Month: September 2022

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 6:1-7:25 ESV, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 ESV, Psalm 54:1-7 ESV, Proverbs 23:1-3 ESV

Daily Verse: “I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.” (2 Corinthians 11:16 ESV)

APHROS (876): “Froth, i.e., slaver: the one foameth again.”[i]

Foolish boasting.

Paul faces the Corinthian’s determination to compare him to his rivals, the false apostles.  Although claiming to follow Christ, the aggressive nature of the deceptors impressed the Corinthians more.

Ironically, Paul can claim the same things as the false teachers:

“Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I.” (2 Corinthians 11:22 ESV)

After establishing the similarities, Paul lists the differences.  In his efforts to share the gospel, Paul endured imprisonment, beatings, and near death.   Paul boasts about his weakness, acknowledging God’s power in his life.

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.  The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.” (2 Corinthians 11:30 ESV)

God knows.

False teachers still exist, aggressively trying to lure people from Jesus.  As representatives of Christ, boasting about God’s work in our lives becomes our best defense. Honesty about our weaknesses glorifies God and shines a light on His strength.

People like to boast and compare.  Dealing with misguided beliefs challenges anyone, even Paul.  But if we stay focused on God’s work in our lives, boasting about Him, we’ll navigate difficult conversations well.

Connect with others through honest conversations, boasting about your weaknesses.  Find ways to share Christ’s love by living your life transparently in front of others.  Wherever God guides, He provides, especially when faced with false teachings that steer people from Jesus.  Like Paul, you will know the words to say at the appropriate time.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 49) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 3:1-5:30 ESV, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 ESV, Psalm 53:1-6 ESV, Proverbs 22:28-29 ESV

Daily Verse: “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV)

PANOURGIA (3834): “Literally means all-working, able to do everything: hence, high discerning which works itself out in unscrupulous conduct, craftiness.  It is always used in a bad sense.”[i]

Unscrupulous conduct.

When the serpent tempted Eve, he played on her ego.

“For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5 ESV)

Wanting God’s knowledge, Eve succumbed to the serpent’s cunning words. Her ego led the way in wanting to know more; as a result, sin entered the world with one crisp bite.  In an instant, the devil gained a foothold, captivating Eve’s thoughts and causing them to veer from the Lord.

In the same way, evidence of false apostles in the Corinthian church caused Paul to fear for them.  The deceptive teachings caused the people’s thoughts to stray from Jesus.

Deceptive words.

Our hearts control our thoughts; we think about what we desire.  Eve wanted knowledge but didn’t know how her yearning would lead her astray. The serpent used deceptive words to lead Eve down the wrong path, playing on her heart.

Today, we face the same struggle Eve did.  Deceptive words crowd the internet and social media, leading us down lifeless paths.  Instead of focusing on the life-giving words of Jesus, we get caught in webs of lies spun in a myriad of ways. 

Staying focused on the truth seems impossible.  Narrative overrides fact.  Social media experts understand how to manipulate headlines to promote their story, even if not true.  

God’s word helps decipher the truth and keep our thoughts focused on Jesus.  Spending daily time with the Lord will help you discern the deceptive words of this world.  God’s purpose for our life remains the same, to love Him and others. Don’t let the lies of this world veer you from the truth of Jesus.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 187) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 1:1-2:22 ESV, 2 Corinthians 10:1-18 ESV, Psalm 52:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 22:26-27 ESV

Daily Verse: “Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.” (2 Corinthians 10:7 ESV)

LOGIZOMAI (3049): “To take an inventory, i.e., estimate.  Primarily signifies “to reckon” whether by calculation or imputation.”[i]

Take an inventory.

Paul faced opposition from the Corinthians.  They tried to undermine Paul by casting doubt on his authority as an apostle.  Paul’s attackers knew if they could cause converts to lose faith in his credentials, they wouldn’t believe the apostle’s teachings.

Instead of trying to discourage the converts from testing his credentials, Paul questioned the criteria used.  In other words, the Corinthians tried to lead the converts on a rabbit trail:

“It’s a confusing maze of pointless leads. In short, a rabbit trail leads (us) nowhere. It serves only to confuse the prey/the reader. It keeps them preoccupied and confused.” Using English.com

Stay on task.

Following Jesus requires focus.  Losing sight of the task at hand happens without realizing we do it.  Our minds can spiral down a path we never intended to take.

My mind tends to jump to the worst-case scenario quickly.  A few weeks ago, a friend ran late and didn’t call or text.  After an hour, my mind had her in a ditch somewhere dead.

