2 Corinthians 3:18  “And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord.  And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.”

I am a reflection of Jesus Christ.  As Jesus lives in me, changes me, and works within me I become more like Him and reflect his glory to those around me.

Someone said that…  “You might be the only Jesus someone ever sees.”  Meaning that, when I live for Jesus and produce Christlike qualities the potential for others to see Jesus in my life is a possibility.

With that in mind, I better be thinking about what I say, how I live, what I am reflecting.  Because according to this verse I have the opportunity to reflect the glory of God to other people within my sphere of influence.  That is really cool, but pretty sobering too!

Lord help me to be living as a reflection of your love.  Give me the ability to produce the fruits of your Spirit in a way that others can cleary see Jesus in me.  Thank you for daily cultivating new life within me and for giving me the chance to show you to others.

Psalm 44:3,5 My tears have been my food day and night while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him my Savior and my God.

Job 29:3 …and by His light I walked through the darkness.

David was feeling really just as Job was. Different problems~same response. Both men had others around them that were not encouraging them in their faith but rather questioning the existence or care of their God. Both men end up trusting in God after expressing despair. Different needs~same response.

When I feel downcast I can easily turn inward rather than looking upward. I know that the sooner I put my mind on things above (Colossians 3:2) the faster my thoughts move away from self-pity to Savior-praise. My needs (not wants) are always met so there is no reason not to hope in God or praise Him. Looking upward, even on a rainy Oregon day, makes the day brighter as I see God’s hand in providing, answering prayer, and orchestrating my day. I have seen the miracle of Romans 8:28. God will take it all and work it together for good. I praise Him for that.

2 Cor. 1:8 (NIV) - For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;

I find it amazing how much the Apostle Paul struggled in his Christian walk. I find it even more amazing that he was willing to admit those struggles…in writing! For example, in 2 Cor. 1:8 he tells us that when he was in Asia, he  was filled with despair and helplessness - “burdened excessively beyond his own strength, despairing of life.” It sounds like he was totally depressed! While we are not sure what caused his pain (e.g. physical suffering, emotional collapse, some combination of the two, or something else), we do know that it brought Paul to the end of himself.

I find this truth incredibly encouraging, not that I find joy in the pain of others (that wouldn’t be very healthy now, would it?), but I find hope in knowing that even the most mature believers can struggle so deeply at times. I also find it equally encouraging to learn from the rest of this passage how God was able to rescue them from the end of their ropes, how he used others to help, and how He taught them so much when they were at the end of themselves (2 Cor. 1: 9-11) And then I wonder, why are we, as believers, so often reluctant to admit when we are at the end of our ropes - burdened, helpless, despairing of even life itself? Why are we so hesitant to let others into our struggle who will pray for us and help us to hold on? Why are we so afraid of the end of our rope? Could it be that the end of our rope is actually the beginning of His?

The Big Picture

As the dialogue between Job and his three friends continues, it grows more emotionally heated. Job’s friends are convinced he did something wrong and is being punished by God. Their accusations against Job are from ignorance, for they are unaware of the conversation between God and Satan in Job chapter 1.

Eventually Job appeals to God, and in chapter 38, God answers. The first part of His answer, in chapters 38—39, reveals His power and wisdom as the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

What to Watch For

What point was God making to Job in chapters 38—39? How should this affect our perception of God?

Practical Applications for Today

• Job’s friends proclaimed their accusations out of ignorance. When we see others suffer, we need to be careful about judging the reasons behind it.
• We cannot judge another person’s spirituality on the basis of their suffering or prosperity.
• We can allow suffering to either push us away from God, or draw us closer to Him.

The Big Picture

Paul ends 1 Corinthians by addressing personal matters, and writes 2 Corinthians to continue dealing with issues of concern in the church at Corinth. Paul opens the letter by mentioning his sufferings for Christ and his history with the church at Corinth. He then goes on to defend his ministry. Apparently there were some who questioned Paul’s integrity and credibility.

