NT: Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 4

II Corinthians 4:1-18

4:1 God provides. He establishes, strengthens, guides and supports you. Paul is full of faith because he is aware of how much has been consistently provided to him. Moreover, God gives us purpose and the tools and wherewithal to fulfill it. Paul does not grow discouraged because God is purposeful and will never neglect to utilize His children in His blessed plan for humanity. 

4:2 Paul and the apostles were humble ministers. They spoke of this philosophy throughout the regions of the world because they compassionately believed that all people could benefit from these natural truths. The gifts given to Paul by God had garnered him fame and even reverence but Paul never accepted any of it. Paul's gift from God was the gift that was the opportunity to know and share His love. 

It's important that we use our gifts and talents for good and humbly. Remember that God creates rather than takes. As His children, we have the opportunity to create with our specific purposes. To create joy, to create opportunity, to create laughter, and justice and peace in places those things did not exist before us. 

4:3-4 God is fair. He does not impose His philosophy on anyone. We have choice here, but God's children realize that "here" is not the only place there is. God's children's perception is broadened spiritually and therefore they are able to comprehend more deeply than those who neglect or reject God. It's not a reward for God's children and neither is it a punishment for others. When a person thinks more deeply than this superficial life on earth, their perception becomes keen in observing how this life is tethered to another. A spiritual life. Therefore this book is opened, unveiled and offers lessons inaccessible to those who would find no value in it.

4:5-6 Paul takes no credit for his work. Even though every moment of his life was devoted to fulfilling his purpose given by God, Paul retains humility. Paul remembers that he was led, he was protected, he was supported, he was gifted, loved and comforted. Paul remembers the difference between life without trust in God and life with trust in God and it causes the wholehearted realization that God has been prominent in his life. God has enabled his life and everything and everyone in it. Every entrance into joy, every escape from sorrow.

Life without God was a moonless night but through spirituality Paul awakened to the Sun. He is ever-aware of the constantly Light provided by God.

4:7 We are strengthened by our humility. Arrogance clouds judgement, ruins and misses opportunity. It is a treasure that our ability and achievement come from God because His is a freely given, ever-flowing source. It adapts to our individual lives and forms intricately to what we need.

4:8 Our spirits are rugged, resilient, beautiful and agile. With God we can learn from, grow from and survive every turbulence. Not only do we escape from our turmoil but God also manipulates it in our favor so that we grow from it. We become wiser, stronger, and faster than what ails or taunts us.

4:9 As God's children, we endure, we escape we flourish in strength and wisdom. Throughout our collective time here, no enemy of any member of humanity has overcome a child of God. Even the end of our lives here is a celebrated beginning of our lives in another place.

4:10 We have strength within us to draw from; inside of our spirit is a history of endurance. Creation blew life into us and with that life came resilience and hope. 

4:11-12 All attempts to create, restore, promote, inspire justice give us life. No matter the ailment our body takes while confront injustice, our spirit lives and grows and becomes courageous. Paul specifically was threatened with death quite regularly but even as his life on earth diminished, his life spiritually, eternally, grew and emboldened. 

4:13 Paul redirects us to Psalm 116:10, "I believed, and therefore I spoke." Belief should be at the heart of everything you speak. We should always be intentionally authentic and truthful. The core of this blog exists in this manner: I believe, and therefore I am speaking. We should not do things for any other reason except that we believe in them and believe in the promotion of them.

4:14-15 God's mission is a mission of selfless love and humility. Every gift and kindness and instruction He gives proliferates, reaches one and then two and four and eight people. Although we cannot possible see the complex configuration of His plan, we are each intricately interwoven by the same thread.  Everything He does is to create life and happiness inside of His children, in all of His creation.

4:16 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." We are life contained in a vessel. Our life, our thought, our emotion all exist in our Spirit, which flourishes everyday spent working with God. Here on earth we might age, we might scar, we might cry or stumble but our truest, purest, self endures, learns and thrives if we let it. We must always be aware of and grow our spiritual awareness; there is brilliant, resilient wise life within us waiting to be utilized.

4:17 This life on earth is an elaborate but temporary classroom preparing us for permanence. The lessons we learn here are invaluable for the creation of our best, spiritual selves. 

4:18 Essential this verse encourages us to look beyond the superficial construction of the world. So many live their lives procuring wealth, power, property and fame... Paul, and God, want us to learn that those things are vulnerable, temporary and often corrupting. Our focus should be on establishing and growing our character. Who we are, the life inside of us, has the energetic, creative potential to be eternal. Eternally alive, eternally, wise, eternally true and compassionate.

