Good Morning Loved Ones! I actually got up before my dogs today. It was so strange because they usually get me up hours before I want to. Dishes are now washed and my first cup of coffee is made and I'm ready to sit with you all and read today's portion of 2nd Corinthians. That said, let's jump in... 2 Corinthians 1: 15- 2:4 New Living Translation 15 Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice-- 16 first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea. 17 You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. The heart of Paul is evident throughout his first and second letters to the church in Corinth. Notice what his desire towards the church in Corinth. It wasn't just to discipline them to have them line up with Jesus teaching. It was to give them a double blessing by visiting [them] twice. But Paul quickly puts a pin in that thought to talk about God's faithfulness in and through Christ. Yes is a word we are all familiar with, but Amen maybe not as much. They are closely connected, especially the way Paul is using them here. While yes is to agree, Amen takes that yes and says, may it be so. You may hear someone in church shout out, YES, as the Pastor is preaching or at particular lyric of a song, then you may here some else say AMEN. They together are saying I agree, may it be so or as you said. As Paul said, God is faithful, and we, as believers, should reflect His character. He goes on to say that all of God's promises are YES in Jesus. I love how he puts it, "all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to God for his glory. So, God promises, and Jesus says I agree, and our Amen is saying, may it be so or as you say. But it is not just because we say so, but the authority and right come through Christ who died that it may be so. Such a beautiful promise and a reminder of God's faithfulness. Ask Yourself:
What we say and do should go hand in hand. Although what we want to do does not always come out as we expect it, we should always say what we mean and mean what we say. It is essential that we reflect the character of God. Have a great day Loved Ones, and God bless you real good!
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