Struggling to Keep My Mouth in Alignment with my Heart

I'm struggling with issues of the mouth again. My mouth is an issue. When I let my feelings have control of my mouth - the result isn't pretty. The Bible tells me to cease anger and forsake wrath because it only causes harm. Do not fret - it only causes harm. I'm telling you, Jesus has convicted me to love. My heart loves Jesus and I only want to let love flow from my heart and out of my mouth. 

When I lived in the world, I used to walk in ways that don't show love. I was angry and could cuss with the best. That is not the way I live my life anymore. I have to keep in the word to keep these sins out of my heart and mind. Today, I am so thankful for the many blessing in my life. My heart belongs to Jesus. I have to stay in the word to keep my tongue in alignment with my heart. 

neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.    Ephesians 5:4

When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.    Colossians 3:7-8

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.     Psalm 27:8

Keeping in Alignment with God's Plan

 

Sunrise. The start of a new day. A day full of plans. In the mornings, I am prone to jumping out of bed, rushing around getting ready, and going off to work. Did I wake and pray? No, I did not. I'm rushing off into a new day without acknowledging God. This is where the temptation to fall into my own plans and stray out of God's plan happens. 

Luckily, I know that I can start my day over at anytime. All I have to do is stop and pray, have a little talk with my heavenly Father about my attitude and actions. God wants the best for me. I just have to remember to have some quiet time with him, be still, and listen for some guidance from the Holy Spirit. This is how I stay in God's plan. Prayer time keeps me in spiritual alignment with God's plan for my day. Don't skip that quiet moment of morning prayer with God. Skipping prayer time is the start of a slide into your plans and out of God's plan. 

There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel-that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 NKJV

Bible Study Blues? Don't Let it Get You Down.

I joined the ladies' fall bible study three weeks ago. The study is Lauren Chandler's, With Us in the Wilderness. This is a meaty bible study! Am I getting an hour of bible study done each day? No, I am not. 

I am getting a day done about Wednesday or Thursday. On Friday night, I am getting two days of the study done and on Saturday night, I am getting two days of the study done. You know what? It doesn't matter that I am not studying each and every day! It doesn't matter because what is important is that I am studying the word. Yes, my bible is open and I am reading. My desire is to learn and grow in my relationship with the Lord.

Do not stress yourself out over a bible study. Relax and enjoy it! This isn't homework. Relax. Be Happy. Do. Not. Stress. 

Suicide is Personal and Makes Me Sad

My adult nephew committed suicide. He was active duty military. A high school classmate of my grandchild committed suicide. 

Oh, children of God, my heart hurts for you! God loves you! He is for you! Please do not lose hope! That empty hole inside you is where Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit belong. You can try to fill it with worldly things, but nothing will make you happy for long. That empty spot isn't for material things, it can only be filled by surrendering to and asking Jesus to be in control of your life. THEN the Holy Spirit will come to reside inside of you. That emptiness will be gone.

And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

Revelation 21:6 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.21.6.NKJV

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/act.2.38.NKJV

Reverse Values: Servants Shall Be First

Writing an acrostic poem for the word "servant" helps me to see what I think about having a servant's attitude, or heart.  It's a word association about my beliefs.  Try it yourself. You may be surprised by what comes to your mind as you write down phrases for each letter. 

Reverse values. 
Jesus was all about reverse values. He was a king with no storehouses full of possessions. He was a king who walked from town to town. Jesus was a Servant King who washed the feet of his disciples. Foot washing was a job given to slaves or the lowest of servants. Yes, Jesus had no riches or rich trappings. He was the opposite of what everyone thought a king should be. Jesus set the bar at being a servant. Yes, waiting on others is how you become first in the kingdom of heaven. 

Today, I try to be the best servant I can be, one day at a time. 
What does that mean? Before COVID-19, it meant at the store, I smile and look for opportunities to help others. I can carry bags to cars, return carts to the store, or give someone my cart. 

With COVID-19 concerns, I can carry disinfectant wipes and wipe off my cart handle before offering it to someone. I am still going to carry bags. I will just have to sanitize my hands afterward. I'm already doing that anyway.  

If someone stops to talk to me, I patiently listen. Everyone needs to talk.  

At the bank drive-through, I smile at the cashier. Smiles are contagious. No matter where I go, I look for an opportunity to tell others that Jesus loves them. Sometimes it is the smallest of gestures, that means the most to others.  


