Category: 2 Corinthians

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Have you ever been knocked down?

Sure you have.

Literally and/or metaphorically you’ve been beaten, torn up, kicked around, thrown down and ground into the dirt until there’s grit in your eyes and blood in your mouth.

But you survived.

After all, here you are, enjoying this delightfully uplifting message.

As much as I love reading about the armor of God, I think the message of the cross is most powerful, most potent, when your armor has cracked, your shield has caved in, and your sword has been knocked from your hand.

That’s when resurrection comes in.

They say that God will never give you more than you can handle.  Perhaps it is better to say that he will never give you more than He can handle.

He is the one who lifts you up from the dust.

From the mire.

From the muck.

From the grave.

Metaphorically…and literally.

That is the treasure you carry in your little jar of clay.

Carry it with joy, Beloved.

Happy Tuesday.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned… (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

You may feel as if they’re all out to get you.

Maybe they are.

You may think that God’s left you to face it alone.

Never gonna happen, my friend.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Happy Monday, Beloved.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair… (2 Corinthians 4:7-8).

Some days…it just doesn’t make sense.

Any of it.

This world, with its evil and darkness and pain.  I mean, how is it that they can’t see the wickedness all around them for what it is? How can they so willingly embrace lies?

And am I any better?  Failing over and over to do what I know I should do, to be who I know I should be?

Even God, for that matter.  Seriously, what is his game plan for this world?   For my life?

I suppose he knows—I’ve bet my forever on it.  Still…

It all seems so hopeless sometimes…except that Hope Himself lives within me.

And within you.

He is the treasure in this clay jar.  I will not despair.

Hold on to Hope today, Beloved.

Treasure the treasure.

Happy Friday.

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).

The Gospel.

The greatest of gifts.  The very truth of God’s love and sacrifice on our behalf.  A message with the power to change lives and worlds, and God puts it where?

In us.

Seriously?  Weak, fumbling, neurotic us?

Yep.

Why?

Well, he tells us, doesn’t he, Beloved?  He did it to show the world—and remind us—that it is his power at work and not ours.    

Look, I don’t know what big plans you have for this day, but we both know…

Not without Him.

Furthermore, I don’t know what troubles are coming your way today.  For some of us, it’s bound to be pretty rough. So, God wants you to know, here and now, that He is the one working in you…through you…

For you.

Whether today’s a hunkering down kinda day or a venturing forth kinda day, you are not doing it on your own.  Which, we can both admit, is a good thing.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

…filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:11).

Notice that the “Fruit of Righteousness,” the right behavior expected of you as a Christian, comes from the same source as righteousness itself.

Jesus Christ.

You can’t manufacture fruit any more than you can manufacture righteousness, so stop trying.

Seriously—knock it off.

If you want the fruit of righteousness, you’re going to have to let God develop it in you.  It goes back to what we were talking about yesterday.  As you grow in knowledge of God’s word, God can use that knowledge to develop wisdom and discernment in you.  You will know the right thing to do, and you will be empowered to do it.

Remember, God’s got a vested interest in you.  He wants to give you wisdom and discernment so that you can glorify him.  In a man that might sound self-seeking; in God, it just sounds right.

So let God do what he does.  He’s really, really good at it.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ…(Philippians 1:9-10)

Love without understanding is dangerous.  Love alone can be misguided, and can lead to rash, emotion-driven decisions that sometimes do more harm than good.

Was that a head nod?  I thought so.

That’s why God always seeks to guide our love with knowledge.  Knowing God’s Word, understanding what it teaches, allows you to love in strength and truth, not just sentiment.  This kind of love doesn’t enable—it empowers.

Spend some time in the Word today.  Allow God’s Holy Spirit to teach you the best way to love the people around you, with a love that will further the Kingdom of God, and will keep you on right path.

They get love.

You get wisdom.

God gets glory.

Triple-crown win, Beloved.

Happy Thursday.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Have you ever been knocked down?

Sure you have.

Literally and/or metaphorically you’ve been beaten, torn up, kicked around, thrown down and ground into the dirt until there’s grit in your eyes and blood in your mouth.

But you survived.

After all, here you are, enjoying this delightfully uplifting message.

As much as I love reading about the armor of God, I think the message of the cross is most powerful, most potent, when your armor has cracked, your shield has caved in, and your sword has been knocked from your hand.

That’s when resurrection comes in.

They say that God will never give you more than you can handle.  Perhaps it is better to say that he will never give you more than He can handle.

He is the one who lifts you up from the dust.

From the mire.

From the muck.

From the grave.

Metaphorically…and literally.

That is the treasure you carry in your little jar of clay.

Carry it with joy, Beloved.

Happy Friday.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned… (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

You may feel as if they’re all out to get you.

Maybe they are.

You may think that God’s left you to face it alone.

Never gonna happen, my friend.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.