Paul Compliments Macedonians

In 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, Paul brags about the Macedonian church’s incredible generosity.

He explains that this was only possible because it was the will of God.

Corinthian Introductions

In the first verse of both 1 and 2 Corinthians, Paul introduces himself as a disciple of Jesus by the “will of God.” This may imply that God initially pursued Paul, not the other way around.

Stoned

The crowd quickly turns against Paul and Barnabas, and they attack Paul with stones.

The abuse is so severe, they leave him for dead.

In fact, this event makes it into Paul’s famous list of trials in 2 Corinthians 11.

Prayer In Action

Nehemiah prayed on-the-spot when sharing his request to the king.

Jeremiah prayed on behalf of Israel’s decimated army.

Nehemiah’s prayer was answered immediately.

Jeremiah didn’t hear an answer until after 10 days had passed.

In both cases, the prophets’ prayers were on behalf of others, with bigger things in mind than themselves.

One thing that has been holding me back is that my prayers are often self-centered and small.

Another thing preventing me from taking prayer seriously is that I have forgotten the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:18:  ”So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (NIV).

I don’t act like I believe this.  I focus on what is seen, not what is unseen and eternal.