2 Corinthians 7 - 3.30.23

Scripture

2 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT

“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”

Observation

Paul is writing the Corinthian Church telling them how proud he is of them. He tells them that he knows his previous letter, where he was rebuking them for their foolish and sinful actions may have hurt them a bit, but that letter brought repentance amongst them. It drew them away from their sinfulness and brought them closer to God. Because at the end of the day, when we sin against God, are we truly sorry if we’re just going to turn around and do it again? Or can we honestly say that our hearts are sorrowful for what we’ve done, and we yearn to turn away from those actions so we can follow God’s path? 🤔

‬‬

“But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done. “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.” -Ezekiel‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬-‭23‬

Application

It’s one thing to say sorry, but do we truly mean it?

I once had this conversation with my kids when they were younger. My two daughters, Melody and Macie, got into an argument while they were playing. Melody then hurt Macie, and made her cry. When Macie came to me to tell on her sister, her sister was defensive, and tried to justify what she did. So I explained to both of them that we don’t hurt each other in this family. I then told Melody to apologize to her sister. To which Melody immediately responded and turned to her little sister with a snarky “sorry”. I then stopped her and asked if she really meant it. I explained to her that it’s one thing to say sorry, but it’s another thing to truly mean it.

And the same can be said with our relationship with God. Sure we can come to God, say that we’re sorry, and ask for His forgiveness all day long. But do we truly mean it if we knowingly are going to go back out there and willingly do it again?! Or does our “sorry” come with a heart that sincerely hurts because of what we did? Does it come with us turning away from that sinful action, and lead us to doing the godly action? I hope it is the latter, because that is what God’s desire is for each and every one of us. 😊

Prayer

Father God, I know that I’m not perfect. I mess up and sin against You every day. I pray that my sinful actions lead to a heart that hurts because I’ve sinned against You. I pray that it leads to repentance. I thank You God for being so patient with me. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that surrounds me each day. Thank You for forgiving me, a sinner. May my actions prove to You that I am truly sorry. Help me to stay on that godly path that pleases You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

2 Corinthians 6 - 3.29.23

Scripture

2 Corinthians 6:4-10

4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Observation

“Paul is writing to people he cares deeply about. He helped to establish the church in Corinth and led many people there to faith in Christ. Now he seems concerned that some among them who have heard the clear message of the gospel from him have not come to full faith in Christ alone for their salvation. This may be based on continued association with idol worship, or false teachers among them distorting the gospel of Jesus and accusing Paul of being a false apostle.”

Furthermore, when Paul speaks in this chapter of what he and his ministry partners have experienced, it was to prove that he wasn’t a false apostle. Everything they did for Jesus was with full integrity and not with a “hidden or self-serving agenda.” (Reference: Bibleref.com)

Application

Whatever God has called us to (for His Kingdom purposes), a servant of the Lord must get rid of idols, remain humble and have great endurance to finish the race.

What has God called you to?

Tonight, we have the kick off for our 3 day Ascent (prayer and fasting) at 6:30p. Come join us and let’s get rid of idols, remain humble before Him and be strengthened to endure for Jesus alone!

Prayer

Dear Lord, I admit that apart from You, I am not a humble person and cannot endure the race. Holy Spirit, help me to remain humble in You and endure the race/path You’ve called me to until the end. When the devil tries to pull me off course, I know that Your Spirit living in me is greater and stronger. Help me to not be discouraged or defeated as I rely on and seek You deeply everyday. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

2 Cor 5 - 3.28.23

Scripture

II Corinthians 5:17-19

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!   All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Observation

“If it sounds as if Paul is calling us to grit our teeth and try harder to be good, then we are missing the point of 2 Corinthians. Paul intends for us to see the world in a completely new way, so that our actions stem from this new understanding, not from trying harder.” (Theology of Work Bible Commentary)

Application

God reconciled us to himself. He looked on us in all our sin and created a bridge to allow us to have relationship with Him. He reconciled us to Him – not counting our sins against us – simply because He loves us. And He says that we are new creations – in the likeness of Him. As we have received reconciliation, God has called us to the ministry of reconciliation. That means sharing the Good News. But it also means that, as new creations, we should view others as God does. We should not see people from a human point of view, as something to be judged or adored based on our opinions or observations. But instead, we should view everyone we come in contact with as someone Jesus died to save. We are to spread a spirit of love and reconciliation in every situation – reconciling people to people and people to God. “Finally, being seeds of God’s creation, of course, requires that we remain in constant fellowship with Christ. If we do these things, we will be in a position to bring Christ’s power to reconcile the people, organizations, places, and things of the world so that they too can become members of God’s new creation.”

Prayer

God, thank you for this reminder. I so gladly accept your love and forgiveness and I am so stingy in sharing it with others. Transform me and help me to see others through Your eyes and fill me with Your love for them. I want to be a reconciler.

- Debbie Dunn