Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

2 Corinthians 11:1-4 (NLT)

1 I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me.

2
For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.

3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.

4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I bolded a portion of the verses above that really stood out to me as I studied this chapter this morning, for I saw Paul concerned about the church and its people, just as I am concerned about my loved ones. What really spoke to me about this though, is that if I was as concerned about those that come through the doors of the church I attend, and perhaps more concerned about the folk that don’t come back, then I believe that folk will know that they have fellow church members/Christians that actually care about their spiritual condition and will hold them accountable for their commitment to God, or lack thereof. I know that may sound confusing to some that may read this devotional, but friends, I am convinced that the gifts that God blesses us with when He sends visitors through our church doors are really gifts from God, for who are we to deserve God adding another to our number? Who are we that God would count us worthy to help that friend grow in the Lord? Who are we that God would use us to example His love to that stranger/visitor? Who are we that God would allow us to see the miracle of ‘new birth’ as the one who comes, accepts Jesus as Lord? We are nothing without Christ, and it is only by His grace that we were saved and only by His grace and mercy that He would trust us with another soul that needs Him in their life. So it is with this acknowledgment that I feel like I should be more like Paul and have a yearning to see His church presented pure and holy to Christ, to see that none would walk away from their commitment to Him without us giving 110% towards helping them overcome the obstacles that Satan may send their way.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I pray that I might be more like Paul in fearing that someone You may have placed in my path might become divided in their devotion to You or corrupted in the faith. I pray that You would make me sensitive to that and that You would give me the wisdom on how to encourage that brother or sister so that they might overcome the vile of the devil and realign themselves with You. Satan is so crude and cunning and he is getting to Your followers in ways unimaginable. May You give me strength today to keep my eyes focused on You, and I ask that You please give me wisdom to recognize in a friend anything that may be contrary to a strong, thriving relationship with You, and then give me boldness and wisdom to help them overcome and renew their strength in, and relationship with You.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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