192nd Week, II Corinthians Introduction - Chapter 4

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Monday, II Corinthians Introduction

2 Corinthians 

Introduction

Tanya Ruden

THOUGHT

I liked the intro of my Life Application Bible.  It reminded me a lot of life today with the cults and other ism's. Why is it so easy for those organizations to find followers? So often people, who feel lost or depressed, get into one of these groups and feel loved and part of a group and find themselves following a false God. These organizations are out on the streets talking with people who were like themselves. We are called to meet these people where they are and share the Gospel with them. We need to fill their loneliness with the one true God and denounce these false Gods, something Paul was struggling with and addressing in these letters. 

It also talks about Paul having to share his credentials as an apostle. It made me stop and think - what are my credentials as a Christian? Are they as simple as “I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.”? Do I live a life pleasing to this belief in every action or thing I do? 

And lastly the thing that reminded me of today was Paul calling the people to give. It talks about him encouraging people to give to the poorer Christians of the area and urging them to show love in a tangible way. In my church November is consecration month where we commit our lives and money commitment, same as Paul called the early Christians to do. 

So, I guess as we read II Corinthians, we should reflect on how it applies so much to us today even though it was written 2000 years ago. 

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, open my heart to hear the words of Paul as we read II Corinthians and to listen to what we as Christians are called to do. Even though it is 2000 years later, what Paul stated applies to us today. Help this reading to grow our credentials as Christians. We love You, Jesus. AMEN 

Tuesday, II Corinthians Chapter 1

2 Corinthians 1

Verse 4

Tanya Ruden

Verse 4:  “Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 

THOUGHT

Do you ever feel like you have brothers and sisters in Christ who are always in need of comfort?  Now I know why the Holy Spirit sends those people our way for comfort, because we get it.  We have the comfort from God and are able to comfort those in need. Maybe the other people they associate with don't get it and can't help them. It seems this is a gift of the Holy Spirit God has bestowed upon us. 

I really like what my Bible notes say: 'Many think that when God comforts us, our troubles should go away. But if that were always so, people would turn only out of desire to be relieved of pain and not out of love for HIM. We must understand that being comforted can also mean receiving strength,

encouragement, and hope to deal with our troubles. The more we suffer the more comfort God gives us. If  you are feeling overwhelmed, allow God to comfort you. Remember that every trial you endure will help you comfort other people who are suffering similar troubles.’ 

I think our greatest ministry tool is our experiences. We can understand what people are going through if we have experienced it ourselves.  We are living proof of what God's comfort can do through the situation. Testifying to these difficult times in our lives grows God's kingdom and our faith. 

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, as ironic as this is to say, thank You for our struggles and the times we reach for You for comfort. Thank You for the open arms of love You have for us. Thank You for being our 'parent' and loving us enough to see us through situations where we grow as Your children. You are always there for us, and everything we experience is for our betterment. We love You, Jesus. AMEN 

Wednesday, II Corinthians Chapter 2

2 Corinthians 2 

Verse 4

Tanya Ruden

Verse 4:  "For I wrote to you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you." 

THOUGHT

Isn't love tough sometimes? The movies always portray love as this wonderful happy feeling, and it gives you all warm fuzzies inside.  Don't get me wrong; love is like that most of the time, but there are times love is harder than a 'walk in winter wonderland'. Sometimes our love for others makes us have to do or say hard things. Sometimes we have to confront friends and hold them accountable for their behavior. "Sometimes our friends make choices that we know are wrong. If we ignore their behavior and let them continue in it, we won't be showing love to them. We show love by honestly sharing our concerns in order to help these friends (and family) do and be their very best for GOD. When we don't make any move to help, we show that we are more concerned about being well liked than about what will happen to them."  Life Application Bible 

Sometimes we want someone to like us/love us. We are so worried about what we might say or do that we become someone else, and we are not acting in true love as God calls us to do. We must believe in what we say to those we love and what we hold them accountable for. We must know that the love of a relationship is stronger than a false friendship. I look at disciplining my children. Is it easy to send Sierra to her room or take away book reading time because of her behavior - NO! It is not easy. She is mad at me, and I am disappointed too. But this 'tough' love is what God calls me to do - to make her a disciple of HIS kingdom and to understand love as Paul describes. In the end, her behavior improves, and she still loves me and will someday understand. Was it an easy love for God to send Jesus to the cross? Talk about ultimate tough love. 

PRAYER

Dear God, thank You for love. Thank You for showing us the ultimate example of love in sending Your Son for us and to die for us. Help us to be honest and accountable in our relationships with friends and family. Love is tough sometimes, but the reward we receive is so beyond words.  It is so much more than having someone 'like us'. Help us prepare others to be their best for You through our love. AMEN

Thursday, II Corinthians Chapter 3 

2 Corinthians 3

Verse 16

Tanya Ruden

Verse 3:  “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” 

THOUGHT

At the beginning of this chapter it talks about a lack of confidence. It talks about our confidence coming from God through Christ. I liked this verse because so often we associate some of our confidence with our outward appearance. If we look confident, we can be thought of in a positive way from those we associate with. For example, when I was an auditor, I would often wear red or purple on Monday to make me feel more powerful/confident going to a new client. Can you imagine how confident you would feel with no veil and looking in the likeness of God? Talk about ultimate confidence. Turn to God, remove that veil, and walk around showing the Jesus that lives in you to all you see!! 

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, take away the veil I so often hide behind. Help me shine confidently to those I come in contact with. Help me show Your love and my faith in my daily activities. Thank You for sending Jesus that I might be free to shine without a veil about me.  AMEN 

Friday, II Corinthians Chapter 4

2 Corinthians 4 

Verse 17

Tanya Ruden

Written in 2005 around Christmas

Verse 17:  “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

THOUGHTS

First I just wanted to comment on the beginning of the chapter when it talks about our lights shining. I know when my mom was reading this, she thought of Sierra singing and learning 'this little light of mine' - what a true simple concept that still calls us to shine today. I hope that learning of the light will remain with her, and she will keep shining throughout her life. 

I liked being reminded that our troubles here on earth are so minor. So often we carry so much unnecessary burden.  How many of you are currently stressing about the holidays? Is it necessary? It is too bad not everyone on earth understands how minor daily events are in the overall scope of life. If they did, no one would count how many presents they didn't get, instead of loving the things received. No one would track cards received, instead of sending to those they love and cherishing those received. I liked the summary in my Life Application Bible... 

'Our troubles should not diminish our faith or disillusion us. We should realize that there is a purpose in our suffering. Problems and human limitations have several benefits: 

- they remind us of Christ's suffering for us 

- they keep us from pride 

- they cause us to look beyond this brief life 

- they prove our faith to others 

- they give God the opportunity to demonstrate his power 

See your troubles as opportunities 

No matter how BIG or small your trouble is, God is your source of power through it. Keep in mind these five things as to why we have challenging opportunities every day. Also, try to keep any troubles in perspective in the grand scheme of life; always remembering someday we will all live in a place of only happiness - no opportunities. 

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for opportunities in our lives in which to grow our faith and allow others to see You through our reactions to our troubles in our lives. I know most of us do not enjoy our 'opportunities' when going through them, but I also know they are a necessary part of life on this earth. I pray You give us all the wisdom to handle them and the attitude to see them as opportunities for You to work in our lives, not horrible burdens to bear. Help us also to be lights to lift the spirits of those currently enduring challenging troubles. Help them to feel less burdened through their interaction with us and our bright light.  How can a bright light not make you smile, even if it is because you are squinting?! AMEN