2 Corinthians 6:2 – “At the acceptable time I have listened to you and on the Day of Salvation I helped you.  BEHOLD NOW is the acceptable time; BEHOLD NOW is the Day of Salvation.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, a question arose inside.  “Why do we focus on secondary things more than the essential things?”    Believe me, I do not consider salvation a secondary thing.   That is not what I’m talking about.

But what do I mean by secondary things?   It involves more than I can article in a short post.   We tend to be intrigued by eschatological prognostications but give too little concern and attention to our eternal souls.   We run to those who claim insight rather than to the LORD, who is the only source of life.

I am not saying eschatology is unimportant and worthy of study, but it must be secondary to the condition of our inner self, our spiritual condition.

That is what makes 2 Corinthians 6:2 so essential and vital.   We may decipher all the events and even seasons of eschatology, yet remain spiritually deficient, and our knowledge will torment us through eternity.   Remember what Jesus said to the rejected group who had done exploits?   I never knew you.   

Our spiritual condition is the number one concern.  Spreading the gospel is of the utmost urgency.  Knowing what’s coming is essential because it helps us convey the message with urgency; however, unless we are in right standing, it is futile.

In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul said several things that intrigued me and have prompted me to consider them more deeply.   His focus was on the heart’s condition and spirituality.  He said we are to manifest ‘unhypocritical love.’    Pure love is ONLY found in Agape.   It is only found in Christ.  It cannot be manufactured.

Then he said, “We are to utilize the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left.”   Righteousness is not simply doing the right things, but the outworking or demonstrations of a right heart in practice.  It is being right first!

Then he said that we are not restrained by others but by our own affections.  That is intriguing.  No other human can hinder me if my heart is wholly Christ’s.  I am restrained for good or bad by the condition of my own heart.

Therefore, the most important thing for us is our spiritual condition.  Being wholly His is not just the starting place; it is vital every step of the way.   Understanding all mysteries and having the latest and most significant revelation is rain on a tin barn if our hearts are deficient.

We can only give what we have.   We only have what we have received.  We can’t lead others to a life we do not have.   What I’m hearing today is, “First things first!”    First, the personal relationship!  Today is the only day we are assured of, so do not delay; begin today to give God access to all our hearts!  Out of that will flow the amazing promise of life and blessing.

Remember that Christ IN us produces our hope, and AS Jesus is In This Present World.  Therefore, the question is “Are we?”   Victory beyond imagination is open to us.  Let’s press in.

LORD, help us not to get sidetracked but to stay focused on what You consider most important!

1 Corinthians 15:10 – “By the grace of God, I am what I am.”

As I prayed, read, and meditated on the Word of God today, a question arose that challenged me.  It emerged from Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15:10.   The question that comes to mind is: “Is that a testimony or accusation of blame toward God?”   

• If a person is living contrary to God’s purpose. 
• If they are engulfed in gender confusion, homosexuality, promiscuity, addiction, idolatry, etc.
• Can they say, “God made me this way?”
• That would be blaming God for our failures.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if Anyone is IN Christ, he is a New Creation, the old things have passed away; Behold new things have come.”   In that condition and experience, we can say, “I am what I am by the grace of God.”   If we are living contrary to His precepts and in violation of His explicit directives, we dare not blame God for our failures.

Submission to God brings peace.   Some people believe that if they encounter any difficulty or opposition, it means they are not in God’s will, or it is a sign that they are not good enough.   Although none are ever good enough, opposition is not always, and perhaps not even usually, an indication of missing God’s will.

1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul makes a revelatory statement.  “A wide and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” God’s doors always seem to have opposition, and the greater the door, the more pronounced the opposition.

It is as we persevere in trials, press forward in the face of opposition, and are continually transformed that we become His ministers to others. 2 Corinthians 4:3-5 reveals that God’s comfort in trials enables us to be a channel of grace and comfort to others in their trials.

For the believer, we are what we have become by the grace of God.   Just remember that you are a work in progress.   You are pressing in.  You are growing.  You are becoming.  You are being transformed.  You are being made whole and complete.

Your part, and my part, is obedience!   So, look at where you are and be grateful, but determine that you will press in deeper, no matter what the opposition or temptation may be.

Victory is ours, and out of our victory, we lead others to victory.   What we are now is not what we will be, but it is not what we were.   We are free to become free!

May your day be prosperous, and may you become all God says you are!

