Blog Archives - Collaborative Transformation

2 Corinthians 13

2/28/2012

2 Corinthians 13:11-12 “Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet each other with Christian love.”

We have got to start living this out as one unified church. We can’t be arguing with other Christians about basic things because we all should be seeking to grow to maturity. This takes us asking God to lead us and to give us the strength to be different and work together with other Christians to be the light of the world. We need to build each other up and make a difference that the world can see. It’s not about a certain name of a church it is about the church led by Jesus Christ. We can all work together to show that Christ is our role model and who we need to resemble in our lives and then we can impact people for God.

I love what Paul closes this letter with in verse 14, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

This combination is what completes us and brings us to maturity, we need to be willing to work hard to grow and learn and listen so we know exactly what to do in all situations so people see us as true Christians not hypocrites. Amen

2 Corinthians 12

2/27/2012

2 Corinthians 12:20-21 “For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasures.”

Paul has some concerns with the church in Corinth, when I read this today it made me think about the church in America. How any times to we say one thing and do another? We should be diligent in our walk knowing that we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and that does come with life change. Are we working on our new lives being the example Christ calls us to be or are we spinning our wheels in the same mud we did before we accepted Jesus? We are new creations and should have died to our old self but that takes devotion and time, what keeps us from putting the time in so we are different? Satan will constantly use what he knows is our weakness to try and keep us from growing and glorifying God. Our job is to open up and let the Spirit lead seeking God’s wisdom for everything in our lives.

I like to see how Paul uses his weakness to humble himself and honor God. In chapter 12 verse 7 we see what Paul is working with. “…even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

We know we have weakness that makes us struggle and so does Satan we need to continue to grow and know God’s word so in those weaknesses we don’t act on them but follow the Spirit. Then we will understand what Paul says at the end of verse 10, “…For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Amen

2 Corinthians 7

2/24/2012

2 Corinthians 7:1 “Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.”

It is so nice to be aware of what is going on in our lives. When we are led by the Spirit we tend to think before we act or react and the Spirit shows us what is right. When we put bad in we have more of a chance for bad to come out. We want to keep in tune with the world but we need to be careful what we watch and what we take in so we don’t flood ourselves with crap that will cloud the Spirit.

The end of the verse says, “…let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.” This takes us filling up with good; reading God’s word and learning what it says. This is not a onetime experience because God’s word is active and living, so we need to learn constantly. It also takes prayer and fellowship with other believers who are working on their walk with the Lord. It has been amazing for me to stop and slow down before reacting and give the Spirit a chance to lead.

I sometimes just say nothing and ask “what would Jesus do.” It seems cliché but it has helped me grow. I have truly worked on this because I respect what God has done for me, when we think of this we work harder and our focus is on Him not ourselves.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 1 Paul says, “As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.” Thank Him and work hard to grow so everything we do is for Him and we seek His guidance in everything. When He is the center of our lives we go to Him for everything even when we are struggling with life. I love what Paul says in 2 Corinthians chapter 7 verse 10, “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”

The Spirit will lead us and our focus will be on pleasing God not ourselves and we will experience the joy that only comes from God. We all need to continue to grow and learn so God is the center of our lives. Amen

2 Corinthians 5

2/22/2012

2 Corinthians 5:15 “He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”

When we understand this our entire outlook will change and we will work to be like Christ. Our focus comes off wanting everything to please ourselves and we see others and want them to know Christ. The heart transformation is what drives us to look and live outwardly knowing that our purpose is to serve the Lord and be a light to people.

Verse 17 says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

When we belong to something we are committed to it and we do everything we can to share and let people know about it. That’s how it is with our walk with Jesus Christ; after we believe we must seek to mature and belong so we live our lives because we love Him and are thankful for what He did. It is so easy to believe and not be transformed to that new creation. When this happens we start doing things because we think we have to, such as, we should go to church or we should serve, or we should tithe, but it’s not done because we love our new lives it’s done out of obligation.

When we accept Jesus and realize without Him there is no eternal life and that He has given us a chance to be new and glorify God with our lives that will help us belong. And when we belong we joyfully do everything that God has put in our hearts. We read God’s word to transform, we serve because we want to help people know Jesus, we give because it is God’s money and it will be used to help the Kingdom grow. Our entire outlook changes and we see God in the center of our lives not an addition to our lives.

Think of this question: What are you committed to? If it’s everything in our lives and God is just fit in we need to ask Him to help us belong so our commitment changes and our focus is on Him. In chapter 5 verse 9 Paul says, “So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please Him.” Amen

2 Corinthians 4

2/20/2012

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”

I read this and just sat in awe as I thought of Paul and the men with him. Then I thought this really applies to us as well. We have the Spirit in us when we accepted Christ as Lord and Savior and we are going through these worldly attacks constantly because Satan is trying to keep us from experiencing the peace and joy that comes from knowing Jesus. When we say yes to God and accept Jesus we need to focus on Him always, knowing that we have joined an eternal family that is al loving and constant.

Our focus is important because this world will do all it can to keep our eyes on it and ourselves. Look at what Paul tells us in verse 4; “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the God News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”

This is why the world is so set to keep our eyes off what is true. And we have to learn and study the truth so that we are constantly aware of where our focus should be. Verse 14 says, “We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you.”

How amazing is that? We need to remember this every day and think about it as we have problems and troubles that will be inevitable because we know Jesus. Paul finishes chapter 4 with great advice and something for us to always think about. Verse 18 says, “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

This should fill our hearts so as we go through life and we have troubles we focus on Christ and see eternity in heaven with God which is so amazing we can’t even comprehend its greatness. Amen

2 Corinthians 1

2/18/2012

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

This just shows again how God wants us to be thinking and caring for others. He comforts us in our troubles not just for our benefit but so we can comfort others. I love this because it is so important for us to glorify God always but especially when we have troubles. This is when God gets the glory and we don’t. What I mean is when people that don’t know God see how we react differently in tough situations they start to wonder how and then we can tell them it is because of Jesus in our lives. It shows people that we can’t do it on our own it takes God’s love to help guide us and comfort us.

