Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 30, 2012

God has prepared us.

 Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 9:1-5. 

“1 For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints;  2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.  3 But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared;  4 otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to speak of you—will be put to shame by this confidence.  5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.”  2 Corinthians 9:1-5.
 
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When we read the Scripture for today, we can be tempted to take our eyes off God and try to focus on ourselves and try to perfect ourselves.  The Scripture (immediately following today’s Scripture) combats that temptation by describing what God has prepared and done for us, and so, as always, it is important to consider the context of any Scripture.  God willing, we will get to that Scripture tomorrow or the next day.  But, for today, I want to be more general and consider other Scripture. 
 
First, let us remember Who God is.  We have a God Who delights in “lovingkindness, justice and righteousness” and Who sovereignly and actively exercises them on earth.  God does not just wait with arms folded waiting to see what we will do.  “Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.
 
We have a God Who prepared us like a potter prepares his pottery.  “And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,”  Romans 9:23  “Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.”  2 Corinthians 5:5
                                 
We have a God Who even prepared our works.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10
                             
We cannot even fathom all that God has prepared for us.  “but just as it is written, “ THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”  1 Corinthians 2:9
 
And, so we can read today’s Scripture with faith and comfort that God makes us willing and ready for whatever He wants us to do.  Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer 1 states:
 
Question 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;  yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.
 
In conclusion, these Scriptures and Reformed Confession are a very immediate help to me as I face today (Monday) going back to work after my vacation and to others as they also go back to work after a weekend.  God has prepared us for whatever we may face today.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 29, 2012

“Then my God put it into my heart to …”

Thank you for your prayers.  I am back home safe and sound.  I had a spectacular time with my 7 other high school classmates – adventurous and very physically challenging hikes, unbelievably beautiful scenery, and wonderful fellowship.  But, it is also great to be back refreshed, meditating and writing about God’s Word!
 
Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 8:16-24.
 
“16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus.  17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.  18 We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches; 19 and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness, 20 taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift;  21 for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.  22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.  23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you;  as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.  24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.”  2 Corinthians 8:16-24.
 
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We have a God Who puts earnestness, love for others, wisdom, skill, gladness, diligence, readiness, and other blessed qualities into our hearts.  We know this from God’s Word, and we can see proof of it in the lives of other saints, and we can boast about what God has done in others. 
 
Exodus 31:6
“And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan;  and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you:”
 
Exodus 35:34
“He also has put in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.”
 
1 Kings 10:24
“All the earth was seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart.”
 
Ezra 7:27
“Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to adorn the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem,”
 
Nehemiah 7:5
“Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogies.  Then I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up first in which I found the following record:”
 
Psalm 4:7
“You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound.”
 
Jeremiah 31:33
“But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the LORD, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it;  and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
 
Jeremiah 32:40
“I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.”
 
Ezekiel 36:26
“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
 
Hebrews 8:10
“FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:  I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS.  AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”
 
This past week, I had glimpses of wonderful qualities that God put in the hearts of my high school classmates.  God put gladness into the heart of Dale, and he was constantly cheerful and chatty, encouraging us to continue and finish the long, difficult, and sometimes dangerous hikes.  God put an ability to teach into the hearts of Lon and Roy, and they loved to tell stories and teach us so many things of what we saw and considered along the way.  God put leadership and diligence into the heart of Harry, and he assembled us and carefully handled each detail of organization of the trip.  God put fear of the Lord into Dave, and he was steadfast, keeping us on the trail, “not turning to the right or the left”.  God put skill into Chuck, a builder by trade, and he gladly cooked every meal for us as well as take mission trips to build for others.  God also put skill into Doug, a UPS driver by trade, and although he was not able to participate as much this trip, he was our skilled and careful driver on prior trips who made us feel safe. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 19, 2012

God’s Providence

Today, I fly to Phoenix to meet up with seven other high school classmates to hike at the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and other areas in Arizona.  This will be the last devotion until, God willing, Sunday, January 29, 2012 when the daily devotions will resume.  Please pray for God’s guidance, protection, and other blessings for our group and families.  Thank you.   
 
Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 8:10-15.
 
“10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.  11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.  12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.  13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality— 14 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;  15 as it is written, “HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”  2 Corinthians 8:10-15.
 
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Although today’s Scripture continues teaching us about the importance of giving to help support other saints (here, teaching us to complete or finish what we desire or are ready to give), the framework within which to peg this teaching is God’s overall providence.
 
Yes, we should be inspired, for example, by the giving described in Acts 4:32-35.  “And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul;  and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.  And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.  For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.”  But, we must remember that this sharing and other giving occurs, because God gave grace as part of His overall providence to cause this giving and accomplish all of His gracious work.  See, for example, 2 Corinthians 8:1.
 
Verse 15 in today’s Scripture (“HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”) comes from the story of God’s providence and provision of manna in Exodus Chapter 16.  How appropriate it is to consider the giving not based on man’s free-will – maybe he will do it, but may he won’t do it – but rather, within the framework of understanding God’s providence and provision of manna!  And, not only did God provided the manna, but God’s providence extended to the distribution, despite man.  “When they measured it with an omer, he who had gathered much had no excess, and he who had gathered little had no lack;  every man gathered as much as he should eat.”  Exodus 16:18. 
 
Here is what The Heidelberg Catechism states about God’s providence.
 
Question 27.  What dost thou mean by the providence of God?
Answer.  The almighty and everywhere present power of God;  whereby, as it were by his hand, he upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.
 
Question 28.  What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by his providence doth still uphold all things?
Answer.  That we may be patient in adversity;  thankful in prosperity;  and that in all things, which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from his love;  since all creatures are so in his hand, that without his will they cannot so much as move.   
 
Here is what The Belgic Confession states about God’s providence.
 
Article 13:  Of Divine Providence.

We believe that the same God, after he had created all things, did not forsake them, or give them up to fortune or chance, but that he rules and governs them according to his holy will, so that nothing happens in this world without his appointment:  nevertheless, God neither is the author of, nor can be charged with, the sins which are committed.  For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible, that he orders and executes his work in the most excellent and just manner, even then, when devils and wicked men act unjustly.  And, as to what he doth surpassing human understanding, we will not curiously inquire into, farther than our capacity will admit of;  but with the greatest humility and reverence adore the righteous judgments of God, which are hid from us, contenting ourselves that we are disciples of Christ, to learn only those things which he has revealed to us in his Word, without transgressing these limits.  This doctrine affords us unspeakable consolation, since we are taught thereby that nothing can befall us by chance, but by the direction of our most gracious and heavenly Father; who watches over us with a paternal care, keeping all creatures so under his power, that not a hair of our head (for they are all numbered), nor a sparrow, can fall to the ground, without the will of our Father, in whom we do entirely trust; being persuaded, that he so restrains the devil and all our enemies, that without his will and permission, they cannot hurt us.  And therefore we reject that damnable error of the Epicureans, who say that God regards nothing, but leaves all things to chance.

“1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”  Psalm 103:1-5.

In conclusion, I will close with Psalm 121 which further describes God’s providence and which also is the Scripture that I read before I depart on a major trip to remind me of God’s protection within that providence.  As we hike down the Grand Canyon, these words are so true and comforting. 

“1 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
8 The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.”  Psalm Chapter 121.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 18, 2012

The Example of Christ and the Grace We Received from Christ

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 8:7-9.
 
“7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.  8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.  9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”  2 Corinthians 8:7-9.
 
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In today’s Scripture, we see the example of Christ:  “though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”  Verse 9.  
 
Philippians 2:4-8 instructs us:  “do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
 
But, we receive more than just instruction.  We received grace from Christ through which we received gifts and the will to do good and “all sufficiency in everything”, so that we “may have an abundance for every good deed”.  2 Corinthians 9:8. 
 
“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:4-8. 
 
