Tag Archive for: Corinthians

Share your story

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“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” — 2 Corinthians 4:7.

God gave each of us a message, a song, and a story in our hearts. He gave us this message to share. Not to keep it stored up inside.    Glory-gifts from God (Copy)

Your story is different than mine. Your story is yours. My story is mine. My story includes joy, pain, trials, defeat and victory — so does yours. Our stories involve different details, but similar characteristics. The Author-Creator of our stories remains the same God.

Isn’t it time to pen those words, so others can be blessed & encouraged? Ask God to fill you with his all-encompassing power. He will give you and me the courage to write that story burning deep inside!

Let me fill you with my Love, Joy, and Peace … Glory-gifts #JesusCalling.

 

 

Comfort one another

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” —
2 Corinthians 1:3–4.

We need each other. God created us to work through and live out our faith in community. When one member is down and experiencing defeat, rejection, or depression, God provides a shoulder to lean on — sometimes through another person.

The reality is that there will be suffering. But this verse also promises the Father of compassion will be there to comfort us. And when we feel that comfort ourselves, it comes naturally to share that same comfort with a friend who is down or discouraged. This type of compassion is even more authentic when you have experienced a similar trial.

In my writer’s group, we all bring various talents and experiences to the table. Some authors have experienced great trauma in their past; others walk through troubled waters now.  In our groups, we have married and single members, others have children and grandchildren. Yet, we share a common bond as we wait on God, his perfect timing for publication, and just the right location to see each individual story in print.

Comfort one another

There is not a sorrow or a joy that goes unnoticed by God. He can use each up and down in our life to encourage another. He delights when we share our emotions and encourage each other to rely on him and not on our own methods or strength.

Dear God, Thank you for guiding me and shielding me through past times of turmoil. I need to keep on trusting in the midst of today’s circumstances. Nothing is wasted because you can use every high and low for your glory. Every day weaves a new piece of the tapestry called Life. Thank you for giving me comfort. And thank you for also providing comfort in the form of another compassionate person just when I needed it. Amen.

I have all I need

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“Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” — 2 Corinthians 6:10

a sweet fragrance

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While walking this afternoon, I spotted a lilac bush. At first I smelled something extremely sweet. What was that smell? I recognized the smell when I saw the delicately formed purplish blossoms and recalled my Mom’s lilac bushes. I walked across the street into the neighbor’s yard and put my nose right up to the flowers. I just love that smell! Sweet, aromatic — not too strong, but just the right amount of fragrance. I wanted to remain there and continue to drink in the sweet fragrance until I was saturated to capacity.

In the second book of Corinthians, we are reminded that “we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” I wonder just how good I smell to others. Do my actions match my words? Do others desire to be around me and can’t get enough of my presence? Just how pleased is God with my innermost thoughts?

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?” — 2 Corinthians 2:15–16.

Keep your eyes on the prize!

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Feet on Hammock

photo by Steve Lasher

“When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the gospel.” – quote by Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest

I am tired and grow weary in the everyday tasks. Dishes and clothes continue to get dirty, meals must be prepared, and bills paid. And then there’s the job outside my home. It’s easy for discouragement to settle in. I feel my enthusiasm for life decrease.

Yet Paul persevered in the middle of tribulations, distress, beatings, imprisonment, hard work, sleepless nights and hunger. He relied on his ever-constant faith in God. In fact, trials and misunderstandings caused him to lean in closer to God.

Dear God, I’ve never experienced anything as severe as what Paul went through. But just like him, I know when I keep my eyes fixed on you; my life is smoother and my disposition more joyful.

Do you feel defeated, physically stressed and worn out? Is it difficult to focus on a task and see it through to completion? Try reading Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 6:3–13. Can you replace your discouragement with rejoicing and open wide your heart to him?

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True Freedom

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“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” — 2 Corinthians 3:17.

Do you sense that freedom? Freedom that comes only when God is involved. The freedom to speak about what God is doing in your life? I’ve experienced it, and there is no comparison to anything else on earth. I’ve also known bondage — bondage to man’s rules and regulations, bondage to feverishly trying to win another person’s approval and love. Relief may come, but usually is temporary.

God’s freedom is boundless. His love is unconditional. When I mess up by not seeking his wisdom or approval, I’ve felt disappointment in my soul. And so did God during those times. He gave me life, and he continues to bless me with seen and unseen blessings. Why do I even consider giving him anything but my best? What can I give God today?

             · My time

             · My energy

             · Words of praise 

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My life’s an open book (re-visited)

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“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts,” (2 Corinthians 3:2–3).

