The Word for Today with Ray: June 2019

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Rejoicing with Confidence 2 Corinthians 7:16

Paul the apostle, “rejoiced” and had “confidence in you in all things” in which the church members in were involved, and in chapter eight and verse one of Second Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members about his, “rejoicing and confidence” in them where we read:

I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

The verse begins, “I rejoice therefore ...” Paul began with the words, “I rejoice” which means “Paul was exceedingly glad and thrived” “therefore” which means “because and since”. Because of the connection between Titus and the church members, Paul was “exceedingly glad”.

The verse goes on to say, “...that I have confidence in you in all things.” Paul added the words, “that I have confidence” which means “that Paul good courage, boldness and cheer” “in you” or “in the church members” “in all things” which refers to “in each, every, the whole and everything”. Because of Titus' reports concerning them, Paul was “encouraged” with the Corinthians in everything they did.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how he was “cheerful” over the response of the church in Corinth. They obeyed his directives, and they were beginning to thrive in a manner that was pleasing to God. Jesus Christ loves for His church to function in this manner. Leaders who give godly instruction and exhortation, and believers who conduct themselves accordingly should bring not only “confidence” within the church, but also “cheer” as well. May all who read these words follow the Lord Jesus in this way.

Next time Paul shares with the church members how, “in a great trial of affliction the abundance of the church in Macedonia's “joy and their deep poverty abounded”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Inward Affection Toward the Church Members 2 Corinthians 7:15

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed”, and he added, “but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth”, and in chapter seven and verse fifteen of Second Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members about his, “inward affection” toward them where we read:

And his inward affection is more abundant toward you,

while he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.

The verse begins, “And his inward affection is more abundant toward you,...” Paul began with the words, “and his” which means “and Titus'” “inward affection” which means “bowels, tender mercy or heart”“is more abundant” or “exceedingly more earnest and greater than others” “toward you” or “toward the Corinthian church members”. Paul recognized the “passionate heart” “Titus” had toward the church members in Corinth.

The verse goes on to say, “while he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.” Paul continues with the words, “while he remembers” which means “at the time he was reminded, admonished, weighed well and considered” “the obedience” or “the compliance or submission” “of you all” which refers to “each, every, the whole and everyone of the church members”, “how” or “as” “with fear” or “with dread, terror and reverence” “and trembling” or “quaking with fear and anxiety of one who distrusts his ability completely to meet all requirements, but religiously does his utmost to fulfill his duty” “you received him” which means “the church members accepted, granted access to and were hospitable to Titus”. “Titus” “recounted or remembered” the way the church members “submitted to and obeyed” to exhortation and “received” him with “reverence and respect”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how “Titus” cared for the church members in Corinth. His affection toward them was so notable, Paul mentioned it as he recalled “Titus” sharing about the church members' “submission” to Paul's directives. Jesus Christ desires for the leaders of His church to have “inward affection” toward those whom He entrusts, and likewise, church members please Him when they submit to “godly instruction”. Too often one or the other have been absent, and when they are, the church is not functioning as it should, and Jesus is misrepresented to the world.

Next time we end this chapter as Paul tells the church members,“I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in” the church members, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Boasting and Not Ashamed 2 Corinthians 7:14

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth he and his companions, “were comforted in your comfort: yes, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.”. In chapter seven and verse fourteen of Second Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members about how if he, “boasted any thing to” Titus of the church members, he was “not ashamed” where we read:

For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

The verse begins, “For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed;” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “if I have boasted” which means “whether Paul gloried, vaunted, rejoiced or joyed in”“any thing” which means “in whatsoever and any” “to him” or “of Titus” “of you” which refers to “the church members”, “I am not ashamed” which means “Paul was not dishonored, disgraced, put to shame, confounded or repulsed“. Paul was not “dishonored or put to shame” by anything he shared with Titus concerning the church in Corinth.

The verse continues, “but as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.” Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “as we spoke” or “like Paul and his companions uttered, proclaimed and declared” “all things” which refers to “in whatsoever and any” “to you” or “toward the church members” “in truth” or “what is true appertaining to God and the duties of man which is moral and religious truth”, “even so” or “also and indeed” “our boasting” which means “Paul and his companions' vaunting, rejoicing or joy”, “which I made” or “that Paul fashioned and formed” “before Titus” which refers to “in front of and in advance of Titus” “is found” or “has become, happened, come upon the stage and appeared in history as” “a truth” which means “what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man which is moral and religious truth”. Paul shared the “truth” with the church in Corinth, and when he “boasted about it” before Titus, what he stated was the “truth”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how important it was for he and his companions to be found in the “truth”. Both the reports to Titus concerning the church in Corinth, and the reports Paul shared about the church were “true”. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6), and those who are wise know the “truth” of these words, submit to them and have others know what is reported of them is “truth” as well. This type of “boasting” needs not that any should be “ashamed”.

