SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 10:1-5
1 “By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come, I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
OBSERVATION
Paul’s Defense of His Ministry
This chapter serves as a reminder of the spiritual nature of Christian leadership and the importance of relying on divine strength rather than human wisdom. Paul is speaking in defense of his ministry contrasting his humble demeanor when present with the Corinthians to his boldness in letters. He emphasizes that his authority comes from Christ and not from worldly standards.
As we know, Paul is a passionate man who at one time had the same fault with Jesus and His teaching so he understands their disbelief BUT when Paul had a personal encounter with Jesus, it transformed Saul from a persecutor of Christians to one of Christianity's most influential apostles, and he is on fire for the Lord. And this reminds me of the word “Rhema” we heard one Sunday from the Missionaries in Nicaragua. And I looked up the meaning of the word Rhema:
“A Personal relationship with God that influences daily life. This concept emphasizes the idea that rhema is not just the written word (graphe) or the overarching message (logos) of Scripture, but rather a specific, Spirit-inspired word that speaks directly to an individual's situation or need. And it has two parts;”
Transformative Nature: Rhema is seen as alive and transformative, providing guidance and insight that can change how believers approach their lives.
Personal Application: Believers often seek rhema during prayer or meditation, looking for specific messages that resonate with their current circumstances.
APPLICATION
I love the word “transformed”—to be transformed into his image and continue with love and boldness to be an “apostle of God’s word” is our desire. AND every time we read it, we get something new in the same scripture. JESUS left us with the HOLY SPIRIT and He speaks to us in the need of the hour. AND our desire is to have the same Passionate Fire and Rhema (personal relationship with Jesus) the apostles had to lead others to know the Living God.
And I love this as we thirst for His word and have Rhema because Jesus is here in His Holy Spirit.
Psalms 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, my/our savior, I come before you with a humble heart. I cherish your words Jesus, and those who wrote of it and those who speak of it; my pastors and all missionaries we’ve heard the past Sundays. And Lord bless all those in DSC who write a SOAP for all of us to see. I don’t often comment on the blessing I received from it but it speaks to me. Lord, this day let me be your missionary to show others who you are and give me your words to speak of your Rhema. Bless this day, Jesus. Every season of life with you, Father, I treasure…and my soul thirsts for you. Protect my family and my DSC family and speak to each one. I trust in your unfailing grace. IN your holy name Jesus, Amen!
- Charleen Zakarian