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  … And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:7 and 11-13.
 
“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”  2 Corinthians 9:7-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 17, 2012

The Grace of God including the Favor of Participation in the Support of the Saints

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 8:1-6.
 
“1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.  3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.  6 So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.”  2 Corinthians 8:1-6.
 
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It is a wonderful thing to recognize the grace of God working in ourselves and others.  The will of God causes the work to be done whether it be the liberal giving by the churches in Macedonia as today’s Scripture details or some work by us today.  Notice that Paul emphasizes:  “Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia”.  So, we, today, should point out what we believe is the grace of God at work. 
 
What encouragement it must have been to the churches in Macedonia who had “a great deal of affliction” and “deep poverty” to learn of Paul’s words!  How wonderful it is also to us (who likewise have troubles and trials and yet, through God’s grace are able to do some remarkable things) to receive encouragement!
 
Today’s Scripture speaks of “the favor of participation in the support of the saints”.  We need to be reminded that it is an honor and a privilege (as well as a duty) to support our fellow saints. 
 
We can support the saints in different ways.  We can support them financially.  As already mentioned, we can encourage the saints.  We can pray for the saints.  Like Titus, we can work directly with the saints to help them complete the gracious work.   
 
When we participate in the support of the saints, it is also a sign that God is at work within us.  “For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield.”  Psalm 5:12 
 
And so, it is a delight for us to help.  “As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.”  Psalm 16:3

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 16, 2012

The Joy of Confidence in You

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 7:12-16.
 
“12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God.  13 For this reason we have been comforted.   
 
And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.  14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame;  but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth.  15 His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.  16 I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you.”  2 Corinthians 7:12-16.
 
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One of the requirements of the church office of elders is that the man must not have unruly children.  “He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),”  1 Timothy 3:4-5. 

Therefore, as elders, preachers, teachers, and even as parents, we want to manage our own households and our own congregations well.  We do experience joy when we have confidence in our children and our congregations. 

Just a few verses earlier in the same chapter as today’s Scripture, we read Paul’s statement to the Corinthians:  “Great is my confidence in you;  great is my boasting on your behalf.  I am filled with comfort;  I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.”  2 Corinthians 7:4. 

The Apostle John wrote:  “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”  3 John 1:4.  

But, our confidence is not in our own ability to be good and faithful elders, preachers, teachers, and parents.  Our confidence is in the Lord.  “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.  “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.  We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.  May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.”  2 Thessalonians 3:3-5.

Reformed doctrine, which pounds the table on the sovereign, unconditional, and unilateral work of God in salvation, most effectively builds up the faith of the children and the congregations, so they may have confidence in the Lord.  And, Reformed doctrine, which pounds the table on the sovereign, unconditional, and unilateral work of God in salvation, most effectively builds up the faith of the elders, preachers, teachers, and parents, so that they may have confidence in the Lord that He will perfect the work in their children and their congregations and that He will strengthen and protect them from the evil one. 

And thus, we may experience the joy of both confidence in the Lord and confidence in our children and congregations.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 15, 2012

Godly Sorrow Produces Repentance, Righteousness, and Salvation

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 7:8-11.
 
“8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it;  though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—
 
9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance;  for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.
 
10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
 
11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you:  what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong!  In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.”  2 Corinthians 7:8-11.
 
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We don’t want to feel sorrow.  We don’t want to cause sorrow.  But, Godly sorrow produces repentance, righteousness, and salvation.
 
In our Scripture for today, Paul reflects on his strong critical letter to the Corinthians and how it caused them sorrow.  It is kind of like when we, as parents, discipline our children.  We may feel bad about it for a while, but we know that it is necessary for our children and for their good, and the temporary feeling of regret is replaced with feelings of hope and then joy that our children will (and then are) walking in truth. 
 
“… “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,
NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 
FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,
AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.
 
