The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:7-8,11-15 (day six)  If I say that grace is AMAZING, you are likely to nod agreement and hum the famous hymn tune.  If I say that grace is UNEXPECTED, perhaps you will pause and consider the question “What is it about my life that is not what people expect?”  What in me surprises people?  Do they see generosity in circumstances that would provide an excuse not to be? (vs 7)  Do they see submission, ego-less surrender to the will of God and the needs of others? (vs 5)  Do they see unity? (vs 15)  What about cheerfulness in all things, even sacrificial things? (vs 9:7)  Whatever else should be said about the grace of God, if it produces exactly what everyone expects, then something is wrong.  Flesh is the norm.  Self and pride and fear.  What the world is always amazed to see is the Spirit alive in the heart of believers.  So surprise someone today, will you?

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:7-8,11-15 (day five)  “You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. . .thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (9:11-12, 15) In a moment of spontaneous praise, Paul thanks God for the gift of Christ. It is indescribable all that God did for us on the cross.  What powerful effects this gift has!  Having received, we begin to give.   Others who receive  also begin to give thanks (the first form of giving).  As we give, God is pleased to enrich us with more.  Larger and larger the circle grows.  Note the optimism of true faith.  This is not “small shrinking circle”.  It is an “upward spiral” of Kingdom expansion which began with the generosity of God!  In a world as selfish as ours, there was no other way. Lord, catch us up in this expanding circle of generosity!

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:7-8,11-15 (day four)  “Yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich” (vs 8:9)  “So that having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work” (vs 9:8)  We’re rich!  Certainly from the perspective of history.  All of us have material privileges which would have been the envy of kings in a former age.   From the perspective of eternity we are even wealthier!  We have an infinite Spirit.  We have a reliable Bible.  Christian friends, the power of prayer. . .we are rich!  Not so that we will be arrogant or self-indulgent.   God makes us rich so that we will share in every good work (abundantly share in it).  Some think that we should choose the projects in which we should be involved.  Paul disagrees.  We are to share in EVERY good work.  If God is involved we want to be too.  Just like rich folks!

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:7-8,11-15 (day three)  I’m in the minority on this subject but I don’t believe that giving is a commandment for New Testament believers.  The Old Testament had the tithe.  It was the law.  A set percentage.  The New Testament requires something much harder–voluntary giving.  In 2 Corinthians 8:3 the Bible says “they gave voluntarily”. 8:8 says “I do not say this as a command”.  8:10 calls this whole conversation “advice”. 9:7 says that we are not to give “under compulsion”. New Testament life (life in the Spirit) is larger and better and higher than law.  We do not give because we have to , we give because we choose to.  As recepients of God’s grace, we feel the obligation and privilege of giving to others and to the cause of the Kingdom.  God would rather have my heart than my money.  He would rather have my will than my wallet.  Until He does, He is willing to wait.

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15,9:7-8,11-15 (day two)  2 Corinthians 8 and 9 have a repeated theme.  “Now brethren, we want to make known to you the GRACE OF GOD” (vs 1)  Six other times in chapter 8 (and 3 more in chapter 9) Paul will ring this bell.  He uses the word charis (note charismatic, charisma).  It means “gift”.  Something useful and undeserved.  The idea is that what we give (in money, time or obedience) is a mere reflection, a faint and inadequate echo of what God has given us.  We give because we have received!  The surprise is vs 16.  “But THANKS be to God” says Paul and he uses the same word (charis).  Having received from God, we give to others but we also return to the Eternal One our thanks.  We give grace to Him by just saying thank you.  Is your heart preparing for Thanksgiving?  Mine is.  Probably we should not wait for November 24 to get started!

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:7-8, 11-15 (day one)  God is a GIVER.  Generosity is one of his attributes.  “For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only son.”  He GIVES the Holy Spirit.  He GIVES us “gifts” that equip us for service.  Those who follow Christ become givers too.  A selfish Christian is a contradiction in terms.  It is a transformation that does not begin with money.  First we give ourselves to God. (time, talent, money, attention)  Second we give ourselves to the leaders that God provides. (prayers and support).  “First they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God” (vs 5)  This coming Sunday we will adopt the 2012 budget for our fellowship.  It is either a boring document that only an accountant could love, or it is the testimony and pledge of people who have received God’s gifts and are therefore glad to answer with gifts of our own.  The wallet is never first with God.  What he wants is you.

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 5:11-21, 6:1-2 (day seven)  “We are. . .giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance.”  (vs 13)  It was a public relations issue.  Still is.  Communicating to the world must always be done on the world’s terms.  Left to himself, Paul would never have considered providing “boasting points” to the Corinthian believers.  He was willing to do so only because it was important to those he was trying to reach.  Are we?  Are we willing to talk about the environment if it matters to our neighbors?  What about other religions or social justice?  Do we adapt ourselves out of concern for those Christ loved?  At 11:00 this morning (altogether due to the Marathon) we will gather to consider the question, “Why should we care what the world thinks?”  I am looking forward to thinking with you on this important question.  My love to you, dear friends.

Re:Verse passage–2 Corinthians 5:11-21, 6:1-2 (day six)  Yesterday I wrote about Christ unselfishly giving His life to create a people who are unselfish in a similar way.   (see day 5)  Today, I hope you will continue to reflect on this truth by taking to heart the words of 2 Corinthians 6:1 “And working together with Him, we urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain”.  Have you ever considered what a privilege it is to collaborate with God?  To be His partner?  Why would He include us?  He doesn’t need us.  He has no limitation of thought or strength.  He can do everything without us.   The only explanation can be His love.  What better proof of His great heart then to take former rebels and make them allies?  Former enemies now His partners.  Not captured slaves but sons in the family business!  Do you feel this privilege, dear friend?  Does the partnership have your whole heart?  I will look for you tomorrow at 11:00!

Re:Verse passage–2 Corinthians 5:11-21, 6:1-2 (day five)  There may be many answers to the question, but certainly one is that Christ died “so that those who live would no longer live for themselves but for him.”  (vs 14, today’s reading)  Unselfish service is the very definition of love.  The man who LOVES his wife must consider her needs above his own.  The person who LOVES Christ must do the same.  BIG PROBLEM for those of us who are trapped in selfishness!  Sometimes (often? always?) even our service to Christ is motivated by a concern for our own welfare or safety.  If the reason that Christ willingly went to the cross was for me to be reborn into an unselfish life, shouldn’t I be more serious and honest about the level of love in my heart and life?  Trusting the infinite Holy Spirit to supply every need, I will begin today!  Trusting Him to accept even my failings, I will love Him!  It is why Christ died.

Re:Verse reading – 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, 6:1-2 (day four)  “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:8)  “We are ambassadors for Christ. . .we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)  Do we beg people to be saved?  Does Christ?  It is a shocking idea!  A glorious God who humbles himself to die on a cross and then humbles Himself even further by begging people to receive His offered gift.  It isn’t fair!  It isn’t right!  Where is His pride?  The rebels should beg for peace, not the Sovereign King!  Yet Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5 that God does not defend His dignity and neither should we.  He does not allow His wounded pride to keep Him from reaching out.  He considers our need rather than His own rights.  What can explain His attitude other than Divine Love?  Why would God beg people to be saved except for a heart of infinite mercy?  “What wondrous love is this, O my soul?”