Matthew 19:29-30
29And every one that has forsaken houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred times, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Matthew 20: 12,14,16
12Saying, These last have worked but one hour, and you have made them equal to us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
14Take what is yours, and go your way: I wish to give to this last man, the same as to you. 
16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Matthew 20:26-28
 26But it shall not be so among you: but whoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27And whoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

John 13:14
14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet. 

Quiet Yourself Beloved

The Lord spoke to my heart and said,

Quiet yourself beloved. I am your strength. I am your fortress. Do not listen to the words of man. My ways are not their ways.

The news is full of trouble and turmoil. Very little news shows the goodness and kindness of people. 

Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, and the COVID-19 virus are covered from morning 'til night. Every time I turn on my television or go online there it is! Disaster and horrific events are in banner headlines with a good mix of celebrity life and misbehavior. Half naked and almost completely naked people are splashed across social media platforms and screens disguised as commercials and advertisements. 

God has his own ways. 
He moves in ways that my finite mind cannot grasp. The Creator of All is infinite. He loves you and I.  We can rely on Him. There are plenty of miracles happening in the world if we will just look for them. 

Remember, Father God works in ways that are not our ways. Turn to Him and let His strength empower you today. 

Psalm 59:7-8
See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
and they think, “Who can hear us?”
But you laugh at them, Lord; you scoff at all those nations.

Psalm 59:12
For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Psalm 59:16-17
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

There is a Whole Lot of Waiting in the Bible

There are two bowls of cereal on the table waiting for the grandsons to sit down for breakfast. There isn't milk on the cereal yet. Who wants soggy cereal? Right? As I stand at the refrigerator door about to get the milk out, I tell them that breakfast is ready. Both of the boys run into the kitchen and sit down at the table. Do the kiddos see me about to get the milk out of the refrigerator? You would think so but no, both of them start asking where the milk is. Why does this happen? It's called instant gratification, or I want what I want NOW!

What does the Bible say about instant gratification? I know the Bible doesn't say instant gratification, but it does say to wait. It says that a LOT. 

My quick Google search for, "How many times is wait in the Bible"  revealed this factoid from Quora.com,

" ...there are at least 7 words in Hebrew and Greek that can be translated "wait"... (a Bible) word search for "wait" results in 106 hits."

There is a whole lot of waiting in the Bible. 

• Adam and Eve waited on God to visit them
• Miriam waited for Pharoh's daughter to find Moses.
• The Israelites waited for 40 years in the wilderness.
• Samson had to wait for his hair to grow out.
• Jacob worked and waited for Leah for seven years. 
• Abraham waited for a son for years and years. 
• Noah waited for the flood and waited for the water to recede.
• David waited for years to become king. He even wrote about waiting while he was waiting. 

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD          Psalm 27:13-14

I'm seeing a theme here. How about you? I know it's hard to be patient and wait. As a believer in Jesus, I am fixing my focus on the future and I will try to wait patiently on the LORD.  Now, to try and get the grandsons to wait patiently on the milk for their cereal!

A Motorcycle Ride Lifted Our Spirits!

The hubby and I took a motorcycle ride Tuesday. 

Bill asked me if I could plan a route that would keep us in the rural areas. I did just that. 

My spirits lifted as we rode through the twisting turns of Highway 42 that took us through valleys and along ridge tops. One word kept coming to my mind, GREEN - emerald green grass, yellow-green tree buds, and every other shade of green. Then there is the purple-red beauty of flowering redbud trees that flourish in the rocky soil that flanks our roadways. I found myself wanting to be able to take pictures with my eyes that I could download later of particularly beautiful sights - the section of road on Highway 17 where the oaks tried to meet overhead and blooming redbud trees lined the roadside; the coyote that dashed across the road: the scenic view that greeted our eyes as we topped a ridge and saw gently rounded, green hilltops stretching out for miles. 

God sure knew what he was doing when he created this world! 

Not once did I think about COVID-19 as Bill and I followed each other through the rural, scenic beauty that announced spring has arrived. It was a much needed mental health day that focused our attention on God the Creator. When we returned home, we both were relaxed and smiling. 

Thank you, Lord, for giving us a day like this! 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

Verse of the Week - Galatians 2:11-12

Typed error in the picture: circumcicion should be circumcision 

Paul opposed Peter because he wouldn't take a stand. 

