July 1999
II Cor. 5:1-8
1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved (my physical body), we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: (Yes, this is how I feel at times, Lord!)
3. If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6.Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7.(For we walk by faith, not by sight: )
8.We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
II Cor. 4: 10-16
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
Lord, as I daily carry around SUFFERING in my body, it is a joyous thing to know that I am sharing in YOUR SUFFERINGS – in Your death. It binds me to You because it is SHARED SUFFERING! And as I share in Your sufferings, Your "LIFE" and power will be made manifest.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus sake,
that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal
flesh.
If I am really LIVING spiritually, this verse says, that I am regularly surrendering and dying for Your sake (in all kinds of ways) so that Your LIFE will be seen in me. Yes, it does take a real anointing of Your Spirit to rejoice while I am "DYING"! I am having a real struggle just being quiet, but help me also to REJOICE through all my pain. In Jesus' name. Amen!
I am CRUCIFIED with Christ: nevertheless I LIVE; yet not I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Gal.2:20)
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
Paul is saying here that as he is "dying", spiritual life is coming to others! Hallelujah, Lord! May my "dying" WORK and bring forth LIFE in others, too!
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken, we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus.
Paul is quoting from the Psalms here. I believe, too, by thy grace, O Lord, and I want to speak – giving testimony that You were raised from the dead and that You shall also raise me up with all the rest of Your dear children.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
Lord, Paul says that his afflictions are for the good and spiritual well-being of the Corinthian believers. May my afflictions be for the good and spiritual well-being of others, too – even for my dear children…somehow. May Your abundant GRACE shine through me, and may many give thanks! Most of all, may this SUPERABOUND in order that You may get GREAT GLORY for it all! Amen!
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
For which cause we do not lose hope!
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