QT 5/30/2025 2 Cor 6:14-7:1, The danger in wrong relationships

2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1 (ESV) —

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

17 Therefore go out from their midst,

and be separate from them, says the Lord,

and touch no unclean thing;

then I will welcome you,

18 and I will be a father to you,

and you shall be sons and daughters to me,

says the Lord Almighty.”

7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

 

NOTE: Paul describes romantic engagements between a Christian and a non-Christian that could lead to marriage in seven different examples. While we could discuss each, the point is that certain things have little to nothing in common, and in most cases are opposed to each other. His next argument is that each of us is a temple of the living God. In the Old Testament, there were grave consequences for bringing evil into the temple. Ezekiel spends a few chapters describing the evil that was secretly brought into the temple, and was God's final argument for the Babylonian captivity and destruction of Judah. We are adopted into the family of God; we are now sons and daughters of the king. We should be extra careful to not allow any evil to enter our life. Finally, since we have these promises, we need to cleanse ourselves. In terms of relationships, since that is where we started, we need to be careful with our friendships. It is good to have non-Christian friends, but there need to be guardrails in our relationships. Dating non-Christians is not good. Engaging in certain activities with non-Christians is also not good, especially when it is the opposite sex. Group activities are best, but again with strict guardrails. I think we all know what is right to do; the problem is that the flesh tempts us to do differently.

 

PONDER:

1. Are there any relationships that I would not want others to know about? Why?
2. Do my current friendships help me or hinder me in my Christian walk?
3. Do I ever talk about Jesus in my friendships? Why or why not?

 

PRAYER: Father, my problem is a lack of relationships outside of church in my retirement. At least until my grandparent daycare days are done, I need to focus and pray more for my neighbors. And I need to look for opportunities to share Jesus when I am doing things in the community. Help me to see the opportunities which are already out there.

QT 5/29/2025 2 Cor 6:8–13, Do we live for this world? Or something better?

2 Corinthians 6:8–13 (ESV) —

8 …. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

 

NOTE: The first two statements were clearly wrong. Paul was neither an imposter or unknown. But the following statements are partially true. Paul was dying, punished, sorrowful, poor, and had nothing -- at least in the physical realm. In the spiritual realm, because of his changed life in Christ, Paul can honestly say he was alive, rejoicing, making others rich, and possessing everything. Paul was living the beatitudes, serving God was far more important than the gains of the temporal life.

 

What we don't seem to believe is that living for God is worth it. That giving up something or sacrificing or giving away more money are all good things that will pay off in eternity. We really don't believe God's promises, at least not in any way that would change our actions or how we live.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I give lip service to God's promise of a future and a hope, or do my actions prove my hope?
2. What does it mean to live in such a way that communicates I believe I have a better future in eternity?

 

PRAYER: Father, the world and its temporal charms are deceptive. They draw me to it and sometimes, out of your will for my life. I know there is nothing wrong in enjoying life. You created life. But I don't want to fall in love with this decaying world and certainly not the truth it espouses. Protect me from living my life for self and not for you and others.

QT 5/28/2025 2 Cor 6:1–8, Suffering for the sake of others as a theme for life

2 Corinthians 6:1–8 (ESV) —

1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

“In a favorable time I listened to you,

and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;

 

NOTE: The phrase "we put no obstacle in anyone's way" is a different way of thinking. Rather than putting self-first, as Paul could have, and many people do, Paul chooses to suffer in many different ways, for the sake of others and the sake of ministry. In my recent retirement, I hear people snidely suggest that we don't have to do grandparent day care or that we need to put up guardrails so that we can do what we want in retirement. I look at Paul's list of sacrifices, including slander, for doing the right thing, and I, in no way, match Paul's sacrifices. Someone will say, "well, you don't have to, that was God's plan for Paul." Is that really true? Do the scriptures really teach we should do just we want in retirement and no more? Do the scriptures teach retirement is a time to travel and kick back because we earned it? … Earned what? I certainly did not deserve salvation. I certainly am not deserving of any of the good things God has given. I am thankful. My attitude needs to be different. I am still serving my savior. I have an even better home and retirement plan in heaven, than anything that earth could ever offer.

 

PONDER:

1. Paul suffered to serve God, what suffering do we experience as servants of God?
2. The question is still, what has God called me to do, and what am I doing about it? We need to answer that question continually through the different seasons of life.

