Bible In 90 Days 47: 2 CORINTHIANS

Today is day 85 in our journey through the Bible in 90 days.

2 Corinthians is kind of the nicer, older brother to 1 Corinthians. Whereas 1 Corinthians is abrasive and harsh at times (although necessary and truthful), 2 Corinthians is loving and much easier to hang out with.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul called out some sexual sin that was being tolerated within the church. He told them that someone who claims to be a Christians, but goes on in sin (any sin – not just sexual sin) is not to be tolerated. He even added “don’t even eat with such a one.” (1 Corinthians 5:11). 2 Corinthians seems to point out that the rebuke had its intended result. Paul says…

“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. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.” – 2 Corinthians 2:5-8

The purpose of the harsh rebuke and lack of fellowship was to bring sorrow, brokenness, humility, and restoration. Judging by Paul’s words here, that’s exactly what happened.

That is the difference (or at least should be) between the world’s rebuke and a Christian’s rebuke. The world rebukes in order to slander, destroy, and bring pain. The Christian rebukes to bring humility and restoration. Whenever delivering a hard truth to someone, make sure that that is always your goal – not revenge.

Paul also wrote for a few other reasons. He gave a lot of practical and doctrinal instruction; he gave instructions on collecting a financial gift for the poor Christians in Jerusalem; he also backed up his calling as an apostle after some others had come in and slandered his reputation.

There are FAR too many great spiritual truths to highlight here, but one that stood out to me is the passage on financial giving. It’s a topic that is often pushed to 1 of 2 extremes in churches today…

Some churches talk way too much about it, constantly pressuring people to give, setting up thermometers to measure the amount given, and promising “a 10-fold blessing” for “sowing their seed.” Some of that language is used within 2 Corinthians, but many churches take it way too far.

Other churches go to the other extreme and almost never mention giving, which is unfortunate. When people are attending a church, but not involved financially, not only are they robbing God, but they’re robbing themselves as well. God promises to bless those who prioritize generosity in giving.

It’s important that we all understand God’s heart behind it. He’s not begging. He’s not poor. He’s also not limited by our lack of generosity. However, the system that He’s set up is that the church survives off of the faithful generosity of the local congregation.

Although it doesn’t always mathematically measure up, my wife and I always make it a priority to give at least 10% of our income to the ministry. We make sure it’s the first money that leaves our account when my paycheck comes in. After all, I’d rather see the church be blessed than me save some extra money to eat at Chick-Fil-A that week!

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7

Also found within the pages of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians are words that I refer back to often, especially in moments of weakness and/or pain…

“But 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

I also resonate with Paul’s words at the tail end of his letter. Another reason he’s writing is to prepare the way for his third visit to Corinth. In Chapter 12 he writes of his love for the church there and his desire to see them grow. He affirms his love for them and tells them that he gladly exhausts himself on their behalf…

“ I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls…” – 2 Corinthians 12:15

I certainly resonate with his words here about being “spent.” Church planting is by far the most challenging thing I’ve ever done..and I’ve only planted one church! It’s exhausting, it can be very burdensome, and it can be all-consuming if I allow it to be. Regardless of how hard it gets, I’m always blessed to be spent for the souls of those who the Lord sent me to minister to!

Bible in 90 Days 45: ROMANS

Romans is one of the greatest doctrinal books ever written. It’s basically a 16-chapter Christian theology book – short and to the point. Here are a few things some people have said about Romans…

“The most profound book in existence.” – Coleridge

“The chief part of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel.” – Luther

“A thorough study of the epistle is really a theological education in itself.” – Griffith Thomas

Paul wrote it to the believers that were living in Rome, where he eventually planned to visit after he ran an errand to the church in Jerusalem.

Romans contains some well-known and extremely important passages to the Christian faith:

– “The Romans Road” is a pathway from sin to salvation found in Romans. Although there are different versions, it normally consists of 5 verses…

1) Romans 3:23 – the need for salvation

2) Romans 6:23a – the consequence for rejecting salvation

3) Romans 6:23b, 5:8 – the free gift of salvation

4) Romans 10:9 – the process of salvation

5) Romans 5:1 – the results of salvation

The Romans Road is a great tool to keep with you in your Bible, but more importantly in your mind. It’s simple, Biblical proof of our sin and need for a Savior. Make sure these verses are underlined in your Bible for quick reference when talking to someone who needs Jesus.