A happy inside (a happy soul) contributes more to the self, humanity and the earth than any material or power that can be procured. A contented soul can wisely, carefully shape the world; a contented soul does not have to fruitlessly try to fill its void with "stuff."

NT: Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 3

II Corinthians 3:1-18

3:1-3 Paul truly lived his life working to establish this philosophy as a philosophy of life on earth among humanity. Paul did not come to enforce a religion or series of customs. His message was true and authentic in that it came from creation (God, Spirit) and directly into humanity. This philosophy of life is above documentation and confirmation done by authorities. This is an openhearted message, a wholehearted way of life.

3:4-6 Paul encourages us to release rigid-religion and to open ourselves to spirituality. All creation has come from God, including this blueprint of how to live life. The authenticity and confirmation of this philosophy comes from and through God and the beautiful works, thoughts, and lives of His children.

3:7-11 Paul speaks of this, the New Testament. The New Testament solidifies everything taught in the Old Testament but through the pure filter of God's, creation's love for us. God's interactions with the people in the context of the Old Testament changed the world. Paul marvels at the thought that again, with these letters, essentially, written to God's children today and future, will doubtless do the same. There is so much glory and love and guidance abounding within and because of this philosophy of life as more and more people through generations absorb and promote it. 

3:12-13 The New Testament was presented differently than the Old Testament in that it was written quite directly to God's children. It was written for and to you. Moses was and represented a bridge to God but the New Testament connects you personally with Him. Moses led but this generation, began by Paul, was ready not just to be lead but also to be taught. The New Testament allows, encourages and supports us as fellow workers with God. The New Testament is full of guidance, love, blessings and purpose.

3:14-15 The more obscure concepts of the Old Testament are made transparent by the teachings of the New Testament. They each corroborate each other but are presented in different ways. Remember that when you seek God, His love and wisdom, you find Him, Matthew 7:7. Whatever hinders or taints your path or your ability to learn and grow, God diminishes. When you join the compassionate intention of creation (God), its ability to persevere and thrive becomes yours. 

3:16 When you sincerely, studiously ask for guidance and wisdom, you receive it. Your perspective broadens and your ability to observe and analyze is honed. There is purpose and order here to be found but only by those who are truly looking.

3:17-18 When we absorb God's philosophy, He absorbs us. His love and liberty direct and protect our lives. When our spirits express the elements of which He (creation) is made: love, justice, compassion, hope, wisdom, faith, joy truth, we awaken to our true nature that is made of Him. Children of God are a manifestation of His love and ability. Of Him, by Him, for Him, from Him, to Him. 

We are love, compassion and creation manifestation... come alive. We are breathing, thinking versions of life. The more tuned with our spirituality we are, the closer we are to home. 

NT: Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 2

II Corinthians 2:1-17

2:1 Paul's decision not to return to the Corinthians was an expression of faith and hope in their ability to use their relationship with God to iron-out the issues within their churches. 

2:2 He wishes to remain friends despite knowing of their shortcomings. Sometimes the hardest part about any relationship, platonic and otherwise, is letting the person or organization learn from their own experiences and mistakes.

2:3 In the time that Paul had been away, his adversaries had disgraced his name; they had tarnished his reputation with lies. Paul's hope is that by the time he reaches the Corinthians again, they will have ironed out their problems and realigned themselves with the original message Paul wrote and taught them.

2:4 Paul had written to them and outlined all of the ways they had veered off of the compassionate path. He wants them to understand that it was not easy for him to acknowledge and reprimand their transgressions. Yet despite its difficulty for him, he knew that they were better off here the truth from him in order to fix and improve themselves as church establishments and individuals.

2:5-7 This is God's compassion at work within Paul: Paul wants the Corinthians to forgive the person (or institution) that came in after he did and tarnished Paul's reputation and lesson. On a broader scale, Paul wants us to understand that sometimes people learn best under the umbrella of forgiveness. 

2:8-9 As we have said before, this life is a classroom. The Corinthians had willingly adopted this philosophy of compassion and in doing so, became responsible for upholding it in every moment. If given an opportunity to love and forgive and comfort, the Corinthians needed to take it.

And this philosophy does have and require strong components of forgiveness. Yet it also has strong components of discernment. Our compassion is coupled with wisdom: identifying situations deserving of forgiveness. Forgiveness, rather than a re-gifting of trust, is a letting go of vengeance and noxious anger which prohibit us from learning, growing and moving on.

2:10 Paul wants them to know that he will also grant his forgiveness to whoever muddied his name and his work if the Corinthians should decide that the person is deserving. What I love about the message God brings to the world through His children is that it is a free and unforced message. People are allowed to disagree with it. People are allowed to ignore it. Paul is not entering the Corinthian region with anger or war or a superiority complex.