 

PRAYER: Father, I do not want to tell others what they should or shouldn't do in regards to their walk with God. But, I do need to be faithful in what you have communicated me. Continue to lead me and guide me. Give me strength for the tasks ahead. Rejuvenate me in service.

QT 5/27/2025 2 Cor 5:17–21, The new creation

2 Corinthians 5:17–21 (ESV) —

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

NOTE: If a person is in Christ, he is a new creation. Obviously, we do not have our new body yet, nor are our spirits in heaven yet, but something does change in our soul which is new. From personal example, I changed from the inside out. My attitude toward people changed. I was kinder, more forgiving, and less focused on self. It was both an overnight change (in that I noticed the differences) and a life-long change as I continue to grow in Christ and see more changes inwardly. Also, I am saying that some things are immediate and some things were very gradual, but the new creation is noticeable. If one comes to Christ when young, I don't know to what degree they see the immediate effects. Additionally, one's upbringing could be so superior, that in combination with an early conversion, the new creation is hardly noticeable. But I do think, at some point, one should see changes that come from within, or they should examine themselves to see if they are in the faith.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I a new creation? Have I seen a dramatic change in my life since I came into Christ?
2. Or am I just religious? Do I do things because I must, rather than because I want to?

 

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for the new creation aspect of my initial faith. I thank you that I saw very clearly a different person emerging. I thank you that I am still seeing that today. It seems the more time I spend in the word and communing with you, the more I continue to see.

QT 5/26/2025 2 Cor 5:11–16, We don't see people as God sees people

2 Corinthians 5:11–16 (ESV) —

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

 

NOTE: We all have a tendency to measure a person by external appearances, to include the car he drives, the house he lives in, the title he carries in his job, etc. We look at the clothes, the cleanliness, the mannerisms, and the speech. That can be a dangerous habit as it rank orders people that God created and that God loves.

 

I began my life as a farm boy, very shy, and an average student. There was nothing about me that suggested I had any future. I did not know what I wanted to do when I graduated from high school. I didn’t spend much time thinking about it. If a homeroom teacher had not forced a college entrance test (ACT) on me, my life might have gone a different route. My work experience included stuffing cucumbers into pickle jars, delivering newspapers, and cleaning out animal stalls. I didn't even have the money for the ACT, but I felt obligated because the teacher handed it to me anyway even after I said no. Fortunately, my Mom had the $15. Still, it was a worthless effort in my mind. No one in my family (that I was aware) had ever gone to college. My parents couldn't afford it. I was the oldest of seven and my Dad was an alcoholic. When the results came back, the counselors gathered us all together in a large room, but I hardly expected anything. The first thing a counselor said was, "the last reason you should not go to college is that you can't afford it -- there are lots of ways to fund college." I decided to take him at his word (50 years ago). I got a small loan and an even smaller grant. I worked every break I had. And after the first quarter, I was awarded an AF scholarship, and even better I learned about Jesus Christ and asked him to be my Savior. Later, in the Air Force, I was sent to graduate school for a MS in Operations Research. I commanded an Air Force squadron, then went to work for one of the most famous "think tanks" in the world, RAND Corp, and then finished my career at USAA, leading a team of data scientists building AI/ML tools for the Enterprise.

 

My external looks good, but it did not look so good when I started. And even more importantly, Jesus has changed my life completely. I am not the person I was, I am a new creation.

 

It is easy to dismiss people. We don't know their backstory. And we don't know what God can do in their lives if someone would but share the gospel message. There are a lot of potential new creations out there.

 

PONDER:

1. How do I evaluated people around me?
2. Do I see people as made in the image of God just as I am made in the image of God?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the ride over the last 49 years since I graduated from High School. I had no idea what was in store, the joys, the suffering, the victories, and the defeats. While I would not choose all of it to do over, I am exceedingly grateful that you knew what was best and you have been orchestrating my life.

 

QT 5/23/2025 2 Cor 5:6–10, What does it mean to please God?