Next time Paul tells the church members,“if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Comforted in Your Comfort 2 Corinthians 7:13

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth he did not write, “for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you”, and in chapter seven and verse thirteen of Second Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members about how they, “were comforted in” the church member's “comfort” where we read:

Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yes, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

The verse begins, “Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: ” Paul began with the word, “therefore” which means “so then and wherefore” “we were comforted” which means “Paul and his companions were called to one's side, admonished, exhorted, entreated and beseeched”“in your comfort” which refers to “in the church members' calling near, summons, importation, supplication, exhortation, admonition, entreaty and encouragement”. Paul and his companions were “ministered to and entreated” by the church member's “entreaty and encouragement”.

The verse continues, “yes, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.” Paul added the word, “yes” which means “and exceedingly” or “much more, abundantly and in a greater degree” “the more joyed we” which refers to “to a greater degree and by far Paul and his companions' gladness and rejoicing” “for the joy” or “for the gladness and occasion of joy” “of Titus” whose name means “nurse” and was “a Gentile Christian and Paul's companion in some of his journeys”, “because” or “since” “his spirit” which means “Titus' simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting” “was refreshed” or “caused or permitted to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength” “by you all” which refers to “through each, every, the whole and everyone of the church members”. Paul noted how he and his companions were “abundantly glad” because the church members “blessed” Titus in his “spirit”.

When we think through words of Paul, we note how he and his companions “rejoiced” because the church members “blessed” or made Titus to “rejoice”. In other words, Paul and his companions were made glad because the church members made Titus glad. This “rejoicing” within Jesus' church is a necessary element to a healthy state. Church members should help others to “rejoice”, and when reports of such activity are presented, “rejoicing” should be the result of it. God Almighty desires a church that is filled with “comfort” - “comfort for others and comfort by others”. May all who read these words be encouraged to “comfort, be comforted and rejoice” over one another within the church.

Next time Paul tells the church members,“if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

The Appearance of Our Care for You 2 Corinthians 7:12

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth “For behold this selfsame thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yes, what clearing of yourselves, yes, what indignation, yes, what fear, yes, what vehement desire, yes, what zeal, yes, what revenge! In all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. In chapter seven and verse twelve of Second Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members about he and his companions', “care for” the church members where we read:

Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

The verse begins, “Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong,...” Paul began with the word, “wherefore” which means “so then and therefore”, “though I wrote” which means “even if and also Paul expressed in written characters”“unto you” which refers to “the church members”, “I did it not” which means “Paul did not exercise his writing” “for his cause” which means “on behalf, account or for the sake of” “that had done the wrong” which is all one Greek word “adikeō” and means “to act unjustly, wickedly or to sin”. Paul's motivation for writing to the church members was not just because of the person who did wrong or on behalf of the father who suffered wrong within the church.

The verse goes on to say, “...but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.” Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “that our care” or “that Paul and his companions' earnestness and diligence” “for you” which refers to “on behalf, account and for the sake of the church members” “in the sight” or “before and in the presence” “of God” which means “of the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “might appear” which refers to “should be made manifest, visible or known” “unto you” or “toward the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul's desire and motivation for writing to the church in Corinth was that the know he and his companions' “earnestness and diligence” for them.

When we meditate upon words of Paul, we see how much he and his companions “cared” for the church in Corinth. There were other extending factors such as concern over the person who did wrong or this “injured father” that could have easily influenced Paul, but Paul and his companions were “earnest” and “diligent” toward each of the believers who were part of the church. Jesus Christ desires for His church members to “care” for one another in this manner. Certainly there will always be other motivations for addressing issues as long as humans exist, however, let the “appearance” of those within the church be to “care for” one another in a manner that is pleasing to God.

