Be Still… – Relevant Reflections to Let God's Word Back Into Your Hands and Heart

2 Corinthians 3:1-18 – Old vs. New Covenant

This is one of those passages you may need to read more than once to begin to follow what Paul is teaching. His Jewish audience would be very familiar with the Old Covenant and its limitations. Now, understanding a brand-new, completely different covenant with God would have been challenging. Paul was doing his best here to help them understand the difference.

For us, it’s good to recall the history of how God interacted with his people. It was especially meaningful to imagine Moses and the veil. To have been in the presence of God, Moses’ face would have shone with glorious light. The people feared being that close to God and his glory. The veil signifies that boundary that only Jesus can take away. Continue reading “2 Corinthians 3:1-18 – Old vs. New Covenant”

2 Corinthians 2:5-17 – Like Sweet Perfume

Read 2 Corinthians 2:5-17

The first part of our reading today deals with a very familiar, yet painful issue for the congregation in Corinth. It sounds like they had gone through something traumatic. Many churches today walk through trauma together, such as church splits, pastors retiring, or dealing with sinful behaviors that leave deep hurt behind.

Paul’s message to them now, after the fact, was forgiveness. Paul would even forgive, but how he cautions them is a gold nugget for us, too. “And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.” When we use Christ’s authority and attach it to our forgiveness or our prayer requests, we keep Satan’s schemes away. That was a powerful reminder. Christ’s authority cannot be shaken. Continue reading “2 Corinthians 2:5-17 – Like Sweet Perfume”

2 Corinthians 1:1-2:4 – Be Comforted

Read 2 Corinthians 1:1-2:4

Paul’s second letter was sent about a year after his first, according to notes in my study Bible. Those may have actually been his 2^nd and 4^th letters. Apparently, there were two other letters written to this congregation that did not make it into our Holy Scriptures. The second letter recorded in the Bible is believed to be the 4^th and final letter Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. Having that background is helpful to understand the timing and references made. Paul had quite a relationship with this Greek congregation.

Paul is quick to offer words of comfort, pointing to our great comforter. In Paul’s words, “God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.” When we go through challenging times in our lives, it is always helpful to imagine we are not alone, with all the comfort God showers on us. For people who don’t have a relationship with God, they don’t understand the peace and hope that accompany that comfort. Sometimes when we’re in the thick of our messiness, we can lose sight of the great comforter holding us together. Continue reading “2 Corinthians 1:1-2:4 – Be Comforted”

Acts 20:1-16 – Don’t Stop Now!

Read Acts 20:1-16

We meet up with Paul here right after the riots in Ephesus. Paul had made quite a stir within the community, talking about Jesus and denouncing all the false gods that had brought a livelihood for so many. Because of his faith and unpopular message with some, Paul was not a popular person. Do you ever feel like you’re an outcast because you speak the name of Jesus?

In this reading, we see that Paul didn’t skip a beat. He didn’t let the noise of the crowd deter him from his mission. He had told the Corinthians in his first letter that he’d be leaving Ephesus after Pentecost and heading to Macedonia. Paul’s travel plans had changed a bit as he now wanted to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost. No matter what, Paul continued to encourage people along the way. We can learn a lot from Paul’s determination. Continue reading “Acts 20:1-16 – Don’t Stop Now!”

1 Corinthians 16:1-24 – Action Steps

Read 1 Corinthians 16:1-24

Paul closes his first letter to the Corinthians by setting out his plans for a visit. Don’t we often do the same when we communicate with loved ones far away about planning to visit? Today it might look a little different, like a quick text or a voicemail alerting folks to an upcoming visit. As missionaries, we look forward to those yearly quick trips to see family and friends back in the States.

Even more importantly, Paul talks about the giving of gifts back to the ministry in Jerusalem. Paul is describing a type of tithe to the founding church along with a good plan for budgeting the gift. We might do the same today with a spreadsheet, setting a certain portion aside from our wages so that we can tithe to the local church and give generously to other ministries. It’s always best to set aside the money intentionally so it doesn’t get spent by mistake. Continue reading “1 Corinthians 16:1-24 – Action Steps”

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