2 Corinthians 5:6–10 (ESV) —

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

 

NOTE: There is a movement out there, among certain Christian groups, to obey the OT law. The individuals argue that this pleases God. Of course, there is a tendency in these groups to pick and choose among the 613 commands. Well, most of what we might call moral law ( is repeated in the new covenant, although it is also summed up in two commands, love God and love people. And the great news of the cross, is that we cannot increase God's love for us by even a smidgen. Paul writes to the Romans, that nothing can separate us for God's love and then goes to great flourish to say how great and deep and wide is God's love. So maybe we need to define 'please.' We are not increasing the love of God by any action, we are already completely loved and we can REST in that love. There is not a really good human example, maybe children -- I love my children greatly and there is not much that could ever change that (unlike God's love which is perfect), but there are things that they can do, and do, that please me. But my love does not increase, but it does bring joy to my heart. Following the OT law does not sound like this type of joy. But loving God by making him first in my daily routines, and sacrificing for my neighbor, these are things which please God and put a smile on his face (using a human example). Let's drop the rules and start with a relationship with God on an everyday basis.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I meet with God every day in his word to listen to him and respond in prayer?
2. Do I take actions to help or support my neighbor in their hour of need?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am still in this body and someday I will be with you in my new body. This old body is wasting away. I can tell. I look forward to my resurrected body. I hope to live to see the rapture of my soul and the uniting with my new body. But, as long as I am here, I wish to use my life according to your will. I want to be a great witness of a man that as he grows older, continues to grow in the grace of Jesus. Protect me from discouragement and the world. I have put you first in my life, and I will continue to do so, by your mercy and grace.

QT 5/22/2025 2 Cor 5:1-5, We don't have the details after death, but enough to have confidence

2 Corinthians 5:1–5 (ESV) —

1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

 

NOTE: The earthly tent is our body, and the heavenly tent is our new body. This does bring up the question of when we receive our new body -- at death or at the rapture. I think we can get wrapped around a question that this passage was not intended to answer. Garland (1999) writes,

 

Paul did not write this passage to answer questions we might have about the when, what, or how; he only intends to affirm his confidence in the Christian’s transformation in the life after death.

 

Technically, I could see "when" as both since God controls time. But the real point is that we have this confidence of a real life and we do not need fear death. We have a heavenly home. I don't know what the intermediate state between death and resurrection looks like, if there is even such a state. I know I will be with the Lord and I will be satisfied. I know I have a resurrected body which will not be subject to sin any more. I know I have a home in heaven. I don't know all the details, but Jesus' resurrection from the dead, confirmed by the multitude of eyewitnesses, gives me hope and assurance in everything Jesus said.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I still in fear of death? The missing and longing is certainly true for us still in our temporal bodies?
2. Paul was absolutely confident in a future resurrection. Am I confident and relaxed in that truth?

 

PRAYER: Father, there are details of the afterlife which escape me. I know what I need to know and I have confidence in the truth. At times, I even wish for those days to come quickly. But for now, I am excited for the opportunities I have to serve you in new and different ways. Thank you for work. It is good. We were created for work. When we stop working, we move away from one of the very things you created for our good.

QT 5/21/2025 2 Cor 4:12-18, The Word of God is critical to inner renewal

2 Corinthians 4:12–18 (ESV) —

12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

 

NOTE: Life can be very painful and are bodies are decaying. We are never what we were. And as we get older, there is little even the rich can do to hide the truth about these decaying bodies. The sad part is that the real life is missed by many. Real life is not the outer self, but the inner self. Unlike the outer, the inner is renewed every day. There is a glory that is accumulating in our inner self that is the result of renewal. How do we renew? Obedience to God's command and washing our minds with the word of God. As we grow in our knowledge of God through the scriptures, our mind is cleansed. It cannot be done without the scriptures. I cannot be done only through prayer and thinking on God's creation. The word of God is critical, and if you are not in the word of God daily, you are deceiving yourself. You are not being changed. You are in danger of Jesus saying, "I never knew you," since you show no interest in what you think is the new birth. Stop playing games with yourself and God. Seek him first, and seek him in his Word!

 

PONDER:

1. Are you experiencing the new birth?
2. Do you believe the inner self is more important than the outer self? If true, how is that reflective in your life, your activities, your secret time?

 

PRAYER: Father, I can't see my inner self, but I believe from what I've seen spill over into my outer self that there is a growing glory that continues to change my life. Thank you. I trust you for what you are doing in my life. I cast my worries on you and trust that you will take care of all me needs according to your wisdom and plan.

