#2Corinthians10-13 - Weakness is Strength?

Click here to read 2 Corinthians 10-13:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

Paul spoke a lot about boasting in this chapter. Apparently some of the other people who had come to the city proclaiming Christ, claimed to be something like "super-apostles." They must have rattled off their so-called "credentials" in an effort to impress the church and sway people to their teaching. Paul wasn't about puffing himself up. Rather he was about lifting God's name up and proclaiming Christ. It was kind of fun to listen to him rattle off his own qualifications with interjections like, "I'm out of my mind for talking like this," or "I would never do this, but you forced me to." Many of the things he boasts about aren't even credentials so much as they are evidence of God's calling and authority in his life - things he would never endure if it was just about himself gaining popularity. Paul fully emphasizes this by sharing how God taught him to trust that God's grace was sufficient, and that God's power was actually displayed through our human weaknesses. So weakness is actually strength, when we trust in God's power to work through us and in us despite our weaknesses.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

This concept of God's strength through our weakness is so similar to what Jesus teaches about those who are greatest in the kingdom of heaven. In Matthew 18, Jesus shows a child to the disciples and teaches them that we need to take a low position like a child to be considered great in the kingdom of heaven. In other places Jesus talks about being a servant. It's clear that God is flipping worldly standards and norms upside down in bringing about his kingdom.

3. What does this mean for my life?

I was especially impressed with the passage about Paul having a "thorn in his flesh." We don't really know what that was. It could have been a physical ailment, a struggle with sin, or an attitude issue. Regardless of what it was Paul prayed for God to take it away, but God didn't. He wanted to show Paul that despite his weakness(es), God could still use him. I have had several things in my life (i.e. physical ailments, sin struggles, obstacles to ministry, etc) that I have prayed for God to take them away, but he hasn't. I think like Paul, these are good reminders to me that I'm not perfect - to humble myself and trust that God will still use me and work in me. My weakness is a way to display God's power.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

What did Paul mean when he said that he knew someone who was caught up by God to the third heaven? I realize it was a vision of sorts, but what did he mean by the third heaven?

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.hdwallpapersinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/pictures-of-popeye-the-sailor-man.jpg

#Mark5 - "Who touched me?"

Click here to read Mark 5:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

This story has always been one of my favorites in the gospels. This sick woman, who has tried everything, spent everything, and basically given up on everything, has one hope left. She needs Jesus. She knows that if she can just touch him she can be healed. This is a bold move on her part because like someone with leprosy, she was "unclean" and was not really allowed to be in close company with others. So for her to push through the crowd to touch Jesus was a total act of faith and even desperation. Finally, I love when Jesus asks, "Who touched me?" As if there weren't hundreds of people touching him as he walked through the crowds. Yet he asks the question implying that not only had someone simply touched him physically, but someone had touched him with great faith for healing. So he doesn't even need to "heal" the woman. He just declares in a loving freeing way what had just happened. "Your faith has healed you. Go in peace..."

2. How does this passage remind me of any other Scripture I know?

In this story of the woman who touches Jesus, the gospel writer clarifies that Jesus realized that POWER had gone out of him. At first I think, well of course Jesus has "powers" because He is God. But I think the power Jesus had came not from his own divine nature, but from the Holy Spirit which was poured out on him in his baptism. It reminds me of what Jesus says in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power, when the Holy Spirit comes on you..." So the power they had to do ministry was simply through the power of God through the Holy Spirit.

3. What does this mean for my life?

I know there are other stories in this chapter, but I'm still gonna focus on the bleeding woman story. I hope I have faith enough to turn to Jesus for healing (of body, mind, soul, and spirit) even way before I have spent everything and tried everything.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Why would Jesus let the Legion demons possess and kill the pigs? Obviously, that's a great improvement over the man, but why didn't Jesus just name it and banish it or something? Kind of wierd.

Those are my thoughts for the day. Feel free to join me and leave your comments on any and each question.

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/jesus_woman09.gif

Acts 19 - Power in Jesus' Name

Acts 19

1. What stuck out to you from this chapter?

Besides the continued persecution Paul faced motivated by malice and greed, the story of the powerful evil Spirit really captured my attention in this chapter. Number one, it was a good reminder of the reality that evil spirits do exist and do possess people. Secondly, it was a good reminder that there is great power in Jesus' name. Third, word of this incident got out and it sparked a revival and repentance from sorcery. It is unclear to me if these "seven sons of Sceva" were actually believers, or if they were Jews who were "trying out" Jesus' power. It almost seems like the latter, where it would have been like, "I know a guy who has met Jesus and does cool things in His name, and I want to do that too." Maybe the story would have ended differently if they actually had the Holy Spirit in them and knew Jesus personally.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

In James, we are taught that faith without works is dead. It's not just about a head-knowledge type of belief that Jesus is the Son of God. James makes a very good point that "Even the demons believe that [there is only one God] - and shudder." I love that statement, and the accounts of this story and others in the gospels confirm that demons know exactly who Jesus is, but do not submit to him as Lord. The evil spirit in Acts 19 not only knows about Jesus, but is also very familiar with Paul. It's like Paul got on the demons' most wanted list or something. :)

3. What does this mean for my life?

Even with all of the persecution that Paul and the other disciples faced, they never come out in retaliation. The worst it gets was in the last chapter when Paul had enough hard-hearted rejection from the Jews and declared that he would go to the Gentiles instead. For me, I have to be careful to maintain a life of integrity, even in the face of disagreement. It's easy to get passionate about social issues, doctrinal issues, or practical ministry philosophy issues, but it's never okay to go out of your way to degrade another person. I think of Philippians 3 when Paul says, "I want to know Christ, the power of his resurrection...and share with him in his sufferings." He would rather let himself be persecuted than somehow tarnish the name of Jesus. That's what I want for my life. I wish more of our politicians would embody that.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I'm not a church expert, but I know there are many Pentecostal and other Charismatic churches that insist that every true Christian must be able to speak in tongues. It seems like this passage would be a pretty good illustration of that point. I understand that speaking in tongues is one of many Spiritual gifts named in the Bible, and even Paul said, "I desire that all of you would speak in tongues like me." That implies to me that not every believer spoke in tongues. Was that just because they didn't have enough faith (I ask that sort of tongue-in-cheek)? But ultimately, what is the relationship between being a believer, receiving the Holy Spirit, and speaking in tongues?

In Christ,
Dan