Peter had been following Paul's example of eating with the Gentiles and fellowshipping with them. However, he changed when the strictly Hebrew faction or circumcision group arrived in Antioch. 

Paul was 100% about sharing Jesus' teachings with the Gentiles and he wasn't happy with Peter for changing his actions and behaviors to make the circumcision group happy. 

Paul said Peter was afraid. 

Peter hasn't changed much, has he? He is still the disciple who said he would NEVER fall away from Jesus or deny him. However, Peter fulfilled Jesus' prediction and denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed after Jesus was arrested. Matthew 26:34  Peter's experience didn't change his later actions did it? He knew Jesus personally and was one of the first disciples to be chosen, but this just illustrates to me how the Lord chooses a weak vessel to accomplish his will. 

Are We Hung by Our Own Tongue?

I was watching Andrew Wommack's television broadcast awhile back with Bill. 
Andrew was teaching from Proverbs 18:21,"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Andrew's question was this, "What if the words we speak actually caused someone to live or to die?" How would it change your life?" Immediately, I felt as if I had been struck by an unseen stone somewhere inside my head and my heart. I know I sometimes speak words that would cause death and now I was being convicted by the Holy Spirit. It isn't a good feeling to know I have fallen short and my heavenly Father is bringing it to my attention in an unmistakable manner.
You see, this is an area in which I struggle every day.
Speaking only good about others is not my strongest character trait. I am being kind and not calling myself a slanderer or a gossip. I don't mean to be either of these things. However, if others are speaking unkindly about someone, I usually find myself joining the conversation.
God brought this to my attention through the question spoken by Andrew Wommack.
This isn't the first time he has brought this to my attention, but it is the first time I felt as if I had been struck by an unseen stone from the inside out. No matter how much I desire to not gossip or speak unkindly of others, I am still doing it. That is what brought this sense of being struck, or convicted. I cannot do it anymore. Through the Holy Spirit, I have been corrected and in the aftermath of that correction I am meditating on Proverbs 18:21 and thinking about my words as having the actual ability to cause life or death. Proverbs 18:21 is my tool to combat this area of weakness within myself.
Additionally, I've been given another tool to use, Psalm 15. 
This tool reached me through a bible study of Lisa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women Walk in Faith. Psalm 15 was part of the personal Bible study for the "Famine" chapter's first lesson. Psalm 15 says,

"Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous,
who speaks truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.
who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord,
who keeps his oath even when it hurts, 

The bold print is my addition.
These are the phrases that sank into my head and heart as I read the psalm. These are the phrases that I KNOW are my second tool to use in my battle to keep my tongue speaking words of life. I do not believe this psalm just happened to be part of a bible study that just happened to coincide with the conviction that I received from God through the Holy Spirit. In faith, I choose to believe that I am being given another tool by the Lord to continue meditating upon so that I may dwell in His sanctuary and live on His holy hill.
This is part of God's plan for me. 
I am being shaped and molded into a better vessel to be used by the Lord. I am a branch having the weak and dead areas pruned from it so that I may flourish and grow stronger. You see, my heart's desire is to be the best me I can be for Jesus and to stay squarely in the middle of God's plan for me. To do this, I have to accept truths about myself that hurt. The sting will lessen as I persevere and grow, and now I have two tools to use in my battle to keep my tongue speaking life. Amen?

Ephesians 4:30
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
John 15:1-2
1“ I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Romans 9:20-21
20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

For additional reading and bible verses on this topic go to:
https://joyfilledwoman.blogspot.com/2014/08/dont-get-hung-by-your-tongue.html 

Verse of the Week - Galatians 2:9

God had a plan for each of the disciples. 

Paul and Barnabus were to go to the Gentiles to preach Jesus' message and the other disciples were preaching to the Hebrew people. 

God has a plan for me today.

Today, I am reaching out to my sisters-in-faith and encouraging them to pray and listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised this wise counselor would come so that we would not be orphans. Amen? Part of God's plan for me is to help my sisters stand firm in their faith. I know this.

Additionally, I am called to write.

I don't know why, but I am being obedient. I may not be the greatest writer of all time, but I am being obedient. My writing is based on my faith and how I arrived at this point in my faith journey. Anytime I don't write for a week or two, the Holy Spirit calls me back to it. Yes, I feel discouraged at times, but my husband reminds me that what I am doing isn't about reaching masses of people. I am writing to be obedient to God. Hopefully, what I write will help someone but the point is----I am being obedient when I can't see a reward for my commitment. I am being obedient when I don't understand the plan. 

