“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:6-7). Paul is telling the Corinthians to be prepared to be generous,… Read More ›
“Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God” (Psalm 86:1-2). This is the sort of prayer I want to pray. It is humble: he recognizes his poverty and need for God in the midst… Read More ›
(This is a guest post from Scott Rim!) So the subtitle under 2 Corinthians, Chapter 8 reads, “Encouragement to Give Generously”. And that’s pretty much what this passage is about. But why? When? And How? Paul starts off by informing the readers of his letter that the churches in Macedonia are in a “severe test… Read More ›
“Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky” (Psalm 85:10-11). Just yesterday, I preached a message on 1 Kings 21, in which Ahab and Jezebel have Naboth murdered so that Ahab can have Naboth’s vineyard as a vegetable garden. It’s a tough… Read More ›
This is one of my favorite “Gs.” It puts so much of the way we live our lives in perspective, helps us to see the countless ways we fail to live joyously free in light of all that God has done for us in Christ. “Whatever sin offers, God offers more, for God offers us… Read More ›
(This is a guest post from dear brother, Seng Chin, from Christ Church.) We know by now that Paul, as some before him notably did—but especially One—suffered affliction in the earthly tent of his body. Yet, he was “filled” with comfort and, even—in all affliction—”overflowing with joy” (2 Cor 7:4). How? Christian suffering is… Read More ›
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God” (Psalm 84:1, 3). I was talking with a friend last night about the challenge of being dependent on God no matter our circumstances. We all have a… Read More ›
(This is a guest post from Clara Hah!) There are three things I like about 2 Corinthians, chapter 6. And here they are: 1. “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (6:1) I like that it forces me to realize that God is working… Read More ›
“O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads” (Psalm 83:1-2). There is something earth-shatteringly profound about this psalm. A mystery lies behind it that my mind can barely approach, let alone explain. Our favorite thing to do… Read More ›
(This is a guest post from my dear friend and fellow pastor, Toby Kurth.) Who we are in Christ always precedes what we are called to do. In 2 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul makes it so clear that the motivation for anything that he is doing or calling his readers to do is some… Read More ›