Paul’s letters to the Corinthians talk about giving generously to the formation of the church and staying strong against the false prophets, but they focus on weakness. I find this topic especially important because we tend to dwell our weaknesses when the going gets tough, but as I mentioned in a conversation today, they are some of the greatest gifts that God will ever give us. As Paul points out:

Each time He said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am proud to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

It has been my experience that people get down on themselves when they are weak. I have had issues in my life and they have been hard, but in retrospect, when I turned to the Lord to find the solution, he has provided it and my life has always been better. I am not saying that it was easy. On the contrary, it was really, really hard to go through. But, by going through things like that, I have become stronger, smarter and more faithful. I thank God for that.

Finally, Paul closes with what I think is the mission statement for life. For mine, at least:

Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

Now that is a close! Have a great day. Read on…

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I have to tell you, it is kind of a bummer that I am still posting for November. It is really busy right now and I want to get on two a day, but it just doesn’t seem to be happening. I will keep at it, but the most important part is that I am at it daily and getting some good stuff.

Previously in the Daily Read (2 Corinthians 5-8), Paul continues to encourage the Corinthians to keep up the good work. A couple of passages come up that I can’t help but comment on. In our house, we are kind of sarcastic and we comment on people and the comeback around our house is, “It’s not ours to judge, but God’s”. It’s a good reminder and Paul also reminds us:

So we have stopped evaluating others by what the world thinks about them. Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, as though he were merely a human being. How differently I think about him now! 2 Corinthians 5:16

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. 2 Corinthians 5:19

It is so great when you have others around you that can remind you of that. It is difficult to remember this (for all of us) as we work our way through this life, and it is fellowship that helps us to stay on track.

Speaking of which, Palm Valley Church is getting ready shortly to build a building. I have to be honest with you, if we had to set up in the middle of a field I would do it because it is the best bunch of people that I want to be around each week. The energy, the faith, the sense of God’s work are all there and it is so cool to be around. I have been there for set-up and tear down and it never feels like a gymnasium to me. It’s our church and I love it. That must how it must have been like for Paul:

Since you excel in so many ways – you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, and such love for us – now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7

Please pray as our church family works towards our goal of having a facility of our own. I am so excited that those that don’t know the Lord might find this place because of the brick and mortar that are to go up. It doesn’t matter where you meet, but it will be cool to have a place to call home and somewhere to bring folks to the Lord. This is going to be an awesome year. God is at work not only at church, but with this stuff I have going on. Pray on…

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UPDATE: So how is this for a sign from God? I read my passage, got on to the computer and was going to post when I got the bright idea to see what else is happening in the blog world. That leads me to an interesting design that I research, which leads me to another site, then another… you get the picture. So I finally reach myBibleJournal.com, two hours later, when I go to check the site statistics. This is where the sign comes in. Statcounter is down! So…

Previously in the Daily Read (2 Corinthians 1-4), Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to continue to spread the Word of God through their faith in Christ. And I am telling you, Paul would made one heck of a motivational speaker or football coach today! Tonight, I want focus on two verses:

It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5

I truly believe that when you have that figured out, you have it all because you don’t  think that everything you have accomplished is because of yourself. It is then that you can truly give back to others. It’s not about us, it’s all about him.

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:18

While this is obviously true for eternal life, it also is true for day to day life. If we dwell on the troubles of the day, we will never see the good that is around the corner. And God gives you the bad so that the good will be that much better. We can look forward to what we have not yet seen because God will bring us a brighter day. So let’s shake off those troubles that we can see right now and get ready for some good stuff!

I am digging this! Read on…

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Previously in the Daily Read (1 Corinthians 14-16), Paul’s letters to the Corinthians contain information about the gifts of prophesy and tongues, orderly worship and resurrection. But as I did in my last post, I am going to some it up quickly with one of his awesome mantras. I love this because it cuts through to the core and gives us something that we can repeat to ourselves to keep moving forward:

Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

I was trying to find the words to follow this up, but this is just perfect for every aspect of life. With that being said, let’s go out and have a great week being courageous and strong, as well is doing it with love. Read on…

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