Archive for the ‘2 Corinthians’ Category

Day 360: Sometimes I Forget

Sunday, December 26th, 2010

The reading for today is Revelation 16:1-17:6 if you want to get technical. If reading about the Seven Bowls of Wrath is your mood today, by all means, give it a go. I don’t mean to trivialize this passage, but today I hope you will allow me to write more from the heart.

On Christmas Eve my family journeyed to Bender Terrace Nursing Home in Lubbock, Texas to visit a few folks. Those of you that read this blog with regularity (Bob has assured me that you exist) know that my Grandmother passed away the night before Thanksgiving this year. She lived her last few months at Bender Terrace and we were so grateful for the care and love she received from the residents there. Gigi (as she was lovingly called) was very fortunate to have family close that would come spend time with her on a daily basis. She knew that she wasn’t forgotten. She knew she was loved.

Driving home from her funeral I had an idea. Day before yesterday that idea became a reality. At 3:30PM on Christmas Eve, my entire family (parents, sisters, brother-in-laws, nephews, daughters) showed up with handmade gifts from the kids. We walked every hallway. We went into every room. We hugged. We listened. We smiled. We laughed. We sang for two dining halls. Every person there was given a gift of love. When we left, we all agreed that there was no greater gift than the feeling of sharing the love of Christ with people who feel forgotten.

Sometimes I forget that being a Christian is far more than mere believing. It is living that belief. 2 Corinthians 9:7

May God bless you and keep you!
Matt Wilson

Posted in 2 Corinthians, Family, Love | 1 Comment »

Day 275: 2 Corinthians 12 — Power perfected by weakness

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010

This has always amazed me about God:

  • He chose someone who couldn’t speak well to be a spokesman.
  • He chose a swindler to be treasurer.
  • He gave a son to a couple who were “as good as dead”.
  • He grew a powerful nation of a million out of 70.
  • One of the great lasting legacies of Israelite kingship was from an 8 year-old boy.
  • He won a battle with 300 men, when their judge was sure it would take 32,000.
  • …and so on.

Yes, I’m amazed at all those things — and more. I’m still amazed today. I’m amazed that He has chosen to take His message of love, grace, and mercy to His own people, using jars of clay to do it. The imperfect to preach perfection to the unsaved. I keep reminding myself that if God’s chosen vessels of humanity won’t do the work — if we are convinced we can’t do the work — it won’t get done.

“…my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor 12:9

Yes, thank you Lord. I’m reminded of this every day, and it helps me to focus.

Tags: , ,
Posted in 2 Corinthians | Comments Off

Day 274: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 – Boasting in How Stupid I Am

Friday, October 1st, 2010

A couple days ago I wrote about having paid off 75k in consumer debt. Many people look at that and say “Wow, what an accomplishment!” I look back on it and say “How stupid was I to rack up that much debt in the first place?!?” I have learned that one of the best ways to help people in the situations they are in is to talk about some of the stupid things I’ve done and then the process of working out of those situations. If I come up to you and said “Here’s what you need to do to lose weight” you would probably shut me out. If I come up to you and tell you about how I was overweight and on medication and constantly sick and lethargic, but now I’ve dropped 55 pounds, take no medication, and feel great you might start to listen. We listen to people who have been there and overcome much more than someone who has merely studied the situation or has some idea about how to help. Unfortunately, this requires us to admit our own shortfalls before we can help others (that rings a bell). However, many of us have the attitude of “I once thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken”.

In 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 Paul writes about “the things that show my weakness.” He is not afraid to talk about the bad things that happened and even how weak and sinful he is. And that’s where his hope is found, through his own weakness, he is able to see God more clearly and allow God to lead him. In doing so, he provides hope to those who are currently struggling.

