Dr Paul Allen

Image via Wikipedia Consider the following flaws that Satan can and will use to keep us in bondage and even despair. Things like (my definitions): Judgmental  — a negative assessment, opinion or estimation of another person (perhaps a ministerial colleague). Cynicism  — a tendency to be suspicious of the motives and virtues of others. Fear  — an emotional reaction to the unknown; a reluctance to trust. Control  — a need for power over others and to dominate circumstances. Jealousy  — envious of another's success, position, possessions. I am certain that in my life I have allowed each of the aforementioned flaws to create difficulty for me, both in ministry and also in relationships with others. All of this in spite of the admonition of the Apostle Paul to "live above all of this." "Therefore, as God's chosen people ... clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may ha

Image via Wikipedia Consider the following flaws that Satan can and will use to keep us in bondage and even despair. Things like (my definitions): Judgmental  — a negative assessment, opinion or estimation of another person (perhaps a ministerial colleague). Cynicism  — a tendency to be suspicious of the motives and virtues of others. Fear  — an emotional reaction to the unknown; a reluctance to trust. Control  — a need for power over others and to dominate circumstances. Jealousy  — envious of another's success, position, possessions. I am certain that in my life I have allowed each of the aforementioned flaws to create difficulty for me, both in ministry and also in relationships with others. All of this in spite of the admonition of the Apostle Paul to "live above all of this." "Therefore, as God's chosen people ... clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may ha

Image via Wikipedia 2 Corinthians 4:13-14 features a piece of Paul's own commentary on his apostolic ministry. After highlighting the sufferings wrapped up in his ministry (2 Corinthians 4:8-10), he quotes a portion of Psalm 116 and identifies himself as having the same "spirit of faith." This "spirit of faith" is explained by Paul in verse 14 as hope in the resurrection and is confirmed in the context of Psalm 116—which also includes suffering (Psalm 116:3-4) and psalter-fashioned resurrection language (Psalm 116:8-9). A paraphrase of Paul's thought would be something like: Yes, a great deal of hardship accompanies our ministry to you. But our ministry is in the same spirit as Psalm 116. In the midst of his suffering, the psalmist hoped in the resurrection and so do we. We know that just as God raised up Jesus from the dead he will raise us up, too, and he will bring us together into his presence. This all leads to 2 Corinthians 4:15. Verse 15 begins as

Image via Wikipedia 2 Corinthians 4:13-14 features a piece of Paul's own commentary on his apostolic ministry. After highlighting the sufferings wrapped up in his ministry (2 Corinthians 4:8-10), he quotes a portion of Psalm 116 and identifies himself as having the same "spirit of faith." This "spirit of faith" is explained by Paul in verse 14 as hope in the resurrection and is confirmed in the context of Psalm 116—which also includes suffering (Psalm 116:3-4) and psalter-fashioned resurrection language (Psalm 116:8-9). A paraphrase of Paul's thought would be something like: Yes, a great deal of hardship accompanies our ministry to you. But our ministry is in the same spirit as Psalm 116. In the midst of his suffering, the psalmist hoped in the resurrection and so do we. We know that just as God raised up Jesus from the dead he will raise us up, too, and he will bring us together into his presence. This all leads to 2 Corinthians 4:15. Verse 15 begins as