2:11 Just as Jesus is the representation of such qualities as: compassion, love, hope, comfort, forgiveness, and trust, Satan is representative of his own qualities. When you think of this word "Satan" or "Devil" what should come to mind as the qualities which those words represent rather than an actual horned, evil monster: deception, disruption, greed, injustice, arrogance. Paul does not want us caught in a web of these qualities because sometimes we enter into them without realizing. We should not allow ourselves to be overcome with pessimistic or selfish emotions. Our brains and souls should be healthy enough to be perceptive and calm in all situations, in order that we may never lose control of ourselves. 

2:12 As we live through and along our purpose on earth, God opens doors for us to walk through. He creates places for us to enter and do our work and meanwhile, helps us to sort out the details of our lives.

2:13 Paul was like we are... he had a lot on his plate. There were people he cared about living their own lives while he lived his. Although he knew and was focused on the mission of his life, there were things and people in the periphery which needed care and nourishment. God helps us to juggle all of the components of our lives. He helps us to maintain and remain tethered to all things and people we care about even while we a busy working, living our passion and purpose.

2:14 This is the description of how perfectly God's love reaches us. It diffuses around us; we cannot help but be surrounded and coated by it, by Him. He is in every place, within and around us. 

2:15 Our mutual effort with God inspires much of His love for us: we diffuse our love and compassion throughout the world when we love and empathize with justice, with people. Remember that we are fellow workers with each other and with God. And He is grateful for our work here, for our participation in His efforts, 1 Corinthians 3:9.

2:16 Our work here gives people life. Enjoyment of life, protection of life, extension of life, promotion of life. In our own way, we are all apostles: living our lives as breathing, moving testimonies of how life should be lived. Through our friendships and smiles and opportunities we create for others, we lead people away from death (metaphorically and literally) and into life. Into color and joy and laughter. Into spirit.

2:17 God's children are authentic and purposeful. What we say and believe and do are all in sync. To each person and experience we give our most authentic and sincere selves and therefore our lives (our work here) is productive. Our constant and consistent and impartial intention of compassion ensures that our purposeful work is also, always, good work.

Our eyes, our minds, our spirits, our bodies are focused. Our eyes, our minds, our spirits, our bodies and our spirits are being focused on. Our journey and our work is guided when we trust our guide. We are in God's line of sight when He is in ours.

NT: Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 1

II Corinthians 1:1-24

1:1-2 Hello again to you (not only the Corinthians) from Paul joined with apostle Timothy, with peace from God. Following this verse we will study some of the most beautiful, revealing and guiding verses in the Bible. The Bible may end with the revelation of the culmination of this life, but the rest is dedicated to revealing the natural way and composition and purpose of our lives here on earth.

1:3 A moment of reflection of awe and joy that our creator is merciful and comforting. Even a non-believing might be able to see the generosity of nature as we, intricate beings that we are, thrive within and because of it.

1:4 God's work in the earth and within individuals proliferates. His work is multilayered, intricate, omniscient, expansive. When we assent to His will, we become the instruments with which he heals the earth. Our movements and interactions become opportunities to do good work among humanity, not just for ourselves.

He makes us strong and resilient so that we become instruments of strength and resilience. With our personal, emotional and spiritual growth, we become capable of growing others, of holding them up through tribulations we were held up through. We conquer tribulation in order that we gain the experience to conquer the tribulation of others. 

The nature of creation is selfless: Humility, generosity and compassion infiltrate, overtake and sweep away all adversity for the benefit of the whole. 

1:5 As we have spoken of before, the joys and tribulations of humanity are memories and histories within our own DNA. We share the threads of strength and endurance through generation after generation, from beginning to end of our existence. Our emotions, intangible, are known here on earth, have been felt and expressed long before us. We have a kinship, a connection with souls who occupied these spaces before us when we feel and express what they felt and expressed. They knew and endured and contemplated suffering just as we know and endure and contemplate suffering. We have the ability to draw strength from our shared experiences. There is consolation abundant to match any suffering we might go through when we realize our emotional kinship, thriving despite time and distance.

1:6 When we travel wisely, faithfully through tribulation and we emerge with strength. We provide consolation to humanity that such adversity is surmountable.

1:7 Those who suffer injustice reveal themselves as promoters of and allies with justice. Justice is an inevitability and the balm of it will salve all wounds and persons who suffered for it.

1:8 Paul's life was threatened regularly. A promoter of justice, he was constantly confronting injustice. Injustice fought back, as we know it does. Paul is identifying our shared connection: we are confronted by evil, danger, and fear...

