth in check. These people are not ignorant about what can be known of God, because He has shown it to them with great clarity. From the beginning, creation in its magnificence enlightens us to His nature. Creation itself makes His undying power and divine identity clear, even though they are invisible; and it voids the excuses and ignorant claims of these people because, despite the fact that they knew the one true God, they have failed to show the love, honor, and appreciation due to the One Who created them! Instead, their lives are consumed by vain thoughts that poison their foolish hearts. They claim to be wise; but they have been exposed as fools, frauds, and con artists — only a fool would trade the splendor and beauty of the immortal God to worship images of the common man or woman, bird or reptile, or the next beast that tromps along. So God gave them just what their lustful hearts desired. As a result, they violated their bodies and invited shame into their lives. How? By choosing a foolish lie over God’s truth. They gave their lives and devotion to the creature rather than to the Creator Himself, Who is blessed forever and ever. Amen. This is why God released them to their own vile pursuits, and this is what happened: they chose sexual counterfeits — women had sexual relations with other women and men committed unnatural, shameful acts because they burned with lust for other men. This sin was rife, and they suffered painful consequences. Since they had no mind to recognize God, He turned them loose to follow
Today’s Verse – Mark 8:29
“But what about you?” [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” —Mark 8:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The sweetest confession any of us will ever make is this: “I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and I want him to be LORD of my life.” Let’s repeat it, out loud, to the glory of God the Father: “I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and I want him to be LORD of my life.” What other people say about Jesus and what they believe about Jesus is not the focus of the LORD’s question to Peter. Who do I say that Jesus is? Will you answer like Peter? I think we should. So, let’s say it again for the third time: “I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and I want him to be LORD of my life.” Now, let’s commit that before the year ends, we will invite someone else to say these words for the first time in their life! My Prayer… Thank you, LORD God Almighty, for having a plan that brought me your Messiah, Jesus. I believe, dear God, that he is your Son, and I want him to be the LORD of my life, and I want him to be my LORD for the rest of my days. I pray this in the name of Jesus, your Son, and my Savior. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Paul’s Reasons for the Road
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved Disciple, Paul had many reasons to be on the road. He traveled extensively all over the regions bordering the northern and eastern Mediterranean Sea. He traveled to share the good message of the Father’s grace with people who had never heard it. He strengthened house churches he had helped plant on previous trips. He matured and appointed leaders in those house churches. He carried communication from one group of disciples to another. As Paul left for Jerusalem on the trip described in the verses below from Acts, he was bringing a special financial gift to Jerusalem. He wanted to bless the impoverished Jewish disciples in Jerusalem with a gift from Gentile Christians. He was hoping to tie together the whole brotherhood through this project. As you read the verses below, you will find all of those reasons for Paul’s travels through Asia Minor (with key cities of Troas & Ephesus), Macedonia (with key cities of Philippi, Berea, & Thessalonica), and Greece (with key cities of Corinth & Athens) on his way back to Syria (Antioch) and ultimately to Judea (Jerusalem). Paul was determined to go to Rome, the capital of the empire, after going to Jerusalem. Then from Rome, he planned to go to Spain to share My story and the good message of salvation. The first set of verses below (from the book of Acts) is a very simple summary of a few years when Paul wrote the incredible letter of Romans while in Greece. (We will be reading parts of Romans together over the next several days.) As you read from some of the beginning and ending verses of Romans today, you will also find information and hints about Paul’s travels and what motivated him to take these trips. Underneath all of these travels during this stage of Paul’s life, there were three predominant influences: Paul was My chosen emissary (apostle), especially to the non-Jewish peoples of the world. For I [Paul] am not the least bit embarrassed about the gospel. I won’t shy away from it, because it is God’s power to save every person who believes: first the Jew, and then the non-Jew. He was passionate about fulfilling this call. He had a special fervor to take the good news to people who had never heard it: I have dreamed of preaching the gospel in places where