2 Corinthians 10:1-8

 1By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am
“timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away! 2I beg you that when
I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who
think that we live by the standards of this world. 3For though we live in the
world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not
the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish
strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it
obedient to Christ. 6And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience,
once your obedience is complete.
 7You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he
belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much
as he. 8For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us
for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

MEDITATION
1. From Paul’s example here, what is supposed to be the “normal” way Christians
exercise leadership over one another?  On a scale from 1 – 10, how well do I
demonstrate Christ’s gentleness and meekness in leading others?
2. What will I work on this week that demonstrates my interest in building
people up?

Personal Note:
The "normal" way is the way of meekness and gentleness in leadership.  I would say I am around 7/10 in demonstrating Christ's gentleness in leading others.  I will pray and visit some brothers and sisters.  I will listen to where the come from and encourage them on the road to discipleship.

2 Corinthians 3:12-18

 12Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13We are not like
Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it
while the radiance was fading away. 14But their minds were made dull, for to this
day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed,
because only in Christ is it taken away. 15Even to this day when Moses is read, a
veil covers their hearts. 16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken
away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being
transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the
Lord, who is the Spirit.

MEDITATION
1. When we rest in the splendour of God revealed by Christ, we find ourselves
changed by it.  Gradually, by degrees, we incline toward the divine glory and
it begins to overtake us.  This is by the power of the Spirit, which prepared
us for such growth beginning at baptism.  We are being transformed into
his likeness, the way that God had intended for us to be when he created us.
2. Though there are still warts and blemishes all too visible, I am growing and
changing.  In the ever-increasing glory of the transformation taking place,
“The Christian is the person who makes it easy for others to believe in God.”
Lord, help me to reflect more of your glory and to become easier for others
to believe in you.

Personal Note:

As I reflected upon the spiritual journey, I have seen God leading me in the path of growth.  He changed me from someone whom cared only for myself to a heart who is willing to lay down my life for God's glory.  I am far from perfect as I still have doubts, insecurities, wicked, and lazy thoughts.  I have faith that when I get closer and closer to Christ through being connected with Him, I can be a blessing in witnessing to others about God.

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

 5If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all
of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. 6The punishment inflicted on
him by the majority is sufficient for him. 7Now instead, you ought to forgive and
comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8I urge you,
therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 9The reason I wrote you was to see if you
would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10If you forgive anyone, I
also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I
have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan might not
outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

MEDITATION
1. The Corinthian church here has punished one of its members and Paul
writes to them, encouraging them to forgive and comfort him.  The point of
Paul’s writing is not to focus on the punishment, but rather to encourage the
congregation to care for the health of the whole community.  It is important
for the community to pursue forgiveness in order to prevent Satan from
accomplishing his schemes against the Church.
2. Do I know any believer that may need to re-enter the church community
right now?  If so, ask God for wisdom and love to forgive, comfort and restore
this person into God’s family.

Personal Note:
God has forgiven me of my sins and wickedness.  He allowed me to re-enter the church community by his grace and love.  As a pastor, I have made some foolish decisions (I may be doing so now and in the future) and I have received love, comfort, and forgiveness.

I believe that we are to take God's forgiveness of our sins seriously.  Without God's forgiveness, we would not have the heart to love and forgive.