On a side note, I love the way Paul opens his boastings: “You listen to all these other fools, so you might as well listen to me.” I’ll have to try that at work sometime. :)

Tags: , , ,
Posted in 2 Corinthians, Boldness, Paul | Comments Off

Day 273: Proverbs 25:1-27:9; 2 Corinthians 10:7-11:15 — Words, words, words

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

So tell me about yourself. Yes, sir, I am the biggest, fastest, most superbest at whatever you want to have done, find out, or worship. What?

The Proverbs writer reminds every leader to keep fools and liars far from his counselors, then carries forward several pithy and pointed descriptions of the problems brought by those whose mouths keep on long after the brain stops, if it had started at all — and some days that would be me, that latter avoidable character, that is. How often I need to read these passages, reminding me to be careful to whom I listen and be so careful of the words I use.

Paul reminds every preacher, teacher, and every person who holds the word of God in his or her mouth, that God alone is the source of all wisdom, the source of salvation. Too often in the past, and too easily now, a person has confused his own importance with the greatness of the message he holds. Just because I know what is true, or think I do, does not make me the source, just a blessed recipient and duty-bound to pass on the good news. I must always remember who God is, and I am not He.

And, church, listen up: the hottest, smartest, smoothest, most highly educated motivational spiritual speaker you can bring in and pay big dollars may be one of the proud graduates of the School of Satan. We are bombarded by the notion that the old truths are stuffy, not deep enough, not powerful enough, not fulfilling, and certainly out of date for this modern, post modern, enlightened culture. Must we bring in the circus, clowns and all? If the church is not growing exponentially must we get the flashiest, high profile thing going, soft and comfortable on the ears and life to entice the masses? The Holy Spirit, through Paul, admonishes the church to hear the gospel, to live the truth, and be a beacon of safety leading to Jesus. The church must know the truth, know the Bible, to recognize a worthy vessel of the gospel and a cheap imitation.

Prayer: Holy, Righteous Father, Thy word is truth, may we always be blessed to be called Your children. Help us to follow Your will and wisdom, to know what and when to speak, to listen, and always hear You. In Jesus name we thank You. Amen.

Tags:
Posted in 2 Corinthians, Proverbs | Comments Off

Day 272: Proverbs 24:23-34, 2 Corinthians 9 — Tomorrow, I’ll do it tomorrow

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

How much of our service to God is planned? No, I’m not talking about being at services twice each Sunday and Wednesday evenings. Although, maybe those times should be included. We have two interesting passages today — one from Proverbs and the other from 2 Corinthians.

The passage in Proverbs (Prov. 24:30-34) is a warning about laziness or maybe just procrastination. The passage in 2 Corinthians (2 Cor. 9) is a gentle reminder to these people who had made a commitment but had not yet completed it and time was drawing near.

I have from time to time, today included, put off doing things until the last moment. I started to write this on Monday. I read the passages, had an idea, thought that will work, I’ll do it tomorrow. My only problem was yesterday found me at the hospital sitting with a family while their daughter had surgery. By the time I left there and took care of some things (because of phone calls) and got seated in my office it was after three. I just got the computer turned on when the knock at the door came. She needed to talk.

When you start your day at 5:00AM and it runs nonstop until 4:00PM you are tired and tomorrow looks like a better day to work on the project. Yes I could have gotten the laptop out and worked from the comfort of my chair but a friend showed up unannounced needing some help, hadn’t spoken to my wife all day and there was the project in the shop that is days behind where I want to be. And I could have taken the time to write this on Monday with no pressure.

So back to my original question, do we serve God as a priority? Scott, that was not your original question. Not the exact words but it was the intent. I really like doing things ahead but there are those time when Satan sneaks in and causes us to believe there is plenty of time, no need to prepare now.

Yet God cautions us in many way prepare now! For tomorrow will be too late!

Tags: ,
Posted in 2 Corinthians, Proverbs | 2 Comments »

Day 271: Proverbs 22:17-24:22; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24 — How in the world…?

