2 Corinthians 4:10 – 12

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For 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.  So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 

Pretty heavy stuff, but then again fairly simple.  Death is at work in us, but life is at work in Jesus Christ.  While living, we mere humans have a big job – to live as Christ would live.  In death, we are rewarded.  Our heavenly home, the one we work for our whole life, welcomes us as we wade across the Cold Jordan and into the arms of our heavenly Father.

2 Corinthians 1:3 – 4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

I often am entertained by Paul’s writing.  He always says the same word over and over in as many different ways as he can.  Now, I am not saying he wasn’t a smart guy or that he didn’t know what he was talking about.  I’m just saying that I think God has a sense of humor.  Go ahead, you try it…  Open up your Bible to any book Paul wrote (basically the New Testament with a few exceptions) and read some passages.  Some are not so funny, but oh my goodness, sometimes he gets really carried away with one word.  – I realize that it is to make a point, but it is still funny (well, to me anyway).  My husband and I call them Paulisms. 

Okay, now to be serious. 

God comforts us so that we can step outside of our own joys and concerns to comfort others.  It seems like a simple thing to the comforter, but is a REALLY BIG DEAL to the person being comforted.  Give someone a hug today, ask them how they are, and really listen to what they have to say.  And then you, my friends, will have done the work of Christ today.

I’m long winded this morning. –Malinda

Matthew 5:9-10

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Reading over the beatitudes these past three days has been fun for me, but at the same time has really centered my mind on Christ as a teacher and savior.  I tried to imagine how the apostles must have felt sitting there on the side of a mountain listening to the words of the son of God.  Awed?  Amazed?  Inspired?  Confused?  Thinking…”what have I gotten myself into?”?  Sitting there listening to words of such love and wisdom, they must have been overwhelmed in the newness of it. 

So here I sit a couple of thousand years later feeling awed, amazed, and inspired to show others Christ through me.  Have a good day!

Malinda

Matthew 5:6-8

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

I like that Jesus can speak these words to me over and over just by me opening my bible to Matthew 5.  They pretty much speak for themselves and are so comforting when I need some peace and quiet and time for prayer and study. 

Malinda

Better Late than Never…

Matthew 5:3-5

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.

I am poor in spirit today and the beatitudes made me feel better. I figured maybe someone else might need them, too. 

Malinda             

Romans 12:13

Share with God’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality. 

Need being open-ended here.  Share your love with people who need love.  Share your compassion for those who need that.  Share your ears with people who need talk.  Share your words with people who need to listen.  Share your groceries with those who are hungry.  Share your knowledge with those who seek it.

Practice hospitality of the heart. 

Malinda

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;

God wants us to be joyful.  I like that.  I think also that praying continually ensures our joy.  Today, thank God for something that helps you keep the Spirit’s fire burning.

Malinda

Philippians 2:14-17a

Do everthing without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life –

Paul had reason to complain and argue, but he didn’t because he knew it would be a stumbling block to other Christians.  He knew that if we dwelled on the complaining and arguing that our eyes wouldn’t be firmly on Jesus.   He knew that it isn’t always easy to ignore the problems of the church or the world - that it is HARD to be without fault.  It is hard to be like a shining star, bright and steady in the night.  It is hard to be unfailingly honest and true.  Just by trying, though, we can catch a glimpse of Jesus.  We might just see the back of his robes trailing in the dust as we stumble along trying to follow him, but a glimpse just the same.  I think it is a pretty good reward for trying to outshine a star…

In faith, Malinda

2 Timothy 2:11-13

Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also riegn with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
When it gets down to it, that is what God wants from us.  Our faith and then our faith in action. 

Malinda

Matthew 6:27

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Enough said, I think, but I will add this.  I think it is easier to worry than to look ahead sometimes.  It is easier to get caught up in the details than to just know that an outcome will occur and we will have to cope.  I think that “be still and know” goes hand in hand with this verse.  Know He is God.  Know He loves us.  Know He created this beautiful worl for us to enjoy!!!  Have a beautiful day!

Malinda