8 Nov (2 Cor 9-13)

2 Corinthians 9

(v.7) Tithing is not easy for us...it goes against our nature to give to someone else than keep for ourselves. This is what Jesus taught us...to put others' needs before our own. Tithing is not that big a deal, if you really think about it. All the money we have came from God's grace. To give at least 10% back to Him via our church or some godly ministry, is nothing.

God wants us to do this so we have a heart for giving, and we switch the focus off of us, and towards others. God wants us to be cheerful givers!

2 Corinthians 10

(v.3) I try to teach my kids that when we face troubles, to look behind the person or situation, and find who is orchestrating the trouble. Satan is our enemy, and he is always trying to trip up those of us who are following God. Satan doesn't want fruitful Christians...he wants ineffective and lukewarm Christians. He uses other people to bring us down, so pray and ask God to fight our battles.

2 Corinthians 11

(v.13) Jesus warned the disciples many times to be careful not to be lead astray. Cults and false religions have added to God's Word in the Bible. If you belong to a church that was started by one man, then ask yourself, "What if he was wrong?" The Bible is written by the Holy Spirit, but through over 40 people, to show that Christianity is not based on man's opinion, but God's Word.

Ever since Satan lost the war at the cross, he battles God daily by trying to have people veer away from God's Word, and following the word of men. Satan infiltrated the Church to break it up...he's been pretty successful, unfortunately. That is why my family reads the Bible and studies it, for other books are only supplementary, and not to replace the Bible.

2 Corinthians 12

(v.2) Scholars believe, and I believe, that one of the times that Paul was beaten and left for dead, that he actually did die. He was taken to the third heaven.

1st heaven ~ the earth's atmosphere

2nd heaven ~ outer space

3rd heaven ~ the dwelling place of God

Paul saw and heard things that were too wonderful to try to explain or describe...that is what heaven is like. We will be in awe for eternity at what God has planned for us!

(v.10) When we are weak, we are strong in Christ. Only when we know that we need Christ, and He can work in our lives, are we strong. When we don't get to that point, we think we can solve our problems and live abundantly without God.

2 Corinthians 13

(v.5) Ask yourself if you hate what God hates, and love what God loves. Do you hate sin? Do you hate evil? Do you long to help the weak and helpless? If you don't answer yes to these things, then pray and ask God to work in your life. Only when we are walking with God can He use us.

17 June (Jeremiah 6-10)

Jeremiah 6

(v.8) God is merciful and patient. Even though we are sinners and constantly push Him away from our lives, He still implores us to come to Him. God is a gentleman, and He will do all that He can to bring us to Him. However, our pride can keep us from accepting Him.

(v.20) There are many religions that use rituals and practices to get them "closer" to God. This is not Biblical, and it only takes us farther from Him. Chants and repeated prayers are babble to God...He wants us to talk and reason with Him as if He were another person in the room with us. I teach my kids to talk with Him like He was in the room with them, because after all, He is!!!

Jeremiah 7

(v.3) The recipe is simple...use lots of repentance, and you will be closer to God. If we quit trying to be our own god, and rely upon the true God, then we will see His blessings even more!

(v.16) There are some people who have gone too far, and they have repeatedly spit in God's face with attempts to reach them. God tells us here not to waste our time with prayers and witnessing...they are too far gone. My philosophy is to keep praying until I feel from God that He is telling me it's no use. Otherwise, I keep praying and trying to reach the lost.

Jeremiah 8

(v.9) There are so many people who have man's wisdom, and think they are wise. It's God's wisdom that makes us wise, and it starts with a love and respect for our Creator. Prov 1:7

Jeremiah 9

(v.16) God foretells of the Diaspora, where the Jews went to all the corners of the earth, to be in many nations. We saw the result of this in WW2, where Satan's influence had Germany and other nations bring tribulation and death upon God's people. They rejected their Savior, and they lived proud and foolish lives. Now, what happened to them was terrible and unjust by the Nazis, but they were in that predicament because of their unbelief.

(v.24) Whenever I have hard times, I am comforted to know that I am His, and I know where I'm ultimately going! He is my living water, my bread of life, and He is my King!

Jeremiah 10

(v.10) No matter how we try to make ourselves believe that we're good people, there is only one kind of righteousness that God sees...those who have the blood of His Son on them in faith. God took care of the way for us to salvation, but we have to make the choice to love and obey Him. Please pray for those who aren't following Him, and be bold in your attempts to reach them.

(v.21) In the last days, the church will be dead. The pastors will teach prosperity and material things, instead of the Word of God. They will cite a verse here and there, but the crux of their teaching will be to tickle the ears of those who want things of this world. 2 Tim 4:3 Do not be deceived!