Bible Pathway - Nov. 30, 2010
Read 2 Corinthians 9
Highlights:
A harvest of generosity (II Cor. chap. 9). Use the weapons of God against the Devil (10:4-6). Jesus said without Me you can do nothing of spiritual worth (see John 15:5). Guard against false teachers (II Cor. 11:1-15). Guard against pride (12:7). We are weak but God is strong (12:9). Check yourselves out regularly to be sure you're focused on Jesus (13:5).
Paul often faced rejection from hostile enemies of Christ and occasionally from believers as well. He recalled: Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes (lashes) save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings (sleepless nights) often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without (outside), that which cometh upon me daily, the care (concern) of all the churches (II Cor. 11:24-28). After Jesus called Paul and he was converted, he lived with only one purpose, to preach the Gospel in the regions beyond (10:16).
We too have the high calling to reach out in love to all people with the Good News of eternal life. Surely everyone should have the opportunity of hearing, at least once, that at death they are destined to either eternal death in the lake of fire or eternal life in heaven. Even though our lives and good works may be very commendable, our Creator Jesus Christ said: I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (John 14:6). Have you ever seriously thought what it means for your friends or loved ones to die without being saved?
The dividing line between the sheep and the goats, the weeds and the wheat, the saved and the lost rests upon one fact; Jesus assured us that, if a man keep (obey) My saying, he shall never see (experience spiritual) death (8:51).
It is of utmost importance that we consider our priorities. Do they bring us closer to the Lord and His purpose for our lives or take us further away from Him? When the Son of Man shall come. . . . before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them . . . as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. . . . Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come . . . inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matt. 25:31-34).
Thought for Today:
Jesus saith unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me (John 8:42).
Word Studies:
9:2 forwardness readiness; 9:5 bounty gift; 9:7 of necessity under compulsion; 9:13 experiment experience, proof, evidence; 10:13 without beyond; 11:2 espoused betrothed, engaged; 11:3 beguiled received, seduced; simplicity sincere faithfulness; 11:5 a whit behind at all inferior to; 11:6 rude in speech unskilled as an orator; 12:7 buffet discipline; 12:17 make a gain of you wake advantage of or exploit you; 12:20 swellings bride; self-assertion; 12:21 lasciviousness lustfulness; 13:6 reprobates rejected, not genuine Christians.
Cross References:
For II Cor. 9:9: See Ps. 112:9. II Cor. 10:17: See Jer. 9:24. II Cor. 13:1: See Deut. 19:15.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Dr. John A. Hash • Staff: Clarence Rathbone • Government Official: Sen. Richard Burr (NC) • Country: Kyrgyzstan (4.7 million) eastern central Asia • Major languages: Kirghiz and Russian • Religious freedom • 75% Muslim; 20% Russian Orthodox; 5% Other (Jewish, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant) • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to make you willing to go wherever He wants to send you (Is. 6:8).
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 8:28
