"By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you- "I Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away! I beg that when I come I may not have to be as "bold" when away! 2 Corinthians 10:1 (NIV)
"The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strong holds. 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)
"We do not dare classify or compare ourselves with someone who commends themselves. When they measure themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)
"But, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. "
2 Corinthians 10:18 (NIV)
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions,and to live self-controlled , upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)
You know I often wonder how many people fall pray to these yodels that call blaring a cruise ship horn in your ear, while they inform you, "Pack your bags, you've just won a a seven night trip on our cruise ship! That's right we'll pay to fly you and your spouse to FLA. where you'll board and stay on our cruise line. You can even pick the date as long as it's within this year."
Sure, I'm willing to drop everything, while my bills keep coming in, to float around out in the ocean with a bunch of jokers I've never met. Of course, I'll try to stay happy when the engines stop working and no one can take a bath. No, I have never really liked Spam, but I'll try not to gag on it when it's all you can provide.
Does anyone ever ask these people who will pay our bills while we're gone? Or could you please inform my employer that I need this vacation? By the way could you ask him to hold off calling any of the 150 other people desperately waiting to work my job after the boss fires me, because ironically, the work doesn't stop even though I leave.
Shoot if given my dream vacation, I'd choose a large sail boat in the Caribbean with an excellent captain, plenty of food and drinks. I'd plan this dream vacation during a month that would come just before the dull drams out in the Caribbean set in. I'd plan to be close to an adventurous island with lagoons, waterfalls and bananas & coconuts. Then if the winds stopped and the sails drooped, at least I'd be happy, even though I was fired! I'd skinny dip and fish every day. Watch the sun come up and go down and make things out of shells and palm trees.
Where would you go?
My point is if something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't worth pursuing. Paul wasn't a double minded man. He simply stood up for what was right, so should we. Yes, he was bold when he needed to be, I dare say we all need to be that way.
The next time someone points out your boldness remind them that like Paul sometimes we have to be "Bold." Just remember Jesus has also asked us to do all things in love. True strength is often very delicate.
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