Faithfully Yours Forever

We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:19b (NIV)

Passage: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

God knows all, sees all, and is present in all places and circumstances.  He looks at the heart, what our intentions are, and the motivation behind what we think, do, and say.  He loves us, but will hold us accountable, and in some cases discipline us, for those things that grow out of our heart, intentions, and motivations.  May we always be found acceptable in the eyes of the Lord.  May our thoughts, words, actions, and deed always be found strengthening others. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:7b-9a (NIV)

Passage:  2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Have you ever been told something that is meant to be a secret?  It can be a real privilege to be trusted in such a way, but it can also be a temptation to share the secret with others.  Often we need some kind of a reminder of the trust that has been placed in us.  May that wee small voice inside of us remind us to be worthy of that trust.  May we look to physical reminders when we find that the wee small voice is hard to recognize from the noise around us. Sometimes, however, the secret is something revealed to us from above; it is personal and holds meaning only to us.  At these times, may we be reminded that we can trust in the One who shared with us.  May we be reminded, in one way or another, of the lessons learned.  May we be humbled by the One who gives, but can also take away.  In the end, may His grace be sufficient in all things.

Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.  2 Corinthians 11:28 (NIV)

Passage: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Throughout our lives we face many challenges.  Dealing with these challenges can wear us down.  This passage reminds us that others suffer and endure too – in some cases in much more profound ways that we do.  But even so, we look to our God for relief, comfort, and restoration.  In addition to all of the personal challenges we face, many of us have a burden for our church and other churches that proclaim Jesus, the Christ, as Lord and Savior of us and the world.  Father God, may you walk beside us as we labor for our churches.  May you keep us on the path of righteousness for Your sake.  May You send out more workers, into the mission field, so our burdens might be shared.   These things I pray, in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NIV)

Passage: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

We are being bombarded with information every day, but who should we listen to?  What should we believe?  What is truth and what is fiction?  In this passage of Scripture, the Apostle Paul cautions the Corinthian church.  He urges them to not be led astray by false teachers.  Today, we also need to take care we are not deceived.  For Christians, the Holy Bible is the authoritative guide to holy living.  May we search and meditate upon the Scriptures.  May we enlist the help of the Holy Spirit to teach us, guide us, and help us understand and apply the truth of the Scriptures in our daily lives.  May we recognize when people are distorting biblical truths and when human actions are not compatible with the teaching of Jesus, the Christ.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:18 (NIV)

Passage: 2 Corinthians 10:12-18

We must remember to be humble. But, Let him who boasts [if he must] boast in the Lord [v. 17].  We are also told if we must boast, we should not boast beyond proper limits, but [should] confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us [v. 13].  May the Holy Spirit guide us, the Lord commend us, and our heart remain humble.  Blessings to all.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)