Prayer Power

2 Corinthians 10:1-18
Does it thrill you as it does me? God’s mighty weapons, not the guns and swords of earth, but the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead—available to us as believers. Armed with God’s truth, we pray for those who are bound by the enemy, trapped behind the strongholds of exalted thinking and human rationality. Interceding for them, we call on God’s infinite resurrection power to bring down those walls. “Planting the flag” for Christ, we claim them as His.

Without a word from us to them.

And then—Wonderful Day!—we hear the news. The prodigal has returned. The dead have been raised. And all we did was pray. What power is unleashed on earth when we bring heavenly weapons to the fight, for today and for the future.

I pray for those I love today and for those yet to be born. I pray that God will raise up ten descendants from me, from the generations to come, who will know His name. I claim Isaiah 44:3-5 as my own. “I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants…One will say, “I belong to the Lord; another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s’…” I plant the flag. I claim them for Him.

I know it will be. They may never know me on this earth, but they will know His name. God will do it, and the only word from me will be my prayer. And therein lies the power.

Lord, who needs my interceding prayer today?

A Cheerful Giver

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving -- the needs of the believers in jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

Paul reminds us of some important things about giving in this passage today. In verse 10, he tells us that God is the one who provides seed for the farmer to plant and then bread to eat. Although the farmer has responsibility to plant the seed, nurture the plant as it grows, and harvest the wheat, it is actually God who provides the seed, causes the plant to grow as he sees fit, and provides the fruitful wheat for harvest, so that there is bread to be eaten. All we have comes from God. When we recognize that, it is not as difficult to follow His lead and share our gifts, our talents, or our resources with others.

When we give generously, Paul says two great things happen. First, we become instruments of God's provision, so that God provides for people in need through us. That allows us to witness God's act of provision and rejoice in being used by God as a blessing to others. Second, the ones who receive what they need also give thanks to God. As we give generously out of what God provides for us, others are inspired to praise and worship God, offering their gratitude.

What resources has God blessed you and me with? What needs are we aware of in the lives of people around us or in our community? How might we glorify God by generously offering the resources He has given to us?

Trust

1 Corinthians 8:16-24

I recently watched the movie, "Air Force One." What a thriller! At one
point, the president of the United States bargains with a hijacker for
the lives of his wife and daughter. The sitution appears to be
resolved. But then the terrorist says, "Did you think you could trust
me? I lied."

Trust. That seems to be an issue in today's reading. For the Christians
in Jerusalem, life was especially tough. Persecuted as followers of
Jesus, they needed financial help. Paul and Titus have been encouraging
churches in Greece to contribute to their destitute brothers and
sisters.

However, as William Barclay writes, "Paul knew he had his enemies and
his critics. He knew well that there would be those who would not
hesitate to charge him with turning part of the collection to his own
use, and so he takes steps to see that it would be impossible to level
that charge against him by ensuring that others will share with him the
task of taking the collection to Jerusalem... It was Paul's aim to make
clear not only to God but also to men that he was above suspicion."

Verse 21 tells me that sometimes it's not enough to know in my heart -
"before the Lord" - that I'm doing right. I may need to take steps so
that I don't even give the appearance of doing wrong. Paul wrote in
Romans 12:17 (NLT), "Do things in such a way that everyone can see you
are honorable."

Perhaps I'm too cynical, but I wonder what had been happening among the
Corinthian believers. Earlier, the plan had been to have that church
choose messengers to deliver the gift. Perhaps Paul would accompany
them. (See 1 Cor. 16:3,4.) Now, it seems that Titus, along with two men
held in high regard and sent by other churches, will keep watch as
well, as the collection is delivered. Does anybody trust anybody?

I'm reminded of Jesus' words, "Look, I am sending you out as sheep
among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves,"
(Matthew 10:16 NLT). It's too bad that we sometimes need to be shrewd
even among believers.

May the Spirit of Grace and Truth so permeate our church family that
trust need not be an issue.

Deetje Wildes

Support

Note: this Scripture reading deals with giving/offerings, and mission support as it relates to the saints in Jerusalem, but is also a modern day lesson for us.  V. 2 – Notice joy and generosity go together.  Yes?  Do you find that to be so?  V. 5 – First, and of most importance, give yourselves to the Lord, for that is the secret of becoming a generous follower of the Lord.  Amen!  V. 7 – Excel in the gracious act of giving – is that so of ME?  V. 9 – Read this verse slowly…and read it several times.  Recall the hymn, “Why Should He Love Me So?”  V. 13 – Finish what you started.  Good advice as it relates to so many things in our lives.  The world needs good starters and good finishers!

 

Donald E. Pardun

 

Family Re-Union

2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:4

"Father, today I feel this tension in your Word; this calling into family, & apart from the world. On the one hand, this rich list of words reminds me that You have made me a relational creature: team up, partner, live with, harmony, partner, union (vv14-16)

And, at the end of these I know that even more I am made for You, to live in close relationship with You & your family: I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people... I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters (vv 16,18).

But, then I also hear that I must be cautious and distinct in other relationships with those not of your family, and I must be so precisely because I am in relationship with You: Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.

That is the tension. Is the point categorical separation? Or, is it to make whatever separation is needed in order that I do not become connected (and in so doing also connect my 'family' & my God) to their filthy things? Lord, just how much & in what ways would You have me give myself in relationship to people yet outside your family?!

And then (in this tension I sense You WANT me to feel), between this clear belonging to You & your family, and this clear caution of being too close to the ways & wickedness of the world, I recall the earlier text of my brother Rodney's sermon yesterday: all of this is a gift from God... And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him... And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors (2 Cor 5:18-20)

So Lord, here I am this morning, situated between this Father & family I am part of, and those I carefully relate to that they might also become family. Lord, help my balance."

PPaul