There are truths in Scripture that make us feel uncomfortable. Sometimes we don't think they make sense. Other times they bump up against a belief we hold that doesn't align with Scripture itself. Riley Clemmons' song "Godsend" sent me to 2 Corinthians, where Paul describes something that seems a little "thorny" on the surface.
Join me on the journey this week as we allow Scripture to change how we think -- despite the discomfort.
In this week's episode, I discuss:
Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
Read in context
Consult an overview
Utilize an outside resource
Follow the cross-reference
Look up words in the dictionary
Read in a variety of translations
Historical context
Meditate on Scripture
The elements of our feature verse reflected in the lyrics - 2 Corinthians 12:7
How God may send painful circumstances to protect us
How 2 Corinthians is tricky to read
Consulting an overview
The Bible Project Overview of 2 Corinthians - YouTube Video
"How to Read the Bible Book by Book" by Fee and Stuart - Amazon paid link
Reformation Study Bible Introduction to 2 Corinthians - Amazon paid link
What those in opposition to Paul value vs. what Paul values
Paul's bold speech to the Corinthian believers
Paul's argument against the "super-apostles"
Considering what the Christian culture of our day values and celebrates and lining it up against Scripture
How the thorn in Paul's flesh was a Godsend - 2 Corinthians 2:9
How "we can't receive God's strength until we know our weakness. We can't receive the sufficiency of God's grace until we know our own insufficiency." - David Guzik, BlueLetterBible.org
As long as we are operating in our own sufficiency we don't truly believe God's grace is sufficient. Our self-exalting actions scream that we don't need God's grace.