Next time Paul shares with the church members about how he and his companions,“were comforted in your comfort”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Clearing, Indignation, Fear, Vehement Desire and Zeal 2 Corinthians 7:11

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth “godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of”, and he went on to add, “but the sorrow of the world works death” In chapter seven and verse eleven of Second Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members about how they, “sorrowed after a godly sort” with “carefulness, clearing, indignation, fear, vehement desire, zeal and revenge” where we read:

For behold this selfsame thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yes, what clearing of yourselves, yes, what indignation, yes, what fear, yes, what vehement desire, yes, what zeal, yes, what revenge! In all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

The verse begins, “For behold this selfsame thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you,...” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “behold” which means “lo and see”“this selfsame thing” which means “the same as Paul wrote concerning” “that you sorrowed” which means “the church members were affected with sadness, caused grief, offended and made uneasy” “after a godly sort” which means “down from, according to and toward whatever respect is likened unto God or that resembles him in any way”, “what carefulness” which means “how great earnestness and diligence” “it wrought” or “the godly sorrow worked out, performed, accomplished and achieved” “in you” which refers to “the church members”. Paul recognized the “earnestness and diligence” within the church members because of the sorrow he cause them through his letter.

The verse goes on to say, “...yes, what clearing of yourselves, yes, what indignation, yes, what fear, yes, what vehement desire, yes, what zeal, yes, what revenge!” Paul continued with the word, “yes” which means “nevertheless and notwithstanding”, “what clearing” or “how great verbal defense, reasoned statement or argument” “of yourselves” which refers to “the church members”, “yes” or “nevertheless and notwithstanding”, “what indignation” which means “how great irritation and vexation”, “yes” or “nevertheless and notwithstanding”, “what fear” or “how great dread, terror and reverence”, “yes” or “nevertheless and notwithstanding”, “what vehement desire” which means “how great earnest longing”, “yes” or “nevertheless and notwithstanding”, “what zeal” or “how great excitement of mind, ardor and fervor of spirit”, “yes” or “nevertheless and notwithstanding”, “what revenge” which means “how great vengeance and punishment”. Paul shared the traits of “clearing, indignation, fear, vehement desire, zeal and revenge” as motivating factors to the Corinthians.

Finally the verse says, “In all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” Paul added, “in all things” or “in each, every, the whole and everything” “you” which refers to the church members “have approved yourselves” or “stood together, brought to the same place, unified and banded together” “to be clear” which means “pure from carnality, chaste, modest, immaculate and clean” “in this matter” or “in that which is done, a deed and an accomplished fact”. Paul concluded the church members were “unified” as “pure, chaste and immaculately clean” in everything because of these traits.

When we consider words of Paul, we see how he recognized these wonderful attributes within the Corinthian church members. Because his letter made the have “godly sorrow”, they changed. When the word of God has it's affect upon a person's life, that person changes, and when they come to know Jesus as their “Lord and Savior”, alteration in lifestyle, attitude, actions and motivations change as well. God Almighty desires to allow the stirring forces of “carefulness, clearing, indignation, fear, vehement desire, zeal and revenge” to be within our lives, and by way of the Holy Spirit and His Son Jesus, their lives shall never be the same.

Next time Paul shares how he and his companions, “care for” the church members “in the sight of God might appear unto” them, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Friday, June 28, 2019

Godly Sorrow Works Repentance 2 Corinthians 7:10

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth “now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance” because they “were made sorry after a godly manner, that” they “might receive damage by” Paul and his companions “in nothing”. In chapter seven and verse ten of Second Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members how, “godly sorrow works repentance” where we read:

For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of:

but the sorrow of the world works death.

The verse begins, “For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of:” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “godly” which refers to “whatever can in any respect be likened unto God or resembles him in any way” “sorrow” which means “pain, grief, annoyance and affliction” “works” which means “performs, accomplishes and achieves” “repentance” which means “change of mind and a purpose he has formed or of something he has done” “to salvation” which means “toward deliverance, preservation, safety and deliverance” “not to be repented of” or “to a change of mind, purpose or turned away from something they did”. Paul acknowledged that true “God like change of mind and purpose” brings “deliverance and safety” that never has to be “changed or altered”.

The verse goes on to say, “but the sorrow of the world works death.” Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “the sorrow” or “pain, grief, annoyance and affliction” “of the world” which refers to “the circle of the earth where the human family dwells” “works” or “performs, accomplishes and achieves” “death” which means “separation whether natural or violent of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended”. Paul contrasted “worldly sorrow” to “godly sorrow” and concluded that “worldly sorrow” “accomplishes” “death”.

