Tag Archives: the book of 2 Corinthians

March 7
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“When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much.  The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.”  (2 Corinthians 10:18, NLT)

The current fixation on self-promotion isn’t new. Folks were marketing themselves long before Paul wrote today’s admonition against the self-promotion to the Christian disciples in Corinth — which was the New York City of its day: Populous, cosmopolitan, a crossroads of humanity.

I know, I know. . .  We reason that if we’re not for ourselves, then who is?  It is a valid question.

The answer for the disciple of Jesus is that it is God who is our champion.  God opens doors that no one can close; and God closes doors that no one can open.

Be faithful to Him in all things, and he will not only chart the course of your life; but He will ensure that you arrive at all of the correct checkpoints — at the right time.  – Luther

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March 5
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“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”  (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV)

I arrived at home one day to the lovely scent of one of my wife’s favorite perfumes.  My wife wasn’t at home at the time, so I figured that I had just missed her by a matter of minutes.

When she returned some time later, she told me that she had accidentally knocked the glass perfume bottle to the bathroom’s tile floor, thereby “liberating” its contents.

As Paul reminds us in today’s scripture, we are like that perfume bottle: Fragile, but filled with the spirit of God. The perfume bottle’s purpose is to serve as a container of the fragrant treasure that, by its nature, changes the character of its environment whenever it is “liberated” — whether by plan or by “accident.”

As we continue through the Lenten season, remember that we are dust; clay; ashes; a tent.  But also remember that the spirit of almighty God from within us, and through us, changes the character of whatever environment, or circumstance, we encounter. Our fragile frame reminds us that the power is of God, not of ourselves.     – Luther

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September 8
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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”  (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)

The comfort and compassion available to us for use when helping others is as powerful, as resilient, and as timely as what we’ve received from God when we’ve been troubled.

In fact, what we receive today fills our reservoir for service to others tomorrow.  God does, indeed, reach-down to bring us up; but God also employs His willing children to come alongside to bring us along.  When we are faithful to reach-out, to reach-over, or to reach-back for others, it is not only our own power that strengthens our grip; it is the power of God through us!

Never hesitate to go where God has ordered; or to serve where God has placed you.  We are His hands and His arms to those in distress.  – Luther

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