QT 5/20/2025 2 Cor 4:7–11, Spend and be spent for others

2 Corinthians 4:7–11 (ESV) —

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

 

NOTE: I've never really thought much about the term "jars of clay." I believe there is a musical group too by that name. It really means weak, frail, and easily breakable. But a clay jar could hold light (a candle or oil), and a whole variety of treasures. We carry within us the Spirit of the Holy God. We are nothing to behold, but within us is a life changing power which is everything to behold. Our jar can be cracked, broken, repaired, and ultimately will completely fall apart. But the life of Jesus manifested in our body can never be destroyed. We are as Paul will say later in the letter, new creatures.

 

But for now, we live in these cheap earthen vessels that God chose to display his amazing power. But what are we doing? Do we spend our earthly life trying to pretty up a cheap cup? Do we spend life filling it with perishable things that don't truly satisfy? Or, like Paul do we spend and be spent for the sake of Jesus Christ? Again, later in this letter, Paul writes,

 

2 Corinthians 12:15 (ESV) — I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

 

Do we have this attitude for the body of Christ? I think too many Christians worry about saving their lives than in giving their lives for the gospel sake.

 

Philippians 2:17 (ESV) — Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

Matthew 10:39 (ESV) — Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

 

PONDER:

1. What is my focus, on self or on others?
2. Do I realize that God owns me? He created me, and by Jesus' death he redeem me. In a sense, I was bought twice.

 

PRAYER: Father, this is a hard concept. The enemy wants us to worry about self. The flesh, our sin nature, also desires to be first. But that should not be our mission. You sent your son to die for our sins so that we could escape this slavery to the devil and flesh, and live a new life for you. Help me to rejoice that my clay jar is still holding up and I can still use it to share true life with others.

QT 5/19/2025 2 Cor 4:1–6, Our ministry is real truth

2 Corinthians 4:1–6 (ESV) —

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

NOTE: Ultimately, our ministry is to proclaim God's word to as many people as possible. How they choose to respond to truth is their choice. There are some believers called as apologists, who argue in defense of the truth, but that is mainly because the enemy seeks to distort and hide the truth. But we don't need tricks or underhanded practices, because a believer in Jesus is born of the Spirit by their own free will or not. Deception and emotional arguments only cloud the truth. This ministry is the real truth of the world that came from the only God of this universe. We only need show the light and hope that people respond from their hearts. We do have a responsibility to be prepared to share and we need to do it with gentleness and respect, but ultimately God's truth will prevail. We also have a responsibility to live like Jesus. And, we have a responsibility to be a disciple (I think we do). But whether we plant seeds or water the seeds, God is the one who gives the growth. And the person is the one who chooses of their own free will to believe.

 

PONDER:

1. What am I doing to tell God's truth to those I come in contact with?
2. Do I believe that God's word is truth, the most important truth the world can know?
3. Do I seek to live the truth or is my life in contradiction to the truth

 

PRAYER: Father, in my current ministry (well actually, I teach, lead discipleship teams, serve as a lay leader, and care for grandchildren), I don't get as many opportunities as I did to interact with the lost. I know the opportunities are out there. Open my eyes to see them as they appear. I don't want to shrink back and miss the opportunities.

QT 5/16/2025 2 Cor 3:12–18, The Christian life is an experience in constant change and growth

2 Corinthians 3:12–18 (ESV) —

12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

 

NOTE: In Revelation 3:14-20, God describes the Laodicean church as blind, among other things. In fact, the description (wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked) is the opposite of what a Christian experiences when they come to Jesus. A true Christian experience is described in verses 17-18, where we are being transformed into the same image (Jesus) from one degree of glory to another. A relationship with Jesus Christ changes lives. You cannot have the Holy Spirit within you (which happens when you believe -- Eph 1:13), and not be changed.

 

I suppose you could quench the Spirit all your life. I am not sure why you would do that or why you would want to do that.

 

I was working on teaching a class the other day and I read this quote, "salvation is free but discipleship is very costly." I agree with the quote, but why would you come to Jesus and not want to sacrifice to become his disciple out of gratitude alone for such a great salvation? I still don't understand that attitude?

 

PONDER:

1. Do you know Jesus, really?
2. Are you experiencing change, slowly but surely, and from one degree of glory to another?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for what you are teaching me. Lately, there have been some very hard lessons. I truly want to trust you and see your hand. I want to be surprised by grace. I don't want to be a fixer, I desire to trust in you in all things. I know that the things of this life are not important. I don't want to hang on to them. I just want to take care of my family and serve you in ministry and share my faith with others.