When we think through words of Paul, we see the difference between “godly sorrow” and “worldly sorrow”. “Godly sorrow” produces an effect that is lasting and eternal because a person realizes they have sinned against God. “Worldly sorrow”, however, is temporary and of this earth because a person is “sorry” they were “caught” in their sin. “Godly sorrow” is produced when a person understands their sin is against Jesus and all He stood for both as He lived and died upon the earth, and “worldly sorrow” comes when a person is only concerned and thinking about themselves. God desires for people to turn from their sins with a “sorrowful” heart toward Him, and should they only be “sorry” because they were “caught in their sin”, let them remember, that kind of “sorrow” produces “death”.

Next time Paul shares with the church members about, “indignation, fear, vehement desire, zeal and revenge”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Sorrow to Repentance 2 Corinthians 7:9

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth “For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent:”, and he went on to tell them, “for I perceive that the same epistle has made you sorry, though it were but for a season.” In chapter seven and verse nine of Second Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members about how they, “sorrowed to repentance” where we read:

Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

The verse begins, “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance:” Paul began with the word, “now” which means “at this present time” “I rejoice” which refers to “Paul was glad, well and thrived”, “not that you were made” which means “not in the idea of the Corinthians being, affected and caused to be” “sorry” which means “grieved, offended or sad”, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “that you sorrowed” which means “that the church members were grieved, offended and saddened” “to repentance” or “to a change of mind, purpose or turned away from something they did”. Paul “rejoiced” because he made the Corinthians “sorrowful” enough to “alter” their ungodly direction.

The verse goes on to say, “for you were made sorry after a godly manner, that you might receive damage by us in nothing.” Paul added the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, seeing then, no doubt, verily and therefore” “you were made” or “the church members were made” “sorry” or “grieved, offended and sad” “after a godly manner” which refers to “according to any respect like unto God which resembles him in any way”, “that you might” or “so the church members could” “receive” which means “be affected with, sustain or suffer” “damage” or “cast away, loss or injury” “by us” which refers to “Paul and his companions” “in nothing” or “not in one thing”. Paul knew the church members were influenced in a “godly” way so well they would not experience any “loss or injury” from Paul and his companions.

When we meditate upon words of Paul, we see how he and his companions had the church members best interest in mind. They could do no better than to receive correction after a “godly manner”, and rather than just receiving the correction from Paul, they were “disciplined” by God. Jesus Christ desires to have a relationship with every person who will believe and trust in Him. Afterwards, the Holy Spirit begins to bring about “correction” and discipline within that person's life so they may function according to God's ways. There is no better repentance than a “godly” one, and when correction comes our way, let us be “sorrowful unto repentance”, and align with Almighty God's perfect plan for our lives.

Next time Paul shares with the church members about how, “godly sorrow works repentance to salvation”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

The Church Made Sorry 2 Corinthians 7:8

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth “earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward” him, and in chapter seven and verse eight of Second Corinthians, Paul told the church members, “though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent” where we read:

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

The verse begins, “For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent:” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “though I made you” or “even if Paul made the church members” “sorry” which means “to be in grief and heaviness” “with a letter” which refers to “by way and account of his epistle or written message”, “I do not repent” which means “Paul did not care afterwards or regret it”, “though” or “even if and although” “I did repent” which means “Paul did care afterwards and regret it”. Paul knew the church members were made “sad” or “grieved and heavy” after he sent his first letter, and he did not “regret” it. However, afterwards, he did feel a little “regret” for having made them “grieve” so.

The verse continues, “... for I perceive that the same epistle has made you sorry, though it were but for a season.” Paul added the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “I perceive” or “Paul discerned, discovered and knew by use and experience” “that the same” which means “the selfsame” “epistle” or “letter or written message” “has made you” which refers to “the church members” “sorry” or “sad, grieved, offended and uneasy”, “though it were but” which means “even if the letter was” “for a season” which refers to “toward and near a certain or definite time”. Paul knew the letter he sent to the church members in Corinth caused them “grief and sadness”, however, there was a specific “time” for those words to have an affect.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how he wavered in care for the Corinthian church members “grieve”. He knew they needed correction, but by sharing what was necessary with them, Paul's words would cause them sadness. Jesus Christ brings correction to His church, and even though “feelings” may be affected by His correction, the discipline is essential. God's instruction is meant to bring us into a better relationship with Him, and when we are corrected, even if it gives us “grief or sadness”, He is willing to do what is necessary to align us with His ways.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,