Week 37: Four Simple Rules to Live By

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Isaiah 3:1-5:30, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15, Psalm 53:1-6, Proverbs 22:28-29
• Monday: Isaiah 6:1-7:25, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, Psalm 54:1-7, Proverbs 23:1-3
• Tuesday: Isaiah 8:1-9:21, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Psalm 55:1-23, Proverbs 23:4-5
• Wednesday: Isaiah 10:1-11:16, 2 Corinthians 12:11-21, Psalm 56:1-13, Proverbs 23:6-8
• Thursday: Isaiah 12:1-14:32, 2 Corinthians 13:1-14, Psalm 57:1-11, Proverbs 23:9-11
• Friday: Isaiah 15:1-18:7, Galatians 1:1-24, Psalm 58:1-11, Proverbs 23:12
• Saturday: Isaiah 19:1-21:17, Galatians 2:1-16, Psalm 59:1-17, Proverbs 23:13-14

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:11
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

Observation:
Paul and Timothy close their letter sort of with a mantra for living the Christian lifestyle. They have discussed so many things in this letter, from correcting sexual misconduct, explaining the New Covenant, to encouraging generous giving, to defending against false apostles, and much more! It is as if here, at the very end, they want to summarize for the Christians in Corinth one last time what's really important.

And here it is, a short and sweet list of four simple rules we can all remember:

1. Rejoice.
2. Change your ways.
3. Encourage each other.
4. Live in harmony and peace.

Application:
Wow!! What a simple formula (or mantra) to live by! What if we all did this on a daily basis?! Four simple things that -- if we would follow them consistently -- our lives and the lives of the people around us would be radically transformed. I'm most definitely guilty of not always living by these 4. When I wake up in the morning, and look at all the things that are waiting for me at work, or other obligations I have, one of the last things on my mind is to "Rejoice"...

Yet, it is so important to do this. I will have to pause at the very beginning of each day, and rejoice that God has given me another day to live for his glory. I need to continue to change my ways, and use my talents and gifts to encourage others. And if at all possible, to live in harmony and peace with everyone, especially my brothers and sisters in Christ. When I do... the God of love and peace will be with me, and with you.

Prayer:
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Have a great and joy-filled week.

In Him,

Dick