Today's Inspiration
My Friend, Greetings!
Welcome to Morning by Morning, your Internet Inspiration.
Our Week's Theme is "Godly Leadership.” Paul discusses spiritual leadership and the requirement of humility. Christ in us transforms everything.
This is a Friendly Friday, July 3, 2009.
Tell your friends and family how much they mean to you.
Summer
To see the Summer Sky
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie --
True Poems flee --
~ Emily Dickinson ~
Scripture Reading 
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
2 I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows.
3 And I know that such a person--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows--
4 was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat.
5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.
6 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me,
7 even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.
8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me,
9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Commentary 
Paul implies that some are claiming superiority to him in visions and revelations. He has said: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” (Verse 30 of the prior chapter) He speaks humbly, as though someone else had this dramatic vision. His life is forever altered by the mystical experience which is indescribable.
People who experience spiritual revelation or manifestation are tempted to think they are unique and special people, and there is temptation for ego and pride to occur in one’s life. Erroneously, perhaps some assume they are better than others not similarly blessed. Paul inclined to become proud, he says, and that God knew this and permitted a particular weakness, a thorn in his flesh. Some speculate it related to his eyesight, but he doesn’t specify the problem or dwell on it.
Speculating, a “thorn in the flesh” keeps one from “being too elated”: a chronic condition, a physical or mental disability, a recurring illness – or opposition of one or more people, and finally, the wiles of the devil. He repeatedly appealed to the Lord, until he learned that the affliction would not be removed, for the power of God is more apparent when it works through a sufferer.
My Friend, are you in stage one, always asking God to make your life easier: get more money, job goes better, your family really appreciates you? Or has God’s maturity come and shown you that you are very effective when you live by faith, operating in confident trust that he knows best? God loves you and has good things in store for you.
Declare aloud these affirming words drawn from our reading:
v. 5, 6 - Lord, help me be neither a proud boaster nor one who feels insecure and worthless.
v. 9 - Your grace is sufficient for me, for your power is made perfect in my weakness.
v. 10 - In spite of my weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities, in you Lord, whenever I am weak, then you are strong in me.
Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.
- Charles Caleb Colton, author and clergyman (1780-1832)
Daily Proverb 
Proverbs Chapter 19, verse 28
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
Telling lies under oath impairs justice, for fact and fiction trade places, confusing reality. Fortunately, truth usually prevails. Let us be people of integrity, not missing the mark.
Weekday Fruit of the Spirit 
Love
1 John 4:7, 8-
Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.
He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.
Nothing surpasses love as indication of God’s work in us. As he loves us, so we love others. This is the ultimate sign of God working in your life, that you are a more loving person. It is God loving you and through you to others.
Prayer 
Thank you, Jesus, that it’s Friday,
a day of culmination and relief.
Bless my labor and my time,
to finish projects, detailed or brief.
Amen.
Today's Inspiration was prepared by David L Stoops 