1:9-10 ...We are confronted by those things but we are not overcome by them when we put our trust in God. What does that mean? It's said so often: "Put your trust in God." Well, in order to do that, you have to agree with the intention of the universe, in the philosophy of compassion. Once we agree, we begin to eke out the moments where we are guided in accordance with the will of creation. 

Paul did not lose hope or lose motivation when confronted by adversity because he agreed that compassion should be the order and intention of humanity. Moreover, he trusted that if the universe's intention was compassion, those doing the work of compassion would always triumph.

We are delivered because we deliver. We are and carry the packages of compassion and creation insists that they arrive.

1:11 Prayer is an energy, a beckoning... calling forth the forces beyond us. Prayer is a call to that which we cannot see, cannot hear, cannot touch because we understand that our trust in God, in compassion, in creation supplies us with materials inaccessible to the superficial world. Spiritually armed, we are reinforced by a great and infinite army of justice.

Your prayers are heard. Your prayers are held. Your prayers are powerful. Your prayers are answered powerfully. How much you put into prayer is equivalent to what you get out of it. Paul is thankful for the prayers on his behalf because it is humbling to receive the reinforcements of the universe, to have people believe we are deserving enough of their prayers.

1:12 Conduct yourself with simplicity and godly sincerity in order to be content with yourself. Self value a necessary foundation. We have to understand as well as believe that we are capable of moving mountains, of influencing nations of thought and people.

The "fleshly wisdom" Paul speaks about is the intention of the world... which is contradictory to the intention of creation. Creation... well, creates. The world procures. Takes. The world tells us to consume material and wealth and power and fame. Paul urges us not to get distracted by the complex monetary and governmental systems in the world. Be simple, humble, sincere.

1:13-14 The work we should be proud of at the culmination of our lives on earth is the work we have done in the lives of others. We should be proud of creating laughter, joy, opportunity, friendship... our most precious moments should be watching the smiles we induced stretch across the faces of people we encountered. We are each others boast... "Look," we should say at the end of our lives, pointing to a person on earth "I caused that laughter. I made that smile. I enabled that joy."

Our significance is in ensuring others realize and thrive within theirs. 

1:15-17 The Corinthians would have benefited from having Paul visit a second time; they were still working out issues in the process of establishing their churches. Ultimately Paul's decision and advice was to encourage them to seek God for correction and direction.

1:18-20 Regardless of what appears to go wrong or derail us, when we live our lives in accordance with God's will, the answer is always Yes. The answer is yes in that, Yes, He will always direct you toward your best opportunity. Even when we receive a "No" in life when we really, desperately desired a yes, trust that that "No" was given in order for you to reach your ultimate YES.

Sometimes we think things are not going our way but the No actually redirects us toward our Yes. It is imperative that we are vigilant... we are being guided, but are we following directions?

1:21-22 We are sealed with and by Spirit. We are established, perfected, protected and loved by creation. 1 Peter 5:10, we are not journeying alone. We are strengthened for our purpose.

1:23 It was dangerous to be around Paul. He had many adversaries and Paul did not want to endanger anyone, even thought it might have been comforting to him to be among friends.

1:24 "Fellow workers for your joy..." Humanity's purpose, simply proclaimed in this first chapter of II Corinthians. We are here as workers. Together we serve compassion. Together we serve each other.

NT: First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 16

I Corinthians 16:1-24

The final chapter of I Corinthians contains Paul's final advice.

16:1-4 Paul's life purpose and mission was to bring this philosophy to the world and he never accepted money for doing it. His advice was for the churches to collect charity donated to the church and to give it to a source which could do the most good with it in the most effective way.

Paul's example to us is that our good deeds and the purpose of our lives should not be driven by or influenced by money. Obviously people need jobs and money to provide for themselves and their families... Paul's work was an exceptional case. Yet when we do good in the world, like Paul, it should be done humbly and without the stipulation that we get paid for it.

16:5-7 God-willing, Paul plans to visit the Corinthians at a time when he can stay with them rather than rush a quick pass-through. Paul includes "If the Lord permits" and reminds us that our own plans are short-sighted. If our plans appear to have be thwarted, having placed our trust in God, it will have been for a good reason. 

16:8 Paul is on a mission. Paul is working. While he would love to visit with his friends, he willingly follows and works the course of his purpose on earth. One of the greatest lessons we can learn from Paul is to appreciate our time and opportunity here and to use it well. Paul is not stationary: not physically, not spiritually. He's constantly growing his faith as well as the faith of others. We may not all be apostles like Paul but we certainly have our own missions, our own purposes, our own time in which to focus on them... and to keep working.

