2 Corinthians 10:7-11 (NRSV)
Paul's bodily presence is weak
Look at what is before your eyes. If you are confident that you belong to Christ, remind yourself of this, that just as you belong to Christ, so also do we. Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem as though I am trying to frighten you with my letters. For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." Let such people understand that what we say by letter when absent, we will also do when present.
DEVOTION
My favorite portion of today’s scripture passage from Paul is the reminder that authority is given from the Lord for building people up and not for tearing people down!
Wow! This is such an important reminder for all of us who are gifted with positions of authority. If we keep living, at some time or another, it is likely that all of us will be entrusted with the love, care, and direction of another human being.
Whether we are mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, employers, managers, Girl Scout troupe leaders, pastors, Sunday school teachers, or youth leaders, we will probably occupy a position of leadership at home or in the community at some point in our lives!
Additionally, I think it is feasible that at some point in our lives, we will also be subject to the authority of another. We can’t always be leaders! Sometimes, we will also have the opportunity to follow.
It is at these times that we become most aware of how important it is for people in leadership to avoid tearing people down and making them feel small.
Isn’t it wonderful that as human beings we get to lead and follow? Since this is true we should surely take to heart Paul’s reminder that all authority is given by the Lord to build people up!
Isn’t this a wonderful GOOD NEWS ministry?!
As we are blessed to move within our spheres of influence we can use our authority to spread love, joy, and peace to everyone we meet.
For example, we can tell our children, “You can do all things through Christ, who gives you the strength that you need (Phil 4)!” We can tell our students to be like Solomon whom God gave “very great wisdom, discernment, and breadth of understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore (1 Kings 4).” We can tell our embattled relatives, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you…then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and human beings (Prov 3)."
I could go on and on for there are countless opportunities for us, as Christians, to conscientiously speak GOOD NEWS into the lives of the people whom we love and serve.
Let’s face it, there’s enough bad news in the world to fill the hearts and minds of every human being a hundred times over. People don’t want—or need—more bad news!
Instead, what they are looking for is some GOOD NEWS! They’re looking for love, joy, peace, and hope for the future. They’re looking for someone who will sow “good seed” into their lives and produce a bountiful harvest of high self esteem and a can-do attitude!
My friends let us determine to be like JESUS! Although he had the utmost authority in all the worlds, Jesus humbled himself, built us up, and loved us well, even unto the cross!
Jesus teaches us by his example that in order to be truly important; we must be willing to be in solidarity with the least of our brothers and sisters.
Dear Ones, let us eschew the pedestal—or throne—that some people attempt to place their leaders upon. Instead, let’s keep our feet planted firmly on the ground and let’s remain eye to eye with the people who count on us to give them love, wisdom, and direction. Let us daily speak words of life and affirmation into their hearts and minds so that they will have all that they need to become like Christ!
After all, God loves all of us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life!
We are all subject to the authority, lordship, and leadership of Jesus Christ; but we are also blessed by His great love and care! No matter how important we are; we are all going to have to serve somebody!
Oh, my friends, please let it be Jesus!
Will you follow the example of Jesus as you love and mentor someone today?
Merciful God, thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus down to earth in human flesh to care for me! Please help me to take on the humility of Christ as I love and serve those who count on me for leadership and direction. I really want to be the face, hands, feet, mouth, and heart of Jesus in the life of someone today! Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can be effective as I share the GOOD NEWS message! I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
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Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
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