DAY 327 Read 2 Corinthians 7:2 through chapter 10.
Today's reading: In chapter 7 Paul expresses his joy in knowing that his first letter accomplished its purpose; it brought "godly sorrow" that worked "repentance to salvation not be repented of."
Memory gem: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).
Thought for today:
What we need today is the new man! Culture, education, science--these are good, but not good enough. The president of a great university looks at the world about us and says that education is not a sure hope, but it is our only hope. But, friend, it will require more than education. The selfish hearts of men must be changed. They need a new nature, a regeneration, and this can come only from God.
A man moved onto an old farm and went to the pump for a bucket of water. But the next-door neighbor was there and said "Look here, my friend; that water is not safe. The family who lived here before used it, and it poisoned all of them."
"Is that so?" replied the man. "I am glad you told me. I'll soon make it safe. I have a remedy." So he went out to his truck and got a big bucket of white paint and a can of putty. He puttied up all the cracks and painted the pump. He stepped back to look at his fine-looking job. Then he said, "Now I'm sure it is all right--it looks good."
What a fool to think he could change the water by painting the pump! So it is with every single one of us; we must be changed inside, regenerated, born again spiritually, before the part of the world which we can influence can be as it ought to be. Make the fountain good, and the stream will be good. When God makes us new men and women, everything will be new, for we will be "created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24).
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Difficult or obscure words:
2 Corinthians 7:11; 10:6. "Revenge"--rather: punishment of the immoral offender. Verb: to punish.
2 Corinthians 8:1. "We do you to wit"--old English for "we wish to make known to you."
Today's reading: In chapter 7 Paul expresses his joy in knowing that his first letter accomplished its purpose; it brought "godly sorrow" that worked "repentance to salvation not be repented of."
Memory gem: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).
Thought for today:
What we need today is the new man! Culture, education, science--these are good, but not good enough. The president of a great university looks at the world about us and says that education is not a sure hope, but it is our only hope. But, friend, it will require more than education. The selfish hearts of men must be changed. They need a new nature, a regeneration, and this can come only from God.
A man moved onto an old farm and went to the pump for a bucket of water. But the next-door neighbor was there and said "Look here, my friend; that water is not safe. The family who lived here before used it, and it poisoned all of them."
"Is that so?" replied the man. "I am glad you told me. I'll soon make it safe. I have a remedy." So he went out to his truck and got a big bucket of white paint and a can of putty. He puttied up all the cracks and painted the pump. He stepped back to look at his fine-looking job. Then he said, "Now I'm sure it is all right--it looks good."
What a fool to think he could change the water by painting the pump! So it is with every single one of us; we must be changed inside, regenerated, born again spiritually, before the part of the world which we can influence can be as it ought to be. Make the fountain good, and the stream will be good. When God makes us new men and women, everything will be new, for we will be "created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24).
----------------
Difficult or obscure words:
2 Corinthians 7:11; 10:6. "Revenge"--rather: punishment of the immoral offender. Verb: to punish.
2 Corinthians 8:1. "We do you to wit"--old English for "we wish to make known to you."
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