2 Corinthians 1. Paul gives thanks to God. Paul comforts the believers


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2 Corinthians 1. Paul gives thanks to God. Paul comforts the believers

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: 2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. 13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; 14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; 16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea. 17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? 18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. 20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. 24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

May GOD bless Nigeria, America and Israel and take care of us; May GOD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the LORD lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

Divisions Not Allowed In God’s House


English: Tiverton : Angel Hill & Remembrance S...

Divisions Not Allowed In God’s House

 

 

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (Corinthians 1:10)

 

 

 

 

If there will be unity in a family, church or a group of people, the role of the leader cannot be over emphasized. A leader should be the unifying force over those he or she leads. In this regard, the leader should ensure his subordinates’ opposing or dissenting views are harmonized in a way as to carry all of them along their common objective for being together in the first place. Unfortunately, some leaders deliberately encourage divisions, by sowing seeds of discord and turning one subordinate against the other. They call it divide and rule ‘strategy’. That is satanic! Some leaders encourage or provide the platform for subordinates to create camps. Not Jesus! As long as Jesus was physically present, He was the rallying point of unity for all His disciples. One day, two brother – James and John brought their mother to lobby Jesus, so that they would secure the highest positions in Heaven, right beside the Lord Himself (Matthew 20:20-24). When the other disciples heard of it, they were very angry! That move could have broken the twelve into separate camps. But the Lord handled it with wisdom and they remained united without killing the desire of the Zebedees to attain heavenly greatness.

It is very challenging to unite people with diverse backgrounds, goals, interest and understanding. However, it is very easy to cause division. One hallmark of a true leader is that he or she is not easily carried away by comments or selfish actions of the team he or she is leading, as the group goal is uppermost in his or her heart. Another person who could not stand God’s church being broken into camps was Paul. In His days, converts began to break into at least four different camps right in the church in Corinth but with wisdom, Paul resolved this and unified Christ’s church. Are you instrumental to the division of God’s church? You are calling for God’s judgement. Repent and restitute. Go and meet the people you sowed those seeds of discord into and compel them to reverse their rebellious acts. This will be good evidence of your repentance.

A body that is dismembered cannot operate as whole. A part of the body can never be whole. Division limits us. Strive for peace and unity.

May the LORD bless Nigeria, American and Israel and take care of us; May the LORD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!

Excited About Giving


Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Excited About Giving

For as touching the ministering to the saints [Paul is talking about giving to the saints], it is superfluous for me to write to you; For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many
2 Corinthians 9:1-2

Paul, through the Holy Ghost, was speaking to the Corinthian church. The Corinthians had been preparing for a long time to give to the saints. The Apostle Paul was boasting about their great enthusiasm, zeal and desire to give to the saints..

Paul walked into other places and says, “You don’t know about the church in Corinth. They were ready to give a year ago. They are so excited about giving!” Paul and those with him used this church as an example, to help other churches become more excited about giving. Obviously, this church was doing something right!

May the LORD bless Nigeria, American and Israel and take care of us; May the LORD make His face shine upon us, And be gracious to us; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon us, And give us peace, In Jesus Christ Name, we pray! Amen!