– Paul is also brutally honest about the battle we’ve all fought between flesh and spirit. We know the right things to do, but for some reason we’re doing the wrong thing. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The great thing about Paul is that he always bring the solution back to Jesus…

“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” – Romans 7:24-25a

– Romans also contains the powerful passage in Romans 12 about being transformed by the Lord from the inside out. He spent 11 chapters proving the glory and power and wisdom of God so that in chapter 12, he could appeal to logic. Romans 12:1 says that it is “your reasonable service” to present your body as a living sacrifice to God. In other words, in light of what He’s done,  it just makes sense!

Romans was actually the 6th letter that Paul wrote. Although it came later in his ministry (probably around his third missionary journey), it was necessary to include it up front in the New Testament so that we’d learn the theology that the rest of the New Testament is based on.

Because of its depth, it’s really pretty crazy that we read through Romans in just 2 sessions. I would highly encourage you to take some time to go back through the book at a slower pace. Grab a good commentary on it (Warren Weirsbe has a great commentary for starters, and my pastor, Skip Heitzig, has some great resources too) and do some spiritual surgery. Our depravity and God’s mercy is put on display in an undeniable way throughout the book. I’ll bet as you sit down to dismantle it, it will in turn, dismantle you.

Speaking of our depravity…next up is 1 Corinthians!

Bible in 90 Days 24: JEREMIAH

Today is Day 60 in our journey through the Bible in 90 days.

We’re 2/3 of the way done with the Bible, can you believe it?! It may not feel like you’re going too fast right now because we’re right in the middle of the “major” prophets. Their books are long, but real soon, we’ll be blowing through multiple books per day! Bring it, minor prophets!

Jeremiah is a bit of a sad read. He’s called “the weeping prophet,” and with good reason. God gave him a very hard message to proclaim. Whereas Isaiah’s message was “repent or God will judge,” Jeremiah’s was more along the lines of, “since you haven’t repented, God is going to judge. Soon.” It was a doom and gloom message. Understandably, Jeremiah wasn’t the most popular guy in his day. People often don’t like the truth.

Throughout the book, Jeremiah records the way that he was abused: beaten, falsely imprisoned, left to die, slandered, abandoned, and more. At one point, God tells Jeremiah to write down all the words that God had been giving him to say. So, he painstakingly obeys. By the end of the chapter, the king’s men have gotten their hands on Jeremiah’s handwritten scroll, and they’re ripping it apart, paragraph by paragraph. JERKS!

To make matters worse, Jeremiah couldn’t go home to the comfort of his wife and kids…because he didn’t have any. In Chapter 16, God commands Jeremiah to not get married or raise a family. After all, proclaiming impending judgment while handing out wedding and baby shower invitations sends a mixed signal. God wanted him to stay focused and for the people to realize how serious Jeremiah (and God) was.

Like Isaiah, there are messages of hope sprinkled throughout the book…

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 (probably the most well-known verse in the book)

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. – Jeremiah 17:7

It may be that their plea for mercy will come before the Lord, and that every one will turn from his evil way… – Jeremiah 36:7

Although there are glimmers of hope, the overarching theme is that God’s judgment is coming and they’d better be ready. He wasn’t kidding either – judgment happens in the last chapter of the book. The book ends with Jerusalem itself being burned and destroyed and its people taking a blood bath…

In the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard, who served the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem. And he burned the house of the Lord, and the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. – Jeremiah 52:12-13

Jeremiah was the warning that judgment was coming, then the next book, Lamentations, is the mourning after judgment did come.

Although Jeremiah is a heavy read, it’s a good reminder. God doesn’t just let His kids run wild – He loves us too much for that. He had mercy on them for years and years – generation after generation, but the time finally came for Him to prove to them that He meant business. He doesn’t take sin lightly and He doesn’t share His glory.

The great thing however, is the passage I mentioned above – Jeremiah 29. Although God has plans to severely punish His people, He wasn’t done with them – He also had plans for them after their punishment was over. He wanted to restore and revitalize what had been broken down and wrecked by their rebellion.