no one has ever heard of the Anointed so that I do not build on a foundation laid by anyone else. Paul wanted to bring the brotherhood of Jews and non-Jews together through the offering from the Gentile churches for their brothers and sisters in faith in Jerusalem: But right now I [Paul] must make the journey to Jerusalem to serve the saints there. Those in Macedonia and Achaia decided it was a good idea to share their funds to help the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. I must tell you that they were thrilled to be able to help. They realize that they are indebted to the believers in Jerusalem. If the nations share in the Jews’ spiritual goods, then it’s only right that they minister back to them in material goods. Since some people were seeking to stop and, if necessary, kill Paul, he could and would alter his travel strategies based on their hostility. However, he was determined to complete his travels: He [Paul] spent three months there [in Greece], and then he planned to set sail once again for Syria. But he learned that a group of Jewish opponents was plotting to kill him, so he decided to travel through Macedonia. While in Greece, he wrote about possible additional opposition he would face when he returned to Jerusalem: Pray that I [Paul] will be rescued from those who deny and persecute the faith in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem will meet the approval of all the saints there. As Paul traveled to share My good news, he wrote the nearest thing to a complete document on grace, faith, baptism, the Holy Spirit, and holy living in his letter called the book of Romans in your Bible. This is the letter we will share together in the coming days. First, however, I want you to get a feeling for the passion that drove Paul along the many roads he traveled! Verses to Live As you read today’s verses, you will find much more depth of emotion than can be highlighted in this short note. So I want you to read through these verses several times listening for the passion of Paul to fulfill his call to share the gospel. As you read, also pray for the Spirit to release this same kind of passion in you and through you in your day! As soon as the uproar ended [in Ephesus], Paul gathered the disciples together, encouraged them once more, said farewell, and left on foot. He decided to pass through Macedonia, encouraging believers wherever he found them, and came to Greece. He spent three months there, and then he planned to set sail once again for Syria. But he learned that a group of Jewish opponents was plotting to kill him, so he decided to travel through Macedonia. … Paul: Now I feel that the Holy Spirit has taken me captive. I am being led to Jerusalem. My future is uncertain, but I know — the Holy Spirit has told me — that everywhere I go from now on, I will find imprisonment and persecution waiting for me. But that’s OK. That’s no tragedy for me because I don’t cling to my life for my own sake. The only value I place on my life is that I may finish my race, that I may fulfill the ministry that Jesus our King has given me, that I may gladly tell the good news of God’s grace. (Acts 20:1-3; Acts 20:22-24) Paul, a servant of Jesus the Anointed called by God to be His emissary and appointed to
Today’s Verse – Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. —Romans 8:28 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The real issue in our lives is not God’s faithfulness and goodness but ours. The history of God’s faithfulness to Israel and his promises is found throughout the Scriptures. We can depend and rely on him to do what he promises despite the apparent circumstances of our lives. The real issue is whether or not we choose to truly love him and live for his purposes when our lives become unbearable and faith becomes hard. This verse is no platitude or easy answer. It is the life ring of hope for those with gritty faith who choose to persevere when there is no easy reason for doing so. Faith like this is rooted in a Savior who triumphed over death, Satan, sin, and hell by voluntarily giving his life for our salvation. But he remained in the grave a second day. There appeared to be no hope, but hope burst forth as Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. So, will we choose to keep loving God and living for his purposes when things are hard — when we are caught on our own “second day” while waiting for the dawn of the third day and our complete salvation? My Prayer… Please give me courage, faith, and character, O LORD, and may I never outlive my faith and hope in you as I love you and live for your purpose in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Closing Words, Closing Grace
