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¹⁵ We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; ¹⁶ yet we know that a person is not justifiedby works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

¹⁷ But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! ¹⁸ For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. ¹⁹ For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Reflection

1. Paul reported his second visit to Jerusalem that his call to preach the gospel was confirmed by the original apostles (v1-10), then he defended his gospel against Judaizing tendencies by rebuking Peter in Antioch (v11-21).  Paul’s opponents questioned the authenticity of the gospel he preached. But he refused to give in to the false teachings of legalism.
2. Many people go to temples, burn incense, and engage in meditation, charitable deeds and generous donations in the hopes of receiving peace and prosperity.  Children are often told that Santa Claus checks “his list twice to see who’s naughty or nice” in order to give them gifts at Christmas accordingly.  Is there any difference between the two examples?  If Santa Claus existed and had a list with your name on it, what would be the conditions to determine whether you were naughty or nice?  Write them down on a piece of paper.
3. How is Jesus’ gift of salvation different from them? “A person is not justifiedby works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (v16). Bring this list to God and thank Him that He is not like Santa.  Tear up and throw the list to the garbage.  Once again, thank God for all the grace gifts given you without your working for them.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 20:28-30

²⁸ Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,
    and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.
²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength,
    but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
³⁰ Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
    strokes make clean the innermost parts.

¹ Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— ² and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴ who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵ to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

⁶ I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— ⁷ not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. ⁹ As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

¹⁰ For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

REFLECTION

1. Paul greeted the Galatians (v1-5) and immediately launched a defense of his gospel (v6-10). He received this gospel directly from God (v11-23).
2. The gospel these false teachers taught to the Galatians was essentially different from the Gospel of God (vv6-9).  Paul said it’s no gospel at all.  Any message that tells us “try harder” is not good news at all.  No matter how hard we may try, we can never be good enough to escape the bondage of “the present evil age.”  Only God’s grace, through the person of Jesus Christ, is truly Gospel – “Good News.”
3. What are some ways the gospel is being distorted today?  How can you ensure that the gospel you believe and preach is the true gospel?  How can you increase your understanding of the gospel?
4. How might the way you present the gospel be different if you are seeking the approval of people vs of God (v10)?  Ask the Holy Spirit to show you your true intention and pray for God’s forgiveness and/or empowerment to bear truthful and fruitful witness for Him.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 20:25-27

²⁵ It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
    and to reflect only after making vows.
²⁶ A wise king winnows the wicked
    and drives the wheel over them.
²⁷ The spirit^[f] of man is the lamp of the Lord,
    searching all his innermost parts.

¹This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” ²I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, ³since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. ⁴For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.

⁵Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? ⁶And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. ⁷Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. ⁸For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. ⁹We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. ¹⁰This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

¹¹Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

¹²Greet one another with a holy kiss. ¹³All the saints send their greetings.

¹⁴May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

REFLECTION

1. The church at Corinth was a pastor’s nightmare, but their new life was ablaze in them.  Their problems are many and serious.  But, they knew that their lives were being shaped for some grand and eternal purpose.  In spite of some hard words exchanged between Paul and them, he called them “friends” and encouraged them to “keep their spirits up” (v11).  And he wished them the best by blessing them(v14).  This demonstrates that even though we can have strong disagreements within the body of Christ, we can still be friends, still encourage one another, still hope the best for each other.
2. What about your church?  Can you still keep friendship with someone at church even though you hold different opinions?  Pray for your church that it will be filled with people who are true reflections of God’s love and power.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 20:21-24

²¹ An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning
    will not be blessed in the end.
²² Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
    wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
²³ Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord,
    and false scales are not good.
²⁴ A man’s steps are from the Lord;
    how then can man understand his way?

¹I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. ²I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. ³And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— ⁴was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. ⁵I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. ⁶Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.