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.  ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, my mind was abuzz with thoughts I was seeing and hearing.   From Leviticus in the revealing of the atoning of the blood to the anointing of the oil to 1 Corinthians in the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit, I am in awe.

The blood covers our thoughts, labors, and lives.   The oil is equally applied to all.   Without the blood and the oil, it is IMPOSSIBLE to become and be who we are destined to be.   That makes the fullness of the Holy Spirit all the more vital.

In 1 Corinthians 10, we are introduced to an incredible promise and provision.  “NO TEMPTATION (how many?) has OVERTAKEN you but such as is common (experienced by everyone) to man, BUT GOD is faithful, who WILL NOT allow you to be tempted BEYOND what you are able (to endure), but with the temptation WILL PROVIDE the way of escape also, SO THAT you WILL BE ABLE to endure it.”    There are many elements embodied in that, but suffice it to say that God promised to keep us in temptation if we look to Him rather than at the temptation.

The communion ceremony is revelatory about the Body.  We focus on Jesus and us, but Jesus focuses on the Body.   All members of the human body work together and support one another.  It can be no different in the Body of Christ.  If we can’t get along here, how can we expect to spend eternity together?

The Gifts of the Spirit are for edification (enlargement, development, equipping, and expansion) of the Body.   In 1 Corinthians 13, we encounter Agape in function and the revelation that Agape will outlast Gifts and is more important.  The argument that the Gifts of the Spirit are not for today comes from a misunderstanding.  In verses 9-10 – “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, the partial will be done away.”

Read verses 11-13.    “Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.   Now I know in part, but then I will fully know, just as I also have been fully known.”

Notice the “Now” and “Then.”   This is not about when the canonized Bible comes, but about the eternal kingdom that comes; the partial will be consumed by the complete.

The Word edifies includes the meaning of enlarging or creating a greater capacity to receive.    So, in 1 Corinthians 14:4, “One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but the one who prophesies edifies the church.”

We edify ourselves to edify others.   That is Body Ministry.   All is done out of love and the building up of the Body as a whole, a unit, a family, and an army.  We have the atoning blood, the anointing oil, and the dispensed gifts enabling us to become and be who and what we were created to be.

I desire to receive His fullness, empty out all self, and pursue His purposes now!  I cannot do that without the blood, the oil, and the gifts.  More LORD, more!

LORD, fill us with You!   Enable us to Live Christ In us!

Exodus 20:19 19 – “THEN, they said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself, and we will listen; BUT let not God speak to us, lest we die.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, a couple of specific things captured my thoughts.   One was found in Exodus 20:19, and the other launched from Exodus 23:20.

After God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, there was a massive demonstration of God that they saw and heard.  (verse 18).   Exodus 20:19 – “THEN, they said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself, and we will listen; BUT let not God speak to us, lest we die.”

The reality deposited in my consciousness was that they, like today, wanted God’s Word but not His presence.  We want to know what God is saying, but we want someone else to press into the presence and tell us what God is saying.

Two factors are involved.

• It is dangerous to enter God’s presence because He is Holy.   
• It is easy to hear from someone else, for that requires no effort, commitment, or personal sacrifice.

It also leaves room to reject the Word, unlike if it is a direct Word from God.  That’s why people seek out those who hear from God.  It’s like shopping; you pick and choose what is displayed, and you don’t have to be involved in the production of the product.

However, we need to hear God personally.  That requires a relationship, a purging, and dying to the flesh.  In order for us to reach our place of promise (we call it destiny), we need to HEAR God, and we need His guidance, provision, and protection.

That brings me to Exodus 23:20-22.   Yes, this is a specific promise to Israel in the wilderness.  However, since God is not a respecter of persons, we have a legitimate reason to claim it for our lives.   Psalm 91 validates my assertion.  Here we read, “BEHOLD, I AM going to send My Angel before you to keep you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.”

They were to watch and listen for the divine direction that required Hearing God for themselves.   If they walked in obedience to the angelic direction (requiring Hearing Him personally), God’s promise was, “I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.”

Therefore, unless we commit to hearing God personally, we miss out on the promised provision, protection, and guidance.  We almost certainly guarantee our failure to attain our destiny in God.  We struggle with our own ability rather than enjoying His.

What will we do?   Will we seek God’s Word through another human or seek His presence and, in His presence, receive His Word, Protection, Peace, Power, and Provision?  The choice is ours!

Please help us cultivate the appetite to HEAR YOU personally rather than receive second-hand information.