16:10-12 Paul introduces Timothy and Apollos, fellow apostles and establishes a peaceful landing pad for them with the Corinthians. Paul needed to move along but God always keeps a helper and a comforter near us (in various forms), John 14:16.

16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong: Be observant, this world and everything in it is part of a classroom tailored specifically to our growth. Be agile in faith, constantly, actively expanding your perspective and your compassion. Have courage because the best lessons, the lessons which propel us to such great heights are the lessons which require the most out of us. Utilize the strength within yourself as well as the strength of God who loves you. With His assurance, you endure all.

16:14 Let all that you do be done with love: Do not let the complexity of life distract you from the simple, core principle that the earth, the universe, Spirit was created with and by and for compassion. When you are unsure, fall back on love. On the characteristics and qualities of love: patience, hope, justice, joy. 

16:15-16 Work with each other. We are participants of the same mission. 

16:17-16:18 Acknowledge the people (and things and experiences) who refresh your spirit, the people who supply you with what you are deficient of. Create nourishing relationships and friendships. Be respectful of but also grateful for humanity. We are each other's pillar.

16:19-21 A goodbye from Paul, who encourages the recipients of this letter to greet others with a holy kiss... with a faithful show of compassion and appreciation. 

16:22 Remember what Jesus is the embodiment of: compassion, patience, wisdom, truth, justice, hope, life. Let anyone and anything contradictory to those things fail.

And similarly as Paul finishes his first epistle,

16:23 Grace be with you.

16:24 My love be with you all in this beautiful philosophical life. Amen.

NT: First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 15

I Corinthians 15:1-58 

15:1 Paul brings his message to the Corinthians home. After all of his teachings, he draws it all back into the core of the reason why he was there speaking, the reason why they were there listening and the reason why we are here reading. We are here because we believe in this philosophy of compassion and because we understand it is a journey. We are here for help navigating the path of authenticity and creation and purpose.

15:2 Paul reminds us to grip onto this philosophy and hold it in the core of our hearts, minds, souls and actions. This philosophy of compassion is a pillar, a guiding light, a constant friend and father. We are consistently and expertly saved by it in as many moments as we allow it to, uplifted out of sorrow and confusion, frustration and fear. The only stipulation is that we actually must believe or at least work to understand it in the depths of ourselves. If your faith is the size of a pinprick, how can the light enter? God, the universe, divinity in whatever form you believe in will not intervene in your life without your permission. So if you believe in the philosophy of compassion, draw it into yourself and let it flow out of every word you speak and action you make.

You should not believe in anything "in vain" and especially not this. This is a philosophy of humility and gratitude and empathy. This is a philosophy of servitude; we serve compassion. This faith is a giving faith, constantly seeking avenues to create, promote and protect justice. When you believe in something strictly for self benefit, the selfishness of the action taints and even thwarts you. Selfishness cannot thrive on this selfless earth. This earth which sustains and protects us and boldly yet subtly exemplifies the naturally-compassionate order of the universe and spirit. 

15:3-8 Paul taught from the beginning, taught of He who brought this philosophy to humanity so that we would understand the roots of this faith. In the DNA of our bodies as well as our spirits is a history and a memory of our purpose and of the trials and triumphs we have endured as a many One to get to where we are today and to continue on into tomorrow.

15:9-10 Paul's honesty and humility reminds us that no matter who we are, available to us is a magnitude of purpose. Nothing makes a parent more glad than to receive a child who was lost; we learned that message from The Parable of the Lost Son in Luke 15:11-32. Paul had disrupted the world... and then with God, he put it back together. There is redemption here, there is purpose and above all there is love here for us to utilize and express. 

15:11 We are many streams flowing from the same body of water. Our journeys are diverse, our culture and expressions are unique, but our ability to impact the world is abundantly present for each of us. We are beloved instruments; God holds us in His hands and completes amazing work with us. No matter who through, love and justice come into the world. Creation has and will always ensure that. 

15:12-19 It is not necessarily Christ the man we must believe in. Jesus is the manifestation of everything this philosophy stands for. We must believe (and ensure) that everything He exemplified is alive: justice, compassion, wisdom, truth, and love. Without belief in those things, life surely would be futile and pitiful. 

15:20 Jesus' message is a proffered awakening. For without understanding the purpose and philosophy of life, a person is in slumber. Life is difficult and chaotic without spiritual understanding. Jesus' message is a sustenance, a nourishment, a balm and an instruction through the wounds of living without purpose and understand.

15:21 Jesus' message is the symbolic promise of Life. His message is an unveiling of the truth that life lived with love is inextinguishable. Life lived with love constantly transitions but never ends. We rise from the earth alive and then are carried as if by the wind into Spirit, alive.

