Power, Plan, and Purpose! - January 7th, 2012

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. ⁸ We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— ¹⁰ always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

2 Corinthians 4:7-11

History and Context:

Corinth was a city on the main trade route between Asia and western Europe, and Paul had spent two years there establishing the church. Paul wrote the first letter to the Corinthians in order to address division and immorality in the church. After that letter he had an opportunity to visit the church. Apparently the visit was a difficult one for both Paul and the members of the church and afterwards Paul talks about writing a letter in "much anguish" (ch 2). Though this letter is only the second letter to the Corinthians which we have, it seems that Paul wrote at least four separate letters and that this is the fourth. This is his follow up after the difficult visit and the letter of 'tears'.

The Text:
Paul often seems to be defending himself and his calling in his letter to the Corinthians. He continually declares that his ministry has been done, not through his own talents and wisdom, but through the power of God. Here Paul mentions the earthen vessels, referring to our bodies, and how the power that is in these vessels is of God and not of us. Because this power of God is living in us we can go through many difficulties and continue to get up again and continue on strong. We can be struck down and simply get right back up, we can be hard pressed, perplexed, and persecuted, but we will not be stopped and we will not be destroyed. This is because the very life of Jesus Christ lives in us and continues to restore us.

The Challenge:
Remember who is living in you. You have the very same power that raised Christ from the dead, the power that conquered death, hell, and the grave, living inside of you. You are filled and consumed with the Spirit of God and His power is there to help you live the life that God has for you. He will lead you and direct you, He will lift you back up, and He will be there for you. Don't forget that and don't take Him for granted.

The Prayer:
Lord, we pray for your power in our lives. Lead us into your plan and purpose. Give us the power to fulfill that plan. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Compel others to come! - January 4th, 2012

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:6

History and Context:
Isaiah is the prophet most quoted by Jesus and by the New Testament authors. There are many Messianic prophecies throughout Isaiah, but the real purpose of the book was to admonish the kings of Judah to rely on the protection of God. Isaiah's ministry focused on the reign of two different kings, Ahaz and Hezekiah. Ahaz did not listen to Isaiah and relied on the protection of Assyria rather than God's protection. Hezekiah also didn't listen at first but as things went bad he turned to God for protection and God rescued the kingdom of Judah. Isaiah continually refers to God as "The Holy One of Israel". This phrase is repeated 26 times in the book of Isaiah and only 6 times in the rest of the Old Testament. Isaiah is also known for having the most messianic prophecies out of any of the prophets.

The Text:
In chapter 54 Isaiah describes the call that God has given to His people; "'For the LORD has called you, like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused,' Says your God." In that chapter God calls His people, Israel, to return to Him. They had sinned and God had left them to the consequence of their sin, but now God was calling them back. Then in 55 the people begin calling the surrounding nations; “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isaiah then reveals to the people of Israel that as they call out to the other nations, nations whom they do not know and have no relationship with will begin coming. They will come not because of Israel but because of the Spirit of God that dwells in Israel. For this reason they are admonished to seek the Lord. Seek the Lord so that His spirit may dwell with you and nations will be compelled to come.

The Challenge:
Though certain aspects of the covenant have changed with the coming, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God is still the same yesterday, today and forever.In knowing this we can know that His character was the same in the Old Testament as it is now and it is the same Spirit talked about in the Old Testament as the Holy Spirit whom we have now. God didn't suddenly develop three persons when Jesus came and then when He sent the Holy Spirit, God has always been a trinity of three in one. So we know that if the Spirit of God dwelling with Israel would cause nations that Israel didn't even know to be attracted to them, the same thing should happen with us when we allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. The only difference is that the relationship has become individual with the sacrifice of the cross. This means that instead of attracting entire nations we will attract the individuals around us. But we must seek Him and call upon Him daily. We must forsake our wicked ways and our unrighteous thoughts and return to the Lord whom we know as Jesus Christ.

The Prayer:
Lord, fill me with your Spirit. Purge all wickedness and evil desires from my heart and mind and help me to live righteous and holy before you. Let your Spirit fll me and overflow out to those around me. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Beyond what you can imagine! - January 1, 2012

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20

History and Context:

The book of Ephesians is quite different than the other letters written by Paul. Due to it's lack of personal greetings, many scholars see it more as a written sermon than an actual letter. In fact, it is likely that it was actually written to multiple churches in the area of Ephesus and was meant to be passed around from church to church. Paul wrote this letter from jail, as he did with Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. One of his largest messages in the book of Ephesians is the plan of God to bring every nation and background together in Christ. As in many other places there was probably great conflict between the Gentiles and the Jewish Christians, so Paul stressed that for God there is no nationality. He wants to bring all to Him.

The Text:
This is the end of a prayer, starting in verse 14, which Paul says that he is praying for the Ephesians. He asks that their spirits be strengthened, that they would be grounded in love, and that Christ would dwell in their hearts. He then finishes the prayer by glorifying God, the one who can do beyond what we could imagine. But it wasn't enough for him to sday simply beyond what we can ask or think, but Pauls said exceedingly, abundantly beyond! Way more than we could ever imagine, and He does it through the power that is already in us.

The Challenge:
Increase your expectations! Yesterday we talked about finding God's vision for the new year well think big, think great! Don't limit God and don't limit yourself, because by limiting yourself you limit God. He is able and willing to do more than you are thinking, so let Him do it. Let Him fulfill His plan in your life. It will not fail, it will not fall short, and it will not be what you are thinking or expecting.

The Prayer:
Lord, I give all my plans and my desires to you. Do what you will. Surprise me! I love you Lord and I want to follow you wholeheartedly! In Jesus' name, Amen!