"Yes, Lord!"

Romans 8:5-9

DEATH & CHAOS

Sound good?  No!

How about… LIFE & PEACE

Yes, much better!

The first set characterizes life without the Spirit, which isn’t very pleasant, but the second set is what you receive when you allow the Spirit to dwell in you.

It seems an easy choice when presented this way, so why can it be such a struggle?

Because we live with sin.  If only, Adam and Eve had listened, right?!  Now we’re stuck with this battle, but guess what?  The battle has been won and victory is ours, when we believe.

Verse 9 states, You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.  The Spirit must LIVE in us, which is a verb, an action word.  When the Spirit lives in us, then we are truly alive.  Life without Christ is death – a death without the promise of resurrection.

In John 11:25-26, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

My prayer is that your answer, like Martha’s, is “Yes, Lord” and that the Spirit dwells in the deepest parts of your soul.  And, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14).  Amen

What's Your Catch Phrase?

Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good.  You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.  Genesis 18:17-18

My dog turned a year old a couple months ago.  He is a cute dog.  He loves to snuggle, he is really nice, he loves being around us but there is one thing that bugs us.  He’s just not that smart.  It pretty comical really.  We have a catch phrase for him, “I not smart”.  It has become so common for us to say this that my son made up catch phrases for all of us.

Evan’s is, “I forget”

Mine is, “I tired”

And my husband’s is, “I stressed”

We laugh at the phrases but mine and Steve’s sent alerts to us.  Sometimes we don’t notice when life is getting away from us until someone else points it out.

In today’s passage Moses Father-in-law sees trouble on the horizon if Moses keeps down the road he’s on.  It’s good to have others see and speak when they think we are over committing ourselves.  For years I’ve tried to remember the phrase, “If the Devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.”

How are you doing?

I have a quiz for you. 

Do you feel stressed and tired all the time?

• A. Yes, a lot.
• B. Seldom.

Do you become bored if you aren't busy?

• A. No, I can sit and just "be".
• B. Yes.

Are you a master at multi-tasking?

• A. Yes, I'm constantly doing more than one thing at a time.
• B. No, I tend to keep things simple.

Do you really don't know how to relax?

• A. Very true.
• B. I am able to relax totally ... easily.

Are you unable to say "no" even when you are already over-committed?

• A. Yes, often.
• B. No, I don't allow people to use me.

Do you try to keep yourself busy on holiday?

• A. No! I want to relax.
• B. Yes, it is the perfect time to catch up.

Do you often feel anxious because you are constantly "behind" with your tasks?

• A. Yes.
• B. No.

Do you need everything to be just perfect?

• A. Yes, most of the time.
• B. No, I'm only human with one pair of hands.

Do you feel bad when you do something just for yourself?

• A. Yes.
• B. No.

I hope this little quiz can help you see if your catch phrase is, “I too busy”.

Remember if the Devil can’t make you bad he’ll make you busy.  Even God took a day to rest.  Not because he needed it but because he knew we would.

Read the entire passage here.  Exodus 18:7-17

Do I Smell?

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.     -2 Corinthians 2:14-17

I can’t believe it is September.  Fall is approaching and soon the leaves will be changing.  I know some of you may not understand my excitement, but you see, Fall is my favorite season and for the last two years I have lived in Florida where the leaves don’t change and you don’t get to experience the wonderful fresh smell of Fall.

When I would tell my friends in Florida that Fall has a smell, they would look at me as if I had something strange growing from my head.  Fall does have a smell.  It’s dried leaves, and smoke from bonfires.  It’s pumpkin spice candles, and apple cinnamon.  The smell of gives me comfort.  Now, I know for others, the smell of Fall is just a reminder that winter is coming and along with it, ice and cold.  

Our scripture today is similar.  2 Corinthians 2 says that we are the aroma of Christ.  To some we will be the scent of death, to others the aroma of life.  What this is saying is that we should be so different from the world that it will be a comfort to some and a conviction to others.  

Just like Fall can’t control how it smells, it is not our job to smell good to the world.  It is our job to smell like Christ.

