AD| Find your Christian Soul Mate
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W O W - T H E B I G P I C T U R E
by Thomas Nelson Publishers
Paul's Apostolic Credentials and Final Command
-- 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10,19-21; 13:1-11; Psalm 122:1-4; Proverbs
23:4-5
I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive
me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. What I speak, I speak not
according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of
boasting. Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will
boast. For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise!
For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours
you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you
on the face. To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in
whatever anyone is bold-I speak foolishly-I am bold also.
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the
seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?-I speak as a
fool-I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in
prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I
received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods;
once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I
have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in
perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the
Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, inperils
in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in
sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold
and nakedness- besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my
deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who
is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever,
knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the
king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring
to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the
wall, and escaped from his hands.
It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions
and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years
ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do
not know, God knows-such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I
know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know,
God knows-how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible
words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will
boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For
though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak
the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he
sees me to be or hears from me.
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the
revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan
to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I
pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He
said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made
perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I
take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions,
in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before
God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. For
I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that
I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be
contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions,
backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come again,
my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have
sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication,
and lewdness which they have practiced.
This will be the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or
three witnesses every word shall be established." I have told you
before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now
being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the
rest, that if I come again I will not spare-since you seek a proof of
Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.
For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of
God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the
power of God toward you.
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.
Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed
you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not
disqualified.
Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear
approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem
disqualified. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the
truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this
also we pray, that you may be made complete. Therefore I write these
things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness,
according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification
and not for destruction.
Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of
one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with
you.
2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10, 19-21; 13:1-11
WORSHIP:
I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go into the house of the LORD."
Our feet have been standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem is built
As a city that is compact together,
Where the tribes go up,
The tribes of the LORD,
To the Testimony of Israel,
To give thanks to the name of the LORD.
Psalm 122:1-4
WISDOM:
Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
Proverbs 23:4-5
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