In this journal entry I wasn’t seeking anything but to know God more by reading His word. Paul was writing to persuade the Corinthians that he and Timothy were worthy of their respect and that they should listen to their teachings about Jesus.  He spoke of their reputation for being honest and righteous but also how he cared about them.  Like me, the Corinthians were needing, if not seeking, to know God more!

From the Journal . . . August 2023

I started right off with my Bible reading and felt the Lord speaking to me. This was from one of Paul’s letters to the Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 7:2-4

 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. ³ I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. ⁴ I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

Paul wants the Corinthians to be open and receptive to Timothy and himself. His persuasion is because he and Timothy are trustworthy, and he personally cared about them. Lord, this reminds me of the dad and little girl on my walk with Vicky.

While Vicky and I were on a walk a man was teaching his little daughter how to ride her bike, but she wasn’t listening to him. He stopped us and asked, “Would you explain to my daughter why she should listen to me as I teach her to ride her bike?”

I then asked the little girl if her dad loves her and cares about her. She slowly nodded her head. I said, “Do you think he wants you to get hurt?” And I said, “Of course not.  You can trust him! He knows how to ride a bike!  He also wants to protect you. You can trust him to teach you the best way!”

And I believe God Said:

Your words were truth in the spirit for this little girl. If her dad loves her, she can trust him to give her good instructions.

Matt 7:9-11 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? ¹⁰ Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! ¹¹ So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

The Corinthians could trust Paul. He loved them. Paul was experienced and the little girl’s dad was also experienced in riding a bike.

You can trust Me because I have experience and love for you in abundance.

Romans 8:39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I remember when I was going through my cancer experience, I was most encouraged by others who had survived breast cancer for many years. 

At some point the Lord reminded me of the many times I had prayed with other people who had cancer.  We would always pray He would be with them and heal and comfort them and work out His plans for their lives.

Jesus never had breast cancer, but He loved and walked with His many people who did.  He had more experience than anyone.  This is true of any circumstance or situation we find ourselves in. God knows what helps us. He knows because He’s omnipotent, but He also has gone through these experiences with His people throughout history. No one is more experienced, and no one is more motivated to help us get through our hard times.

Whenever I need help, I want to seek help from someone with experience and from someone I trust to care about me. Jesus is the answer!!