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2 Corinthians 11:1-13:13; Acts 20:7-12<\/strong><\/span> 2nd Corinthians<\/strong> \u2013 Paul\u2019s words in Second Corinthians chapter 11 verse 14 are some of the scariest words in Scripture for each of us to take to heart: \u201cEven Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe these words of Paul\u2019s are true?\u00a0 How would you know if something that appears to be good on the surface is not really good at all?\u00a0 Let us pray for discernment in this regards!\u00a0 Let us not ever be fooled by Satan and his disguises!\u00a0 (Okay, I found this scary picture below for this verse\u2026 what do you think?\u00a0 Too scary for this blog?\u00a0 Or maybe we should get a bit scared by this verse??)<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Second Corinthians titled \u201cThe Father of the Bride Exposes the Master of Deceit\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazing words from Paul today in Second Corinthians chapter 11 verse 30! \u201cIf I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Why would Paul say he would rather boast about things that show how weak he is?\u00a0 Why would Paul want to be weak in any way?\u00a0 Why would you or I want to be weak in any way?\u00a0 If you must boast, what are you boasting about these days?<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Second Corinthians titled \u201cThe Reluctant \u2018Fool\u2019\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and \u201cBoasting in our Weakness\u201d <\/strong>is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Paul\u2019s words in Second Corinthians chapter 12 verses 7 through 10 about the thorn in Paul\u2019s flesh are so powerful for each of us to consider for our lives today as well! \u201cBut to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, \u201cMy gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.\u201d So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ\u2019s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Biblical commentaries can basically all agree that we do not know what Paul\u2019s \u201cthorn\u201d was.\u00a0 There is some interesting speculation out there.\u00a0 Some think that the thorn is Paul\u2019s flesh was perhaps something that literally affected his flesh \u2013 a health issue of some sort.\u00a0 Some think it could have been a disease of the eyes, epilepsy, or even malaria.\u00a0 Whatever the thorn was, it was something that affected him very seriously.\u00a0 And it kept Paul humble in the midst of his incredible ministry.\u00a0 Why do you suppose that Paul was given a thorn in his flesh?\u00a0 Do you suppose you or I might have thorns in our flesh today?\u00a0 What might those thorns be in your life today?\u00a0 And why might those thorns be there?\u00a0 Is there anything you can learn from Paul about your thorns?\u00a0 Can you learn to live with the thorn in your flesh realizing that God\u2019s power in your life actually works strongest when you are weak?\u00a0 Do you believe that God\u2019s power can actually work through the thorn in your flesh for God\u2019s glory?\u00a0 Will you accept where you are weak, so that in that area of your life God will be strong?<\/span><\/p>\n Continuing along this point about having a thorn in our flesh.\u00a0 I do think this is a powerful thing for each of us to really meditate upon.\u00a0 I believe that all of us have some sort of thorn in our flesh! (or we will\u2026)\u00a0 All of us are human with various frailties.\u00a0 None of us are Superman or Wonderwoman.\u00a0 We will all grow older \u2013 God-willing \u2013 and will eventually have health issues that will eventually lead to our death.\u00a0 As Christians we have eternal life after death where all of our thorns will be removed forever!\u00a0 But this side of heaven we will have thorns in our flesh.\u00a0 Perhaps many thorns.\u00a0 But, this is the beauty of the thorns\u2026\u00a0 if we will accept them and give them over to God, God\u2019s power will work in our weakness!\u00a0 If we will give all that we have over to God \u2013 the good, the bad, and the ugly, God will show up and move through it.\u00a0 It\u2019s tough I know to really put this into practice \u2013 if we lose a loved one, or get diagnosed with a serious illness, or are struggling with an addiction, we can often think \u201cwhere is God in this??\u201d\u00a0 Well, yes, where is He?\u00a0 Have you opened the door to let Him in the room of that weakness?\u00a0 Will you let his power in?<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Second Corinthians titled \u201cBoasting in our Weakness\u201d <\/strong>is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 Below is a great image from Second Corinthians 12 verse 9 from today\u2019s readings:<\/span><\/p>\n Paul\u2019s words in Second Corinthians chapter 12 verses 20 and 21 were written for the church in Corinth.\u00a0 But, imagine if you will that these words were written to you and me today\u2026 \u201cFor I am afraid that when I come to visit you I won\u2019t like what I find, and then you won\u2019t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfishness, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, and disorderly behavior. Yes, I am afraid that when I come, God will humble me again because of you. And I will have to grieve because many of you who sinned earlier have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 What would Paul find if he came to visit our lives today?\u00a0 Would he find quarreling, jealousy, outbursts, selfishness, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, or disorderly behavior?\u00a0 Impurity?\u00a0 Sexual immorality?\u00a0 Eagerness for lustful pleasure?\u00a0 Or \u2013 instead, would Paul find peace, joy, love, giving, and purity in our lives?\u00a0 Would we grieve Paul or make him joyful?\u00a0 Better yet, let us reflect upon what Jesus would find in our lives if He came back today?\u00a0 Would our lives grieve Jesus in any way?<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today and tomorrow\u2019s readings in Second Corinthians titled \u201cPaul\u2019s Closing Argument, Appeal, and Blessing\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n I love Paul\u2019s words today in Second Corinthians chapter 13 verse 11! \u201cDear 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.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Imagine that these words were written to you.\u00a0 Are you rejoicing?\u00a0 Are you changing your ways?\u00a0 Are you encouraging others?\u00a0 Are you living in peace?\u00a0 Is God\u2019s love with you this very moment?\u00a0 Is God\u2019s peace with you now?<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s (and yesterday\u2019s) readings in Second Corinthians titled \u201cPaul\u2019s Closing Argument, Appeal, and Blessing\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video: <\/strong>Today\u2019s readings reminded me of Crowder\u2019s song \u201cSomebody Prayed:\u201d<\/span>
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