Rejoice! Rejoice!

Paul ends his 2nd letter to the Corinthians with the word Rejoice! Encourage one another, greet each otherr in Christian love. Easy right? We do this all the time! Not even close! Now, this Christmas season is an excellent opportunity for us to do just that in the main stream! With Christmas music blasting at every store and decorations abounding, we have the oppty to really shine for Jesus. You might not like the songs or the unnecessary hype, or the materialistic spectacle that Christmas has become, but it is our time! Do we rejoice upon seeing one another? I've been to 2 funerals in the past week, people were sad and missed the departed. Then turned and gossiped, bickered and put one another down. Bro love or bro shove? It is time to rejoice! Don't let this pass!

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving over? Not so says Paul in 2 Cor 6-9. In ch8v9 talks about Jesus being rich, became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. Do you feel rich? Being a partner in the gospel is to allow the gospel to have a life changing effect on you. Once we truly accept him, our lives are changed. This might not be a thunderbolt moment, but if the change is true, the fruit will show. Ch9v15....thank God for his Son-a gift too wonderful for words!

Troubles or opportunities?

The troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever! Paul writes this in 2 Cor 4:18. It is true today as well. What troubles got better through worry? What have we solved by fretting? Do the troubles of today seem like impassible mountains? What about the mountains of yesterday? Not as big now? Do we look for the joys, or merely focus on the troubles. Good questions we must meditate through. The news cycles nowadays does not help, only focusing on the negative. Gossip doesn't help either. We are constantly trying to build ourselves up at other's expense. As I pause for thanksgiving thought, I need to remind myself that God is higher than any mountain. And that by faith, those mts can be moved. I need to adjust my focus...there is joy to be had!

Welcome to the table

In many ways, Paul letters to the church in Corinth are like "how-to" manuals. In 1 Cor 11:23-33 Paul discusses communion,, eating the Lord's supper. Note his special instruction in vv27-29. We need to be right with God before we partake. What does "right with God" mean? To be without sin? Impossible. To be "really religious", not so. To be putting others esp Jesus higher than self....YES! Being right with God means not giving into temptations of the flesh, or desires of self. Rather, focused and worshipping Jesus for His sacrifice and work done on the cross. The elements of bread and wine(juice) are symbolic. We do in rememberance. It is not meant as a meal. We are all unworthy to participate. But Jesus himself has invited us! It is the most filling element you can eat!

God provides...temptation watch out!

Moving along in 1 Cor, we see Paul giving instructions on a wide range of topics...marriage, relations, diet, payment to pastors, etc... He issues both approvals and warnings. One warning is esp important to me. In 1 Cor 10:12-13, he warns about being too confident or too cockey! He notes that the very temptation we think we are so powerful at avoiding, can consume us. And, he continues that these temptations are common to man! But, he declares that God will provide a way out. Amazing how God has our back! He knows what we can bear and when we need help. So, if you think the pressure is too much, look to God, He has already provided a way out. We might see it right away, and it might not be what we expect, but it is what we need!

Getting right with God

Getting right with God, how can we do that? We can't! Paul writes about this in Ro 9-11. It is by God's doing. We don't understand God's way, rather we try to do it our way. We keep the law (as much as we can), do what we think if right and fair, and basically "act" religious. However, we are the mere clay, God is the potter. It is not ours to argue. But God loves and provides His grace and mercy. Ch10 discusses this grace through salvation. If you need a tool to witness, this is it! In v9-13, Paul explains confessing and belief. There is a key point in v14...how can one call on Him unless they believe in Him. And to believe, shouldn't you want to know the object of that belief? Get to know God. He desires a relationship with us! The potter wants to know His clay!

Who is Your Boss?

In Romans ch 6-8, Paul makes the case of changing one's nature and no longer being a slave to sin. Ch6v14 , Sin is no longer your master! It is like going into a former employer's business and allowing them to order you around. Us prideful Americans would never go for that! We should not mock sin, nor should we continue to test the limits of sin. We are a new creation in the Spirit. The Law makes us aware of sin. We cannot keep the law, we will always fail. But God in His grace, provided us a way. See ch8v3. Christ is that way. He is our new boss. We need His guidance. Allow yourself to be controlled by the Spirit. To do this, you must connect. Prayer, meditation, reading the Word. How can you be in a relationship without putting forth any effort ? Seek Him. Ch8v31 God is for us!