15:22 Jesus representation of spirit taught us that the superficial life of man, the life of greed for wealth and power and fame leads inevitably to an end. Yet spirit teaches us that compassion is a lifeline and as long as we allow it to flow into and then through us, we will always have life.

15:23 Compassion, embodied as and in Jesus, came here to earth and established a philosophy that would continue to collect us throughout generations. A home was built of spirit and each individual life here can choose to enter it, accepting their membership of the family.

15:24-27 The inevitable course of life and creation is compassion and love. The earth as it is now is a classroom, a classroom of freedom, trial and error, and choice. At the end of this class, we either align with eternal life or we do not. For only truth and justice, compassion and love can exist eternally. Greed and power have an expiration date; it's not a threat or even a punishment, it's just a truth. One way of live expires and the other continues on, infinitely, infallibly. 

15:28 Jesus or the philosophy of life comes to rest under God, or creation. The manifestation of creation's philosophy came to live here and taught and aided and guided and comforted, speaking of the ways and characteristics of creation. Having completed its work, this philosophy of life will return to its origin... and so will we if we are joined with it. For creation sent forth this philosophy so that we would find it, so that we would find ourselves in it and it within us. Inevitably, we fold back into it, into our home and creator. Can we sustain its light? The purity of its goodness? We make those decisions here on earth through the way that we live our life. For creation, like the sun, does not punish... yet only that which is strong and pure can survive its heat, adapt to the conditions of being near it.

15:29 Be authentic in faith. There is no point in going through the motions and customs of a rigid religion without having the core philosophy in your soul. Do not have a superiority complex over others because of how often you attend a church or enforce your values. Remember that Jesus accepted, loved, lived and interacted with people who needed to change and grow; He remained with people who were working on bettering themselves. Also remember that He taught out in the open, on boats, on rocks, on mountains, in the street... there does not need to be an elaborate institution to practice or validate faith. People who have never been inside of a church or temple or mosque could be (and are, sprinkled around the world) some of the kindest, most faithful people ever to live on the earth.

15:30 Paul daily risks his life to preach this message because it is his truth, it is the truth. Paul stands  passionately and faithfully for this truth. Whether you believe in the man, Jesus, or not, believe in this truth Paul expressed to humanity: this truth of the compassionate philosophy and nature of life.

15:31-32 Every day not lived with truth and purpose is a death. A death, a disappearance of an opportunity of purpose. Grasp life. Realize the abundant opportunity and ability here to be purposeful.

15:33-34 Surround yourself with truth, justice, compassion, and love for they are our best teachers. Let the earth around you exemplify the way of creation. There is peace and patience in the way the earth sustains itself and the life within it. Just as bad company corrupts and leads us astray, good company heals and guides us home. Be conscious of the environment you are in.

15:35-36 The transition from earth to spirit is a graduation, a completion of this course of life. Part of the lesson is to live with the acceptance of finality here in order to reach eternity in another place. We must be separate from our eternal home; it must be nearly intangible to us, in order that we may authentically find it. Without solid evidence of life beyond this one, we are each forced to live and work as if this is all there is... and if we decide that this short and vulnerable life is worthy of our compassion, then we become worthy of a long and invulnerable life after it.

15:37-38 Within different vessels, God places our souls. Each vessel is a scope through which to experience and express life. This body is not our spiritual body; its design enables us to learn many lessons we could not have learned in spirit. We learn what it is like to be fallible, to have limitations in thought and sight and physicality. We work with specific materials here, within and around us, which create constantly classrooms of learning and experience. 

15:39-40 God has placed life in many vessels and each are cherished for what they specifically are. The wonders and glory of one is different from the other, but each are loved the same. For the spirit (celestial) body is perfect and is loved for its perfection. The flesh body, here on earth, is imperfect and is loved for its imperfection, for its ability to rebound against sorrow and pain and injustice. For its strength despite and in spite of vulnerability. 

15:41 This universe is specifically, intricately designed and loved by creation. Each manifestation of life is elaborate and understood in incredible detail. One manifestation of life is not better than another. Sun, moon and stars are created, placed and loved for their specific reasons. Likewise are we created, placed and loved for our specific reasons. Different in individual aspects... but  deeply loved the same.

15:42-43 The imperfect journey here allows and leads to the perfect destination. We begin here, fallible and among fallibility. We are subject to making mistakes and to suffering the consequences of mistakes (both our own and others'). How we react, recharge and respond to life here is an opportunity to grow toward spirit. 