John 14:16-18

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 

Psalm 27:14

 14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

Verse of the Week - Galatians 1:11-13

Paul's Testimony is Amazing to Me
Here he is owning that he had a personal and intimate revelation from Jesus. He is facing a crowd and admitting how intensely he was persecuting the church.
From Spiritual Revelation to Testimony
As I read these words, I think of the many testimonies I have heard from people who have had an intensely spiritual revelation from Jesus that completely altered their lives. Sex, drugs, and addictive behavior are left behind in the dark shadows of a painful lifestyle. Their path in life changes after they decide to become followers of Jesus Christ. In the past, theses people would awake to a new day with dread and fear in their hearts. Now they wake up with the light of the Son shining from within and complete confidence that this new day will be fine no matter what happens. Honestly, only a divine intervention can explain the testimony of Paul and the countless brothers and sisters who have had similar revelations.
I Stand in Awe of the Lord
God shows us his power by transforming people who no one else would want, into his strongest servants! Saul was responsible for the deaths of many people. He imprisoned men and women because they followed Jesus and his teachings. Saul's conversion was completely unexpected. I am sure there were people familiar with Saul who saw his transformation and were at a loss to explain what had happened to him. Can you imagine being Saul's mother, father, or synagogue teacher?

"It is hard to explain what happened to me. I was blinded by this light on the way to Damascus and the Lord talked to me. He called me to follow Him even though I was killing his people. Then, I had to find my way to Damascus and find a man who could teach me about Jesus and heal my blindness. I know it sounds unbelievable, but I knew it was the Lord. I know I am giving up a lot, but I am following my call."

All of us can imagine the conversations Saul would have had with family members can't we?
Persecutor Turned Teacher
Early church members didn't trust Saul. Most thought Saul was just finding a new way to seek out Christians to persecute and kill. However, that thought was proven wrong as the newly named Paul began his ministry and taught about the life of Jesus Christ.
As I sit here reading Paul's words, I gain a sense of how miraculous his conversion truly was.
How does a Roman citizen/zealous Pharisee who is bent on seeking and destroying heretical Jews change like this? At the heart of this question is my personal belief that Saul must have loved the Lord. Yes, he channeled his belief into killing people, but I think he must have had a love of God, too. This is sheer speculation on my part, but it is based upon my own life experiences with Jesus. However, what matters more than my speculation, is that after his Damascus road experience, Paul spent the rest of his life as an obedient servant to Jesus Christ and he shared the teachings of Jesus with others every single day that he was alive.

Verse of the Week - Galatians 1:10

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?
Good questions aren't they? As I grew to maturity as a branch on the Lord's vine, I had to be willing to let God prune some extra leaves and twigs from my actions and behaviors. One of behaviors that had to be pruned, or removed was my need to be a people pleaser. Yep, I had a terrible time learning that I could not please people first and God last. Below, is a list of lessons I have learned and strive to live by today.

• I can only accomplish a set number of tasks in today.
• Go to bed early and get up earlier to finish a task. I work more efficiently when I am rested. 
• It is okay to gracefully say no. Example: Thank-you so much for thinking of me. However, I already have a full calendar at that time.  Another graceful way to turn someone down is: I am so happy that you thought of me for this job, but I already have commitment(s) for that time, day, or week. 
• Giving of myself to gain approval - wanting others to recognize my contribution and give me a little pat on the head - is putting man above God. It isn't okay
• Faith requires me to go ahead and step out to do what God tells me to do, even when I feel fear. 
• There are always going to be people who don't like me and it is okay. 

Did you catch what I said about the lessons? 

I am striving, or trying, to live this way.  Am I always successful at living this way? Of course not. However, the moment I become aware that people pleasing behavior has crept back into my life, I remove it as quickly as possible through the following actions:  

First, I call on my father in heaven and ask him to remove that people pleasing sprout that has sprung up again. 

Then, I tell him I am willing to have it taken away. 

After that, I tell him that I am his to command and that I only want to do his will and not mine. The time in between each people pleasing pruning has become longer and longer as I trust my heavenly father to continue to shape me into the person he has plans for. 