⁷To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

REFLECTION

1. When we tell people that God guarantees his children health and wealth in this life, or if they only have enough faith, they’ll be healed, that’s not true.  Paul prayed with total confidence, only to learn that the answer was no.  He learned in time that the weakness which devastated him was truly a gift from God.  A gift that enabled him to experience God’s grace, presence, and power, in ways he would never have experienced them otherwise.  So, when tragedy strikes and disaster comes, God will give his own strange gifts as we grow in our dependence on him.  As we seek His strength, we’ll discover a depth to our relationship with the Lord that we would otherwise never have known.  And a strength that makes weakness a triumph and a joy.
2. God’s best gifts are often wrapped in tragedy and suffering.  Do you agree?  Have you experienced God’s gift in v9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”?  What is your weakness?  Have you received God’s gift?  How does this gift help you experience God’s power and grace?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 20:17-20

¹⁷ Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
    but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
¹⁸ Plans are established by counsel;
    by wise guidance wage war.
¹⁹ Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;
    therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
²⁰ If one curses his father or his mother,
    his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.

¹⁶ I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. ¹⁷ What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool. ¹⁸ Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. ¹⁹ For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! ²⁰ For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. ²¹ To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!

But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. ²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. ²³ Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. ²⁴ Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; ²⁶ on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; ²⁷ in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. ²⁸ And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

 REFLECTION

1. Read this passage slowly as if you were with Paul: storms, imprisonment, beating, robbery, hunger, shipwreck, drift at sea……  What do you think of such a “resume” of Paul, a great spiritual giant in contrast to the impressive resume the world seeks after?  How do you think such a leader?
2. Why does Paul say, “³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness”? God is still looking for “weak” people in whom to display His strength.  Are you interested in the job?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 20:14-16

¹⁴ “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,
    but when he goes away, then he boasts.
¹⁵ There is gold and abundance of costly stones,
    but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
¹⁶ Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger,
    and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

¹By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away! ²I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. ³For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ⁶And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

⁷You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. ⁸For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

REFLECTION

1. From Paul’s example here, what is supposed to be the “normal” way Christians exercise leadership over one another?  On a scale from 1 – 10, how well do you demonstrate Christ’s gentleness and meekness in leading others?
2. What will you work on this week that demonstrates your interest in building people up and not pulling them down?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 20:10-13

¹⁰ Unequal weights and unequal measures
    are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
¹¹ Even a child makes himself known by his acts,
    by whether his conduct is pure and upright.
¹² The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
    the Lord has made them both.
¹³ Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty;
    open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written:    “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” ¹⁰Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.   ¹²This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

REFLECTION

1. God gave His Son because he “so loved the world”.  There is no higher motive for Christian giving than the example God set for us than this.  God gave freely and sacrificially, even delightfully.  Paul wrote of the highest motive for giving is love. “If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (see 1 Cor 13:3).  We are to give joyfully.  The only way we’re going to give delightfully is to give out of LOVE.  Any other motive leaves one joyless.  In the long run, joyless giving does little good for Christ’s kingdom – and nothing for us.
2. Paul reminded the Corinthians and us of the blessings that make Christians giving such a joy.  (1) Giving benefits us materially and spiritually. (vv8, 10)    (2) Giving permits us to bless others.(vv11,12)  (3) Giving stimulates others to pray for us.(vv13, 14)
3. Do you give compulsively or with careful planning?  Are you a joyful giver, or a reluctant one?  Have you received the blessings Paul talked about?  In all the causes that you donate, is there a need for adjustment?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 20:8-9

⁸ A king who sits on the throne of judgment
    winnows all evil with his eyes.
⁹ Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;
    I am clean from my sin”?