Note from Jesus Dear Committed Follower, As Paul came to the end of his very challenging letter to the Corinthians, the letter you call 2 Corinthians, he had several things he wanted to imprint on the hearts of these disciples. He closed his letter with both a blessing and an encouragement for holy living. He had repeatedly defended his right to be My special emissary (or apostle) against the charges that he wasn’t really special, important, or equal to other emissaries. As Paul finished this letter, he emphasized the behaviors and attitudes that the Corinthians needed to have to honor Me. Whether they accepted his ministry or not, Paul wanted them to focus on living in ways that were consistent with My character and compassion. Notice the words in bold in the verses below. Use them as a good guide for yourself. These qualities are the good fruit from having a heart that belongs to Me and a commitment to honor Me as Lord. Realize that these character qualities are the fruit of being led by the Spirit to conform your character and compassion to be like My own. They show that you are “being transformed, metamorphosed, into [My] image from one radiance of glory to another, just as the Spirit of the Lord accomplishes it” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Here are some behaviors to use as your guide. As Paul said, “Examine yourselves.” So I’ve put the following list down as an evaluation tool for you to use on yourself. This list is in the first person so you can ask yourself if these qualities are really yours: Do I stay away from evil? Do I try to do what is right? Do I act honorably… even in difficult situations? Do I align myself with truth rather than trying to find a way around it? Do I trust in the Spirit to help me find wholeness and completeness in Jesus? Do I rejoice in the Father’s presence in my life and the many blessings He shares with me? Am I committed to repairing what is broken in my relationships and my own personal life, with the help of the Holy Spirit? Do I encourage others? Do I seek to live in unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ by serving others as Jesus did? As far as possible, do I seek to live in peace with all people — believers and unbelievers? Do I greet others as brothers and sisters? Remember, these are words to help you examine the fruit in your life to see if it is consistent with My way of life. This list is not a “color-by-numbers” pattern to gain salvation or a list to help you feel superior to others. Nor is this a checklist to discourage and humiliate you for your failures. Paul gave these check-up characteristics to help the Corinthians refine their focus on the things that matter! Are you growing in these qualities? Are you committed to this kind of fruit in your life? Are you being “transformed” by the Spirit to be more and more like Me in these areas? If you are, then great! If not, re-focus on Me and seek to walk with Me each day so that My character permeates your life as the Holy Spirit does His work of transformation. Verses to Live This whole last message from My great emissary Paul to the Corinthian disciples reveals his heart. While he wanted them to love and appreciate him, their spiritual character was much more important to him than their acceptance and appreciation of him. Even if the Corinthians rejected him, Paul wanted them to follow Me and to reflect Me in their thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. So Paul ended this letter with a beautiful blessing. The last words he wanted the Corinthians to hear from him were words of blessing because he wanted them to live a blessed and holy life. Examine yourselves. Check your faith! Are you really in the faith? Do you still not know that Jesus the Anointed is in you? — unless, of course, you have failed the test. Surely you will realize we have not failed the test, but we pray to God that you will stay away from evil. What’s important is not whether we appear to have passed the test, but that you do what is right and act honorably, even if it appears that we have failed. For there’s nothing we can do to oppose the truth; all we can do is align ourselves with it. You see, we celebrate when we are weak but you are strong. Our prayer is simple: that you may be whole and complete. How I hope I am saving you by writing this to you in advance; this letter will spare me from using the Lord’s authority to come down on you when I arrive. His intention in giving me this authority is to build you up, not tear you down. Finally, brothers and sisters, keep rejoicing and repair whatever is broken. Encourage each other, think as one, and live at peace; and God, the Author of love and peace, will remain with you. Greet each other with a holy kiss, as brothers and sisters. All the saints here with me send you their greeting. May the grace of the Lord Jesus the Anointed, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit remain with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:5-14) Response in Prayer O precious Father, You are the Almighty God Who is holy, merciful, righteous, and compassionate. I open my heart to be willingly transformed through the work of the Holy Spirit. Each day I want to find myself more and more like Jesus. I want my thoughts, words, and behaviors to reflect the presence of Jesus in my life. I want these qualities Paul describes in the passage above to become the qualities found in my own character. In Jesus’ name, I ask for this
Today’s Verse – Matthew 8:27