”It is for discipline that you endure;  God deals with you as with sons;  for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them;  shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?  For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.  All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful;  yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”  Hebrews 12:5-11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 14, 2012

“But God, … comforts the depressed”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 7:4-7.
 
“4 Great is my confidence in you;  great is my boasting on your behalf.  I am filled with comfort;  I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction. 
 
5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side:  conflicts without, fears within.
 
6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
                                     

7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.”  2 Corinthians 7:4-7.

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We may be “afflicted on every side:  conflicts without, fears within”.  Verse 5.  “But God, … comforts the depressed“.  Verse 6. 

And, God comforts us in different ways.  In today’s Scripture, we read the different ways in which God comforted Paul and his group.  God comforted them by the coming of Titus, and God comforted them by making them realize how much the Corinthians loved them as relayed by Titus who reported to them their longing, mourning, and zeal for Paul. 

“Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses;  for they have been ever of old.”  Psalm 25:6

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:  according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”  Psalm 51:1

“Hear me, O LORD;  for thy lovingkindness is good:  turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.”  Psalm 69:16

“2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;  who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;  so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”  Psalm 103:2-5.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  2 Corinthians 2:3-4.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 13, 2012

Motivations for Action

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 7:1-3.
 
“1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
                               

2 Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one. 

3 I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.”  2 Corinthians 7:1-3.

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Here are motivations for action both for the Corinthians and for us today.  First, we have these promises of God.  Second, we fear God.  Third, Paul loved the Corinthians, and our church leaders love us.  Fourth, we are all “in this” together.  Therefore, having all of these motivations, “beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”  Verse 1. 

These promises of God motivate us.  In just the immediately preceding Scripture, we read:  “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.  “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;  And I will welcome you.  “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.”  2 Corinthians 6:17-18.  More generally, we read:  “For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  2 Peter 1:4

Fear of God motivates us.  “But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.  Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.  “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.  But I will warn you whom to fear:  fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  Luke 12:2-5.  “Tremble, and do not sin;  Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.”  Psalm 4:4 

The love of our church leaders motivate us.  We often read about sports players doing just about anything for their coach whom they respect and even love.  How much more do our church leaders love us and motivate us!  Paul wrote to the Corinthians:  “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.  …   For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.”  2 Corinthians 2:4 and 9.

The fact that we are all “in this” together motivates us.  Next Thursday, I will be leaving for a hiking trip in which I will hike the Grand Canyon and other areas in Arizona with 7 other guys who all graduated the same year with me in high school.  Because we are all “in this” together, both the preparation and the hike itself, it motivates all of us to complete together these very physically challenging hikes.  How much more does this fact that we are all together in these spiritual trials of life motivate us!  “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”  Hebrews 12:1.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 11, 2012

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers”: The Command, Explanation, and Promise

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
 
“14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers;  for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God;  just as God said,
 
“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
And 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.”  2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

———————————–

We may not like this Scripture, but here it is, providing the command, the explanation, and even the promised blessing.  The command is “Do not be bound together withunbelievers”.  The explanation is “what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?”.  The promise is “COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.  “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;  And I will welcome you.  “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.”  

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers” applies to a potential marriage between a believer and an unbeliever, but possibly other relationships as well.  This is also not a unique command taught only once in Scripture.  God taught it to the people of Israel, and Israel got into much trouble ignoring this commandment.  See for example Ezra Chapter 9.  Rather, than trying to twist Scripture into not governing our behavior, we need and seek God’s grace to obey.  

But, there is hope!

In a parallel Scripture, Isaiah 52:12 states:                                                                                   

“11 Depart, depart, go out from there,
Touch nothing unclean;
Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves,
You who carry the vessels of the LORD.
12 But you will not go out in haste,
Nor will you go as fugitives;
For the LORD will go before you,
And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”  

“7 The way of the righteous is smooth;
O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level.
8 Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O LORD,
We have waited for You eagerly;
Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls.”  Isaiah 26:7-8.

“3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.
4 “Trust in the LORD forever,
For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.”   Isaiah 26:3-4.

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