QT 5/15/2025 2 Cor 3:7-12, Is he with us?

2 Corinthians 3:7–12 (ESV) —

7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,

 

NOTE: I just finished reading the section in Exodus when Moses came down from the mountain, and people were scared at first to see him. Then again, when he would come out of the tent of meeting, and would need to cover his face. I'm sure it was both frightening and glorious. At that time, God was warning Israel that his presence (his name) could not travel with them because of their continual sin. Moses prayed that God's presence would go with them because he knew they would fail without him.

 

Even so today, we require the presence of God. Yes, God is everywhere and there is no place we can go that he is not there. And, for the believer, the Holy Spirit lives within us. But, the Spirit can be quenched, and while God is everywhere, that does not mean he is with us. When we pray for God to be with us, we are really praying that we would be in his will, because that is the only way he can "truly be with us." Otherwise, he would have to be against us.

 

On a slightly different note, the "ministry of death, carved in letters on stone" is the ten commandments. And from the beginning of its creation, the passage says, "which was being brought to an end." For believers, our focus needs to be on the two commandments not the ten, or the 603, which were never intended to bring life.

 

Matthew 22:37–39 (ESV) —

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I bring God into my activities? Or do I live life with God on the outside, never thinking to ask him for help?
2. Do I get all up in arms politically about displaying the ten commandments or do I do something much better -- seek to live out the two commandments?

 

PRAYER: Father, I don't know why Christians get so upset about the ten commandments when we fail to live out the two commandments. We rarely meet with you except on Sunday and Wednesday, and we certainly don't spend much time praying and being concerned for our neighbor. I pray that believers of this generation would be serious about meeting with you every day in your word. I pray for eyes to see the opportunities you give for us to serve and love people.

QT 5/14/2025 2 Cor 3:1-6, Truly born again

2 Corinthians 3:1–6 (ESV) —

1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

 

NOTE: It was a common practice for a Rabbi to carry a letter of recommendation when they visited synagogues in the dispersion. Possibly, the church continued this practice. But Paul's point is that we don't need a title or a letter or a card to authenticate us, our lives should authenticate us.

 

Too many people who attend church look no different than the world in their love for others or their behavior. It is no wonder that Satan has used these 'possibly fake' believers to cause people outside the church to call us hypocrites. And the accusation is true. There are fake believers who sit in the pews and go through the motions. Jesus addressed religious people when at the end of the ages, he will say, "depart from me, I never knew you."

 

The spirit gives life and transforms life but only to the born again. If we are not in the word of God daily, why not? The Holy Spirit, if it is in us, will be compelling us to seek him daily. When we have a true relationship with the Son, our lives can't help but be changed from the inside out.

 

The letter kills. Religion and rule-based living does not transform a life. Only the Holy Spirit can give true life and true change.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I any different that when I confessed my belief in Christ?
2. Examine yourself, are you truly in the faith? It is not doing things that makes you a believer, it is being changed from the inside out that confirms you are a believer. You become a Christian when you engage your heart, mind, and will. Your heart is engage when you repent of your sin. Your mind is engaged when you believe that Jesus died in your place for your sin. Your will is engaged when you go forward and ask him into your life.

 

PRAYER: Father, I thank you that the Spirit continues to confirm in my heart and life that I was born again many years ago. Life has not always been easy, but I have seen you bring good through all the hard times. I thank you that I know you and I hear you speak.

QT 5/13/2025 2 Cor 2:12-17, Surprised in the midst of turmoil

2 Corinthians 2:12–17 (ESV) —

12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

 

NOTE: Two different emotions were pulling at Paul's heart, creating a certain turmoil. There was an open door for ministry in Troas, partially as a result of the young man who fell asleep in a window and plummeted to the ground (and healed by Paul), and then there was the very unsettled feeling because of the conflict in Corinth and how the people were going to respond. On top of that, communication was measured in days and weeks, not in a text or phone call. And so he waited, but then decided to head north toward Corinth.

 

It does not have to be clear to know what the right thing is to do. There are times when God will make it very clear, and there are times when one has to just make a decision, hopefully a prayed-through decision.

 

I struggle with a particular worry that I can't seem to cast off. I believe I am in the center of God's will, but I can't let go. I have prayed often. At times, I wake up in the middle of the night. So on one hand, God has made clear my ministry right now, and yet my Spirit struggles with whether I need to take action on another issue. I feel torn. I want to completely trust God, but I wonder if God is expecting me to take some prudent action.