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

Those who know me well know I’m a big Dave Ramsey fan. He says silly things like “Debt is dumb. Cash is king.” And “Normal is broke. Be weird.” Those silly sayings are funny but they are not trite. Like many of the Proverbs, they are meant to shift our thinking away from the normal attitudes that our culture has instilled in us toward the radical thinking that comes from the Creator of the universe. Through following Dave’s teachings (most of which he stole from the book of Proverbs) and by the grace of God my family paid off $75,000 in 2.5 years and has been debt free for the past year.

Proverbs is a book of common sense. Unfortunately, common sense is not so common these days, and haven’t we seen this statement come to pass too many times in the last 3 years: “Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.” (Proverbs 22:26-27) So many people lost their homes because they were lured into the false security provided by the world.

The first century church encountered some tough economic times in parts of their world (as have people throughout the centuries). And what was their solution to the situation? “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.” (2 Corinthians 8:15 quoted from Exodus 16:18)

This is not socialism in the modern sense of the word where the government takes care of everyone. This is Christianity in the Acts 2:44-45 sense of the word where all the believers worked together so that no one was in need. How in the world do I go about doing something like this in America today? The answer is that “in the world” I don’t. But in God’s economy, all things are possible, the wise are made foolish, the rich are made poor and the humble are exalted.

Christ calls me to move away from the wisdom and riches of the world into his kingdom. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

God’s ways are the best ways. He calls me to be more than I am. He wants to mold me into the image of his Son so that I can be near him always in this life and the next. So many things pull me away from Him. I have recently read 2 books, Crazy Love and Sacred Marriage, that have challenged me to reevaluate how I live in the world and how I want to lead my family toward God. (I would highly recommend both books to everyone.)

Father, help me to listen to you rather than the world. Help me to follow your path so that I may be near you.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in 2 Corinthians, Holy, Proverbs, Treasure | 1 Comment »

Day 270: Proverbs 16:1-22:16; 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:16 — As the World Spins

Monday, September 27th, 2010

I remember that parks and playgrounds had the push-it-go-round. You hang on for all you’re worth and your friends pulled or pushed it around faster and faster until they had to stop. Then you had to decide whether to hang on or fly off. If you flew off you could get hurt. If you hung on you had to be careful of what you watched as it spun — look at your friends as you spin and laugh or shout, but not too much or you can feel sick and dizzy. Watch the middle of the thing, still get dizzy. Fun, fun, fun! Then you do it again!

Life feels like that, spinning faster and faster. Decisions I make, things people do, processes of life itself, and the unpredictable vicissitudes of life spin us faster and faster. Each day brings its own rounds of get up, go here, go there, do this and that, why did this happen? how can I deal with that? How do I not get sick? not jump off?

Reading Proverbs, at times, feels in my mind like it is spinning, written in rounds: be righteous, fear God, do well, work hard, seek wisdom, speak truth, and watch out for the fool — don’t be one; watch for how you raise the children, marriage is honorable, be faithful to your wife. Man plans but God provides. God writes to us the way life spins. The Proverbs writer, with little time out for a narrative or short topic, writes the way I live. As I spin through the day, God’s words keep coming back to me about work, family, marriage, my soul, other people, justice, honesty, righteous and holy living. He keeps us focused — what to look for, what “to watch” so that we do not have to get so sick, so dizzy, so disoriented. God does not stop the spinning. He tells us how to hang on.

Then Paul hits the target dead center for the Corinthian church: Come out from among them, touch not the unclean thing, I will be your God and you shall be my people. As His church we learn what to watch, what to do, how to hang on. We hang on to Him and each other. Hold to His hand. He will not let go of us!

Prayer: Holy, Righteous Father, today I will keep spinning through life, help me be focused and holy. Thank You for giving me the One to watch, Jesus. Thank you for holding on to me. In His name, we seek Your will, and thank You. Amen.

Tags: ,
Posted in 2 Corinthians, Proverbs | 2 Comments »

Day 268: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 — Being renewed day by day

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

What is possibly my favorite verse in 2 Corinthians closed out yesterday’s reading — But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Cor 4:7. Paul continues those thoughts in the remainder of chapter 4, with encouragement such as “life is at work in you”, “we know that the one who raised Jesus…will also raise us”, “this is for your benefit, so that…thanksgiving [will] overflow to the glory of God”.