15:44-45 Our bodies are temporary vessels, provided to us by the earth. This body is like our backpack, our pencil case, our pens and pencils and highlighters... this body is the complete package of all that we need to study and learn from this schooling. This body is the host of our soul as it undergoes transformation and growth. After graduating earth, we divest ourselves of these materials because they are not necessary any longer. 

15:46-49 Our spirit, indefinable as it is, is our natural, true self. Yet we begin as humans, spirits with earthly bodies. We begin here because we are given the opportunity to create ourselves, to grow and be better than we were at start. Afterward, we are stripped of all the outside material and left only is a true self in the true manifestation of creation: spirit.

15:50-54 The inevitability of the earth and humanity is spirit. Each will experience a rejuvenation, a transformation from vulnerability to invulnerability. The conditions here now only exist to enable certain situations from which to learn, but once all of the lessons are taught, and all of the students experience the class, we each return to our natural state: the state of which our souls were made, Spirit.

15:55 From Hosea 13:14 we learn and are reassured that life triumphs consistently. The only victor will always be life and justice and compassion and wisdom, the ingredients of true, eternal life.

15:56-57 In the Spirit there is no death or law or sin because compassion abounds, the core of every entity of life there. Gratitude to our creator for ensuring that our natural and eventual home is love.

15:58 What better way to end this study and to move through life is there than this advice: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

NT: First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 14

I Corinthians 14:1-40

14:1 When we are determining the intention with which we will chart life and Paul gives us the directives to do so.

• Pursue love: Our foremost objective should be to love. We spoke of the elements and branches of love in the previous chapter. Justice is love. Respect is love. Friendship and truth and kindness are all expressions of love. 
• Desire spiritual gifts: When we realize that the intention of creation and of ourselves is love, we naturally desire that we may be the instruments through which it (love) can come into the world in its various forms. When we acknowledge that we have purpose and ability, we crave opportunities to be purposeful and impactful on the earth. 
• Desire the gift of spiritual wisdom: Above all else desire that what is unknown be made known to you. Spirituality, an understanding of the flow and frequency of the earth and humanity. With a broadened and informed perspective, a person is spiritually invincible, able to understand and endure both triumph and tribulation around the world.

14:2-5 More than spiritual wisdom, pray and hope and work for the ability to spread and teach and inspire spiritual wisdom in others. Many have completed there lives after spending the entirety of them contemplating disparity in the world and never finding any answers or mollification. Pray for the ability to draw the order and logic and purpose out of what appears to be a chaotic happenstance (this world of ours). 

Remain aware and focused on your motives, your established values and intention. You have purpose in the world, ability to impact humanity, and so with that comes a blessed opportunity. A responsibility to humanity. Pray for wisdom to share rather than for wisdom to have and use for self benefit. James 4:3 reminds us that we should pray with humility and compassion. 

What you ask for others is given to you... your prayers and your work create the conditions of the world you live in.

14:6 One must be able to communicate their spiritual wisdom. The purpose of our lives is to be purposeful, in our own specific ways, and to do that we need to be able to relate to, communicate with and interact with others. If our true wealth is a spirituality, what good does is do sitting in a bank? If you have something beneficial to others, utilize it. Extend it beyond yourself. Develop and broaden your perspective in effort to be able to communicate, to share the wisdom within yourself. 

14:7 In every moment, word and action of your life, live and speak and do with intention. Consider the message you are projecting into the world, because we are all projecting a message. Do not be random. Someone learning the English-language once asked me: "What is the difference between 'Sound' and Noise?'" The best I could explain was that "Noise" had a negative connotation and sound did not. So how are you living your life? Selfishly, randomly... is your life noise? Or is your life sound? Intentional, beautiful even.

14:8 Metaphorically this verse asks us: how can we expect humanity to understand us, empathize with us, communicate, work with us if we are unable to even understand ourselves? Know what your message is.

14:9 With humility and clarity know yourself and your message: what you value and why. If you do not have a message, you confuse yourself and you confuse the world. Be consistently aware and articulate through your chosen medium of communication. Work, dance, sing, play, paint, write, speak... whatever you do, do boldly, wisely, purposefully.

14:10 Even more than language, there are so many different ways of expression among humanity. For some, language is a painting or a song or a dance... every medium of expression is a communication with the world. Each is as important as the other.  Yet the most important thing we must remember is to respect, value and work to interpret the communication of others. Our diverse expression is meaningful; we must empathize with each other to remember and respect our similarities. 

14:11 If we are unable to communicate with each other we transition into strangers or even enemies. Our inaction, our inability to connect builds an impassable barrier (ignorance) and our similarities become more difficult to see. We must understand each other's language... metaphorically, we must learn to perceive the expression of others with empathy and open-mindedness.  

