Living Space

Living Space

2 Corinthians 5: For we know that when this tent we live in—our body here on earth—is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has made, which will last forever. ² And now we sigh, so great is our desire that our home which comes from heaven should be put on over us; ³ by being clothed with it we shall not be without a body. ⁴ While we live in this earthly tent, we groan with a feeling of oppression; it is not that we want to get rid of our earthly body, but that we want to have the heavenly one put on over us, so that what is mortal will be transformed by life. ⁵ God is the one who has prepared us for this change, and he gave us his Spirit as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us.

 

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Part of me didn’t want to be me. Part of me, just wanted to be me. The part of me that didn’t want to be me was the part that looked at “everyone else” who seemed happy, when I felt less than or shamed or discouraged. The part of me that just wanted to be me was the part that felt love and compassion and surrender to the only being who loved me dearly.

 

• My life on earth wants peace but many times gets oppression.
• My life on earth desires something better, but sometimes receives pain.
• My life on earth has some good times and bad times, but I know heaven will not have ups and downs.

 

Paul gives us a glimpse of what to hope for. We want the heavenly body that will never decay or be diseased or be discouraged. He also says that it is not the desire to throw our current life away to get to the eternal one faster, rather hope is our focus of life and we are being transformed by GOD who is preparing us for eternity.

 

My Observations

• It is alright to groan over the oppression that life brings but not too long.
• Hope is where I should place my energy versus focusing in on something that doesn’t include GOD.
• Asking GOD into my heart increases the capacity for others.

 

Once we put ten people in a car meant for six. It felt cramped!. I can only imagine how the HOLY SPIRIT feels when moving into a heart made for only one, namely myself. HE wants to fit into my heart, but has to bring other people into it with HIM.

 

When HE moves in, HE changes the living space and arranges HIS home as HE desires. HE is the one who prepares me for the change HE has in store for me. I am grateful is it GOD who understands when I groan about life’s oppression and stretches my heart to fit others.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer used the word “tent” as a reference to our body?
• Have you ever desired for things to be permanently better?
• Will you be open to being transformed by the HOLY SPIRIT, who will stretch your heart to bring others in today?

Chosen by Choice

Chosen by Choice

2 Corinthians 2: ²¹ It is God himself who makes us, together with you, sure of our life in union with Christ; it is God himself who has set us apart, ²² who has placed his mark of ownership upon us, and who has given us the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us.

 

²³ I call God as my witness—he knows my heart! It was in order to spare you that I decided not to go to Corinth. ²⁴ We are not trying to dictate to you what you must believe; we know that you stand firm in the faith. Instead, we are working with you for your own happiness.

 

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Standing in a line, I awaited being called. I was clumsy and not athletically capable. But somehow I was chosen early. Was this the start of my athletic career? No! But it felt good to be chosen.

 

• I dreaded the thought of not being chosen.
• I did not like being embarrassed.
• I feared not being chosen but I also feared being chosen and not living up to why I was chosen.

 

Paul gives everyone a word of relief. “It is GOD” who did everything to save mankind. He explains that unity, assurance and a guarantee of eternal salvation all come from GOD. We were chosen.by HIS choice.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to accept the gift of unity HE has given me through CHRIST.
• GOD wants me to stand firm in the faith, knowing HE has placed HIS mark of ownership on me.
• GOD wants me to act like I have been set apart by seeking to work for others.

 

Being chosen is more than being saved from eternal pain and misery. I mean, I am chosen for a purpose that is far greater than I could ever dream. GOD uses my sins as examples to others that it is possible for anyone to be saved. It does not matter about the skill or knowledge.

 

GOD saw my entire life, with all my sins and failures, and decided to die for me anyway. This is great news! I am glad HE chose me when I would not choose HIM.

 

Challenge

• Do you notice the love of GOD that the writer is trying to express?
• Why would GOD go through so much trouble if HE wanted you to fail?
• What words of assurance do you see?
• Will you provide these words of assurance to someone today? 

Comes with a Guarantee

 

Comes with a Guarantee

Romans 4: ¹⁶ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. ¹⁷ As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

 

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Disappointed with the product I was using. I complained. But I looked on the container and saw a guarantee. I could return the product, no questions asked. I did return it and purchased a cheaper brand. This one did not have a guarantee. I used that product and it was much worse, only this time I could not return it. I underestimated the product with the guarantee.

 

• There have been times when I did not believe in guarantees.
• There have been times when I went after a substitute versus using the real thing.
• There have been times when I wondered how could something be guaranteed unless they knew the future.

 

Paul keeps going with his explanation of Abraham because many Jews tried to boast about heritage. Paul keeps trying to explain that it was not just Abraham’s faith that GOD would fulfill HIS promise to make him father of many nations, it was GOD’s faith.

 

• When GOD tells me a promise, HE has already seen the outcome.
• When GOD promises something to me HE has already seen the difficulties and cleared the path.
• When GOD says HE will do something great in my life, HE means it.

 

GOD does not say anything HE cannot do. HIS power is unstoppable. When HE says “I will be with you always”, my response should be “Thank YOU!” Unfortunately, I say, “Where are YOU LORD?” in times of trouble. GOD is not disappointed with me during these times of doubt.

 

HE knew I would not believe in HIM fully and try to make things happen under my own power. HE gently lets my plans fail and picks me up anyway. HIS promise to me is guaranteed and HE took no chance of letting me fail. HE saved me when I was not looking for HIM. I am glad HE guarantees HIS love for me.

 

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Do you feel GOD can leave you when you sin and return when you don’t?
• Will you put your full trust in the LORD and allow HIM to grow you so more faith can be added to you daily?

I am confident

2 Corinthians 5: ⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

⁶ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight.

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Tense was the atmosphere we had during one of the reorganizations. You could cut the tension with a knife. Everyone was waiting to see if they had a position. Would they be pulled into the office down the hall? What would they say once in there?

They called me in and said “You have a position with us, go home and don’t discuss this with anyone at work.” I was relieved! I could go home and rest. My job was guaranteed and suddenly I could act differently and think differently. I could act with confidence. I wish I had this all the time.

• My confidence is shallow when I depend on my job status.
• My confidence is shallow when I depend on my money.
• My confidence is shallow when I depend on my wits.

Sometimes I forget that GOD made me.  I mean sometimes I think I am on this planet for “my” ambitions not HIS. When I stop getting my way I lose my confidence.

• GOD wants my confidence to be in HIM not in “me.”
• GOD wants my confidence to be on HIS purpose not just my ambitions.
• GOD wants my confidence to be centered on HIS faithfulness not on what I can see.

When I think about the things I cannot see, I get worried.  I say to myself “I can’t see how this situation is going to change.” Inevitably GOD steps in and shows HIS might and supremacy over the circumstance.

• Where is your confidence?
• Do you have more confidence in yourself than in GOD?
• Can you start putting your confidence in GOD today?
• Will you ask HIM for a double helping of faith?