11302006

2 Corinthians 9

In Today's Reading:

Paul's spiritual authority; warning against false teachers; Paul's suffering; his thorn in the flesh; his plans to visit Corinth

Paul often faced rejection from hostile enemies of Christ and occasionally from believers as well. He recalled: Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes (lashes) save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings (sleepless nights) often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without (outside), that which cometh upon me daily, the care (concern) of all the churches (II Corinthians 11:24-28). After his conversion, Paul lived with only one purpose, to preach the Gospel in the regions beyond (10:16).

We too have the high calling to reach out in love to all people with the Good News of eternal life. Surely everyone should have the opportunity of hearing, at least once, that at death they are destined to either eternal death in the lake of fire or eternal life in heaven. Even though our lives and good works may be very commendable, our Creator Jesus Christ said: I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (John 14:6). Have you ever seriously thought what it means for your friends or loved ones to die without being saved?

The dividing line between the sheep and the goats, the weeds and the wheat, the saved and the lost rests upon one fact; Jesus assured us that, if a man keep (obey) My saying, he shall never see (experience spiritual) death (8:51).

It is of utmost importance that we consider our priorities. Do they bring us closer to the Lord and His purpose for our lives or take us further away from Him? When the Son of Man shall come. . . . before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them . . . as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. . . . Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come . . . inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:31-34).

Word Studies:

9:2 forwardness = readiness; 9:5 bounty = gift; 9:7 of necessity = under compulsion; 9:13 experiment = experience, proof, evidence; 10:13 without = beyond; 11:2 espoused = betrothed, engaged; 11:3 beguiled = deceived, seduced; simplicity = sincere faithfulness; 11:5 a whit behind = at all inferior to; 11:6 rude in speech = unskilled as an orator; 12:7 buffet = discipline; 12:17 make a gain of you = take advantage of or exploit you; 12:20 swellings = pride; self-assertion; 12:21 lasciviousness = lustfulness; 13:6 reprobates = rejected, not genuine Christians.

Cross References:

For II Corinthians 9:9: See Psalm 112:9. II Corinthians 10:17: See Jeremiah 9:24. II Corinthians 13:1: See Deuteronomy 19:15.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Vincent & Rebecca Naughton · The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast in memory of Robert Wagstaff · Staff: Benjamin Wallace Government Officials: Rep. Barbara Cubin (WY) and Sen. Richard Burr (NC) Country: Trinidad and Tobago (1 million) two islands seven miles off the coast of Venezuela Major languages: English and Hindi Religious freedom 34% Protestant; 29% Roman Catholic; 25% Hindu; 7% Muslim Prayer Suggestion: Trust the Lord for deliverance in times of trouble (Psalm 50:15).

Memory Verse for the Week: John 5:24