Power in You

As written in 2 Corinthians 13, Paul will act more firmly toward the Corinthians when he comes for his third visit and will expect that they are living in the faith. He explains the concept of weakness and strength. Before Christ, there was weakness but now power lives inside and there is strength.

He challenges the Corinthians to examine themselves but his concern is that they may fail the test. To prove success, there must be evidence of them following the Way and Paul is concerned that they have not fully accepted Christ into their life.

In order to prove that the Way of Christ is in our life, self-examination is important and we should strive to integrate our faith with our lifestyle.  Start each day off right with God, plan out the things that need to be done, and believe that there is a bright future ahead.

We should accept God’s love, peace, and power to apply the intangibles of our faith into the tangibles of our good deeds. Every great cause, first began as a dream. God has a purpose for our life and we can participate in the greatness and power of God.

One example of a dream for a good cause was American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The dream of colorectal surgeon, Dr. Gordy Klatt was put into action in 1985 as a way to raise awareness of cancer and boost income for his local cancer charity. Communities around the world have taken this dream so that the cause has now grown into the largest fundraising event for cancer in the world. Below is a picture of the opening lap of a Relay for life event in my community.

This day with You Lord, we desire to aim for perfection, listen to You for direction, be of one mind, and strive to live in peace. In order to accomplish this, we examine ourselves, test ourselves, and believe that Your Spirit is in us. We see a future of possibilities because of our spiritual growth. We are gaining momentum from what You have done yesterday and we are dreaming big dreams for the future. Amen.

 

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Making a Stand

It takes courage to stand up to those that oppose our freedom. Paul demonstrates courage in standing up to the negative ways of the world during his time. He was devoted to being a servant of Christ even when in danger, imprisonment, & facing tremendous pressure.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

It takes courage to make a stand against those that oppose our freedom. Below is a picture my daughter took when she went to Washing ton D. C. on a class trip years ago. It’s a photo of the United States Marine Corps War Memorial inspired by the iconic photo of the soldiers raising the flag on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945.

There are going to be
Hard times faced in life
But making a stand
Frees you from strife.

Be a courageous
Servant for Christ
And oppose those who
Are pulling a heist.

The power of the
Holy Spirit inside
Will help to step ahead
And not be terrified.

Make a stand with courage
To those who oppose
With God’s perfect way
And power it bestows.

Let’ work together
As God’s angel army
To provide safety
For you and me.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 05-27-2019

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One Common Link

This poem is inspired by 2 Corinthians 6 and 7. Some things just don’t mix together very well like water and oil or like pizza and weight loss. In the same way, worshiping idols does not mix with worshiping the ONE true God.

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Like oil mixed with water,
Winter and silk,
Pizza and weight loss
Or vinegar with milk

The world has idols
Worshiped in wickedness
That do not mix well
With righteousness.

But a common link
Is the Holy Spirit
And paradise
Is ours to inherit.

So take on each challenge
By focusing on God
For difficulties
Can be sent abroad.

He’s near to us
Providing a plus
Thus working things out
For all of us.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 05-09-2019

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Instruction

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. – Mark 12:30-31

Within the post “Stern Because of Concern”, Paul demonstrates his love for the Corinthians. His love was similar to parents loving their children. He was willing to postpone what he would like for what they would like because he was concerned for their future.

This continues to be the greatest instruction for us today. To love God the Father with all our heart, soul, and mind. Then to love our neighbor as ourselves. Take inspiration from today’s song More by Matthew West. 
 

 

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Stern Because of Concern

In 2 Corinthians 12:11-21, Paul spends time acting as the ironic fool because he wants to get across to them that he is laying it all out there for their own benefit and not his own benefit. He loves the Corinthians like his own children and only means well for their future.

Paul’s defenses are directed at the false teachers who believed he desired personal financial gain. In the past, the Corinthians did not stand up to the false teachers and allowed them to misrepresent his motives.

Even though Paul was let down by the Corinthians, He would continue his support of them because of his love for them. He feels much like a parent feels when their children have let them down.

We all work hard to make the life for future generations better than our own. When our friends and family dishonor this hard work by rejecting our efforts and going in the wrong direction, there is this feeling of why should I work so hard? I could enjoy life and spend my intellectual and monetary resources on myself rather than working so hard for future generations.

Paul is apprehensive about his forthcoming visit to the Corinthians because he may find that they are losing the battle rather than winning. He may find that they are losing to the negatives like discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, and arrogance.

He’s apprehensive because they may lose the battle towards the way of Christ and things may eventually fall apart. The negative way of life may not cause things to fall apart in the present but in the distant future. The burdens of the future would fall on those who do not listen to the way of Christ.

The older generation has a responsibility to the younger generation to give instruction about the way of Christ. Parents have a responsibility to their children, teachers to their students, brothers to their sisters, and neighbors to each other.

This day with You Lord, help us to do what needs to be done. To accept the love You have given in Your Son and point out this love. Help us to offer this love to others even when they may reject this love. Help us to be concerned for the well-being of others. Amen.

 

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