What to Watch For

Notice what Paul endured for the sake of ministry, particularly to the believers in Corinth. Even though he gave of himself greatly, he was questioned and criticized. This should give us some insight into how difficult ministry work can be, and the importance of appreciating those who labor on behalf of our spiritual growth.

Practical Applications for Today

• Suffering allows us to experience God’s comfort, and enables us to grow so that we, in turn, can bring comfort to others who suffer.
• Serving God can become difficult at times. Sometimes we will be unjustly criticized. This is an opportunity for us to examine our service and make sure we do it for the right reasons (as Paul did).
• We need to remember that our suffering is both temporary and beneficial. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:16, “We do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.”

I Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love. NIV

Paul is in the process of concluding his letter to the Corinthians. He sends greetings to various people and passes on greetings from others to them. Yet right in the middle of all this he takes time to encourage them to stay alert for opposition and be true to the words and truths he had just finished writing to them.

When I thought about it for a bit (ok, maybe it was awhile) it occurred to me that maybe Paul knew that they would encounter opposition when they sought to live out the truths God had just given them. It seems to me that there is often a large struggle ahead when I have committed myself follow some truth or principle in order to live a life more pleasing to God.. It may be opposition from others around me; it may be a struggle I have with myself (wanting to live in my old ways because they are more comfortable), or even a struggle resulting from the opposition of the evil one. In any case the encouragement and to remain rooted in love make sense if this is the case.

Father, may we be encouraged to stay alert and strong just as the Corinthians were. Above all, may we seek to live lives that are pleasing to you regardless of opposition and discouragements.

I recently received an e-mail from a young man who was courageously confessing a long-fought battle in the war against sin. His words were serious and sober, straining under the weight of the burden that he was carrying. Revealing his pain, he was downcast and defeated. Humilty prevailed, as it is hard to stand too proudly when you are buckled by the brunt of rebuke and conviction. Psalm 38 could have been the background music for his message.

“My wounds fester and are loathesome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish and heart.” (v.5-8)

Penitence is defined as “feeling or expressing remorse over one’s misdeeds or sins”. Psalm 38 is David’s appeal for relief from a severe and painful “illness” of God’s rebuke for his sin. His outer pain is symptomatic of his internal turmoil. (”For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” -v.17-18) The consequence of his sin is wracking his body from the inside out.

His only hope is to cry out to the LORD in desparation and despair. “O Lord, do not forsake me, be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.” (v.21-22) This renewed appeal is instructive for our course of action in the midst of our struggles.

Prayer: Lord, when I feel beaten down in the midst of my struggles and battles, may my first cries be out to You, knowing that You are my strength and my hope for renewal and restoration.

Proverbs 21:27  “God loathes the sacrifice of an evil person, especially when it is brought with ulterior motives.”  NLT

Why do I give, serve, live for God?  What is my motivation?  When I sacrifice my time, talent, and treasure, is it for God’s glory or for my own?  Is my heart desiring to respond in love to the love God has shown to me or is my heart’s desire to impress people and pretend that I am something I am not?  Do I want to please man or is my heighest motivaton to please my Maker because I really truly want to live for Him and show Him my love?

Verse 27 makes me consider some pretty important questions about who I am and why I do what I do.  Essentially to me this verse is saying…  it doesn’t matter what I do, how I serve, how much I give, if my heart is not in it or my motives are mixed up.  The language is really strong “God loathes” an evil person’s sacrifice and when that sacrifice is offered with the wrong intent or skewed motivation, He “especially” loathes the sacrifice.  Why?  Because it is given for all the wrong reasons, without a heart of love for the Lord, but with the thought that… ‘maybe I’ll get something out of this’ or ‘people will really be impressed with me’ or ‘God will love me more because of what I have done.’  Or maybe there is some other reason, but if a sacrifice is given for the purpose of personal gain and benefit, rather than with a heart of praise, worship, thanksgiving, honor, and gratitude, that is loathed by the Lord.

