Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
2 Corinthians 4-5
I am thankful for the chance to attend our son’s graduation last week in Watertown. T-Mobile does not have service there and the home where we stayed did not have Wi-Fi. I spent two days without internet access or a phone… what a blessing! I think it would do most of us good to take a break from it more often. However, I apologize that it did not allow me to post my devotional.
Paul began 2 Corinthians 4 by drawing attention to a result of his experience as a servant of Christ. Much like the message yesterday, Paul confessed that he felt so honored to have a place in God’s purposes that he did not lose heart in the work as an apostle. From this chapter we see that to lose heart would mean at least two things: (1) Paul would not give into the temptation to use deceit in his ministry, and (2) he did not crumble to the pressures of persecution and hardship.
Rather than losing heart, Paul renounced certain behaviors that would have been inappropriate to his calling. Some of the Corinthian Christians had accused Paul of insincerity because he had not fulfilled his planned visit. Perhaps they had even asserted that Paul was a manipulative, false teacher. Paul described the inappropriate practices that he resisted with three facts. First, he said he would not resort to secret and shameful ways. Paul would not use underhanded tactics or methods in his ministry. Paul spoke of his goals and strategies in ministry, and in this respect, Paul had nothing to hide. If the most secret aspects of his service to Christ were revealed, he would still have nothing of which to be ashamed. He had always ministered in holiness and sincerity, according to God’s grace, and had even sworn with God as his witness that his motivations had always been pure. Paul had no skeletons in his closet. Second, Paul insisted that he did not use deception. Paul was so confident of the glory of ministering in the new covenant that he never resorted to this means of persuasion. Third, Paul rejected the accusation that he would distort the word of God in his preaching and teaching. He presented the truth plainly. Paul was so convinced of this character of his ministry that he commended his ministry to every man’s conscience. Paul did not fear scrutiny of his message or methods. In fact, he welcomed it so long as those who judged him did so in the sight of God. If his opponents sought to evaluate his ministry from good motivations rather than from evil desires, Paul was happy to receive these evaluations.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to maintain the highest level of integrity in my life and ministry.
- Lord, please help me to open and honest in all aspects of my ministry.
- Lord, please help me to never fear those who would seek to evaluate my life or ministry.
Political
- Representative Joseph Bellino – District 17 – Monroe
- US Representative Jack Bergman – District 01 – Watersmeet
- Representative Ryan Berman – District 039