Paul goes on to share in chapter 1 verses 8-10, “We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learn to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us.”

Have we stopped relying on our own strength yet? Do we give it to Him and say you know best I accept whatever happens because I know you love me? We must understand that this life is our journey home and Jesus is our way to the Father. When we stop and understand this we can work on developing our faith so people can see what it truly means to follow Christ.

Paul says in verse 21-22, “It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and He has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us.” We are also commissioned and we are His children. Know the Holy Spirit and work on listening to Him so He leads and we don’t cloud Him out.

Pray this: God, I know you love me and have accepted me, now please continue to use me as a person who is comforted in all things because of you and then help me teach others how the comfort is for everyone. All Praises to you in Jesus name. Amen

1 Corinthians 16

2/15/2012

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.”

This sounds so simple yet we get caught with our guard down. Then we do so well until something really traumatic happens and we question God. We want to be courageous but we tend to be quiet when we are called out by our friends. Do everything with love, but someone did something to hurt us and we don’t show love. These things are a constant battle in our lives and I truly believe until we commit to God being the center and our focus being on living like Christ we will struggle. This can only happen when we develop our relationship with the Lord by praying and reading. Not because we have to but because we are so thankful for what He did we want to.

The Spirit in us wants to lead us and will continue to show us what is right, the question is do we hear Him? When we know God’s word we are on guard to deal with life and we stand firm because we know our home is yet to come. When we know God’s word we are courageous to everyone because we have the confidence to share the love and that makes us strong. When we know God’s word it will help us see people as accepted and loved by God and we can show them love no matter what they choose. God is in control and wants us to live and spread the Good News and this is done when we are in tune with the Spirit and we know God’s word.

Know the truth (Jesus) and the truth will set you free. Amen

1 Corinthians 15

2/13/2012

1 Corinthians 15:56-58 “For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

It is good to remember that Jesus has taken our sin and we are made new. It is freeing to understand what Jesus did for us and to live our lives to resemble Him in everything. What this does is help us remember that we are to glorify God and live to please Him. When we truly believe and are working on following Christ we surrender our will and we listen to the Spirit who is alive in us helping us succeed. Because of Jesus we can forget who we were and live to be like Him and shine. God doesn’t want us to be reminded constantly of our past He wants us to “work enthusiastically” for Him to show people His love for us.

In chapter 15 verse 10 Paul says, “But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His special favor on me – and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by His grace.”

Paul could have dwelled in His past but with God’s strength he worked hard so people could see Christ and what is true. We are the same, we are not working to earn our gift we are working hard to show people how incredible Christ is.

In verse 2 Paul says, “It is the Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you – unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.” Believe in Christ and work enthusiastically to share that with others knowing that satan will try and discourage you daily so you don’t believe. We all need to pray and get in God’s word and let the Spirit guide us in all we do so we are strong, immoveable and courageous in our walk with Him. Amen

1 Corinthians 12

2/12/2012

1 Corinthians 12:27-28 “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.”

When we are growing and seeking God we will know what God has gifted us with because we have the Holy Spirit that will show us. Pray about which one or ones you have and live them out in love. Use these gifts to honor and glorify God and be thankful for the strength God has given you to help others know Him.

Paul goes on to ask these questions in verse 29-30, “Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Of course not!” We must understand that God loves us and has made us who we are so we can make Christ’s body complete. Should we ask for more gifts, of course, but not to the degree that we are upset if we don’t have the ones we want? God gives us what He wants us to have because He knows best and we might not have the right motives for having other ones.

In chapter 13 Paul shares that without love none of these matter. We can do things with our gifts and if we are not doing them in love we are not helping the Kingdom. Verse 7 says, “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

This is what we need to know. God is love and His love is perfect and He loves us so much He sent His Son to die for us when we were sinners. (Read John 3:16) His love never waivers and either does Jesus’. He loved the Father so much that He said not my will be done but yours, even when He had to separate from the Father to take our sin on Himself.

It says in John chapter 15 verses 13-14, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you so what I command.” Jesus did and we are called to love like that, how is that going in your life? Just think and then read 1 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 13 which says, “Three things will last forever faith, hope and love – and the greatest of these is love.” Amen

1 Corinthians 10

2/10/2012

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 “You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything – but not everything is good for you. You say – I am allowed to do anything – but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.”

As we mature in our walk with the Lord we see how we start doing things that won’t make someone question why. What I mean is we should be aware of the people around us always and make sure our actions are not done for our pleasures but to glorify the Lord.

In verse 31 it says, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” I like the part that says, “or whatever you do” we have to be focused on God at all times working to be just like Christ. This can only be done by surrendering to the Spirit of God who lives in us. I was reading in a discipleship workbook and there was an article by Tim Riter that says this, “Spiritual gusto comes when we surrender fully to God – when we accept God’s goals and methods for our lives. Passion comes as we choose to be single – minded in our pursuit of God, when we’re willing to go anywhere and be anything God desires.” How does that fit into our lives? Are we on pursuit of God?

Paul goes on to say in verse 33, “I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.” We need to fill ourselves internally and have a transformation of the heart and then we need to live outwardly so people see our lives as ones that look like Christ. Paul starts chapter 11 with, “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” Ask God to lead and work hard to grow so we can all live our lives for Him. Amen