Religion and Spirituality | Roberts Thoughts 2

I read this a few weeks ago in a devotional I sometimes read and it just really blessed and stuck with me. As I go through it again I still get blessed.

I was in one those valleys we all find ourselves in from time to time. Like always, HE’S there with us and brings us through it OK.

I thought it might helpful, encouraging to some and interesting to others, especially in the times we are living in.

It was a weekend reading.

“Recognize”

“Everyone that comes to know JESUS stumbles because of him. He fails to meet our wrong expectations.

HE calls us to do impossible things or to become something we think we could never become. This is HIS way of teaching us how much we need HIM.

HE breaks us into pieces so that HE can put us back together again in HIS image.”

–Michael Card.

“Renew”

“The rule is this: Christians are people who remember their own weakness and failures.

They are under reconstruction. So they offer hope and forgiveness to people who fall and who need grace and hope”.

-Donald M. Joy

Saturday: 1Corinthians 1:20-31 Sunday: 2 Corinthians 4:1-12

Before reading Corinthians 1:20-31 all good Christians know they should read it in context. 1 Corinthians 1

1 Corinthians 1:20-31

New International Version (NIV)

²⁰Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²²Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

²⁶Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”^[a]

Think about all the supposed “Wise” people. Especially in the times we are living in, this government, this administration. They sure think they are wise,( and have no problem telling us we are not, that they know better) but to me looks a lot like GOD is making them look pretty foolish.

Context: 2 Corinthians 4

2 Corinthians 4:1-12

We all know that when you see a “Therefore” we need to see what it’s therefore to make sure we are getting the full context. 2 Corinthians 3

New International Version (NIV)

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.²Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. ³And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

⁷But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹²So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Ever wonder why it seems everyone is so blind as to what’s going on in our country, let alone the world?

^4 “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

For the unbeliever that might be checking this out. If you don’t know who “The god of this age is” you might want to start checking out the bible and ask GOD to open it up to you.

I love this and it was a good reminder and comfort. ^8 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Never forget it Christian!

Here’s a good one to keep in mind I just came across. Check it out: The Mind of Christ

Enjoy the rest of you’re weekend. GOD bless America and you!