If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
To be a bold witness for Jesus, I cannot worry about pleasing people. I can only please Jesus. I am his servant and that is all the approval that I need. Jesus gave me a job to do. I have to tell others about the Good News of Jesus Christ. My Jesus loves me and cares about me. God knows me intimately and sent the Holy Spirit to live in me. I don't need any more approval than that. Amen?

Verse of the Week - Galatians 1:6-7

Isn't Galatians so pertinent to today? 
When Paul wrote this, the problem was that Jewish Christians believed that some of the Old Testament ceremonies were still to be practiced by the followers of Jesus. They believed this despite the fact that Paul had preached that man is justified by faith in Jesus and through Jesus, faith in God. 

Today, people are still trying to pervert the gospel of Christ and change the meaning of what is written in the Bible.
I don't want to debate what the Bible says. I've read commentaries for the bible and I believe that the majority of Jesus' followers believe the bible as written.  I am grateful for my salvation and I KNOW I didn't get saved by any works that I did. 

Jesus saved my life and my life changed. 

I like how GotQuestions.org sums up salvation is by grace and through faith in their Statement of Faith:

We believe salvation is received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Good works and obedience are results of salvation, not requirements for salvation. Due to the greatness, sufficiency, and perfection of Christ's sacrifice, all those who have truly received Christ as Savior are eternally secure in salvation, kept by God's power, secured and sealed in Christ forever (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24). Just as salvation cannot be earned by good works, neither does it need good works to be maintained or sustained. Good works and changed lives are the inevitable results of salvation (James 2).

I especially love the use of the word inevitable in the last sentence! 
Faith in Jesus causes a changed life. At least, it truly changed mine and turned me into a joyful follower of Jesus. My heart's desire is to be a servant for the Lord and to accomplish the good works that HE sets before me. Do I hear an amen? 

My Word for 2018 is Jesus, or a Christian New Year's Resolution

Hello all,
You may have noticed that I haven't posted a lot from Dec.4 to Dec. 31. I spent the holiday season focusing on family, friends, and holiday events. However, today is the beginning of a new year and it is time to begin writing again.
I read a post on "Out of the Ashes", a FB public group, that was asking the members to post one word for 2018 as they received their word through prayer. 

My word was immediately given to me - Jesus.  Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Redeemer, Jesus the Teacher, Jesus the Servant, Jesus the Fisher of Men, Jesus the Sacrificial Lamb, Jesus the Healer, Jesus the Son of God, Jesus the Lord of my Life.
Jesus is in the beginning, middle, and end of my day.
That doesn't mean I don't fall short of his example though. I do. Daily. It is so hard to walk down the narrow path of faith and think of myself as a stranger in this life. I find myself concerned with things that have no bearing on my life as a follower of Jesus.

My actions and behaviors do not always reflect the loving light of Jesus Christ. So what do I do?

1. Ask for Jesus to help me and strengthen my ability to reflect his love and lifestyle as a servant of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit every day. 
2. Stop beating myself up mentally when I fall short and do my best to not repeat the error. Let the error teach me and not condemn me. Condemnation is Satan trying to widen the gap between myself and Jesus. I am not letting him succeed. 
3. Focus on what I am doing right. This simple activity will increase my spiritual connection with the Lord and keep Satan from trapping me into thoughts of condemnation. 
4. Evaluate my activities regularly and not let myself get caught up in busyness that stops me from reading my bible, meditating on the bible, and being a servant. This isn't an excuse to skip out on what the Lord calls me to do, but a way to keep me from getting caught up in activities that don't serve Jesus in anyway. 
5. I need to be a servant of the Lord that is actively asking people if they know Jesus and not a busy part of an organization that isn't fulfilling the needs of orphans, widows, homeless, and hurting people. Unconditional love for the unlovable is part of being a new person filled with the Holy Spirit.
6. Read my bible regularly. All of the bible, not just part of the bible. The bible is the "Sword of the Spirit" and can teach me how to think, act, and keep my mind focused on the new woman that I am. I will grow spiritually this way and begin to find myself speaking the word in my daily life, not quoting, but speaking the word as naturally as breathing. 

Jesus is my word and my way of life for 2018. 

I will continue to be a coheir of the kingdom of God and do my best to reflect the unconditional love and light as a follower of Jesus Christ. 

The Holy Spirit is my counselor, the bible is my instructional manual, and my Jesus will strengthen me to be his servant. 

