2 Corinthians 11:27
I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
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The apostle Paul in that letter to the believers in Corinth provides a litany of what he encountered, endured and suffered through as he gave his life to faithfully preach and teach the good news of Jesus the Savior. {2Cor.11:23-28} The core of that statement was an earlier message about his reflection of Christ and Him crucified! {1Cor.2:2}

Paul's purpose in sharing that picture of the ministry that he had been called to as he traveled on the road to Damascus was not to boast nor to seek sympathy. Neither was it a plan for fund raising and it was certainly not to grumble or complain. His message there in that letter to Corinth was to warn all who would hear him about the false teachers and apostles who would bring promises of comfort and ease and prosperity in the natural here and now!

The truth is that as David wrote, “many are the afflictions of the righteous, (slight pause for effect my brothers and sisters) but the Lord delivers us out of them all.” {Ps.34:19} HALLELUJAH!

Paul's desire was not to build a mega-church but rather to encourage and strengthen the true church! Jesus Christ said that He will build His church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it! {Mat.16:18} He also told us that 'in the world we will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.' {Jn.16:33}

Paul also wrote, “But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.” {2Cor.11:3-4) Test all things; hold fast that which is good. {1Thes.5:21} Make it a habit!

Today, now even closer to the end and to a time when people in the church will 'be lovers of self, lovers of money, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God and not enduring sound doctrine while they are accumulating teachers according to their own desires who will tickle their ears teaching just what they desire' {2Tim.3-4} we must be on guard all the more!

It is written that every word must be confirmed by the mouth of two or three witnesses, {2Cor.13:1} so then hear what the Holy Spirit moved the apostle Peter to write:

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
 
HAVING DONE ALL, GIVE THANKS, STAND FIRM