In the closing verses of chapter 4, quoted above, he reminds us that although we are getting older, and our bodies are deteriorating more each day, there is something beyond that — something of eternal importance.

When I read we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, my first reaction is that this is a good theory, but humans can’t do that. We can only see what we can see. That’s where our vision is, and that’s where our thoughts are.

Yet that’s not really true, is it?

Have you ever looked forward to something you haven’t experienced yet? Perhaps an upcoming marriage. First house. First child. The joy of leading someone else to Christ. Surely you daydream; we all do, don’t we? What Paul is talking about here is much more than daydreaming, because this dream results from a promise.

What is unseen is eternal.

And realizing this is what renews us day by day.

Tags: , ,
Posted in 2 Corinthians, Redemption, Salvation, Treasure | Comments Off

Day 267: 2 Corinthians 3:6-4:7 — Removing the Veil

Friday, September 24th, 2010

Paul discusses in this section of the letter how the Israelites’ minds were made dull in that they could not see the glory of God as Moses had (2 Cor. 3:13-14) and that their minds were still dull in the time of Paul when the Old Testament was read. A veil covers their hearts but whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away (2 Cor. 3:15-16). With the freedom in the Lord that the Spirit gives us, we reflect the Lord’s glory and are being transformed into his likeness (2 Cor. 3:18).

Wow, its hard for me to imagine that God, through Jesus Christ, gives me the ability to see him, not through a veil, but clearly and this didn’t happen with the Israelites then or now. Jesus is a part of us and we, no matter what our circumstances, reflect Jesus. What a blessing and a responsibility. We are blessed to be given this through grace but have a responsibility to reflect Jesus Christ in our lives. I wish that I could say that I always reflect Jesus Christ in a good way, but I certainly don’t, far from it. It’s through God’s grace that even when I don’t, God’s grace is working in me to help me to be transformed into something better than I am or can be on my own. I will never, in this earthly tent of a body, be perfect. But by Jesus Christ, the veil was removed so that I can focus clearly on the life to come when I will be made perfect in God.

Posted in 2 Corinthians | 1 Comment »

Day 246: 1 Corinthians 1:14-2 Corinthians 2:5 — Humbleness

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Have you ever thought of Paul as being humble. I really have not pictured Paul as a humble man. I picture through reading his writings, Paul as a strong, confident man who was not afraid to proclaim the gospel any place, any time, to any people. From these particular scriptures, I get a different picture of Paul. Paul takes on a humble nature in order that God is glorified. Paul expressed that he was glad that he had baptized only a few people (1 Cor. 1:14-17) so that he did not become the center of attention by people who might egotistically want to put it out that they were better than other baptized believers because they had been baptized by Paul. Humans tend to want to do things like that to make themselves appear to be better than others in the same situation.

Paul then goes on to discuss how the power of God “destroys the wisdom of the wise and frustrates the intelligence of the intelligent” (1 Cor. 1:19). Paul elaborates by stating how Christ crucified is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles (1 Cor. 1:23). The Jews expected a triumphant, political Messiah and the Greeks and Romans thought that no reputable person would be crucified since crucifixion was for criminals. Both groups could not imagine that the Savior of the World would save them through something that they thought was below such a Savior or King. Paul says that God used this to demonstrate that what man thought was foolishness was really wise.

How often do we find ourselves, or a better way to say it is how often do I find myself thinking “God wouldn’t really do it that way would he?” What I forget is that God thinks in a different way than I do. He uses all different means, even what appears to us to be lowly people, things, or situations to advance his purpose. Paul was trying to tell the Corinthians and thus us that we need to look past ourselves and our thoughts and put God first. In this way we are humbling ourselves to God or putting him first and not our agenda first.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Humility, Paul | 1 Comment »