Happy New Year and may the Lord bless you and keep you through the coming year,
Sallee Bonham

A Joy Filled Woman

Paul's 2nd Corinthian Letter - Week 4

Chapter 11

Paul and the False Apostles

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 11:2

• Paul is in the role of an earthly father who has engaged the saints to be married to Christ. 
• The church cannot follow anyone except Christ in order to remain a pure virgin. 

Paul was concerned that the church's minds could be led astray from their sincere and pure devotion to Christ, as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning. 11:3

Paul wasn't a "Super-apostle" 11:5

• Paul wasn't a trained speaker, but he had knowledge.
• Paul reassured the Corinthian church he wasn't wanting their money.
• Paul's sole desire was that they know Jesus.

Because Satan can hide himself as an angel of light, so can his servants. 11:13-11:15

• Paul points out that Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
• It shouldn't be surprising that Satan's servants masquerade as servants of righteousness, but their end will be what they deserve.
• The followers of Jesus shouldn't be surprised to find Satan's servants hiding themselves among the righteous. What better way to cause strife and disharmony than to masquerade as a faithful believer? 
• Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15
• For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Acts 20:29

"Hypocrisy may be looked for especially when we consider the great power which Satan...has upon the minds of many.Satan will allow his ministers to preach either the law or the gospel separately" Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary

 The law as established by faith in Christ's righteousness and atonement, and the partaking of his Spirit is the test of every false system.  Matthew Henry

Paul shares about his sufferings and service as a minister of Jesus Christ. 11:16-11:30

• Paul endured the following situations to the honor of God:

1. received 40 stripes 5 times save 1
2. beaten with rods 3 times
3. stoned once
4. shipwrecked 3 times
5. adrift at sea a night and a day

• Paul faced many perils during his journeys.

1. waters
2. robbers
3. his own countrymen
4. from the heathens
5. in the city
6. in the wilderness
7. in the sea
8. among false brothers

Even though Paul was in peril and endured great hardship, he still considered the care of all the churches.

"It astonishes us to reflect on this account of his dangers, hardships, and sufferings, and to observe his patience, perseverance, diligence, cheerfulness, and usefulness, in the midst of all these trials."  Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary

Chapter 12

 Paul's Revelation 12:1-12:5

• The church is built on the foundation of Paul's revelation
• Paul is about to tell, or show the greatest of his infirmities and he didn't want to tell more of his revelation because it might encourage them to focus more on him than on his teachings. 12:6

Paul's Thorn and God's Grace 12:7-12:10

• No one knows what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was.
• Paul's attitude about it shows he accepted it as a way for him to remain humble.
• He asked, in prayer, to be relieved of his "thorn in the flesh," but accepted that this was not God's plan.
• God told Paul that his grace was sufficient.
• God's strength is made perfect in weakness.

When we continue to praise God and accept his plan, as Jesus accepted his Father's plan, we are made strong in our weakness because we rely on God through Jesus Christ.

"Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every malady; and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh, we should give ourselves to prayer." Matthew Henry

Concern for the Corinthian Church 12:11 - 12:21

• These verses show the character of a faithful minister of the gospel.
• These verses also show the excesses the false teachers had taken their deluded followers to.
•  Christians should be sad that evils should be found among teachers of the gospel. 
• Evils have been found in teachers of the gospel too often, but it has been so since the days of the apostles.  

Chapter 13

Examine Yourselves 13:1 - 13:10

• Paul addressed the church at Corinth 3 times and by the third time he was losing his patience with the sinners. 
• Those who continued to question Paul's authority were those who had the least reason to question him. They had seen the signs and wonders of his apostleship.
• In verse 13:3, the church members wanted and demanded proof that the voice and power of Christ was in Paul. Paul directs them to self examination, to try, prove, and recognize their own souls. If things were right, they'd find proof of Christ's speaking in him. 

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Cant you see for yourselves the Jesus Christ is in you-unless you actually fail the test? 13:5

• Paul desired that the body of the church be kept from sin and they would grow in grace and holiness.
• They should know if Christ was in them, but the indwelling of His spirit.
• We are either true Christians, or we are deceivers.
• Unless Christ is in us by his Spirit and power of his love, our faith is dead.

Final Greetings and Blessings  13:11 - 13:14

Do these things and the God of love and Peace shall be with you:

• Be perfect
• Be of good comfort
• Be of one mind
• Live in peace

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.

My hope is that you have prospered spiritually during this 4 week bible study. Thank-you for joining me. SalleeB

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 21

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 20

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 19

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 17