2 Corinthians 11 How to Overcome Fear
(Text and illustrations by Geonjubu, Image source: Canva)
Shalom
~ This is Geonjubu , a real estate expert specializing inhealthy stocks
.
May the peace of the Lord be with you always.
I start my day by writing down one chapter
from the New Testament and meditating on it (QT).
What if you have fears while carrying out your vision and mission?
I hope you gain that wisdom through today’s message.
[The power that the Lord gave to the Apostle Paul]
What abilities has the Lord given us?
(Text and illustrations by Geonjubu, Image source: Canva)
1. Please forgive me if I seem a little foolish. Please forgive me.
2. For I am zealous for you with a godly zeal, for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
3. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve through his craftiness, your minds will be corrupted from the simplicity and purity that belongs to Christ.
4. And you can well tolerate it if someone comes to you preaching a Jesus different from the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received through our preaching, or if you receive a different gospel from the one you accepted .
5. I do not consider myself inferior to those great apostles.
6. Although I am not skilled in words,
I am not so skilled in knowledge, but we have shown this to you in many ways among all people.
7.
Did I commit a sinby lowering myself so that you might be exalted, preaching to you the gospel of God without cost ?
8. The expenses I received to serve you were extorted from other churches.
9. And even though I was with you in need, I
was not a burden to anyone, because the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have been careful, and will continue to be careful, not to be a burden to you in any way.
10. As long as the truth of Christ remains in me, my boasting will not cease throughout the province of Achaia.
11. Why is that? Is it because I do not love you? God knows.
12. I will continue to do what I do, with the goal of cutting off the opportunity for those who would take the opportunity to boast that they are doing the same thing as us .
13. These people are false apostles, abominable workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14. But this
is not surprising, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light.
15. Therefore, it is no great thing for Satan's servants to disguise themselves as servants of righteousness , for their end will be according to their works.
[boast of weakness]
Believe that you will be made whole through God who is with the weak.
(Text and illustrations by Geonjubu, Image source: Canva)
16. I say again, let no one consider me a fool; but if you cannot, consider me a fool, so that I may boast a little.
17. Now what I am saying is not according to the Lord's instruction, but I am boasting like a fool in my own confidence.
18. Since many people boast about the flesh, I too will boast.
19. Because you think you are wise, and you easily tolerate foolish people.
20. You can easily tolerate someone enslaving you, someone devouring you, someone taking advantage of you, someone exalting himself over you, someone striking you in the face.
21. I speak as if I were insulting you because of our weaknesses. But if anyone dares to boast, I too will dare to boast in my folly.
22. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23. Are they servants of Christ? I speak as a madman; but I am more than that: in much labor, in many beatings, in many prisons, and often in the face of death .
24. Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes minus one.
25. Three times I was whipped, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, and a night and a day I was adrift at sea .
26. I have been on many journeys, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own countrymen, in dangers from Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers from false brothers.
27. I have been in toil and hardship, often in sleeplessness, in hunger and thirst, at times in fasting, in cold and nakedness.
28. But there is something else that weighs on me every day, my anxiety for all the churches .
29. Who, when he is weak, does not become weak? Who, when he falls into sin, does not have his heart burned ?
30. If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern me, namely, my weaknesses.
31. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.
32. In Damascus, the officials of King Aretas besieged the city of Damascus to arrest me.
33. I went down through the window in a basket and over the wall, and escaped his hands.
[QT Contemplation of the Master: Mission and Fear]
◆ Thoughts
This time of meditating and understanding the Word is so precious and valuable.
I give thanks to the Lord and rely on the Holy Spirit in the midst of today's meditation on the word, and share what I have realized today.
The words that the Apostle Paul boasted about were the abilities he had received and the hardships he had endured.
I wondered, 'Why did the Apostle Paul, who devoted himself to testifying to the gospel and spared no effort, go through so many hardships and trials?'
As I looked at what was revealed in the text, I thought, 'Is this the way an apostle should live his life: being beaten, being stoned, being in danger of death countless times, being imprisoned, not being welcomed by anyone, and facing danger?'