Running behind, she forgot to text.  Because her car insurance gives her a discount for not touching her phone while driving, she couldn’t contact me.  My mind went on an unnecessary rabbit trail, leading me away from reason.

Paul pointed the Corinthians back to the truth when they went on a rabbit trail.  Instead of discouraging their investigation, he helped them stay on task.  Keeping the Son in your eyes will lead you on the straight and narrow, but when we look away, we find ourselves spiraling down rabbit trails.

Encourage people to investigate Jesus, and let them ask questions.  God’s not afraid of interrogation; He understands the human heart.  Seeking leads to Jesus. Encourage people to stay focused on Christ when their minds begin to wander.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 152) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Song of Solomon 5:1-8:14 ESV, 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 ESV, Psalm 51:1-19 ESV, Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV

Daily Verse: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV)

THERIZO (2325): “to reap” (akin to theros, “summer, harvest”).  In 2 Cor 9:6 (twice), with reference to rendering material help to the needy, either “sparingly” or “bountifully,” the “reaping” being proportionate to the sowing.”[i]

Being proportionate.

“You reap what you sow,” mom said often.  How true her and Paul’s words ring.  Whatever you give out, you receive back.

Browsing Facebook, I came across a post that struck me:

“If you want a kind sixteen-year-old, teach him kindness at six and give him ten years to practice.” Anonymous

Not knowing today’s verse or the topic, I find God’s timing perfect.  We plant at a different time than we reap, and some crops take longer than others to reach their harvest.  What we give off, we get back.

Many conversations I’ve had with parents of adult children who don’t attend church, yet the parents don’t either.  You’ve got to plant the seeds to get the harvest you want.

Plant intentionally.

To get the crops you want, you must consider what to plant.  If you want kindness, cultivate it.  Generous people give generously, and angry people feed the anger.  But if you decide to plant seeds of virtue, you will get virtuous results in due time.

Just like the six-year-old that requires time to practice kindness, we must give our crops time to grow.  Waiting patiently for the fruits of your labor to produce good results allows us to lean into God.  When we feel like the harvest takes too long, God reminds us that we operate on His time, not ours.

Seeds multiply; you get an entire stalk full of ears from one seed of corn.  Planting seeds of love, grace, and mercy will return them to you tenfold.  Resist the urge to plant bitter seeds of hatred and anger; instead, reap the benefits of a harvest planted with the right motives.

Follow Jesus’ example, tap into the Father for strength and guidance, and lead with grace and mercy, planting love everywhere you go.  Trust God to water, nurture, and grow what you plant.  Reaping well comes from sowing well.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 115) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Song of Solomon 1:1-4:16 ESV, 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 ESV, Psalm 50:1-23 ESV, Proverbs 22:22-23 ESV

Daily Verse: “For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord.” (2 Corinthians 8:17 ESV)

AUTHAIRETOS (830): “This word means “to choose, self-chosen, voluntary, of one’s own accord” and occurs of Titus in his willingness to go and exhort the church in Corinth concerning the matter 2 Cor. 8:17 ESV.”[i]

Voluntary choice.

Because of the Corinthian’s skepticism about Paul and Titus’s intentions, they require reassurance.  Paul’s adamant Titus came because of his love for Jesus and the Corinthians, not money.  Titus chose to serve them because of the unconditional love he found in Christ.

When someone begins to accept the unconditional love Jesus offers, they can’t help but share it.  In a world of judgment and criticism run rampant, finding people who love without condition proves challenging.  Following Christ of your accord means you voluntarily choose Him.

“Jesus is a gentleman,” I’ve said often. God’s Son doesn’t force His attention on anyone who doesn’t want it, and neither should we.

Stay the course.

Paul and Titus didn’t back down in the face of false accusations; they stayed the course, allowing their actions to speak for them.  Good intentions become evident eventually, sometimes sooner than later.  Lies get exposed given enough time.

Just as the Corinthians eventually realized Paul and Titus didn’t want their money, people will recognize your actions with the right intentions.  You may not use the right words, but pure motives will elicit grace for innocent mistakes.

Live life of your own accord for Jesus; choose to follow Him closely each day.  As situations arise in life, mimic Christ’s example.  Love at all times, seek the Father for guidance and strength, and in all things, give glory to God.  People will know you have a sincere heart with pure intentions when you do.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 47) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14 ESV, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 ESV, Psalm 49:1-20 ESV, Proverbs 22:20-21 ESV

Daily Verse: “But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.” (2 Corinthians 8:7 ESV)

PERISSEUO (4052): “To superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous, also to cause to superabound or excel.  Is used of faith and grace, 2 Cor. 8:7.”[i]

Superabound.