So it reminds me to get my heart right.  It gives me perspective to really consider and evaluate my motives.  It challenges me to not have ulterior motives, but to be simply motivated by my love relationship with Jesus.  He loves me, I need to respond back to Him with an honest affection and response of love.  That should be my one and only motivation in all I do.

Lord Jesus thank you for loving me.  Forgive me when my motives are misplaced and messed up.  Help please, Lord, to experience your grace and love everyday and please give me the ability to live my life for you in a way that is rightly motivated and is measured only by your love for me and my desire to love you back…  honestly, authentically, and in the truest way possible.

In Jesus’ Name…    Amen

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. Job 2:13

I have studied Job from alot of different perspectives. My son and I have been talking about the high school years that are starting for him. This summer we were talking about friendships, and I gave him some advice. I said that I think it is wise for us to pick our friends instead of having them pick us.  Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good morals.  1 Corinthians 15:33

When I think about Job and his situation, I can see that Job was very alone in his suffering. His wife was not helpful!…His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!”  Job 2:9 His friends may have just been curious…and they just left him sitting in the ashes, not only that! They joined him…hmmmm. Torn garments and ashes. I know that had something to do with their culture…but no encouragement or truth.  Strengthen me according to thy word. psalm 119:28  You therefore my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  2 Timothy 2:1  I can see the the bible is full of scripture that can encourage.

Lord I desire to seek you, and your wisdom in the midst of my friendships. I want to know how to comfort and be comforted, and not judge. Lord, I pray that my son will choose friendships with Godly young men. Lord please teach me to be a good friend and encouragement to my husband. Thank you Lord for the book of Job.

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  1 Corinthians 13:1

Have you ever been in a house that is all but perfect?  It was in the right neighborhood, big, beautiful, well appointed, decorated in the latest style, furnished with the best.  But you knew something was missing, it was a house but it did not feel like a home.  When I read Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13 that is the feeling I get.  We may be Christians who possess “all that and more”, but if we lack love we have missed the whole point.  We are like that house that is not a home, we look good on the outside, but inside we lack the key ingredient of love.  At 1^st B we are blessed beyond measure, we have a beautiful building in an idyllic setting; we have great programs, dedicated staff, hard working volunteers we see growth and prosperity.  But if we do all this without love we ring hollow like a noisy gong or clanging cymbal.  Ask yourself if you are filled up with God’s love, is it evident, is it real in your life and mine.  If not, today is the day to admit it and ask God to help us be vessels of His love… to turn our hearts from houses into homes.

“The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

Psalm 35:27

 
Sometimes, I forget that God loves me. He who rules Heaven and has power to create and destroy, and is concerned with billions of people, not to mention birds, fish, and just about anything else that affects our lives — this God shows me by His actions toward me that He loves me. But God is not an emotionless being.  He does not do such a great thing as answer prayer and then feel nothing in His heart.  He gives me a blessing, and then experiences joy when I am joyous.  Likewise, He is grieved when I sin.

 
It’s easy to think of God as impersonal because we rarely (if ever) experience His emotions with our senses.  I pray for boldness, insight or humility. I might see how God answers my prayer, but I don’t get to see the expression on His face when He does answer.

 
Jesus was God in human flesh.  Sometimes, I am surprised at how emotional Jesus seemed to be, weeping for Jerusalem or disrupting the money-changers’ tables.  Yet, my image of our Father can be quite cold — a solemn, distant God sitting in Heaven by himself while he dictates methodically to His angels.

 
Of course, God is not like that, but Jesus is the exact representation of His emotion — His joy, anger, sorrow, and love.  It IS amazing that God loves me with greater passion than even a wife, child or close relative.   If I can remember how much God delights in my well-being, I will be more likely to focus on how much I love Him.