We Have Hope in the Word of Life

Life can be hard.  It seems like every day I have some burden to bring before God.  Just when I feel I am gaining understanding in one area of concern, another struggle appears.

Raising kids, managing your home, and connecting with your spouse all come with daily challenges.  Throw in financial worries, stress at work, issues with friends and extended family and the list of concerns grow. Now, add loving your neighbor, serving those in need, and praying for your enemy and the daily stress of life seems daunting.

God does not want us to look at life’s struggles without hope, and he definitely does not want us to feel alone in them.

I guess that’s why James writes, “Consider it PURE JOY when you face trials of many kind…” he knew we would struggle.  He knew the world would try and steal our joy.

Jesus even says to us in the gospel of John, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world.”

Struggles are going to come, but we have to remember that;

1) Because of Jesus, our life has meaning.

2)  Because of Jesus, we have eternal life.

Our scripture passage today comes from 1 John 5:13-21.  I want to highlight verse 13 for you. “

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

The book of 1 John is one of encouragement. John starts off in chapter 1 verse 1 reassuring the reader that he was an eyewitness to Jesus.  I just love that.  He is reminding us that he was there when Jesus walked the earth.  He saw him.  Jesus is real!

John writes, “…—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. ² The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us…”  He refers to Jesus as the Word of Life and eternal life.

Jesus brings hope in the midst of our trouble, but most of all he brings life.  He makes our life here have purpose, and one day when our life here on earth is over, the struggle will not have the final word. 

Ephesians 4:20-32

Instructions for Christian Living

“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to hardening of their hearts.” Ephesians 4:17-18

The next few verses in Ephesians 4 include the following terms; deceitful desires, impurity, sensuality, corrupt, falsehood, speak truthfully, work, share with those in need, get rid of bitterness, forgive each other, etc.

With all of the humble, honest and inspiring people in the world, why is it that there is so much attention poured into that which is just the opposite? Why do so many focus on the immoral? It’s as though we work hard to inspire others and model what is good and right in God’s eyes, yet the negative and immoral get the most attention. Which quote do you tend to focus on?

“Where there is love there is life.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

 “The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.” -Kula Ndukwe Kala

 “If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain.” 

― Emily Dickinson

“Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” 
― Abraham Lincoln

“The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive.”
― John Green, Looking for Alaska

 “I don't know the question, but sex is definitely the answer.” 

― Woody Allen

“If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”
― E.B. White

We ARE a torn people, so MUST plan our days. Lord, we praise and thank you for this wondrous world. Please be with us and in us each and every day. Help us to be deliberate about the way we spend our time, and seek what is good in your name. Dear God we need your spirit to guide our thinking so that each step we take reflects your grace and goodness. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen

Read/Listen to Ephesians 4:20-32

Turning Point

(Serpent)

Genesis 3:1-13

 

Turning points, and the decisions that lead up to them, come in all sizes and shapes; some barely noticeable while others are life changing.

 

For instance, between my sophomore and junior year of college I had two summer opportunities to choose from. The most exciting was to go to California as a summer intern for Campus Crusade for Christ. The second was to go to East Lansing, Michigan, find a job and participate in a local church sponsored discipleship training program. I chose the latter.

 

As a result, I changed colleges, degrees and careers; met my wife, started our family and bought our first house. The impact of that small, barely noticeable decision to go to East Lansing for the summer, literally changed my life.

 

James wrote how decisions that starts small and seemingly insignificant, can have an adverse life changing effect. ^15 “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” This is the pattern of Adam and Eve. Unfortunately, it is our pattern too. It all started in the Garden of Eden.

 

The serpent was the craftiest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. So the serpent came to the woman. “Really?” he asked. “None of the fruit in the garden? God says you mustn’t eat any of it?”

^2-3 “Of course we may eat it,” the woman told him. “It’s only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not to eat. God says we mustn’t eat it or even touch it, or we will die.”

⁴ “That’s a lie!” the serpent hissed. “You’ll not die! ⁵ God knows very well that the instant you eat it you will become like him, for your eyes will be opened—you will be able to distinguish good from evil!”     TLB

 

This conversation in the Garden was absolutely a turning point, not just for Adam and Eve, but also for you and me. As a result of their decision, our lives would never be perfect; our relationships would always have pain and suffering; our faith in God would always include failure...