The men [in the boat caught in the storm] were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” —Matthew 8:27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What kind of man is this? Ah, Jesus is much more than a man; he is our LORD, King, Messiah, Shepherd, and Savior. Most certainly, when Jesus came in the flesh to earth, he was fully a man. Yet this Christ Jesus is also the Master of earth, wind, and storm because he is the Creator of it all (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-18). Rather than merely talking about Jesus, we need to bow down and worship him for all that he is, all has done, and all he is in the process of doing to bring us home to him, safely and eternally! My Prayer… Tender Shepherd and Abba Father, thank you for emptying heaven of your choicest glory and sending Jesus to be my LORD and Savior (Philippians 2:6-11). As I face the storms in my life, please give me the courage to stand bravely in faith, trusting that my Savior will still the winds and the waves and deliver me safely home to you. In Jesus’ glorious name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Beyond ‘a Rock and a Hard Place’
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, Nearly every one of My leaders through the ages has been stuck between a rock and a hard place. I’m talking about being in a situation where they had to defend themselves, or defend the truth they were trying to communicate, against unfair accusations. These leaders were stuck because defending themselves would mean revealing confidential information or speaking about themselves in self-promoting ways that made them feel uncomfortable. As true servants, they weren’t a self-promoting kind of people. Since My servants were attacked by unfair accusations or because of misunderstanding, they needed to defend their actions for the good of the congregations they were leading. Most managed to find effective and ethical ways to address the issues of concern, but that doesn’t mean that it was easy for them to do it. Paul was stuck between a rock and a hard place when he wrote 2 Corinthians. He was being called less than the “so-called great emissaries” (2 Corinthians 12:11 The Voice) — others of your translations use the term “super apostles”. Because Paul had previously been reluctant to boast to the Corinthians about his qualifications, speak about his special spiritual experiences, or give a list of his greatest accomplishments, many of the Corinthians quit respecting him. Plus, Paul didn’t ask for monetary support, so the Corinthians assumed that he wasn’t as worthy a minister as those who demanded support. In the letter you call 1 Corinthians, Paul confronted the Corinthian believers for their divisions rooted in their pride about the different groups to which they belonged. He also confronted their pride about the spiritual gifts they had been given. So Paul was careful in 1 Corinthians not to boast about anything other than My cross. He was careful not to take money or depend on their support. Paul didn’t trumpet his accomplishments or spiritual qualifications because that would have only fed into the Corinthians own misguided sense of greatness, status, and importance. In 2 Corinthians, Paul emphasized that his qualifications that really mattered were the ones that showed My power at work in his weaknesses, hardships, and persecutions. He said: I am at peace and even take pleasure in any weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and afflictions for the sake of the Anointed because when I am at my weakest, He makes me strong. Near the end of 2 Corinthians, Paul had to address his critics directly. He had to confront the Corinthians’ concept of the “so-called great emissaries” who trumpeted their own accomplishments and highlighted their spiritual qualifications while taking money from the Corinthians. Paul told the Corinthians that he was “out of [his] mind” (2 Corinthians 11:23 NIV) and having to resort to “foolishness” (2 Corinthians 11:1) to defend himself, but the Corinthians had left him no other choice (2 Corinthians 11:16-21; 2 Corinthians 12:11). Paul exposed the “so-called great emissaries” for the charlatans and frauds they were (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). Even when Paul finally resorted to boasting about his supernatural experience and his powerfully fruitful ministry, he ultimately came back to his weakness, his “nagging nuisance” from Satan, as his sign of integrity. Even though Paul asked the Father three times to remove his “nagging nuisance” — also called his “thorn in the flesh” — the Father did not remove it. Paul emphasized that this “nagging nuisance” was present in his life to keep him from becoming “too high and mighty.” Paul was being reminded that the Father’s “grace [was] enough to cover and sustain” him. He was challenged to see that the Father’s “power is made perfect in weakness.” Bottom line: Paul wanted the Corinthians to know that My example of being a sacrificial servant must be the primary mark of authenticity that they used for greatness. A truly great emissary, apostle, or minister