Tag: Paul

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10.8.24. Encourage

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2 Cor 7 Rejoicing

What thoughts bring joy to your mind today? For Paul, it was the moment he embraced Titus upon his return. Paul had been despondent at not finding him at the last stop he had made and so did not serve God in that place. But, now, Paul was excited to see his precious friend once again and even more so when he shared the good news from the church in Corinth. A happy heart is good medicine, so the Proverbs author said, and it seems to be true. When we are downtrodden, we are sad beyond measure and nothing anyone says or does draws us out of our doom and gloom. But, let a friend call or a friend drop by or receiving good news, we are moved from sadness to joy. 

So it was when Titus returned with good news from Corinth, that Paul was able to share with the Corinthians by letter how pleased he was at this news. 

Paul writes “Therefore we have been encouraged. And in addition to our own encouragement, we rejoiced even more at the joy of Titus because all of you have refreshed his spirit.” [2 Cor 7:13] 

Today someone needs your words of encouragement and your friendship. Take a moment today to speak to that person in writing or by a phone call or by personal attention.  

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Are you a Phoebe?

Romans 16 Honoring Servants

In today’s world we honor those who serve with gifts and accolades. In the time of Paul, those who served well are also honored not with gifts but with help as needed. What a wise consideration. Phoebe must have been a willing servant and Paul closes his letter to the Romans with that thought. It appears that she has been chosen to carry this letter to them and Paul encourages that church to provide for her needs while she is there. Imagine being asked to carry this document from Cenchrea (a suburb of Corinth) across the sea to Rome. You are going by yourself with such precious cargo. How do you prepare? According to google, it was “ 617 miles.”’ [ as the crow flies]. 🙂

‘“There was not a letter courier service that Paul could use to deliver this letter to the church in Rome. Instead, he would need to use a person. Taking this letter probably encompassed many months of time. Traveling was difficult. Often traveling occurred at nights so that the stars could be followed. I don’t think I can accurately realize the difficulty it was just to take this letter to Rome. What an incredible feat it was just to get this letter to Rome.” [anonymous blogger]

Also Paul asks the Romans for three things for Phoebe: Welcome her in a manner worthy of fellow saints in Rome, Help her in whatever she may need because She has been a patron of many and of Paul.

Would Paul have considered you a “Phoebe” for the work of the Lord?

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The Sin of Envy

Matt 27  I have sinned, so said Judas before the religious counsel. They said in response: what is that to us revealing the hardness of their hearts. When Pilate questioned Jesus he marveled that here stood before him a man who had been threatened, questioned, beaten, and yet stood dignified. Listening the leaders and Jesus, he ascertained that this whole charade was all because of the sin of envy. 

What does envy do to us when we let it fester and grow? It  brings a harvest of sin and that is where both Judas and the religious leaders stood before the world and  God. Luke records that he found no fault in Jesus so why did he allow the crucifixion to take place? There is no other reason than that Jesus was going to fulfill scripture to pay the penalty of our sin and Pilate could not understand that. 

Many today find themselves in this same box of envy. One author wrote: “Envy and jealousy are fruits of pride (and false humility) that intimidate you and lead to offenses. It will cause you to mistreat people who could have been a blessing to you. If you don’t take the ax to the root when envy or jealousy reveals themself, it hurts you and others. Envy and jealousy lead to slander and is a relationship and character ruiner.” [https://uncaggedbird.com/envy-jealousy-are-fruits-of-pride-steps-to-evict-the-green-eyed-monster/] 

The fruit of envy destroysthat which God had placed before you and the evil one uses that as a temptation. Judas was remorseful but not repentant. The religious leaders were neither. Beware of the sin of The fruit of envy destroy that which God had placed before you and the evil one uses that as a temptation. Judas was remorseful but not repentant. The religious leaders were neither. Beware of the sin of envy which is the big “I” in the word pride. It was the downfall of Judas, the religious leaders and it will be yours.

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Do not presume ahead of time!