Paul wants the Corinthians to follow the example of the Macedonians.  Facing persecution and struggling with finances, the Macedonians willingly gave all they had to God.  Since the Corinthians didn’t have the same challenges, Paul felt they should provide even more freely.

Appealing to the Corinthian’s desire to exhibit their spirituality, Paul shines the light on giving.  The Corinthians should also excel in grace through generosity if they excel in faith, knowledge, and love.

Generosity with our stuff goes against the culture of today.  People hold onto what they have, afraid of losing it.  Nothing we have on earth will last; material things pass away.  But investing in God’s kingdom creates a treasure that will never end.

Excel in grace.

Superabounding in grace means holding the material things of this world loosely.  Instead of placing faith in money, put it in Jesus.  Christ never owned a home, didn’t sleep on a comfortable mattress or wore Nike tennis shoes, but He gave all for us.

No one can outgive God in any way, not financially or in grace.  Jesus forgave sins we can’t even remember committing.  Each day we can excel in generosity, whether money, time, or possessions; giving all to God takes intention.

Decide today to superabound in grace.  When you see a need, meet a need.  Remember, you can’t outgive God; He forgave you more than you know.  Sharing the gift God gave you helps others learn about Christ and find the peace that surpasses all understanding, lasting long after the things of this world pass away.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 199) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18 ESV, 2 Corinthians 7:8-16 ESV, Psalm 48:1-14 ESV, Proverbs 22:17-19 ESV

Daily Verse: “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV)

AMETAMELETOS (278): “As an adjective, means “not repented of” and is translated “not to be repented of” 2 Cor. 7:10.”[i]

Not repented.

Paul describes two ways to react to pain or sorrow.  When we have Godly repentance, it leads to a change of heart, a submittance to Jesus which doesn’t cause regret.  But when we respond in a worldly manner, we experience bitterness and resentment.

A few weeks ago, the pastor challenged us.  What do we do when God says no?  Godly responses show humility; worldly responses show pride.  Everyone will suffer in life, one way or another.  Some people experience physical ailments, others financial or emotional; pain happens to everyone.  How we respond when difficulties arise makes the difference.

As a child, I internalized the lie, “No one cares about me,” because my parents yanked me from one life to another.  My juvenile eyes couldn’t understand; they made a move to offer my siblings and me more opportunities.  Instead, I responded with worldly grief, producing bitterness and resentment.

Godly grief.

When life threw me a curve ball, I had a choice in my response.  Instead of responding with a victim mentality, I could have submitted to God’s guidance.  Looking back forty years later, if we hadn’t moved, I wouldn’t have experienced the things I have.  Nor would I have met my husband.  But my short-sighted view didn’t allow me to see the possibilities.

Submitting to God’s sovereignty means trusting when life goes in a different direction; God does have a plan.  What surprises us doesn’t surprise God.  Everything works to the good for those who believe, trusting His calling on their life (Romans 8:28).

Life comes with pain; everyone feels it at some point.  How we respond to suffering shows our heart.  Trusting God means understanding we won’t have all the answers, but we know the one who does.  When nothing else makes sense, we can rely on God’s promises to carry us through.  One day, we’ll look back and realize God had a plan.

Lay your hurt at the foot of the cross.  Ask God to comfort your broken heart, trusting He will redeem all things in His time.  Don’t let bitterness and resentment take root; find life to the fullest with godly grief.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 16) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12 ESV, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7 ESV, Psalm 47:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 22:16 ESV

Daily Verse: “Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.” (2 Corinthians 7:2 ESV)

PTHEIRO (5351): “Signifies “to destroy by means of corrupting,” and so “bringing into a worse state” in 2 Cor 7:2, of the effects of dishonorable dealing by bringing people to want (a charge made against the apostle).”[i]

Worse state.

Paul wants the whole affection of the Corinthians, but he faces accusations of causing moral and financial distress to innocent victims by exploiting them.  Some of the Corinthians believed the allegations.  Paul says he didn’t commit the crime and begs them to look at the truth of his actions.

Corrupting someone means leaving them in a worse state than when you met them.  When a drug dealer offers an innocent child an addictive substance, he corrupts them.  Any type of unfavorable influence can leave someone in a worse state.

If my husband comes home in a bad mood, he can corrupt me.  Peace becomes tension.  However, if Ron comes home from work joyous, he can turn my frown upside down.  Our actions impact those around us.

Intentionally uplift.

