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2 Corinthians 6:14-10:18<\/strong><\/span> Second Corinthians chapter 7 verse 1 today is powerful \u2013 \u201cBecause we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God.\u201d <\/em>How does this verse speak to you?\u00a0 What promises do we have as followers of Jesus Christ?\u00a0 In light of these promises, should we cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body?\u00a0 And cleanse ourselves of everything that can defile our spirit?\u00a0 Are you living your life in such a way that you are moving toward complete purity?\u00a0 Do you believe that the Cross of Jesus Christ purifies you?\u00a0 What does the Cross of Jesus ultimately purify you for?<\/span> Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Second Corinthians titled \u201cChoosing Sides\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span> Second Corinthians chapter 7 verses 9 & 10 teaches us a great lesson \u2013 \u201cIt was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe that God can use sorrow for redemptive purposes?\u00a0 Do you believe there is such a thing as godly sorrow?\u00a0 Can sorrow turn us away from sin and toward salvation?\u00a0 Have you ever experienced such a sorrow?\u00a0 I know that I have.\u00a0 There have been times in my life in the past where I was pursuing the false glamour of sin.\u00a0 And that pursuit of sin delivered great sorrow.\u00a0 But, thanks be to God for that sorrow!\u00a0 It was a godly sorrow that turned me away from sin and toward God\u2019s salvation.\u00a0 So, if you are experiencing sorrow in your life right now, or when you do, please seek God in the midst of the sorrow.\u00a0 Perhaps the sorrow was not caused by your sin, as it was in my case.\u00a0 But perhaps God can still use that sorrow ultimately for his redemptive purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s Second Corinthians readings titled \u201cGood Grief\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Second Corinthians chapter 8 verse 9 today is one of those verses that can really make you think about how blessed you truly are and why through Jesus: \u201cYou know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I imagine that most of us reading this blog right now are living pretty nice lives overall.\u00a0 In most respects it may be fair to call us \u201crich.\u201d\u00a0 Many of us have rich lives in terms of where we live, our spiritual freedoms, and other freedoms.\u00a0 And why do we have these riches in our lives today?\u00a0 Because Jesus, the Son of God, came to this earth and made himself poor for our sakes.\u00a0 Jesus was born in a manger.\u00a0 He lived his life \u201chomeless\u201d in many ways.\u00a0 He was sinless, but yet died a criminal\u2019s death by execution on a cross.\u00a0 Jesus was very rich in heaven.\u00a0 \u00a0But yet, because of his love and kindness, he made himself poor and died on a cross for us, so that we would be \u201crich.\u201d\u00a0 And now, realizing this, how are we utilizing our riches?\u00a0 Are we demonstrating love and kindness to others like Jesus did to us?\u00a0 Are we investing our lives \u2013 lives that were given to us by God and saved by Jesus \u2013 for Kingdom purposes?\u00a0 Are you living your life as if you are literally working for God in all that you do?<\/span> Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Second Corinthians today titled \u201cLearning To Be Liberal\u201d<\/strong> (it is a great essay on Paul\u2019s call to give generously to the church in Jerusalem) is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span> Second Corinthians chapter 8 verse 23 stood out to me today \u2013 \u201cIf anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And these brothers are representatives of the churches. They are splendid examples of those who bring glory to Christ.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I like that last sentence a lot.\u00a0 I believe each of us are called to be splendid examples of those who bring glory to Jesus!\u00a0 How is your example these days?\u00a0 \u00a0Below is an icon painting of Paul ordaining Titus on the island of Crete:<\/span> Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s (and tomorrow\u2019s) readings in Second Corinthians titled \u201cKeeping Your Commitments\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 Below is a great image for Second Corinthians 8:20-21 today:<\/span> Today in Second Corinthians chapter 9 verses 6 through 8 we read these words of Paul\u2019s \u2013 \u201cRemember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. \u201cEach man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.\u201d<\/em> Great verses! A lot of ground is covered in these verses. Do you believe that we reap what we sow? What are you sowing? What have you decided in your heart to give? Do you give without reluctance? Do you give without compulsion? Are you a cheerful giver? Do you realize that God gracefully gives you all that you need so that you will participate in good works? Are you participating in God\u2019s grace that he is freely giving to you? Related to these verses, I just recently finished reading Randy Alcorn\u2019s wonderful little book, The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving. Has anyone else read this book? It is a wonderful book about how it truly is more blessed to give than to receive! I highly recommend it!<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s (and yesterday\u2019s) readings in Second Corinthians titled \u201cKeeping Your Commitments\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 Below is a great image for 2 Corinthians 9:10 from our readings today:<\/span><\/p>\n Wow\u2026 I love Paul\u2019s words to the church in Second Corinthians chapter 10 verses 3 through 5: \u201cWe are human, but we don\u2019t wage war with human plans and methods. We use God\u2019s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil\u2019s strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This is incredibly powerful for us to realize.\u00a0 We are human.\u00a0 God is God.\u00a0 We are not God.\u00a0 But, good news is that we have access to God\u2019s \u201cweapons\u201d through our relationship with his son Jesus.\u00a0 And trust me.\u00a0 In this fallen world, we need God\u2019s weapons.\u00a0 We need his strength.\u00a0 We need his grace.\u00a0 We need his forgiveness.\u00a0 We need his miracles.\u00a0 We need his Son.\u00a0 These are the only ways that we will knock down the Devil\u2019s strongholds in our lives and in others lives.\u00a0 How do we access God\u2019s mighty weapons?\u00a0 My personal opinion is that prayer is one of the best things we can do in this regards.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know about you, but I do not pray enough.\u00a0 However, just lately I\u2019ve been praying a bit more, and I\u2019ll tell you, God has moved!\u00a0 Prayer is such a beautiful mystery.\u00a0 We need it like the air we breathe.\u00a0 Please pray.\u00a0 Other ways to access God\u2019s mighty weapons are certainly reading and studying God\u2019s Word daily, investing in a church community at least weekly (even more is better via small groups, etc.), and confessing and repenting and fleeing from sin.\u00a0 Then, with God\u2019s weapons we are called to introduce others to who God is and teach them to obey Christ.\u00a0 How are you accessing God\u2019s mighty weapons these days?\u00a0 Are you praying?\u00a0 Are you reading and studying the Bible daily?\u00a0 \u00a0Are you investing in a church community weekly?\u00a0 \u00a0Are you confessing and repenting and fleeing from sin?\u00a0 Or are you relying on your human plans and methods to make it through the day?\u00a0 Are you relying on worldly weapons?\u00a0 Will you seek instead God\u2019s mighty weapons?<\/span> Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Second Corinthians titled \u201cContrasting Christian Leaders With the Cultists\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video: <\/strong>Our 2nd Corinthians readings today reminded me of the MercyMe song \u201cSo Long Self,\u201d which has a fun video:<\/span>
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