I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit. Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps? 2 Corinthians 12.11-18

As the apostle Paul continues his pastoring to the Corinthians in today’s verses, we observe that he uses a bit of sarcasm to emphasize the constancy of the message imparted by himself, as well as by Titus.
If we have been misinformed at times, we may need a little reassurance. It can be easy for doubt to creep into our lives. When things don’t go our way, or when we witness injustice in the world, we may question God as to why negativity seems so pervasive. Even though, as believers, we live with the knowledge of Romans 8:28 which states “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Yet even when we know in our hearts the truth of this verse frustration can still rear its’ ugly head. And perhaps the last thing we want to hear when we’re in the midst of a season of hardship is that we must endure.

But endure is precisely what we must do! It is especially important in these moments to go directly to the Word, without hesitation. In Matthew 10:22 Jesus tells us “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” Paul informs us in 2 Timothy 2:12 that “If we endure, we will also reign with Him.”

As we close out the first week of 2017, I pray that the New Year will bring much prosperity and happiness to you and your loved ones. If, however, you find yourself in a period of tribulation, hunker down and remember 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, “but just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.’ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.” Have a great day.

Weekly Memory Verse: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. Acts 1.8