ACTS 25 Paul has certainly had many opportunities to speak for Christ before these Roman puppet leaders and he has remained “cool.” as we say. He has not changed his story but the Jewish leaders heap charge upon charge. They have no evidence and no witnesses, yet they are persistent. That is the way of our enemy, the god of this world. He will not quit, but provides his unbelieving followers with lies and ignorance to further his cause, yet God will prove Himself faithful.  Be forewarned beloved believer that even though you may be charged falsely, He who is faithful will be by your side. Not only will He be by your side, He will give you the right words to say in your defense…at just the right time just as Jesus told the disciples prior to his death. Your job, beloved believer, is to model Jesus. “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” [1 Peter 2:23]

Here’s our mandate: Luke 21:14  “Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” 

Praise be to the Father who has given us this example in the life of Paul. May we remain steadfast, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Knowing your work is not in vain. [1 Cor 15:58] 

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Just the Facts

Choose the right path

Acts 21 A TV show with Jack Webb as the detective coined a phrase: “just the facts.”  Too bad they didn’t have Jack Webb back in the days of Paul when the Jews in Jerusalem started a mob. They gave the commanding officer reasons Paul should be killed but not one of them had the truth. How often do we make decisions without the facts? This chapter reminds us that before we charge a person with guilt we should get the facts. 

A second lesson is how Paul responded to the people before he came to Jerusalem. Many tried in vain to dissuade him from going. Yet, Paul reminded them that he was ready to not only go, but to die in Jerusalem if that was God’s purpose for his life. 

Like Paul, in 2018, John Chau felt God calling him to evangelize a certain island and witness to them about Jesus. Many discouraged him from going because the islanders were known to be cannibals. Just as Paul was accosted and imprisoned illegally, so too this young man was accosted but he was killed for his faith. Like in the case of Paul, he had the facts but the mob didn’t want to listen. 

What lays ahead for each of us is an unknown, but we must be like Paul and John Chau and many others. If we die, we die. If we live, we can share Christ with the “cannibals,”  unbelievers we meet. Be ready in season and out of season to proclaim the Christ. 

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Letters of Encouragement

A letter of encouragement

Phil 1-4 Paul, as a prisoner in Rome, received a visitor who had traveled from the city of Philippi to bring a gift to him. Imagine his joy to receive not just a physical gift but to receive words of encouragement from the Philippian believers. There is no greater gift than receiving one who comes bearing gifts of love from those we miss. Unfortunately, Paul’s visitor, Epaphroditus, took ill as he visited Paul. Yet, this dear fellow believer did recover, and Paul earnestly wrote a letter to let the Philippian believers know how he was faring. He was not only sending Epaphroditus back to them but also Timothy.

Paul’s letter to them must have encouraged them beyond belief! It had been some time since their beloved friend had left them, and they had heard not a word. Now they received not just their friend but also a dear letter to remind them to love one another deeply. In his letter, Paul reminded them to be gentle and be anxious for nothing.  Even more, Paul wanted them to know that God is using this imprisonment here in Rome, and the message of His love was being poured out amongst the guards who serve Caesar. Many were hearing the good news of Christ. 

When we are far away and hear that others are praying, it encourages our hearts. Who today needs that message of encouragement?

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What is in your foundation?

Christ is our perfect foundation

Eccl 7 – 12 After 12 whole chapters of pithy sayings, Solomon finally concludes that all that he has found has little of any value. Only what is done for God will pass the test of time and eternity. He poses the last question by asking us to choose what we will build on.  Eccl 12:13-14 Wisdom teaches us that “each builder’s work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done. For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

Paul echoed that same counsel in the first book to the Corinthians, chapter 3. He reminds them that no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid, which is Jesus Christ. He is the pure and lasting foundation that will weather the storms of life. He is the rock upon which we should build our faith because when the storms of life come, the materials we have chosen will prove to be that which lasts or will fail. He also reminded the Corinthians that each work will be plainly seen and be tested by fire. If we have chosen the suitable materials, they will withstand the fire on “that day” of judgment.