Nevertheless, the Apostle Paul realized that not just anyone can walk the path of an apostle, as he was more pained and concerned about the church becoming weak and falling into sin than about these physical pains.
But then a thought occurred to me.
Why did Jesus choose the Apostle Paul and give him the mission to be His witness to the ends of the earth, and why did he give him such pain and suffering, and why did he obey it and go out without complaint, obeying Jesus' words?
Is it simply because he had previously been saved by seeing Jesus go blind while persecuting Him?
And is the life of testifying to Jesus Christ really this difficult, hard, and arduous?
How do we overcome fearful thoughts like these?
◆ Enlightenment given by the Holy Spirit (How to overcome fear)
How to overcome fear
(Text and illustrations by Geonjubu, Image source: Canva)
We realize that the path to God's work is not easy by human calculations, and that it sometimes requires sacrifice and patience.
The reason Paul was able to walk that path to the end was not simply because he experienced a miracle, but because he deeply encountered Jesus Christ and living for Him became the purpose of his life .
Paul had only one goal.
" But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I press on toward the mark for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus ." (Philippians 3:13-14)
If God has given the heart to go toward God's vision , then it is a path that God has already planned, and God will accompany and guide you.
Whenever you feel afraid, remember these words from Paul and move forward in faith.
“ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me .” (Philippians 4:13)
What if fear arises while carrying out your vision and mission?
1. Pray and entrust
- Whenever you feel fearful, if you pray to God, God will give you wisdom and courage.
- “ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you .” (1 Peter 5:7)
2. Practice small obediences first.
- Don't try to solve everything at once, but if you are faithful in the small things God gives you today and move forward, the path will open up.
3. Hold on to the word with faith and move forward boldly.
- Satan tries to hinder God's work through fear, but when we hold on to the Word, we can become strong and courageous.
- " Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. " (Joshua 1:9)
The reason that suffering follows those who spread the gospel is not simply a trial, but a process of refining faith, participating in the suffering of Christ, and achieving the glory of the kingdom of God . God will surely hold you with His hand and will ultimately reward you.
I pray that the Lord will personally guide you on your way to the Kingdom of God and provide you with everything you need (material things, wisdom, courage, health).
[Intercessory prayer for the construction workers]
Please pray for me.
(Text and illustrations by Geonjubu, Image source: Canva)
Thank you to our neighbors who have taken the time to visit us.
Please pray for the construction workers for a moment. Your prayers will be a great help.
And after the intercessory prayer for the construction workers, please pray again with your name, business, and workplace.
God the Father, full of love and grace,
We thank you for calling us as servants of the Lord and letting us walk the path of spreading the gospel.
When we try to follow the vision that the Lord has given us, there are times when human fears and difficulties block our path. However, I believe that the Lord is with us and gives us strength .
Lord, just as the Apostle Paul carried out his mission with joy even in the midst of suffering, please help Mr. GeonJubu to meet You more deeply and move forward boldly, relying on Your love and power.
As it is said in Philippians 4:13, “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ,” please help Father GeonJubu overcome all things with only the Lord’s strength in any situation.
Lord, help me overcome my fears and live a life of clear hearing and obedience to Your voice . As I am faithful in small things and take one step at a time, may You personally prepare the way and provide all that I need.
Please give us material, health, wisdom and courage, and help us to remain steadfast in our anticipation of what God will accomplish.
The path of testifying to the gospel of the kingdom of God is never easy, but please help us move forward in faith, holding on to the promise, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go ” (Joshua 1:9).
Even if there are attacks and obstacles from enemies, I believe that the Lord Himself will protect us and give us victory.
May Pastor GeonJubu become stronger in the Lord, joyfully carry out the ministry entrusted to him, and become a precious channel for shining the light of the gospel to many souls.
I leave everything to you, Lord, and pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
From: https://talk6617.tistory.com/entry/Gospel-받은-능력을-통해-두려움을-극복하는-방법고린도후서-11장 [(hsrinvest.com):Korean]
