Category: QuietTimes

7 And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; 9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 [RSV]

This morning I finished Chapter 11 with the final wrap up of Paul’s continued warning of the Corinthian Church that they should beware of these false leaders who are only seeking to lord their control over them.

In chapter 12 Paul begins to talk about visions and revelations that have been given to him by the Lord. He starts with a recollection of a vision that he was taken up into the ‘third heaven’ and that things spoken to him there could not be uttered. He tells of this vision in the third person but it is clear through more complete reading that this experience was indeed Paul himself.

Then Paul moves to my focus of this chapter which is the thorn in Paul’s flesh he has been given by the Lord to keep him from ‘becoming too elated’. This elation and boastfulness could come from the pride in him being the one chosen by God to see these revelations. Paul says that he prayed three times for God to take away this ‘thorn’ but God’s response what that His grace is sufficient and God’s power is made perfect in weakness. Paul then finishes up with how this is ‘enough’ for him. Knowing that in his weakness God will perfect His strength, that is all Paul needs.

Application:

For a long time I thought that this was just a wonderful passage by Paul to help us understand how we should see our weaknesses as a fertile place for God to grow his strength in us…but today I take away more. Today I recollect several times that I have been ‘Filled’ with the Spirit. These are times where the Lord bathed me in his Holy Spirit and my inner being was given a closeness with God that is hard to describe…but these did not last but for a few days or weeks. I believe that this removal I experienced is what Paul is alluding too as a way of God keeping us from becoming elated and remembering that it is in our weakness that God becomes strong. It is when He brings us through trial and tribulation that we see how faithful and powerful and wonderful He is.

12 And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 [RSV]

Chapter 11 is Paul’s assertion that there are false teachers among the Corinthians draws him to lean on his credentials as an apostle of Christ. Paul even talks about how he did not ask for anything (support for his ministry) while he was with them; that he was supported by the Macedonian church. That is what he is saying here; that he will continue to not be a burden on the Corinthians so that these false teachers cannot claim to be operating with a need of support like Paul and his followers.

The real freakiness here is Paul needing to spend so much time in this chapter describing how cunning and believable these false teachers can be. When I think about all of the churches who have compromised the word of God to fit their purposes and today’s social culture alignment, is really scary and sad. There are a nontrivial number of born-again Christians who are attending these churches. This deceit and disguising of supposed ministers in our day are the exact false teachers Paul was warning the Corinthians about. I find myself having a renewed chastening of my heart around God’s TRUTH in His word as a way to gird up the foundation that allows me to see these false servants of righteousness for who they are.

17 However, let him who boasts and glories boast and glory in the Lord.
18 For [it is] not [the man] who praises and commends himself who is approved and accepted, but [it is the person] whom the Lord accredits and commends. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 [AMP]

As I was reading and finishing chapter 10 tonight, it dawned on me that the world says the exact opposite of what Paul teaches. The world would say that you should take personal credit for who you are and what you do. That who you are is all about what you make of yourself and what you want others to think of you. The world tells you that everyone should revolve around your wants and desires.

Paul’s message is very different -> if you are going to boast and give glory, boast in and give glory to the Lord. Paul even goes further in verse 18 to make his point. Just because you approve of yourself does not mean you are or will be accepted. It is who the Lord accredits and commends that will be approved and accepted in the only ways that matter.

Application:

The moment I find myself taking credit for something, I need to stop and redirect that boasting and credit to the Lord Whose opinion is the only one that matters. My plight in life needs to be to do everything for the glory of God alone.

2 Corinthians 10:5 [AMP]
[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

Been on this passage (first 10 verses of chapter 10) for several days now because the Lord is revealing new takeaways. The part here and the verse before is the strongholds and ‘lofty things’ that Paul sets out to bring down with spiritual weaponry. These defensive positions he is talking about are the arguments that challenge the Truth of God and His word. The imagery here is that after these strongholds and ramparts are brought down, he leads the thoughts and purposes behind those arguments away as captives into the ‘Obedience of Christ’.

In order to fight with this spiritual weaponry, I must know how to wield it and I do that by KNOWING God’s word to destroy these arguments above and then the gospel as a way to lead the thoughts and purposes into the obedience of Jesus.

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 [ESV]

These two verses are some of the most powerful verses in the bible for Jesus following Christians. The things that immediately come to mind are the social and culture issues that plaque our world today. There is no way to fight these things with human weapons, this is a battlefield over hearts and minds.

I think we too often believe that getting involved in political action, protesting, or standing on the steps of state houses that will garner change in these areas but I think more and more these wars need to be fought on our knees through prayer over our local, state, and federal leaders. We also should be praying for heart change and courage for our school boards and city councils.

Application:

The weapons for spiritual warfare are the gospel and the sword of the spirit (God’s Word). In other words, God is the power to destroy strongholds. How can I even begin to believe that I can have an impact in the movements to save my church and children from the onslaught of this world if I don’t fully consume, study, and internalize the TRUTH of God’s Word. And then engage that knowledge through prayer and witnessing to make more and better disciples? I know the Lord is working; I must ask how I am making myself available to Lord for the work of the Kingdom and am I making the most of every opportunity He lays in front of me?