Paul didn’t corrupt the Corinthians; he uplifted them.  Understanding his role as a Christ follower, Paul knew he must encourage, not discourage.  Following Jesus makes life better, not worse.  Christ pulls us from the mud and cleanses us, making us whole.

To help people discover Jesus, we must not corrupt.  Following Christ means taking every opportunity to uplift and encourage the people in our lives.  Paul didn’t take advantage of anyone, and neither should we.

Everyone struggles in this world.  You may not see someone’s issues, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.  Help people find Jesus by not making their lives worse.  Don’t take your bad mood out on them; give grace when offended, and look for ways to help them, not hurt them.

When we intentionally uplift and encourage the people in our lives, God willing, they will begin to do the same for others.  As the ripple effect of love and kindness spreads through the world, we will find it in a better state, not worse.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 263) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22 ESV, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 ESV, Psalm 46:1-11 ESV, Proverbs 22:15 ESV

Daily Verse: “For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”  (2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV)

DEKTOS (1184): “Approved; propitious: accepted, acceptable.”[i]

Approved.

Paul, quoting Isaiah, applies the passage to the age of grace.  Through Jesus, God shows His favor to humankind, offering salvation.  Where Isaiah meant the words as vindication in due time, Paul uses them to show God’s grace.

When Jesus entered the world, so did God’s favor.  We find salvation through God’s Son.  Placing our faith in Christ and submitting to His will for our lives helps us become the person God desires.  With Jesus, we can change into a new creation.

Recently, God revealed a bitter root in my heart, planted decades ago.  As a result, I had a chip on my shoulder.  In other words, I felt like the world owed me something because things didn’t go my way. Mad at my parents for moving me from my childhood home, the bitter root impacted my relationships for years to come.

But then Jesus.

Following Jesus reveals the bitter roots in your heart.  Pursuing life to the full in Christ means uncovering the unhealthy areas.  My childish anger impaired my vision.  Because I looked at the world through a distorted lens, my relationships suffered.  Jealousy impacted those I perceived had a better life than mine, those who got their way, unlike me.

In reality, no one ever gets everything they want. Bad things happen to everyone, not just me.  People must move, whether they want to or not.  Just because things don’t go the way we want doesn’t mean we can take it out on other people.  My husband grew up in a military family; he moved constantly; unlike me, he didn’t let bitterness take root.

Pursuing Jesus healed my heart and removed the bitter root.  As a result, the anger issues I struggled with lessened, and I see more clearly now.  God’s favor in my life happened when I placed my faith in Jesus and began following Him.

Accept God’s grace, and place your faith in Jesus.  Ask Him to reveal the bitter roots in your heart and remove them.  Experience life to the fullest as you let God into all aspects of your life.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 63) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 40:1-42:17 ESV, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 ESV, Psalm 45:1-17 ESV, Proverbs 22:14 ESV

Daily Verse: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV)

PRESBEUO (4243): “To be an ambassador,” act as a representative.” [i]

                      Represent well.

When you begin to follow Christ, you become His representative. People will look to you as an example of Jesus. Most people don’t read the Bible, but they will read you.

Of course, you will fail, as have I. Our imperfections highlight Christ’s perfections. If we become honest about our faults, not only with Jesus but with others, we’ll become more Christlike, drawing others to Jesus.

Every day God gives me something to accomplish. Whether God’s word convicts me of a wrong heart attitude or bad actions, the journey never ends. When I overcome one hurdle, the next one looms. But remembering that I represent the Big Guy helps me keep trying.

Use the uniform.

Every job has a dress code. During my days working for Nautica, I wore business casual attire. Jeans and polos covered my body. As a Flight Attendant, I wore a navy blue pantsuit and heels. As a waitress, I’ll never forget the bright yellow apron over my white shirt and black pants. For every job, we have a uniform, just like the one God wants us to wear.

“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5 ESV)

Clothing ourselves in humility will help us represent God well. Placing others before yourself requires letting go of prideful notions. God supports the humble but opposes the proud.

Our current housemate, a young man fresh out of college, completing an internship, epitomizes humility. Far more intelligent than me in engineering, he always prefaces his conversation with, “Take what I say with a grain of salt because I don’t know everything and am only operating from what I do know.”

Humility comes easily to him, even though he possesses much knowledge. Recognizing his limitations helps him not only stay humble but allows himself to remain teachable.

Represent God well by clothing yourself in humility. Remember, you work for God, no matter your job on earth. Everyone you meet, God loves. Dressing in the uniform of Jesus will help you become an ambassador for Christ. Stay humble, and people will respond to the love you have to offer, the unconditional love of Christ.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 209) Thomas Nelson