Wednesday, July 28, 2010

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

What a week this has turned out to be. Three funerals last week, and now three this week, spread out between the two funeral homes.

Still reading in 2 Corinthians-from chapter 9: 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

I recently finished a book called "Radical: Recaiming Your Faith From the American Dream." It really challenges believers to escape our materialistic America-centered mindset and take seriously Christ's command to go and make disciples of all nations-with our material weath and with our lives. These verses help me to remember that God has not allowed any prosperity in my life because I've earned it or deserve it, or because he wants me to have the latest and greatest of everything Walmart sells. It's all his, and he may just want me to use it for someone else.

One final note, my friend Jennie died yesterday morning. Praising God that she is in Heaven, but missing her here already.

Monday, July 26, 2010

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I started reading in 2 Corinthians today. In chapter 4, I appreciated this passage:

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Yes the funeral director's wife is pondering death again. One of my friends from church (a friend in her eighties) is home dying of cancer. We will be having her funeral soon, and I'm sad about it. These verses reminded me that while Jennie is wasting away outwardly, she is being renewed inwardly as each day she is closer and closer to heaven.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

1 Corinthians 15:54-57

What a week! We had two visitations and three funerals in six days. I am tired, tired, tired.
I finished 1 Corinthians this week, and a passage from chapter 15 really gave me comfort.

54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
55"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?" 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

With our business, and especially this week, I probably think about death more than most people. I am so grateful that as believers we can face death and know that it is not the final chapter. The grave is swallowed up in victory!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

1 Corinthians 10:13

Still reading in 1 Corinthians this week. Chapter 10, verse 13 says "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Thank you, Lord for being faithful. Thank you that even when I feel like I am facing more than I can bear, you are with me, providing the grace I need to stand against it.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."

So grateful that God chooses to use even foolish, weak, lowly, nothing me for His glory. I cannot boast of anything my own-it's all Him!