2 Corinthians 12

It seems that Paul is constantly talking about credibility.  Whether it comes in the form of him talking about not exploiting someone, or not being a burden to someone, or being as "good" as the super-apostle......it must have been a bigger issue back then.  I'm sure he was regarded as one of the leaders of the church, and should've had all the credibility he needed.   There's lot of "boasting" talk as well......weird.

"Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of satan, to torment me.
I like how this portion of the chapter.......It talks about how rough patches in our lives can really make us stronger in our faith, and closer to God.
I will try to remember that next time I'm going through something that I don't like..........

tp

2 Corinthians 11

This one seems really self-serving of Paul.  But...........

"Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. ²⁷ I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

I haven't done any of that.
I live pretty comfortably

2 Corinthians 10

Blah, blah, blah.   This one seems a little self serving.

the one thing that I was able to take from this....and I'm not even sure its really in there....but, it popped into my head anyway.  18 "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends."
I told you I just got a decent raise......well.......this week my organization sent out a new structure notification.  It was only referring to the top level of Design Staffs management.  Guess who was mentioned in the notification?   They are promoting me to run the entire studio.  I am only 1 report from the VP of Design now.  That's a big deal!.....that means another healthy raise on top of the one that I already received.  Sort of a double dip. 
When I read this chapter, it reminded me to be humble in my approach to the new spot, and to be careful when I talk about it to others about it.  Not sure if its really in there, but for some reason God is nudging me on this one.

tp

2 Corinthians 9

second part of verse 5
"then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given."

That one smacked me across the cheek.  There are a couple of things that are in play here.
1.  If you heart isn't in the right place, then you won't be ready to give it with a generous heart.
2.  Like you talked about yesterday,  the "righter" your heart is....the more you will be ready, and even anxious to give".

Its SO hard to let go, isn't it?
I get so wrapped up in my plans.

The other thing that I try to remember, that's along these same lines, is that when we give generously it most likely answers someones elses prayers.  Part of our challenge as Christians is to bring God's kingdom to this earth....and part of that is doing his work....here, and now.  If he can use me to fulfill someone's needs, and allow them to feel more connecting to him...............WOW! 
that is an INCREDIBLE honor to me.

tp

2 Corinthians 8

I like the idea of equality that Paul bring to this chapter.  Equality in terms of wealth.  We've talked about this in our small group....that if we were really living like Paul is talking about, we would all throw our paychecks on the table, and divide it up according to need.  To me, that idea seems really attractive.  Its like the ultimate financial safety net.  If I have extra (not that I ever do), I give it to you....and if you have extra you give it to me.
But, money is the root of all evil......and we don't fly like that.
I do try to keep an eye out for those who have specific needs.  Sometimes people don't want the help, or bring a bunch of stipulations for you to help them.
It seems to me that in this area we make things a lot harder than it was intended to be.

tp

2 Corinthians 7

hhmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........I might be distracted or unfocused, but I didn't really get much out of this one.
I guess if I'm pulling hard....I can see Pauls message about sorrowfull repentence. 
Any thoughts?

tp

2 Corinthians 6

17 Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.  Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."

I understand the point that Paul is making here, that we shouldn't surround ourselves with things that will bring us down......or walk us into a temptation position.  But, I always try to operate under the mindset that the lost need a roadmap.  And sometimes, the only Christ people see.....is me. (isn't that a SCARY thought)  Jesus didn't separate himself from the "sick".  He dove right in.  He showed his anger for the "so-called" righteous.  His love was reserved for the struggling....and the lost.

I'm not sure I'm fully on board with the separation idea.....but I understand the premise.

tp

2 Corinthians 5

I liked reading this one.  I didn't have one verse that really jumped out at me.  But, I like the idea that our bodies long to be with God in the heavenly realm.....and that's why we sometimes try to fill that void with things here in this broken world, that not only don't make sense.....but don't work at all.  Paul states that the best thing we can do is to try to please God.  I like that picture.  If we can't be there with him...then we should try to please him where we are.

tp

2 Corinthians 4

here's my favorite part of this chapter;
"18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

I have to constantly remind myself of this.

here's a quick story to remind you of God's faithfulness that is completely unrelated to this chapter, but it just happened yesterday.  We've been working to close both house deals....and getting pinched for cash on both sides.  I had it figured out to the dollar, and all of that got wiped away with the appraisals, and ensuing madness.  Needless to say, I'm in debt.....and wasn't sure how I was going to get myself out.  I kept praying, and kept feeling like God was saying. "trust me".   So, I've been continuing to walk forward in this crazy deal. 
Then yesterday, I come to work....and am handed an 8% raise.  Guess what that almost exactly equals?.......the amount I was coming up short.......hhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm  almosts like it was planned.

more later
tp

2 Corinthians 3

³ You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.


For me this is a reminder that as a Christian God uses me and my life to have an impact on others.  This could feel like a little overwhelming, knowing how imperfect I am.  But the last verse helps me not to get uptight--


¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate^[a] the Lord’s glory,are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.


So as I read His Word and honestly open up myself to Him He is changing me to be more like Him.  This transformation over time is part of the 'letter' my life represents that God can use to impact others.  

2 Corinthians 2

¹⁵ For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.


For another reference I went and read my friend Tom Vander Well's post on this chapter.  I liked his comments, he said he sometimes prays that he will be the fragrance of Christ so that they will immediately recognize Jesus in him.


What a great prayer, we all have an aroma of who we are that can be picked up on very easily by those we are around--as my friend Tom says we all smell but what do we smell like?  I want to make sure Jesus is easily recognizable in me, the aroma of Christ and not the stench of my selfish sinful nature.

2 Corinthians 1

⁹ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.


This reminds me of teachings of our former pastor.  We grow in faith through sufferings.  It always makes me uncomfortable because I don't feel like I have had too many sufferings throughout my life and I'm not looking to find the kind of suffering that would make me feel like I received a death sentence as he suggests.


But I can definitely see and understand where facing challenges or having experiences outside my control and having to rely on God rather than myself does help strengthen my faith and reduce my self reliance.  Losing my dad was a hinge point for me, the biggest suffering I have faced and I had zero control of the situation.  It has helped me to better enjoy the time I have now with my family and decrease my worries about the future and things like work (not that I never worry, but I think I'm better).  God has a plan for me and my family and I don't need to try and direct it, I just need to ask him to show me what he wants me to do.  Like Paul, I need to be ready and willing to change course if that is His plan which is scary for me.