¹And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ²Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. ⁵And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. ⁶So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. ⁷But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

⁸I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. ⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

REFLECTION

1. Living in a materialistic society, we can easily become dominated by a spirit of acquisition – of getting and storing and then guarding what we’ve gotten and stored. The biblical practice of giving is an offering of a portion of the fruits of our labour to God.  The offering is based upon the conviction that we would have gotten nothing from all our sweat and exertion if God hadn’t first given us the ground to use, the muscles to work, a brain to think, and a community to live and be employed in.  Everything comes to us as a gift from God.  Sunshine and rain.  Fruitfulness and fertility.  Strength and health.  They are all from God.  Our offering is an acknowledgment of that.  It’s a way of honouring him and giving thanks to him.
2. How is your giving?  Do you always give with a thankful heart?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 20:5-7

⁵ The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
⁶ Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,
but a faithful man who can find?
⁷ The righteous who walks in his integrity—
blessed are his children after him!

⁸Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— ⁹yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. ¹⁰Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. ¹¹See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. ¹²So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. ¹³By all this we are encouraged.

REFLECTION

1. The world’s sorrow usually is an “I’m sorry I got caught” kind of sorrow.  The individual is sorry for himself, and the consequences he now has to pay.  Godly sorrow is grief about the original act, and repentance – a commitment to turn from wrongdoing and to turn back toward God (v10).  We grieve, like Isaiah does in Isaiah 6, not only for ourselves, but also because we belong to a people who are sinful.  With this comes spiritual insight and maturity.
2. Have you ever experienced this deep godly grief, for yourself, or for others?  Talk to God about it and listen to God’s response.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 20:1-4

¹ Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
    and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
² The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;
    whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
³ It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
    but every fool will be quarreling.
⁴ The sluggard does not plow in the autumn;
    he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

¹⁴Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
¹⁷“Therefore come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”
¹⁸“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

REFLECTION

1. Christians are to be completely separated unto the Lord, with that separation as sharp as the dividing line between light and darkness, between Christ and Satan, and between the temple of God and a shrine where idols are worshiped.  In short, we are to “purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit.” (7:1) God is our Father, but when we sin, sin’s contamination separates us from God.  Similarly, when sin comes into a relationship between two people, it’ll be felt like a grain of sand entering into the eye, the relationship will be affected.  So, the issue isn’t whether we could have intimate relationship with non-Christians, rather, if we want to maintain this close relationship with God the Father.  Our loving father is calling us: “I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters.”  How do you respond?
2. Imagine you are taking a walk with the Lord in the garden.  Listen to God telling you, “I will be your father, and you shall be my son/daughter.” What would you say to him right now?  The Lord is listening.  Speak to him slowly and listen to his fatherly talking, too.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 19:26-29

²⁶ He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
    is a son who brings shame and reproach.
²⁷ Cease to hear instruction, my son,
    and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
²⁸ A worthless witness mocks at justice,
    and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
²⁹ Condemnation is ready for scoffers,
    and beating for the backs of fools.

¹¹ Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. ¹² We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. ¹³ For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; ¹⁵ and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

¹⁶ From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ¹⁸ All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

REFLECTION

1. Paul defends his ministry and message of reconciliation in this passage. He understood the nature of reconciliation – to bring into harmony with. Paul was sure that God, who in Christ has reconciled the world to Himself, will work in the believer’s life until he lives that life of righteousness that reveals the harmonious relationship with the Lord (v21). “God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (v19). And Paul didn’t hold the Corinthians’ sins against them. Instead he communicated total confidence. He fully believes that the purpose for which Christ died for us will be accomplished, and the lives of believers will be brought into harmony (reconciled) with the righteousness of God.
2. With this assurance, we are freed also not to count the sins of those in our family or in our faith. We’re freed not to hold their failures against them. And we’re free to communicate our confidence that, though they stumble, they will rise again. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ” (v17)
3. Go back to Reflection #3 of Chapter 2. Use this passage as a base for your prayer for that person.  Pray that God will remove any critical and judgmental spirit in you.  And teach you to continue to contact and encourage this person and bring him/her back to the church family.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 19:22-25

²² What is desired in a man is steadfast love,
    and a poor man is better than a liar.
²³ The fear of the Lord leads to life,
    and whoever has it rests satisfied;
    he will not be visited by harm.
²⁴ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish
    and will not even bring it back to his mouth.
²⁵ Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
    reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

