When you understand this passage, you will walk more freely in Christ. It is your reminder that you are in a war that you cannot win alone. When you accept that, then you will enter a realm with Christ that will make you victorious in every battle. Not because of who you are and what you do. It is because of who He is and what He has done through the cross.
Therefore, “pick up your cross, daily” and live a completely surrendered life for Christ. The benefits are eternal. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 10
0 Comments
Continuing yesterday’s “theme” we read in this passage how our heart posture should be when we give. We should give out of a joy in our hearts. Appreciative of what God has freely given to us. This is what God wants from us. But be careful or you may find yourself withholding from God because you say, “I don’t feel like giving and God wants me to give cheerfully.” Never forget, with God, there is always a blessing attached to cheerful giving. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 9 Many people balk at the idea of giving to their local church. Honestly, I cannot blame them. There have been many instances where “church money” has been misused. However, we must be careful not to have such a jaded view of giving. We should have a desire to give to support those ministering to the people. Our giving should be done cheerfully, not focused on the amount, but rather the desire to give what you’ve purposed to give.
We must always remember that it is God who has provided the gift. Trust Him when man lets you down. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 2 Corinthians 8:10-12 10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 8 What does Paul mean when he says that the people of Corinth were obedient to Titus’ teaching and received him with “fear and trembling?”
In Philippians 2:12, Paul tells the people of Philippi to “work out (their) salvation with fear and trembling.” Why “fear and trembling?” This statement eludes to the reverence, respect, and regard we must have for God and His teachings. When we begin to move to the beat of our own drum, we risk walking away from the protection of God given by the Holy Spirit. Our quest to “be in control of our lives” can actually leave us “out of control” in the worst way possible. As you seek God, be mindful that He is far beyond your comprehension. What you know about God merely scratches the surface of the surface. He is able to do “exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ask or imagine.” Wisdom dictates that we should fear Him. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 2 Corinthians 7:15 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 7 Are you serious about growing in your relationship with Christ. Read, read, and re-read 2 Corinthians 6. Whenever Paul shares specifics about the types of hardships he endured, we need to pay attention. Some of us lose our focus because all the lights were red that time we were in a rush. It’s usually our fault we were running late in the first place.
Notice how Paul responds to each hardship. As you grow in Christ, your perspective WILL change. Things that used to bother you will no longer bother you. As you embrace your Christ-like perspective, people around you will be positively impacted for Christ. I encourage you to read, read, and re-read 2 Corinthians 6. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 6 One of the times I lived in South Korea I was assigned to the US Embassy. A couple of times I went to the home of the US Ambassador to South Korea. His job was to represent US interests in South Korea. He was responsible for creating a positive relationship between his home country and his host country.
In Christ, this is our responsibility. As ambassadors for Christ, we are responsible for “creating” a positive relationship between our home “country” (Heaven) and our host “country” (earth). How we behave is a reflection of who people perceive as who God is. Make sure that as an ambassador for Christ, you represent your home “country” well. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 2 Corinthians 5:20 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 Are you this confident in Christ? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 I remember the first time I heard the song Trading My Sorrows. I was spending the day with a good friend of mine, Theresa Santos. She and I went to play golf together. When I heard the part of the song the highlights this passage, the Lord quickened my heart. I thought about many of the things I had experienced in life, but God had brought me through. It is a reminder that “in this world you will have trouble.”
