Walk with Me

SCRIPTURE:  2 Corinthians 3:1-11         Read the passage

BIO:  My name is Kathy Mangascle. I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and grew up in the Presbyterian Church. My family moved to Orlando in 1966 and we joined FPCO. I am married to my college sweetheart, Joe, and we have two grown children, Tyler and Bethany. I have been on the FPC staff since 1993. Currently, I am the director of Early Childhood Ministry.

KEY VERSE:  2 Corinthians 3:3  Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This "letter" is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts."

CENTRAL TRUTH:  The law cannot save us. Only God’s Spirit in us gives us new power to live for Him. The law was good because although it condemned us, it pointed us to Christ. But in the new covenant (promise), the law and the promise (of eternal life) are fulfilled. Christ has come and through faith in him, we can be made right with God.

DEVOTIONAL:  One time when my little boy, Tyler, was 4 years old, we had had an exasperating day. I was trying to be super mom (clean the house to perfection, wash, fold, put away the laundry, go for a walk, then play with my son, work in the yard, prepare a wonderful dinner, etc.). Well, something happened that made me snap! My son let the dog in the back door and the dog was very wet and very muddy. And, of course, as soon as the dog came in the door, he started running wildly from room to room! I was yelling for the dog to get out and I managed to let Tyler know I was very unhappy with him for letting the dog in. Well, he started to cry. As soon as the chaos ended, I pulled Tyler close and told him how sorry I was for getting so upset. He looked at me and said, "That’s okay, Mommy, you’re not perfect."

Try as I might, I cannot live the perfect life. Even though I love the Lord and try to follow Him each day, I mess up. I disappoint myself, my family and my friends on a somewhat regular basis. But what saves me is that I know my Lord is always with me, to pick me up and set me back on the right course – sometimes through the wise words of a four year old.

How amazing it is that God’s forgiveness is immediate and His power is readily available to me. The catch is that I have to surrender – that is, acknowledge that I cannot do it on my own. Sometimes that is hard, but, more often, it is a relief! If I submit to Him, I can reflect the love of Christ to others each day. We can expect His glory to be evident in our lives because it is the Holy Spirit who empowers us.

I am still not able to live a perfect life, but I know the One who has! And His power and forgiveness are in a steady supply to me every day. All I have to do is ask.

QUESTION 1:  What provision has God made for us to overcome our sin nature and restore our relationship with Him?

QUESTION 2:  How can we be filled with God’s power on a daily basis?

QUESTION 3:  How can the Law (10 Commandments) help us today – even though the new covenant means life and the old way with laws etched in stone meant death?