 

I should not forget verses 14-17 where God surprises Paul, and Paul feels so amazed that God uses men like him. I desire that same surprise and feeling.

 

PONDER:

1. Are we caught up in two competing emotions?
2. Are we expecting life to be "hunky-dory" just because we are in the will of God?
3. What does trust in God really mean?

 

PRAYER: Father, you know my fears and my struggles. Once again, I give this burden to you. I want to be surprised by you. I want you to completely take care of it. Is it wrong to ask that of you when the need is real? Lead me and guide me. Teach me wisdom. Take my burden and carry it. May I experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.

QT 5/12/2025 2 Cor 2:5–11, Be careful of the enemy

2 Corinthians 2:5–11 (ESV) —

5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

 

NOTE: Satan is a deceiver, and he can play both sides of a conflict to his advantage. In the one case, he deceives and convinces the believer that his actions are not really sin. In the other case, he convinces the body to be harsh and not forgive the person for his grievous sin.

 

Therefore we should be wary because Satan can be at work even in attempts to purify the church. A situation that requires forgiveness is the time when Satan can work his worst and is the most dangerous. Satan fans the flames of hurt into an inferno of hostility. The next verses demonstrate how Satan schemes through the conflict between fellow Christians to undermine their preaching in the world. [Garland, D. E. (1999). 2 Corinthians (Vol. 29, p. 132)].

 

Church discipline is to designed to bring the person back.

 

I do remember one time when a member who had an affair with a music minister's wife was 'cast out' by the church. He came back to the elders some months later in tears asking to be reinstated. But the problem was, he had done nothing to ease the pain of his former wife nor the music minister. His life was good and he was trying to fix the last part of it. We gave him suggestions (somewhat painful) of things to do, but did not allow him back. To my knowledge, he did not follow through or return.

 

We don't want to be outwitted by Satan. Yes, we desire repentance, but also actions consistent with true repentance.

 

The best defense against the enemy is God's word. We need to be awash in God's word. It won't prevent us from falling into one of the enemy's trap, but it will give us a much better chance of seeing it and avoiding it.

 

PONDER:

Is there a sin in my life that the enemy has tricked me into justifying as okay?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray as David did, search me O God and know my thoughts, try me and test me. Help me to see if there be any wicked way in me. Lead me along righteous paths.

QT 5/9/2025 2 Cor 2:1–4, Treating people with dignity

2 Corinthians 2:1–4 (ESV) —

1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

 

NOTE: So Paul believed that a visit at the time would have only resulted in pain. Apparently, some visit or recent confrontation has caused a lot of distress among the members. Instead Paul writes a letter, that is not recorded (unless it is 1 Corinthians). The letter is better than a verbal visit, because the words could be read, analyzed, and compared against scripture. I believe there were one or two major leaders who were the cause of most of the problems. The letter allows the whole body to discuss the issue. Also, through prayer and the Holy Spirit, there is a change in heart either in the leaders or the church members or both, such that when Titus visits, the disagreements have been resolved.

 

Today, there is quite a bit of disagreement in some churches that refuse to take God's word as authoritative. Those issues exist in homosexuality, gender, transgenderism, and sexual relations outside marriage. The conservative position is not to treat those who disagree with ugliness, but to gently seek to lead them back to the truth. They are not different that those who sin by drunkenness, gossip, lying, or cheating on taxes. They are human beings made in the image of God and deserving respect and dignity. But they cannot choose to say that God's word is wrong.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I pray for those caught up in some sin that is accepted by the culture, but not by God's word?
2. Am I gentle in my relationship to all people, even when we disagree?

 

1 Peter 3:15–16 (ESV) — 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray that even in disagreement, I would treat others with gentleness and respect. Protect me from the sinful desire to attack back.

QT 5/8/2025 2 Cor 1:15–24, When to get involved

2 Corinthians 1:15–24 (ESV) —

15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

 

NOTE: We don't have all the details, but there were men who stubbornly refuse to listen to Paul or accept his apostolic authority on certain issues. Paul chooses to stay back and trust God to work in the hearts of the Corinthians. Sometimes, we want to jump in and fix things, as if it requires our personal attention to be resolved, whereas God is perfectly able to work within his people to bring good out of bad situations. Paul decides that stepping back was better. Apparently, he sends a second letter by way of Titus (lost and not copied by the churches) that had a positive effect. When he does meet Titus on return from Corinth, he is quite excited about Titus' report of the work God accomplished.