If you are experiencing a difficult season of life, place your hope in Jesus Christ. In Him you will never be crushed, in despair, abandoned, nor destroyed. In Him, you are safe. No matter what life looks like. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 4 One thing that I’ve noticed about western Christianity, we think God has no room to work in people’s lives. We look at a person’s current lifestyle and condemn them to hell. We leave no room for God’s grace, no room for God’s transforming mercy, and no room for God’s knowledge that surpasses ours. We see a person and tell them how wrong they are. That should not be. Are we God? Do we know the work God is doing in that person’s life? Jesus said, “they will know you are my disciples by your love for one another.” When people look at us, they must see the love of Christ. Jesus always left space for God’s grace, and we should too. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
2 Corinthians 3:18 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces *contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 3 *This word is also translated as “reflect.” Notice the second half of verse 11 in this passage. Are you aware of the schemes of the enemy? Peter reminds us to be “alert and of sober mind.” He goes on to tell us that our adversary, the devil, is “prowling around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” You would never turn your back on a lion intent on devouring you. No, you would pay attention to it and do what is necessary to remain safe from all possible attacks, you and your household.
This is a metaphor for living right in Christ. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are to put on the “full armor of Christ.” Why put on your armor if there is no danger. You must always be mindful that you are in a war. However, this is not a physical war, this is a spiritual war. If you do not remain connected to the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit, you will lose. Therefore, always be mindful of the enemy’s schemes, but never be worried. In Christ, you always win. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 10 Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 2 Is God your strength? Is God your comfort? If you said, “yes” to both of those questions, then put your trust in Him, no matter what troubles you are experiencing or troubles that loom on the horizon. When difficult times come, allow His word to comfort you. When you do that, when you allow the strength of God to be your strength, people around you will be drawn to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. And, yes, this is for YOU! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 First Corinthians chapter 16 provides a good wrap up to Paul’s letter to the people of Corinth. But right in the middle of this section of greetings and updates, he provides this nugget of knowledge to us. Let’s make sure we are heeding this word. There is life in it. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love. Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 16 Throughout this chapter, Paul taught about the resurrection of Christ, the dead, and the body. Then he gives this conclusion that should govern our actions. Does it? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
1 Corinthians 15:58 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 Who are you allowing to influence your life? In this passage, Paul quotes a well known Greek poet, Menander. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
1 Corinthians 15:33 33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. If you understand this passage, you understand the gospel. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
1 Corinthians 15:3-5 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Homework Time:
Take some time and dive into this passage. You will learn much. In many church congregations today, people believe this passage is saying women cannot teach or preach in the church. If this is true, then how do we reconcile Paul’s words in chapter 11 of this same book where he says women can pray and prophecy in the church. If you want to be able to share Christ well, this topic is one you must be comfortable with. Many non-believers use this passage as an excuse not to follow Christ. They have not done their homework. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 This is a passage to ponder. How often do you find yourself doing things that go against the word of God? In those moments, do you say, “God loves me. He will for give me. He knows my heart?” That is the way a child would think. As you mature as a Christian, you must put away childish thinking (1 Corinthians 13:11) and allow God to use you for His purposes. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
1 Corinthians 14:20 20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:13-25 This is something to ponder. Paul is talking about tongues here, but we are also allowed to interpret his words to include our explanation of the gospel or a sermon we give. Saying “spiritual” words seems “holy” but in the end, they end up confusing the listener. Study the word, then be willing to share in a way that enables the listener to understand it so they may go share the gospel. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
1 Corinthians 14:10-12 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:1-12 Here’s a fun thing to do. With the understanding that God is love, while you read 1 Corinthians 13, change the word “love” to “God.” When the pronoun “it” is used, input the word “He.” We are made in the image of God. We are called to be Christ-like. It is impossible for us to fulfill the desires of God for us if we do not love! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 13 Far too often, we forget that God has gifted each of us in such a way that we need to be connected if we want to be the most effective witnesses of God. No one person can do all that God has called us to do. We need help. And here’s something you may not have thought about. The Church needs your gifts to be its most effective self. I have met many “Christians” who believe their relationship is only between them and God, so they do not attend a local church. This should not be. God has gifted all of us differently. Wherever you are, God is calling you to share your gifts with a body of believers. Seek Him to learn where. But know this, He is definitely calling you to do His will somewhere. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 |
Details
AuthorDr. Gregg Mays shares his daily devotion. Archives
February 2025
Categories |