God isn’t done with you either. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that He finishes what He starts. He doesn’t do leftovers. Be reminded today that God does chastise His children, but it’s because He loves you and wants something so much better for you.

Enjoy your catch up day – Lamentations and the beginning of Ezekiel is next!

Bible in 90 Days 16: NEHEMIAH

Today is Day 37 in our journey through the Bible in 90 days.

If I told you to read a book about a guy building some walls, you probably wouldn’t be too excited. Although that’s exactly what Nehemiah is about, it’s way better and more action-packed than it sounds.

In fact, I’d say that Nehemiah is one of my favorite Old Testament books. I got to teach one of my favorite passages out of it last night at Awaken - Nehemiah 8. It’s all about the power of hearing, interpreting, and applying Scripture (which of course holds a dear place in my life and calling).

PRAYER

Nehemiah loved to pray. He LOVED it. He did it constantly. much of his praying takes place in Chapter 1 as he hears the heartbreaking news of the broken down Jerusalem walls and he begs God for mercy and provision. God answered, of course. I pray that God would break my heart for Clarksville as Nehemiah’s heart was broken for Jerusalem. He wept, fasted, and prayed…and God moved powerfully. I believe change will happen in our city when our hearts break for those who are broken all around us.

SUPER & NATURAL

Nehemiah does a great job at taking care of the natural (his part of the deal) and trusting God for the supernatural. That’s a hard mix to find at times, because it’s so tempting to try to do it all, even though it’s completely out of our hands in the first place. “…the God of heaven Himself will prosper us.” – Nehemiah 2:20

HARD WORK

Another thing I love about Nehemiah and his crew is that they weren’t scared to work. Most people (including many Christians) lack the diligence that it takes to get the job done. I’ve met many Christians who want to sit around and wait for God to take care of it. They often end up missing out on the results altogether as well as missing out on the blessing of being a part of what God is doing. We could learn a lot from Nehemiah and his crew – “…the people had a mind to work.” – Nehemiah 4:6

When you mix prayer, reliance on God, and hard work, you’re bound to see a move of God…and Nehemiah did! Nehemiah 6:15 says that it only took 52 days to build the whole wall! And in Nehemiah 8, revival took place as God’s people gathered together to worship and study the word. They listened for hours as Ezra read from the Old Testament. As they were confronted with the reality of their sin, they wept in repentance. But they didn’t just stand there crying – they acted. They saw what needed to change and they made the changes.

So what needs to be rebuilt in your life?

If you can look back in your life and see a time when you were closer to God than you are now, you know something needs to change. What is it? Don’t beat yourself up over whatever happened, just pinpoint it, then do something about it!

Enjoy Esther today – it wraps up the historical books and leads us into poetry.

Bible in 90 Days 14: 2 CHRONICLES

Today is Day 35 in our journey through the Bible in 90 days.

Today we finish up the final chapter of 2 Chronicles and move right into Ezra, another amazing book (more about that tomorrow)!

As I mentioned in my blog about 1 Chronicles, both books of Chronicles can seem a bit like a re-run when you first read them. It’s understandable – in a way, they are. Reading through 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 2 Kings took you through much of the same information, history, and kings. So why write it again?

Well, as they say, hindsight is always 20/20. Most believe that 1 & 2 Chronicles were written after Judah’s captivity and return. And speaking of 20/20, one key verse in the book is 2 Chronicles 20:20…

“Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.’”

Had they lived by that command, they could have avoided the whole defeat and captivity thing in the first place.

Unfortunately, they did not, and as a result, suffered for years in captivity because of it.

What can we learn from 2 Chronicles?

1) Don’t follow their example. Although there were some Godly kings, many were evil. The evil kings, in turn, led the people into evil practices, putting them into the hands of evil men. That’s always how sin works – it’s a downward spiral.

2) Learn from your mistakes. We can all look back and remember the times and events that hurt us the most. Learn from those and make sure not to repeat them. If it helps, write it down, like Ezra did in Chronicles. Don’t go back – move forward.

3) Don’t dwell in the past. Sure, you made mistakes. We all have. Repent and get over it. You aren’t what you did – move on!

Get ready for Ezra – it’s a great encouragement of the power of God’s Word and what can happen when people obey it!

Bible in 90 Days 7: JUDGES

Today is Day 19 in our journey through the Bible in 90 days.