 

Every day is another turning point in your life. What decisions will you make today? Will you choose life, or will you choose death?

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%203%3A1-13&version=NIV;TLB
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Gen.3.1-Gen.3.13

 

 

 

Jesus Rebukes Little Faith

Matthew 8: 23-27

The sky slowly becomes an eerie gray color. A low humming sound in the distance methodically comes closer until you feel engulfed in the noise that nearly knocks you off your feet. You catch yourself, but can’t quite tell what’s going on. Unexpectedly the legs below you can no longer hold you upright and are swept out from under you. It is becoming difficult to breathe and nearly impossible to get your bearings. You then realize you are soaking wet, half floating and half being pushed.

You want help but don’t know how or who to ask. You feel you should be able to handle it on your own. You’re strong and intelligent. You grab the nearest object and hold on with an iron grip.

You reach for anything passing by that may be able to stop the turmoil, but nothing you can grasp is stable. You panic. You focus on the negative and how overwhelming it all is.

The storms of life can make us feel weak and helpless. They will grip us tightly as though we are suffocating in our own living room. As the gale force winds wage havoc in our minds we attempt to latch onto things we think will ease the pain. We hold fast to the tangible. We allow the evil one to invade and create unrest within us.

Even when inside the boat with Jesus, the disciples allowed themselves to weaken under the threat of a storm. They woke Jesus in fear for their lives and asked him to save them from drowning. Matthew 8:26 Jesus replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Jesus then calmed the storm.

How we choose to handle the situations we are in determines our level of inner peace. If we know God is with us and fix our eyes and heart on Him, though we will experience storms, we will not drown.

Lyrics from the song: Just Be Held by Casting Crowns:

 

“When your eyes are on the storm

You wonder if I love you still.

But when your eyes are on the cross

You know I always have and I always will.”

How will you take the bumps, bruises and scars of this life, focusing on the storm or fixing your eyes on the cross?

Watch/Listen to JustBe Held by Casting Crowns

Read/Listen to Matthew8:23-27

John 9:42-48

Why does God send people to hell?

He doesn't!

The Lord counsels us, guides us, directs us and reminds us over and over again.   He warns us, models for us, commands us, and offers us a grand reward.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Mark 9:42-43 And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell.

These words of Jesus are not threats, they are warnings. He is not condemning, he is cautioning. God does not want to see any of his children enter into hell.

I doubt the picture we have in our mind of someone cutting off their hand is literally what Jesus meant, but it is that serious. It’s an illustration of our God’s great forgiveness if we are sincere in our repentance.

His love is extreme, just as our dedication to him should be. When we do wrong, we must not only sincerely confess and repent, but do something about it that causes us to change and not repeat the offense. Sometimes that means making an extreme transformation in our life that may be very difficult at the time.

We may wonder what God is waiting for. Why doesn't he come and fulfill his promise right now? This world is a mess. It may be wise to take advantage of God’s delay. 

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace with him.

Read/Listen to John 9:42-48

Luke 19:28-44

Palm Sunday a Prophecy

According to http://bibleistrue.net/prophecy/ the Bible contains 1,817 individual predictions (prophesies) concerning 737 separate subjects found in 8,352 verses.

As Zechariah said the Lord would come some 500 years earlier, “humble and mounted on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). This prophesy came to be in Luke 19.

Isaiah 35:4-6 …say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and stream in the desert.” 

This prophesy from approximately 700 BC came true as well. Jesus performed a multitude of miracles during his time on earth making it clear he was not of this world.

In Isaiah 40 the coming of Our God was proclaimed and in Luke 3 John the Baptist humbly spoke of Jesus making himself known; “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Jesus did indeed come, and you know the rest.

While the crowd (referred to in scripture as disciples) shouted for joy as He was carried into Jerusalem on the colt, Jesus wept over the city and its impending destruction. Those who lined the street knew who Jesus really was and what his coming meant to the world.

