2 Corinthians 3-3.29.22
Scripture
II Corinthians 3:4-5
Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant ...
Observation
From the moment Jesus revealed himself to Paul, Paul devoted his life to spreading the good news. In Romans 11:13, he calls himself, “the apostle to the Gentiles.” (Apostle – sent on a mission, Gentiles – not Jews, or those who don’t know God). He was sent on a mission to share the good news with those who needed to hear it. He became the first church-planter and experienced great success in his calling. The church in Corinth is one of those churches he planted. As he is writing to the Corinthian church, he acknowledges that his confidence and his success comes from God.
Understanding
I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t feel like a competent minister. Something tells me that Paul wasn’t immediately well-equipped either. Even so, he had experienced Jesus and he was going to share that experience with everyone that he could.
The ESV Study Reformation Bible says, “Paul insists throughout the rest of the letter that faithfulness to these tasks (trusting God, sharing the message)—not eloquence, deep philosophical thought, or worldly standards of personal excellence—is the basis of a valid ministry.”
So what is holding me back? Am I waiting until I have more knowledge? Until I am a better speaker? Until I suddenly become braver? Why do I need to be brave? My competence comes from God. Am I waiting until I have a great story to tell? Guess what, just like Paul, I DO have a great story to tell!
Life Application
God, help me to put aside the excuses, the fear, the pride, the vanity. Open my eyes to those around me who need to hear your good news. Remind me that you have made me a competent minister.
-Debbie Dunn
2 Corinthians 2-3.28.22
Scripture
2 Corinthians 2:14-15 ERV
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume. Our offering to God is to be the perfume of Christ that goes out to those who are being saved and to those who are being lost.”
Observation-What does it say?
In this particular section of Paul’s letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul writes to remind them of their purpose. Their purpose is to go out into the world and share the Gospel of Christ; To do it with a sincerity and passion; To understand that not everyone is going to appreciate the message we will be sharing, but know that God is watching, and our obedience to Him is a living sacrifice to God, a pleasing aroma to Him in Heaven.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Be Mission Minded
We all know that one person who puts on way too much cologne or perfume. You can smell them coming a mile away. You even know that they were in the room…and they left that room hours ago! That scent follows them wherever they go.
Well, what if I told you that as Christ Followers our lives should be like an aroma for God? We should be sharing the Good News wherever we go. Kind of like that person who puts on too much cologne or perfume. That scent follows them and lingers wherever they go. Sure we may have people who despise our smell and scent, but that is only because our message makes them self aware of the life they are living and the changes they need to make and they are too stubborn and hardened to make those changes.-(vs. 16a). But we cannot be discouraged. We will also have people who are welcoming to our scent. We will be like a life-giving perfume in their lives-(vs. 16b). So whether we are giving off that “pleasing scent” or a “foul scent” to someone, as long as we are being obedient to God, that is all that should matter. When we are doing His Will, we are giving off a pleasing aroma to Him in Heaven and God is the only one we should be concerned about pleasing anyways. 😊
Life Application
Can you smell up there God?
Father God, I pray that my life is a sweet aroma to you in Heaven. I pray that my heart’s desire is to please You and You alone, so no matter who I offend or look crazy to today, let me find peace knowing that I’m pleasing You Lord. Give me the courage and boldness to share the Good News with someone today. Let me be a life giving perfume in someone’s life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
-Moses Gaddi
2 Corinthians 1 - 3.25.22
Scripture
2 Corinthians 1:10b-11
On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Observation
The apostle Paul begins his second letter to the believers in Corinth, writing with Timothy, by praising God for his comfort and deliverance from trouble and ‘deadly peril.’ God had delivered them and he was confident God would deliver them again. What struck me was that his confidence and hope was tied in part to the prayer help of the Corinthians.
Understanding – What does it mean?
There is power in prayer!
When I was in college, I drove through an intersection at the same time as someone else ran a red light. The car just barely missed me. I ended up inches away from a really bad collision and potentially severe injuries. With adrenaline still pumping, I pulled over and called Katie. I told her, “You wouldn’t believe what just happened. I almost got in a really bad accident.” She stopped me, “Was it at the corner of…” She described the exact intersection and the scene. I was shocked and confused at how she knew all these details. She told me she had a dream I got in an accident at that intersection so when she woke up she prayed for God to protect me.
Sometimes the best way we can help people is to pray for them. Prayer is not a cop-out, or just something to offer when we don’t know how else to help. Paul says that “gracious favor” would be granted to them in answer to their prayers.
I am so grateful for the “gracious favor” God has extended to me in answer to the prayers of many. I am confident that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for people’s prayers for me.
Life Application
Ask for prayer!
I don’t want to miss out on the gracious favor that God wants to release into my life and situations because I fail to ask people to pray for me. (If you’re reading this and you want to ask for prayer, submit a prayer request!)
Pray for others!
I have an amazing opportunity to partner with God in changing people’s lives and circumstances! I will set aside some additional time today to ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind people who are facing trials and to pray for them.
-Levi Thompson