            My very life is a letter that anyone can read (or not read) just by looking at me. Scary thought. To think that anyone can trace my actions and hear my words and judge me — well, that’s a whole lot of pressure. This fact causes me to ask myself if I am truly living as God would have me live and saying and doing what he desires of me. His mark on me is written on the tablet of my flesh, not on a tablet of stone.

Prayer: Dear God, I confess that the mark I leave behind is not always pleasant, kind, or loving. Sometimes I leave a trail of strife and confusion—forgive me for those times. Help me to plant seeds of kindness, and tell others of the joy of my salvation. 

Ask: What kind of mark are you leaving today? Will others be able to tell that you belong to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Do others see the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

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Jesus: the Reason for the Season (part II)

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My preparations for the season (so far) consist of running here and there while wearing myself out. I’ve carved so little free time out to just sit and contemplate the real reason for the season. It is Jesus’ birthday and He is the reason for the season. 

I’m pretty sure the God who sent his Son to die on the cross for our sins is less than pleased when I turn the Christmas season into a chaotic competition. Jesus’ birth in a non-descript stable caused angels to sing and shepherds to follow a star. All of heaven rejoiced at the birth which changed the course of mankind forever.

Dear God, please forgive me for being so occupied with my own agenda that I fail to acknowledge the giver of the most perfect gift of all. I’m sure glad you weren’t too busy to think of me. Thank you for sending your son to die in my place and for those who believe on your name.

How about you? Are you taking time during this hectic month to thank God for the indescribable gift in the form of God’s only Son?

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

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Blessed are the mourners

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“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

These words are taken from the Sermon on the Mount (also known as the Beatitudes). Jesus is speaking to his disciples about troubles they will encounter when they seek to live out traits which contradict society.  Being a follower of Jesus was both popular and odd.

In this life, too, there will be sadness and mourning. The above verse gives me permission to mourn. Mourning is expected and encouraged. Life doesn’t always go the way I want it to go. Spouses and children make bad choices affecting family deeply. Boating accidents, drowning, and random shootings saturate the daily news. It’s no surprise wives and children wake in the middle of the night in tears. Merely waking and dressing for the day can seem laborious.

Good to know there is a remedy. I read in 2 Corinthians, chapter 1 “Praise be to the God…the Father of compassion and the God all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles…,” Isn’t it refreshing to realize there is a God who understands, cares, and wants to kiss away our wounds?

But, wait, there’s a two-fold reward. God comforts us in times of distress and pain “so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:4). Even the comfort we receive from God does not stop with me, but multiplies itself as I, in turn, am able to give to another that same healing balm.

 I remember having lunch with a new friend just after my Mom died. Joyce’s mother died years before, yet her transparency and empathy for me calmed my soul. You see, she understood. When someone experiences death of a loved one, I am able to put myself in their place.

If I could figure this sadness out all by myself, then God and his people wouldn’t be needed. That’s why the God of all comfort is readily available day or night. I just need to ask.

“But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God” (2 Corinthians 1:9).

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Coffee’s brewing!

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“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life” (2 Corinthians 2:15–16).

My all-time favorite stop to make when I visit Rockford is Herman’s Boy Coffee shop! My first glance at the coffee bar is their current list of specialty flavors of the month:

  • Easter Sunrise – “an intriguing blend of toasted almond, coconut and orange citrus notes”
  • Grand Slam – “rich chocolate, spicy cinnamon and toasted hazelnut”
  • Sugar Cookie – “sweet sugar cookie flavor”

The aroma as soon as I walk through the door is divine! I could sit in their coffee shop and sip coffee all day long and never tire of the fragrance. There is no mistake that coffee’s been roasting and brewing. I feel right at home in this quiet and quaint atmosphere.

When I contemplate aromas and smells, I wonder if I am a sweet “fragrance of life” to those I come in contact with. Do my words and actions lead them toward God or away from him? When I hear gossip, do I chime in with the most recent details, or do I attempt to steer the conversation in a wholesome direction? The words that come out of my mouth originate from my deceitful heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it” (Jeremiah 17:9).

On the way home, my car smells of coffee beans. I breathe deeply and drink in the aroma.

Prayer: Dear God, help me to be attractive to others and not repulsive. My desire is that they ultimately be attracted to you, your ways, and your heart.   

Ask: Are your family and friends eager to be near you, or are they anxious to leave you? Do you contribute to negative conversations or try to respond in a positive, uplifting manner?

Teresa K. Lasher ©2011