¹ Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. ² But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.⁵ For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus 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 be revealed in our mortal body. ¹²So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

REFLECTION

1. Paul was contrasting the weak and ordinary character of the messenger with the overwhelming power of the message.  In fact, he was under pressure, perplexed, persecuted, knocked to the ground.  Everything in his experience reminded him that the dynamic power that had marked his ministry had not come from him.  He credited Jesus with the fact that despite his weaknesses he had not been crushed, nor drowned in despair, nor abandoned or destroyed.
2. Don’t let a sense of personal weakness keep you from serving God.  The fact that we are weak is the backdrop against which the incomparable power of God is revealed.
3. Sing quietly this traditional gospel song “Just a closer walk with Thee” as a prayer to God: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KStZ40DlOQc

I am weak but Thou art strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong
I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to Thee
Just a closer walk with Thee, grant it Jesus is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee, oh let it be dear Lord let it be.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 19:19-21

¹⁹ A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,
    for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
²⁰ Listen to advice and accept instruction,
    that you may gain wisdom in the future.
²¹ Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

¹²Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. ¹³We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. ¹⁴But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. ¹⁶But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

REFLECTION

1. When we rest in the splendour of God revealed by Christ, we find ourselves changed by it.  Gradually, by the power of the Spirit, we are being transformed into Christ’s likeness, the way that God had intended for us to be when he created us.
2. Though there are still warts and blemishes all too visible, we are growing and changing.  In the process of the ever-increasing glory of the transformation taking place, “The Christian is the person who makes it easy for others to believe in God.”
3. Pray: Lord, help me to reflect more of your glory and to become easier for others to believe in you.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 19:15-18

¹⁵ Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,
    and an idle person will suffer hunger.
¹⁶ Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;
    he who despises his ways will die.
¹⁷ Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
    and he will repay him for his deed.
¹⁸ Discipline your son, for there is hope;
    do not set your heart on putting him to death.

⁵ Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. ⁶ For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, ⁷ so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸ So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. ⁹ For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and knowwhether you are obedient in everything. ¹⁰ Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, ¹¹ so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

REFLECTION

1. In this passage, Paul refers to the discipline of a member of the church, possibly because of a gross sexual sin (see 1Co 5:1). How does Paul’s handling of this problem affirm his love not only for the Corinthians but also for the man who had sinned?
2. How would Paul’s approach to discipline be one that would still allow the person confronted to hear God’s affirmation in Christ? It is important for the community to pursue forgiveness in order to prevent Satan from accomplishing his schemes against the Church.
3. Do you know any believer that may need to re-enter the church community right now?  If so, ask God for wisdom and love to forgive, comfort and restore this person into God’s family.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 19:12-14

¹² A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion,
    but his favor is like dew on the grass.
¹³ A foolish son is ruin to his father,
    and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
¹⁴ House and wealth are inherited from fathers,
    but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

⁵ For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. ⁶ If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. ⁷ Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

⁸ For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. ⁹ Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. ¹⁰ He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. ¹¹ You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

REFLECTION

1. Christians may suffer because of the faith that we have.  But when we suffer and are persecuted because of Jesus, we can also be comforted because we know that God is at work, seeking reconciliation between God and men and that Christ is the one who comforts us.  When we suffer for the gospel, we are put into a position of needing to be dependent on God.
2. When was the last time you felt like in a pressure cooker?  What happened?  In what ways have you experienced God’s comfort? How does your experience of God’s comfort enable you to comfort others?
3. Think of someone you know who needs to experience God’s comfort.  Ask God to comfort that person and to use you in offering comfort.  Spend a few minutes praying for this person.  Give him/her a call in a few days, or write him/her an email asking how things are and telling him/her that you are praying for him/her.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 19:8-11

⁸ Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
    he who keeps understanding will discover good.
⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and he who breathes out lies will perish.
¹⁰ It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
    much less for a slave to rule over princes.
¹¹ Good sense makes one slow to anger,
    and it is his glory to overlook an offense.