 

I think I still struggle when to involve myself and when to step back. I want to see God work and I know he can do far more than me, but I wonder if he is wanting me to do something first. Scripture does teach we are to be prudent. It is a difficult problem, but this I do know:

 

1. We are not to worry which only proves that I do not trust God.
2. We are to pray and ask God to give us wisdom.
3. It is okay to ask godly men for counsel.
4. Lastly, we are to trust the Lord and let go.

 

PONDER:

1. Is there an issue in my life that is causing me great worry?
2. Can I trust God to bring about good, as he promises to those who love him?

 

PRAYER: Father, my concerns seem so minor compared to the issues that others are facing right now. I do trust you and I do hand over these worries and concerns to you. Life seems pretty hectic these days, but I need to be faithful in the things that you have given me to do. Please, give me wisdom.

QT 5/7/2025 2 Cor 1:12–14, Is boasting every good?

2 Corinthians 1:12–16 (ESV) —

12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— 14 just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.

 

NOTE: Paul is pretty clear that boasting is not a good character quality, but in most contexts, boasting is related to a personal achievement without God. Paul has even chastised the Corinthians for pride and boasting. But, the boasting here is quite different. First, his behavior toward them that he boasts about is by the grace of God. Second, he boasts because of his love for them and seeing the results of their salvation.

 

Paul's boasting is a lot like a grandparent showing off pictures of their grandchildren. They love them so much they want to show everyone. I have two grandchildren born by my children 6 months apart. They are adorable, 9 months and 15 months. But, I had nothing to do with how they came out. God created those babies. What I am saying is that there is a boasting which comes out of love and not out of personal accomplishments. It is a good type of boasting because it communicates love. Still, one needs to be careful. Some potential grandparents long for grandchildren as well as potential parents, and constant talking about children can be painful.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I boast and why? Most boasting is sinful and the result of pride in self
2. Do I boast because I love someone so much I can't help mentioning them? That type of boasting is okay, but we must be careful not to hurt others who are not so blessed by God

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the grandchildren. They are a joy. Both of our children were barren and nearing their 40's, and now both have a child. You are gracious and generous. Give me strength, because it is hard to take care of two busy children when you are in your 60's. But thank you for the honor of pouring my life into these two young ones.

QT 5/6/2025 2 Cor 1:3–11, Learning from pain

2 Corinthians 1:3–11 (ESV) —

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

 

NOTE: I have experienced the despairing of life, not in the sense that I was going to die (although maybe once in an airplane), but in the sense that life was too painful to contemplate the future. It was overwhelming and it seemed to offer no hope. And, I too learned that I could not rely on myself but on God. I had to learn that faith was believing that he cared and was working good in my life, even though all the circumstances suggest otherwise. I once wrote in a quiet time (https://qt-notes.blogspot.com/2012/07/qt-23-feb-1988-at-end-of-rope.html) that I was not sure I could take any more "good" -- I wasn't sure I could grow anymore. I wrote that "my family is almost destroyed." But my family and I did survive, and I learned many lessons that I have carried through these last 30-some-years afterwards, that I would not have learned otherwise.

 

It is good to take a step back regularly and ask questions like, God what have you been doing in my life this last year? What have you been teaching me? What am I not seeing? What am I not doing? Where do you want me to go or do in this next season?

 

Take an afternoon off, head out to a quiet place -- I like to pace. Sometimes I will use VR to travel to a country in Europe and just walk the country roads (thanks Google!) and have that discussion with God. We all need to do it regularly.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I ever stop and look back on life?
2. Do I ever stop and ask God questions on how he is working in my life?
3. Do I become so wrapped up with everyday life that I don't find time to ask those questions?

 

PRAYER: Father, l am thankful that you are directing my life. I know you are because I would be doing something different now if it was up to me. But I asked you what you wanted me to do, and you clearly led in this direction. I have two married children who were barren and as soon as I retired they both became pregnant and had children 6 months apart. And now I am part of grandparent daycare. And I am learning that your Son meant it when he said that children are important and do not turn them away. They are special, and thanks for this quiet and hard ministry. I don't think it will last long. In a year or two, new opportunities will probably present, but for now, I am content in your plan.