Dec. 24

Read 2 Corinthians 13

^11-13And that's about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace. All the brothers and sisters here say hello. (The Message)

Yesterday we heard Paul say that we should take responsibility and grade ourselves on our level of faith. Now at the end of the letter Paul again focuses upon what that faith looks like and I'm amazed at how simple it all really should be. Once we get the reality of Jesus putting that reality into focus in our lives should not be as difficult as we often make it. Sometimes it is easier to get caught up in the debate of how many angels can fit on the head of a pin rather than to actually ask ourselves if we are working at getting along with each other.

As you prepare for the end of this calendar year and begin to think about what the new year will hold why not keep it simple and focus upon the basics.  

Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:

• What two things have you leaned from Paul as you have read these two letters to the Corinthians?
• Why do you think it is easier to focus upon details rather than the attitudes such as cheerfulness?
• Would people you meet be more likely to think you were cheerful or sour? Why?
• What simple thing might you do in the coming year to be more cheerful on a regular basis?