Though we read about the second coming of our Lord in many books of the Bible, we cannot understand just what it will be like. We can trust however, that it is right and true, just as all of the other predetermined events of this world. Rest in the words and deeds of Jesus, for He came to sacrifice His life so WE may live. 

 Read/Listen to Luke 19:28-44

Luke 19:1-10

It’s Personal

Do you remember the song about Zacchaeus? The one that begins this way:

Click picture to view 2 minute video

“There was a man in Jericho call Zacchaeus. There was a man in Jericho called Zacchaeus. Now the Hebrews, they were tall, but Zacchaeus, he was small, and the Lord loved Zacchaeus better than them all!”

I don’t know that Jesus loved Zacchaeus MORE than others, but He did make the time to seek Zacchaeus out, sit at his table and through his words and presence brought the tax collector out of death and into life.

Jesus was most at home in the midst of the lowly. He knew they needed Him. He often took aside those shunned by the majority and made example of them.

Every person matters to God. Our relationship with Him is personal. Many of us are searching but do not know what we are looking for, like Zacchaeus. We long for answers, hope and life but often look in all the wrong places. Jesus was the light that guided Zacchaeus out of his darkness. Perhaps a gloom he did not even realize.

As people of God we still fail and begin again. We put our hope in things that do not matter eternally, forgetting that the will of God is what matters.  His will, in His time.

As we journey through this earthly existence, God asks us to seek those who are searching for life in places that can’t give life. May we, like Jesus open our hearts to taking the hand of another and sharing the hope that is within us. Who is your Zacchaeus?

Genesis 3:1-11

We all know the story of Adam and Eve with the serpent. It’s difficult to imagine how Eve could possibly have found credibility in a slithering snake.  The Lord had offered them the most beautiful gift they could ever receive, but they didn't know what they didn't know.

God is our ultimate source of life and fulfillment. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, they demonstrated a lack of trust that brought separation from God and therefore, death.

Verse 4-5: “You will surely not die,” the serpent said to the woman.” 

         For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Though the couple did not physically die, they lost the blessing of paradise, recognized their nakedness in shame, and ultimately hid from the Source of Life, who sustained them. This is the spiritual death that sin brings.

Verses 9-10: Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord

God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid

          from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Though Adam and Eve disobeyed and mistrusted the Lord, He wasn't content to let them be lost to Him forever. He sought them out, calling Adam’s name. “Where are you?” God knew, of course. But Adam and his wife were being held accountable. How had it come to this? Where did they stand with the Lord? What would happen next?

We too, must ask the question. Where do we stand in the eyes of The Great I AM?

In the book of John, Jesus reminds us:

John 6:35  I AM the bread of life…    
John 8:12  I AM the light of the world… 
John 10:7  I AM the gate for the sheep…   
John 10:11 I AM the good shepherd…  
John 11:25 I AM the resurrection and the life…      
John 14:6   I AM the way and the truth and the life...
John 15:5   I AM the vine; you are the branches...                                                                                                                                                                        

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God has made a way for our relationship with Him to be reconciled and restored. Are you going to work on that? I AM!

Read/Listen to Genesis 3:1-11

2 Timothy 3: 16-17

                 Looking for inspiration? “Google It!”

I did. As I read through the hundreds of inspirational quotes, it occurred to me that though not stated, a good portion of them were bible based whether the author of the message intended it to be or not. It is true that many quotes people think came from the bible,  have no biblical base, such as “God helps those who help themselves,” but to an extent it is good to know that God’s name is being referenced in the life of those who may not be truly committed. There are also verses spoken by preachers and teachers of the word that may not be directly taken from the bible yet reference how we are to live our lives based on biblical principles, like one of my favorites from Chuck Swindoll. 

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we are reminded: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 

If we are familiar with God's word, we can make reference to his teachings and help others make connections to the bible; our training manual for life, when we have the opportunity. Everyone loves to be inspired, so let's use our daily circumstances and interactions to direct others to His Word. What does the bible say?

