Good morning! I’m running late today..my 10 year old has a prolonged MRI today and to try and give some fun to the night last night we had a sleepover in the den last night. Well, the boys did..the girls (my daughter and I) slept in MY bed. It was like sleeping with a hurricane. Then Joshua came crawling after a, um, sleep-starved night..needless to say, sleep wasn’t on my side either.
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May I just say I love Paul. I love how the Lord brought him to service in Christ. I love his story. If you are not familiar with his story, you need to spend some time in Acts. Get to know this man so when you read a chapter like 9 you will see some of his humor and sarcasm.
Well, the verse, 9:7 in 2 Corinthians really must start in chapter 8. You can’t understand his reasoning or his twist on words without this reading this:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%208:1-8&version=AMP
Ok, so now that you understand the esteem with which Paul held the Macedonians and how they gave out of a generosity not befitting their situation. When you read now 2 Corinthians 9:
6[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [[a]that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.
7Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He [b]takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].
8And God is able to make all grace (every favor and [c]earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need [d]be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
9As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!
10And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [[e]which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].
11Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.
12For the service that the ministering of this fund renders does not only fully supply what is lacking to the saints (God’s people), but it also overflows in many [cries of] thanksgiving to God.
13Because at [your] standing of the test of this ministry, they will glorify God for your loyalty and obedience to the Gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous-hearted liberality to them and to all [the other needy ones].
14And they yearn for you while they pray for you, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace (His favor and mercy and spiritual blessing which is shown forth) in you.
15Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]! http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%209&version=AMP
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