is known for her or his willingness to sacrifice and serve. If the credibility of the Corinthians’ “so-called great emissaries” was not found in sacrificing for others like I did, then their ministry was not really empowered by Me. Verses to Live As you read these verses, use them to help you assess the value and importance of anyone who claims to minister in My name. I want you to keep asking yourself if your standard is like the Corinthians’ standard or like Paul’s standard. Boasting like this [as in the preceding verses] is necessary, but it’s unbecoming and probably unavailing. Since you won’t hear me any other way, let me tell you about visions and revelations I received of the Lord. Fourteen years ago, there was this man I knew — a believer in the Anointed Who was caught up to the third heaven. (Whether this was an in- or out-of-body experience I don’t know; only God knows.) This man was caught up into paradise (let me say it again, whether this was an in- or out-of-body experience I don’t know; only God knows), and he heard inexpressible words — words a mortal man is forbidden to utter. I could brag about such a man; but as for me, I have nothing to brag about outside my own shortcomings. So if I want to boast, I won’t do so as a fool because I will be speaking the truth. But I will stop there, since I don’t want to be credited with anything except exactly what people see and hear from me. To keep me grounded and stop me from becoming too high and mighty due to the extraordinary character of these revelations, I was given a thorn in the flesh — a nagging nuisance of Satan, a messenger to plague me! I begged the Lord three times to liberate me from its anguish; and finally He said to me, “My grace is enough to cover and sustain you. My power is made perfect in weakness.” So ask me about my thorn, inquire about my weaknesses, and I will gladly go on and on — I would rather stake my claim in these and have
Today’s Verse – Romans 8:26-27
In the same way [as the Spirit blesses us in so many ways in our lives], the Spirit [also] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. —Romans 8:26-27 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Sometimes, our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling like BBs and fall to the floor, rattling around under our feet and tripping us up in mockery of our requests. Other times, we are overcome with emotion, and the words of our prayers can’t begin to capture what’s crashing around in our hearts. Thanks be to God for the assurance that the power of our prayers is not dependent upon the choice of our words but upon his grace given us by the Holy Spirit’s intercession. The Holy Spirit presents our requests — our words, our emotions, and even the things beyond our words and emotions — and he does so to God powerfully and acceptably, no matter what comes out of our hearts and mouths! My Prayer… Holy God and loving Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, through whom I have the ultimate assurance that you hear and accept my words, thoughts, emotions, and even the conflicts of my heart when I pray. In Jesus’ name, I thank you for this grace. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Grow in this Gracious Gift of Giving
Note from Jesus Dear Child of the Father, You are never more like the Father than when you generously give to bless others, especially others in need. The Father has graciously poured out His blessings on you in so many ways. My life on earth was an example of the Father’s love. That love led the Father to bless and graciously give the best of life to you. So I want you to read carefully through the passages below from Paul. He was addressing the Corinthians about a gift they had promised to give for the poor brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. But after Paul left, they began to procrastinate on bringing this gift to completion. Paul had high hopes for this gift from the Corinthians. Their gift was part of a larger gift from Gentile Christians given to help the needy Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. The last paragraph of your reading today gives you Paul’s words about their gift. In addition to helping the impoverished and persecuted believers in Jerusalem, Paul had a goal to bless the Christians throughout Macedonia, Achaia, and the Roman province of Asia with a connection to the Christians in Jerusalem through their giving. This connection would bind Jewish and Gentile Christians together into one loving family. Unfortunately, as the Corinthians grew cold toward Paul and his ministry, they also grew cold toward helping their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. Paul felt that he needed to address this situation in his letter to them in the following ways. He taught, reminded, and challenged the Corinthians to reawaken their hearts toward generosity. You will read about some of what he taught, reminded, and challenged in the verses below. He told the Corinthians about the generosity of their Macedonian brothers and sisters who had been through suffering and persecution in addition to