1 Chronicles 28:20                    James 1:23-25
Deuteronomy 31:6                    1 John 3:18
Joshua 1:9                                Colossians 3:23-24
Psalm 27:14                              1 Peter 1:13
1 John 1:9                                  Hebrews 6:11-12
Philippians 4:13                         Daniel 11:32
Proverbs 28:13                          Luke 11:9
James 4:10                               James 2: 14-17
...and many more                      ...and many more

            2 Corinthians 5:17

            James 1:12
            Romans 5: 3-5
            Matthew 24:13
            Hebrews 10:36
            Acts 2:38
            Matthew 18: 21-22
            Psalm 32:5
            Luke 23:43
            ...and many more

God at Work in People

                                                                    Acts 8: 26-40

God is consistently vigilant. He works through us. Many are used for His purpose, who have no idea they are a vehicle for the Lord. Our Savior utilizes situations both joyous and devastating to impact the lives of his beloved.

I urge you to search your heart and memory. Depending on your age, you may have more memories than you can recall. That’s ok. We will all be there at some point. When have you been at work for God?

As it states in Matthew 25: 31-36, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on the throne in heavenly glory………..He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Then the king will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Matthew 25: 40; “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

We are all coming from our own place in this world, and if we are still and listen to the Lord, can be honest about where we stand with Him. Each individual created by God has been dealt their own hand to play, and as Chuck Swindoll is often quoted: “Life is 10% what happens to us, and 90% how we respond to it.” Our circumstances may be difficult, challenging, devastating, comfortable, pleasant, and even euphoric at times, but no matter where we are now, it will not last. Life is a journey of hills and valleys. We are to give, share, and pour out our help to others when we can.

Philip took the opportunity in Acts 8 to explain the scripture reading to an Ethiopian official, and he in turn was baptized and received the spirit. We may not be baptizing and preaching the gospel in the same way Philip did, yet the way we conduct our daily lives is a testimony to who we are and whom we serve.

Read/Listen to Acts 8: 26-40 

Revelation 21: 1-7

Our Future-The New Jerusalem

This is the promise I wrote of last Sunday from 2Corinthians:

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eye. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will pass away."

John, follower of Jesus is the author of this book of Revelation. He writes of several essential points we can only imagine because they seem too good to be true, and we were told as children that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Well these promises do not fall into that category. John’s prophesy is the ultimate guarantee; the promise of a lifetime….

John proclaims:

-The world as we know it will come to an end.

-Jesus Christ will return to the earth to make all things new.

-At the end of human history, evil will be judged and contained forever.

-Those who trust in Christ for their salvation will enjoy eternal life with Him.

What will heaven be like? The bible uses symbolic terminology filled with inviting images so we can sense a glimpse of its majesty, yet our minds fall short of being able truly to comprehend what is yet to come. Just the thought of being able to dwell with The Lord, be near Him, and be at peace with Him and all the universe is unimaginable.  I pray I will meet you all there.

Read/Listen to Revelation 21: 1-7

2 Corinthians 4:1, 5-12, 16-18

Living Well in a Broken World

I remember when my parents passed away. They left us only five months apart, and it was a very difficult time. There were many other things going on in life at the same time. We were raising our four children, one having a significant disability. I was working full time and my husband was managing a business which demanded extensive hours away and much computer time when he was home. His parents were aging as well, and our young twins were diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Many days were very overwhelming and it seemed as though we were on our own to fight off the storms of life. Had we known then what we know now, it would have made things a bit easier to handle. Perhaps no lighter on the heart, but with biblical perspective we could have seen the purpose of our challenges more clearly. I trust you too have been in situations when looking at things from God’s viewpoint would have, or perhaps did ease the pain.

2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  

2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Our trials are nothing compared to what Jesus endured for us.

Though some days seem unbearable, we will be alright.

Yes this world brings heartache and pain, but it will end and be glorious beyond imagine.

What is real and devastating now, will seem trivial when everything is all said and done.

Though this world wears us down, and our bodies weaken, when we lift our eyes to the Lord we are refreshed and strengthened. He is there for us with a promise of eternal peace.

Listen to Tenth Avenue North: “Worn”

Read/Listen to 2 Corinthians 4: 1
                       2 Corinthians 4: 7-18