Articles that reference the book of 2 Corinthians

Because those traits are important, Paul wrote to Christians in Corinth and said: “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.”

I know those aren’t the buzzwords these days. Most people like to share the words “genuine” and “authenticity.” But I’ve noticed how often, even when they say you should keep it simple, it takes them anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to describe that. But, then again, that’s just there idea of authenticity.

Seth Godin, a well-known marketing “guru” answered an interviewer’s question about authenticity in a way I really appreciated. He said something like, “Forget about authenticity. Instead, focus on consistency.” And then he explained how showing up consistently, by default, reveals your so-called authenticity.

I don’t recall if he ever addressed sincerity. But my guess is, if he did, that would also be included in showing up consistently. Because think of it this way, if you were there for your friends consistently, don’t you think they will take it for granted that you’re doing it with sincerity?

The apostle Paul was able to prove his sincerity with his letters to the different churches in his day. And his message, when you boil it down, was simple. Love your neighbor.

He certainly knew the cause and effect of simplicity and sincerity. That’s why, in His new message of grace, he said all the commandments could be boiled down to two. Love the Lord your God. And love your neighbor as yourself.

I dare you to find anyone, in all of history, who’s even remotely as sincere as Jesus. But don’t accept my dare. Because I’m sure your life is too busy to go chasing futility. Especially when you can keep it this simple…

Would you like to live forever

If you like it simple and sincere, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Stay tuned,

The post Simplicity and sincerity should never be a rarity appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

I woke up this morning and saw the same stories in the news again. Too many fires. And too many people with questions. And not many who shared how Living Water is the answer. So, you know what that means.

But this ain’t about too many fires burning down forests, prairies, or houses. It’s about a focus on problems when you should be focused the solution.

A long time ago, if you wanted to tell God something, you had to follow a bunch of rules. And if you wanted God’s help with your problems, you had to ask a high priest to let God know your request.

But then Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead to make a way to change that. Now, you can pray to God anytime and every time you want, and He’ll listen. It doesn’t matter how many fiery problems are burning across your landscape right now. Because Jesus, who called Himself the Living Water, can help you put them all out.

He loves to hear from you, by the way.

So, try this idea.

Talk to God today and ask Him for some peace and quiet. Then, be still and listen for His word. I should say, that last part works if and when you’ve been in His word and His word is in you. If that’s not quite how it is, then grab yourself a Bible and read Paul’s letters. You can find them way over in the right side of the book. He wrote 13 of them. And they’re the ones from Romans to Philemon.

He was beaten with rods. And he received 195 lashes on his back. He was stoned. Shipwrecked three times. Dangerously adrift at sea. Thrown in prison, where he almost died, several times. And he listed a bunch of perils:

Wow. Every way he turned. But those weren’t the only issues. He also dealt with:

And he knew when you focus on all the fires (issues), you just end up with too many fires. So, I hope you’ll follow my suggestion and stop listening to and reading what everyone, who gets their unwise wires crossed, says about it. Forget about all the sky-is-falling people running their potty mouths, full time, about the bad news of the day.

Because the Good News is as close as your thoughts.

Stay tuned,

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The post Too many fires and unwise crossed wires appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Today is particularly appropriate to share something I wrote 9 years ago about the gift of life. And I’m not sure who needs to read or hear this. But if it’s you, let me know so we can be glad together. Here’s the message…

The moment you were conceived, you were given the indescribable gift of life.

It’s an indescribable gift because no one can truly describe life. In fact, to merely “describe” it somewhat implies we have a good understanding of what it is. I believe we can perceive life, but we can’t really describe it. How many times have you heard the age-old question, “What’s the meaning of life?”

We fragile human beings hurl ourselves at the future oftentimes without genuine appreciation of the now. And now is the only place in time you can function. Certainly we can know we have a past, but we can never go back there and change even one millisecond. We also have a future, but the only control we have over it depends on what we do with “now”.

Right now, do you love yourself? Seems like a question of arrogance doesn’t it? It’s really not. Even God says you are to “love your neighbor as yourself”. Simply put…we are to love ourselves. Not as the world might have you believe, but with respect to and for the indescribable gift of life we have from God. I’ll bet you feed, water, and groom yourself. Right? You make sure you stay warm in winter and cool in summer. You clothe yourself and you’ve given yourself many, many gifts.

And you should seek to do them for others as well. Remember…your neighbor, whether it’s next door or thousands of miles away, has been given the indescribable gift of life, too. But maybe their life isn’t going so well right now. Do what you can to comfort them, and if they’re willing, share some things they can do to be healthier in body, soul, and spirit. Show them how what they eat directly affects their body. Share with them how what they feed their eyes and ears directly affects their soul and spirit.

This doesn’t guarantee a changed heart, soul, or person. But even if they refuse to hear, receive, and implement the information, you’re still doing what God would have you do. And that shows how you appreciate what He’s done for you. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift”.

If you’ll only say you do believe

Stay tuned,

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The post Gift of life, for me, is Heavenly eternity appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

…that a man be willing to lay down his life for his friends. Do you have a love like that living in your heart? It doesn’t mean that you have to be killed in order to prove you love your friends. It means you’d be willing to do that if things ever got to that point. I pray you never have to face a circumstance like that. But I also pray you’d be able to if and when the time comes. And I pray that for me, too. Because that kind of greater love comes from above.

Imagine if you never committed a crime. Never even sinned. Then imagine being scorned, ridiculed, mocked, and even beaten half to death by people you were trying to help. What would you do? How would you feel? Could you stand having everyone hate you for just being you? And what if they wanted to kill you? Would you be able to forgive them?

I can only imagine what Jesus must have felt in the last days of His life. He became the only person ever to be found innocent of his charges and then sentenced to death. And keep in mind…He didn’t do what He did because He had no other choice. When they came to seize Him and take him to face his charges, He let them know they couldn’t possibly do this without His willingness. He told them He could merely pray and legions of angels would come to His aid. I think I would have prayed that prayer. Wouldn’t you?

But He didn’t do that because He had chosen to become a man in order to be able to give His life for His friends. His eternal life. For eons and eons past He had always been undying Spirit. And yet, His love for and toward us was and is so great, He became a flesh and blood man. Then, He became sin for us. And then, He actually endured a tortuous death so we wouldn’t have to. You won’t find greater love than that anywhere or anytime.

I don’t know about you, but knowing what Jesus went through makes me want to get to know how anyone could love me that much. If God, who created all the heavens and earth and lowered Himself to our level in order to give us eternal life, is FOR us, then…

They’re inconsequential in comparison.

God says that tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword will not separate us from Him. And the Apostle Paul was convinced that “…neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Do you agree with me now, when I say there’s no greater love than this? Yes or no…let me know

I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

The form can be filled in the actual website url.

Stay tuned,

The post Greater Love comes from above appeared first on Tony Funderburk.