Daily Bread 5-9-17
2 Corinthians 7:2-4
2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
ref. - 1 Cor 1:4 - I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ.
Ph 2:17 - Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
What a joy it is, while in the midst of all of our troubles, to hear good news from somewhere in the Church! Just as Paul faced many trials and tribulations so must we all when we are called into leadership positions within the Body of Christ. It seems sometimes that troubles are all around us and it is a never ending list of problems that arise when we are making a constant effort to do good. But only one bit of good news overpowers all of the things that we are struggling against. This is why Paul had so much joy in hearing just a little good news and this is why it is the same for Church leadership today. It seems that all scripture rings true today just as in yesterday in that the closer we are drawn to Christ and the more we strive to continue in well doing and helping others, the more the enemy will try to overcome us. Worldly people posing as Christians, other just plain old mean spirited possessed by the devil people, causing havoc and trials to them that are put in authority and anyone in general that is being led by Christ.(After all, with Christ in us, are we not all given authority over the devil?) But amidst all of this chaos it sure feels good to receive some good news! As we see, the ones who Paul had favor on were the ones who were doing well in their salvations and were moving forward in their relationship with God. He had seen so much trouble and been so surrounded by stress that to hear of successful, Spiritual people that were a result of his work was a great relief. He thanked God continually for those people. Not that his mind wasn't on the sinner and conquering the enemy, but this is where he found comfort. So, I guess the message behind the scripture today is this;
Let us never grow weary in well doing as it is what God has called us to do. And let us not dwell on the ways of this wicked world and the ones that are being used by the enemy to carry out the devil's evil plans. Let us find comfort in the fact that there is support out there in the form of Godly people who are living in peace and in God's ways. Let us thank God for supplying us with these people who are willing and obedient to the God that we are also serving. Let us keep our thoughts on these things and feel the peace that rises up within us and strengthens us to keep up the good fight of faith. No matter what trial we are in, God will supply us with proof that what we have been called to has been fruitful and it has helped many souls to find Christ. And let us all that possess the Spirit of Christ rejoice in knowing that no matter what evil we have to face, and what we have to go through, that it is worth it for even one soul to be rescued from the clutches of the evil one. The good news is out there, and if we stick and stay, He will make it pay!!! Have a great day in Christ and know that Jesus loved you enough to die on a cross for you. Look at the result of that!!!!! Have a great day!!!!!