This is my first day back to writing since last Wednesday. Thursday, I had to face the layoffs of half of my team (5 people). I didn’t have just any team; we had have been to Alaska together, 4 multi-week trips to the east coast away from our families, and brutal development schedules. I have met wives, husbands, and families….it was one of the hardest days of my life. Some people had even moved here to the west coast from places like Louisiana and Virginia. The impact of this layoff was huge, and I am still working through “Survivor’s Guilt” and figuring out how to come alongside one person who holds me personally responsible for this outcome. Please join me in praying for these families who have had their lives turned upside down.

For my reading today, I am making the turn into chapter 10 of 2nd Corinthians. Chapters 1-9 carry a message of relief and comfort whereas 10-13 the tone is very different. It is marked by satire and sarcasm, spirited personal defense, reproach directed towards the Corinthians and bitter attack levelled at outsiders who have infiltrated and are now influencing the congregation.

NOW I myself, Paul, beseech you, by the gentleness and consideration of Christ [Himself; I] who [am] lowly enough [so they say] when among you face to face, but bold (fearless and outspoken) to you when [I am] absent from you!
I entreat you when I do come [to you] that I may not [be driven to such] boldness as I intend to show toward those few who suspect us of acting according to the flesh [on the low level of worldly motives and as if invested with only human powers]. 2 Corinthians 10:1-2 [AMP]

These first 2 verses setup this latter half with who the message is meant to be directed at. It is to those few who suspect Paul and his companions of acting according to the flesh and their own worldly motives. Of course, knowing Paul, this could not be further from the truth. What I think is important is that we all need to hear what Paul has to say and do our best (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to apply to our own areas of our lives and hearts that either harbor or nurture ungodliness that comes in the form of religiosity, prejudice, or pride.

8 And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
9 As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!  10 And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].
11 Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 [AMP]

My epiphany today was what the Lord laid on my heart in regard to what Paul is saying in most of this 9th chapter of Corinthians. What hit me was that I find myself creating structures or frameworks that ‘Giving’ must fit in -> Money, shelter, food, clothing, and any other physical commodity that you can think of…but what Paul is saying here is that God gives us an abundance of things to be generous with.

• Our Time
• Kindness
• Labor
• Empathy
• Compassion
• Encouragement
• etc.

In my life as a believer, I have been to quick to create channels of giving that if the ‘thing to give’ did not fit in that channel, then there was nothing to give. What Paul is saying is that there is really no boundary to the type of blessing that you can be generous with in ‘giving’…there is no channel, there is only an open table by which anything you have to give can be slid to the person in need. You might be reading this and thinking, “Ben, this is so elementary!”. You are probably right, but on my road to sanctification, I needed this today.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 [AMP]
[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.
Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (Hetakes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it” ) giver [whose heart is in his giving].

We’ve all heard this passage before but this is the first time I have read the full context of the situation. What is happening is that believers with the Macedonian church are coming to Corinth to visit and Paul has communicated to these Macedonians that the believers in Corinth are prepared to send them back with a gift offering. Just before these two verses, Paul is reminding the Corinthians to be ready with this offering. In most cases preparation was needed to assemble the intended offering which may be money, objects of value, or other gifts that could help the receiving church. Paul was concerned that some members would drag their feet and not be ready and then he would be embarrassed at the lack of preparation to bless this Macedonian church.

Application:

The lesson is that delayed obedience is disobedience. When the Lord has laid something on our hearts to do, we should quickly execute on the task with joy and purpose…especially when it is serving people with immediate needs.

​1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 [ESV]

I was convicted in my reading today as Paul recounts the churches in Macedonia (Thessalonica, Philippi, and probably Beroea) to the Corinthians as churches who were embroiled in persecution (to both the apostolic team and to the new converts). The conviction comes from what Paul says about the Macedonian church’s response out of their extreme poverty. It was out of their joy that their giving overflowed in a wealth of liberality. The Macedonian Christians know the joy of being the recipients of God’s free giving, and that joy, they gave freely.

Because of their situation, what the churches gave was probably quite a small amount, but measured against their extreme poverty it represented a wealth of liberal giving.

Application:

I feel like I have not only been given so much in the Son of God, but God has also given me so much here on earth. Do I give in proportion to what I receive? Not by any stretch of the imagination when compared to the churches of Macedonia. Lord God, please forgive me for not giving more and help me to be open handed out of the joy in of the wealth I have been giving in eternal security.

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 [ESV]

During the counseling conference this year, we had the privilege of sitting under the teaching of Dr. Ellen. He taught us the difference between the two types of conscientious sorrow.

• Casualty Sorrow: which is worldly sorrow leading to death (what this verse above is referring to). Casualty sorrow is, I’m sad because I have regrets over what’s happened. I know I’m wrong, but I’m not really focused on how I’ve sinned against God, dishonored him and others, I’m just consumed with what can happen to me. With casualty sorrow, we call it that because the person, if they don’t deal with their sin, sin leads to death. 
• Contrite Sorrow: Which is what 2 Corinthians 7 talks about Godly sorrow producing this thing of repentance.

We either move into casualty sorrow, where we have regret and feel sorry, or contrite where we are broken and want to make things right. This seems so simple but when you truly consume it relative to our sanctification, it is super powerful!