[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (BRW-M) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]
[6:20 pm, 02/02/2022] S.R:
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟙:𝟙𝟙
"you also joining in helping
us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our
behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many."
One of my main jobs as a pastor is
to make every church member a prayerful person!
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟚:𝟙𝟚-𝟙𝟛
"Now when I came to Troas for
the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, I had no
rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them,
I went on to Macedonia."
Someday, I would like to recall
such similar incidents in my life, not that I want to be worried, but the
compassion and relationship I have with others!
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟛:𝟙𝟠
"But we all, with unveiled
face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed
into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the
Spirit."
Biblically speaking there's nothing
called backsliding Christian. That's poor terminology for a real problem. Every
Christian is becoming better and better day by day.
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟜:𝟙
"Therefore, since we have this
ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart,"
Gospel Ministry workers can't
afford to be discouraged but actually is discouraging. I think all works and professions
are too discouraging at certain times, and maybe rightly so, but not the Gospel
Ministry for the mercy and grace of God abounds!
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟝:𝟚-𝟜
"For indeed in this house we
groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we,
having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this
tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to
be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life."
But, do we groan???
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟞:𝟙𝟙-𝟙𝟛
"Our mouth has spoken freely
to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. You are not restrained by us,
but you are restrained in your own affections. Now in a like exchange--I speak
as to children--open wide to us also."
Sometimes leaders are the problem,
but other times, people are the problem like the Corinthians!
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟟:𝟙𝟘
"For the sorrow that is
according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation,
but the sorrow of the world produces death."
Sorrow accompanied by a change of
lifestyle!
[7:07 am, 09/02/2022] S.R: @Chakhuangam,
Today is the 40th day of our update. And I just want to acknowledge that you
are the most consistent person among all the 50+ participants. You are even
more consistent than me! In that you put up your update between 00:00 to 01:00
AM every day! A person like you should become an IAS officer! 👍The
rest of us in this group should be glad to have you become our DC saheb! 🙂
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟠:𝟚𝟜
"Therefore openly before the
churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about
you."
Paul often boasted about others
whom he had mentored. In fact, he even said that they were his crown, his joy,
and his comfort.
Even in day-to-day life we often say,
"Bro, I am proud of you" when someone we know achieves something
great.
Likewise, it's appropriate that I
boast about @Chakhuangam for his consistency! 😇
I want to boast about all of you in
other groups! 😎
And let me know if I can help you boast about me.
Paul was a boaster! 😎😂
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟡:𝟛-𝟜
"But I have sent the brethren,
in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so
that, as I was saying, you may be prepared; otherwise if any Macedonians come
with me and find you unprepared, we--not to speak of you--will be put to shame
by this confidence."
It's okay to impress one another!
It's okay to plan to impress one another.
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟙𝟘:𝟙𝟛
"But we will not boast beyond
our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us
as a measure, to reach even as far as you."
Boasting has its areas, sure!
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟙𝟙:𝟛𝟘
"If I have to boast, I will
boast of what pertains to my weakness."
Boasting that magnifies, glorifies,
popularizes, or sanctifies God is a holy boasting!
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟙𝟚:𝟡
"And He has said to me, ‘My
grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly,
therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ
may dwell in me."
One of my favorite Bible verses in
this book!
𝟚
ℂ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕤
𝟙𝟛:𝟙𝟜
"The grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you
all."
One of the most loved benedictions
is from Paul to the Corinthians in this verse! 😇👍