Today we’ll finish up the book of Judges, read through Ruth (more on that tomorrow), and start 1 Samuel!

Judges is a fascinating book to me. Israel acts out what I’ve seen lived out in far too many lives – the downward spiral of sin.

Judges covers a period of about 400 years right after they had settled down in the Promised Land (we read about that in Joshua). It started on a high note, with the end of Joshua’s life. He had challenged them to choose who they would serve. Unanimously, they answered that they would serve God. Unfortunately, that decision didn’t last long.

Their problem began when they didn’t drive the natives out of the land like they were supposed to…

Judges 1:19 – …they could not drive out the inhabitants of the lowland, because they had iron chariots.

Judges 1:21 – But the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem; so the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.

Judges 1:28 – And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites under tribute (forced labor), but did not completely drive them out.

The rest of the chapter gives a list of people that they didn’t drive out of the land, like they were supposed to.

Sure, they set boundaries and put the people to forced slave labor, but they still lived there. That was the problem. That’s like going in for surgery and the doctor telling you, “Yeah, we got most of the cancer out, but what’s left shouldn’t be a big deal.”

WRONG! It’s a BIG deal!

That’s evident from the very next chapter. By the end of Judges 2, Joshua is dead, and Israel is worshiping Canaanite gods. That was quick, wasn’t it? What happened to Joshua 24:18?

Chapter 3 kicks off a series of (at least) 12 judges that God raises up to deliver His people after they screw everything up…over and over again.

Othniel was the first judge. He showed King Cushan-Rishathaim of Mesopotamia (say that 10X fast!) who was boss. There was a period of 40 years of peace after that…then Othniel died and Israel turned to idols.

Next up: Ehud. He holds a special place in my heart – he’s a lefty. He told King Eglon that he wanted to tell him a secret. His secret was… a dagger into his belly. Side note: Eglon was so fat, that the dagger went into his belly, handle and all, and was covered up by his fat. No joke. That’s good reading, right there! Ehud died 80 years later, and Israel went back to idolatry.

Next was Shamgar…

then Deborah…

then Gideon,

Tola,

Jair,

Jephthah,

Ibzan,

Elon,

Abdon,

and Samson.

4 times in the book, it mentions that there was no king, and it ends on an incredibly low note…

Judges 21:25 – In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

We’ve all been here at one time or another. Struggling with the downward spiral of sin. We allow it to remain in out lives because we’ve convinced ourselves that we’re in control. We’re obviously not. So we cry out, God rescues us, we love Him for it, but sooner or later, we’re back to the same old sin.

It’s time to break the pattern. God offers a much better life than that. Are you reaching for God’s best or settling for what the world has to offer?

Bible in 90 Days 3: LEVITICUS

Today is Day 10 in our journey through the Bible in 90 days.

It only took 2 days for us to plow through the 26 chapters of Leviticus. That’s a great thing, too. Leviticus is where a lot of people die in their Through The Bible In A Year plan. Leviticus is a gruesome, gory, bloody book that can be a very challenging read, especially Leviticus 13.

The theme throughout the book is God’s holiness and our duty to sacrifice to Him. Thankfully, that looks much different today than it did for the Old Testament saints! I don’t know if I could handle inspecting people’s sores, ridding houses of mold, and stoning people! That’s some heavy (and sometimes nauseating) stuff!

Here’s the point – all the sacrifices pointed to Jesus. The feasts, the festivals, the future pilgrimages that Jews would make to Jerusalem, the blood and gore – it all pointed to the slaughter of THE Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. God is very detail-oriented and demanded the best from His people and His priests. He didn’t want leftovers – He deserves better than that. When they gave Him their best, it was “a sweet aroma to the Lord.“

We have the same duty today, whether you’re a “professional” in the ministry or not. Romans 12:1-2 details the sacrifice you are to make. It doesn’t involve a lamb or a bull or a goat. It involves a choice and a willing servant. Our bodies are to be presented to God as our reasonable act of worship. In other words, in light of what God has done for us, it just makes sense that we’d give our all for Him. It’s a choice. That slaughtered bull didn’t have a choice to get off the altar, but you do. Is the holy God worth it to you?

Next up in our journey: Numbers. I know, it sounds riveting. There’s some great stuff ahead – get ready!