14:12 Paul knows that we all desire spiritual gifts: talents and abilities to carry us toward achievement. He reminds us to establish humble and compassionate motivations for having those talents and abilities. To be purposeful with what we are blessed with. 

14:13-15 No matter what you talent is, if it is spiritual wisdom, if it is the ability to paint or to play Cello or to speak... no matter what it is, pray to utilize it to change the world. That seems monumental, right? That one individual can change the world... but simply by existing, what we do impacts the world. Don't just exist... realize how instrumental you can be here and wield that power for compassion. Have the perception to understand the depth of meaning within yourself and humanity. Let your every moment be aware of the deeper meaning behind all of this.

14:16 If you are not authentically wise and humble people will not understand you on a level that is beneficial to them. Whatever wisdom or talent or character trait you have, it needs you to be intentional with it in order to be impactful. 

14:17 If you pray and hope and work for yourself you help yourself but you ignore the rest of humanity. You ignore the state of your own world, of all that exists around you. Will you be happy with yourself at the end of this life if you've built yourself a mansion? Will you be happy when at the end of this life when it's time to walk out of the mansion you build yourself only to see that your neighbors lived in huts? You are so capable, able to build for yourself and others as well.

14:18-19 Paul keeps perspective: he is grateful and blessed to be able to communicate with the world. Yet Paul understands that unless what we are saying has meaning and purpose and compassion, it's just noise. Unless what we are saying is shareable, it's useless. 

14:20 We might stop growing physically but we have the ability to continue to grow emotionally, spiritually, in wisdom and perspective. Grow your mind and soul. Let your focus be in spiritual growth rather than in the things which lead us into trouble (greed for more and better in all other areas).

12:21 In the Book of Isaiah 28:11-12, we are reminded that there is natural instruction in the world leading us and guiding us toward and through spiritual growth... but that it goes largely unheard. So easily we become wrapped up in things and situations which do not matter or progress us in anyway.

12:22 Creation speaks to both believers and unbelievers, extending its wisdom to each child of light and life. For nonbelievers are given nudges in the right direction. Believers step onto the moving walkways. Each are led in the best way specific to how they understand the world.

Similarly, when we speak our message, we must relay it in a way that is understandable to our audience. Be able to communicate humbly, dynamically. 

12:23 Your life's message will never be understand by another person if they cannot relate to you. If what you have to say is delivered with a superiority complex or without the agility required to relate to them in order to deliver it, you will never connect. 

Establish, know, and promote your values articulately, consistently, humbly, concisely so that people have the opportunity to benefit from what you have in your heart.

12:24-25 When we are able to communicate our spiritual wisdom effectively it has the opportunity and ability to change the people and world around us. How you live your life is a message spoken to humanity and honestly, your message can inspire someone to elevate their own spirituality. 

14:26 No matter what you bring to the metaphorical table, whatever you contribute to life, let it be to edify. To establish and grow and promote all life.

14:27 Paul's advice here and in the following verses is specific for the establishment of churches. We must remember that communication is complex. We must be conscious of retaining the core of our message as it trickles down to different people of different ways of thought.

14:28 If you are not able to effectively communicate with someone, do not create frustration and confusion. Let each person find their smooth and easy journey toward their spiritual destination. 

14:29 Do not bombard people. If you have an audience of students, be a student with them as you also listen to your cohorts speak. Again, this advice is given to those establishing churches. Yet we can also learn from Paul's advice. Be ordered, simple and efficient in delivering any message.

14:30 Let people learn on their own schedule, at their own pace. Be patient with each other as we learn and grow and ask questions and partake in trials and errors.

14:31-32 God reaches everyone and works with everyone. We each have a message to speak to the world, a message specific to our spirits within us.

14:33 God is the "author" of peace. He knows and creates every avenue necessary to reach every person hoping to grow spiritually. Look at the miraculous order around us, the science and conditions which allow and have created this earth and universe. These complex minds, bodies and souls of ours. God is precise and His precision's intention is peace for all life.

14:34-35 This is actually a mistranslated verse. The original message was that no person should chatter and gossip during a spiritual teaching. We know from the rest of the Bible that God values men and women equally, works with men and women equally, and holds the same standards for men and women... equally.

14:36-38 Be humble. All wisdom has flowed from an authentic, original source: creation. Never grow to be arrogant or proud because your wisdom and your knowledge would not have been possible if you were not created, if this earth and universe were not created for you (and you definitely had no part in that). 

14:39-40 The upshot of this chapter is given in this verse: Desire spiritual wisdom and the ability to share and project it because you matter and the people and earth around you matter and deserve your best and generous efforts.