being poor: [I]n the face of severe anguish and hard times, their elation and poverty have overflowed into a wealth of generosity. Paul wanted the example of the Macedonian Christians to motivate the believers in Corinth into generous action. He told the Corinthians that he was sending one of his apprentices, Titus, to Corinth to help them complete their gift. This gift was to be a “gracious work of charity.” Paul connected to their sense of pride at being a spiritually gifted church that was “rich in everything.” He then challenged them to “invest richly in this gracious work” of giving to the needs of the Jerusalem Christians. He wanted them to be great in this gracious gift of giving, too! He didn’t command the Corinthians to participate in this offering for the believers in Jerusalem. Instead, he challenged them to prove that their love for Me and their love for these brothers and sisters in faith were genuine. In response to the costly grace they had received and by following My example, they were to share with their Christian brothers and sisters who were in deep need. Their love would be proved genuine through their loving action, or it would be proved false by their inaction. Paul reminded the Corinthians about a rule of the harvest: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” They were not going to receive nearly all the blessings the Father intended for them if they were miserly and neglectful! The Father longed to bless them so that they could bless others even more. They would never out give the Father. In fact, they would actually be blessed more the more they blessed others in need: God is ready to overwhelm you with more blessings than you could ever imagine so that you’ll always be taken care of in every way and you’ll have more than enough to share. … You will be made rich in everything so that your generosity will spill over in every direction. Through us [Paul and his co-workers] your generosity is at work inspiring praise and thanksgiving to God. For this mission will do more than bring food and water to fellow believers in need — it will overflow in a cascade of praises and thanksgivings for our God. At the end of both passages you will read today, Paul finished speaking to their hearts about being generous by reminding them of Me. I was the Father’s greatest gift. I was given to redeem them at great cost. (See the sentences in bold below.) Verses to Live While this message was directed specifically to the Corinthian disciples about helping their poor brothers and sisters in Jerusalem, the basic principles of Paul’s teachings are very powerful for you to remember. You need to grow in the grace of generous giving. The more you share, the more the Father will entrust you to share with others. You will always have enough to share if you share generously. However, your motivation for giving should never be to get more. Instead, your desire to give should be based on your love response to the generous gifts you’ve received from the Father; you should want to give because you have a desire to bless those in need. You should give because you desire to grow in the grace of giving and be like your Father in heaven. Now, brothers and sisters, let me tell you about the amazing gift of God’s grace that’s happening throughout the churches in Macedonia. Even in the face of severe anguish and hard times, their elation and poverty have overflowed into a wealth of generosity. I watched as they willingly gave what they could afford and then went beyond to give even more. They came to us on their own, begging to take part in this work of grace to support the poor saints in Judea. We were so overwhelmed — none of us expected their reaction — that they truly turned their lives over to the Lord and then gave themselves to support us in our work as we answer the call of God. That’s
Today’s Verse – Romans 8:25
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. —Romans 8:25 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… I’m not good at waiting. I don’t like waiting for Christmas. I don’t like waiting in line to check out or check in somewhere. I don’t like waiting for someone who is late. I don’t like waiting for a surprise. I don’t like to wait for…. well, you get the idea, I don’t like to wait. But my hope in the LORD gives me patience beyond my human tendency. As much as the LORD has blessed me, I’m fully confident that I can’t even begin to imagine the good things Jesus has in store for me when he comes again! So, while I wait, I try to stay busy, busy loving my Father in heaven and busy sharing his grace with others. My Prayer… Thank you, dear Father, for the patience I possess as I await Jesus’ coming. This patience is beyond my normal inclination, and I recognize it as a gift from your indwelling Spirit. Bless my efforts at leading others to know Jesus and to find salvation in him. Bless my faith so that it will be strong and endure my waiting. Please bless my life, not with worldly goods but with godly patience and compassionate character, so I can be a light to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.