Both authors remind us that what we choose today will either last through eternity or be burned up, even though we will be saved.

What materials have you chosen to add to your foundation?

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God is a God of Order

Numbers 1 to 3 ‘God is a God of Order’1cor 14 33

The theme of Leviticus is holiness; the theme of Numbers is obedience. The study note in the NET Bible study tool says: “It provides a record of the experience of the Israelites during the wilderness wanderings, and records the laws for the camp as they traveled from place to place. The book focuses on the difficulties of the Israelites due to their lack of faith, rebellion, and apostasy. It also records God’s protection of his people from opposition from without. The book makes a fitting contribution to the collection of holy writings as it shows the spiritual and physical progression of the company of the redeemed toward the promised land.” And so we begin our journey with them today.

These first three chapters guide us to see the order that God required of the infant nation of Israel because they had just come from servitude in Egypt. Therefore, God instructed Moses to do such and such. The end of each chapter reads:  They did all that God commanded Moses; that is what they did.

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians he told them:   These things…were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come.[ 1Co 10:11] And again he wrote:  for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace [1Co 14:33]

The God who is not the author of confusion wants to be your God as well. He wants to guide you and bless you. Do you know Him?

Thanks to Pinterest for this photo.

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Think About It—-

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2Corinthians 13 “Do I Have to?”

When children are being disciplined they are often sent to their rooms to “think about it.” Paul is saying to his beloved Corinthian children to think about their faith and their character as a child of God. A child is still a parent’s child but they are to think about their actions as related to their status. The Corinthians were to examine themselves, not for their salvation, for Paul had affirmed that over and over. They were to be fruit inspectors and examine or test themselves ‘in the faith.’

So how does one test to see if you are in the faith?

This is not a list of “do’s and don’ts’. Instead Paul infers that one must check one’s lifestyle that is apparent to all. We could begin in Matthew 5 with the “Be-Attitudes.” As kingdom people we are to demonstrate kingdom character qualities: poor in spirit, mourning over personal sin, meekness under pressure, hungering and thirsting for righteousness. These character qualities are observable in kingdom people’s conduct: merciful to others, pure in heart; and being a peacemaker. As others observe our character and our conduct they can see that we are God’s child because we have been anointed by the Holy Spirit with His fruit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Beloved, you are not being “sent to your room” because you need to check your status as God’s child, but you are being asked to examine your life according to the character of God. How do you stack up?

 

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Contentment is a Learned Exercise

contentment2I have struggled with what Paul wrote to the Philippians when he wrote: “I have learned to be content in any circumstance…I have learned the secret of contentment.” How does one “learn” contentment?

I think I found the clue here in 2Corinthians 12. The background: Some spiritually proud “super apostles” sought to lead the Corinthians astray. Paul knew what they were saying behind his back; he is not becoming in appearance and he isn’t eloquent. What they had not known, and up to this time Paul had not shared, was that 14 years prior to this he had (for lack of better words) an “out of body” experience. Consider this; these so-called super apostles often boasted about their so-called revelations, but, Paul did not. In fact it was not until he had heard enough that he shared what had transpired to keep him humble.

Paul is saying “fast forward” now 14 yrs later. Let me share with you what happened ‘after’ my experience. I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to keep me from spiritual pride; unlike these who had infiltrated the church.  It was real; it was painful.  I sought at least 3 times to have it removed but Christ said emphatically “no;” I have given you my grace of supernatural enablement.

And now Paul explains the secret of his contentment. He learned that a no answer is not the end but the beginning. A no answer meant that Christ would be his sufficiency in times he would need it most. It meant that the grace he had received was not ‘just enough’ but ‘more than enough.’ It is like the miracle of the loaves and fish. When in need, Christ provided not just enough but abundantly and that is what Christ did for Paul. And that is what Christ will do for you and for me.

The lesson for me, and perhaps you, is that Christ will provide just what I need at just the right time. Contentment is not a one time exercise but an on-going step by step, daily exercise. His grace is truly sufficient. 

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