Faithfully Yours Forever

Passage: 2 Corinthians 13:1-14
Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV 2011)
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

We do not need to settle; God can do it all!  He is all powerful.  He is able.  He can restore, in us, His image, as is reflected by His Son, Jesus Christ.  Too often, we can be found speaking words of criticism or discouragement toward others.  May we allow the Holy Spirit to change us – to make us more Christlike.  When we are In Christ, we will be of one mind – His!  In Him, we can live in peace.  May we have the wisdom and desire to see and act in a way that is pleasing to the Lord toward others. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Passage: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21
Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:19b (NIV 2011)
We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

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)

2 Corinthians 11:1-15 (NIV 1984)

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)

2 Corinthians 10:18 (NIV 1984)
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends  [v. 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)

2 Corinthians 10:3 (NIV 1984)
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

As believers, what is it that we hope others will see in us as a result of our relationship to Jesus?  These things, that we hope others will see, are the weapons we are given to fight the spiritual battles of this world.  They are the fruit of the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  It certainly is a much different kind of a battle that will be waged with these weapons in hand.  Armored with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God, how can we lose?  May we therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, [we] may be able to stand [our] ground, and after [we] have done everything, to stand [Ephesians 6:13].  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Psalm 112:9 (NIV 1984)
He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.

While we are not often told to do things, that the Lord would have us do, for the reward that we would receive for doing them, Scripture often reminds us of the gifts and blessings that we will indeed receive.  Psalm 112 is only ten verses in length, but it is packed with words of encouragement.  The Lord commands us to give to those in need, but promises to bless the one “who finds great delight in His commands” (v 1).  We can read words of encouragement about our children, our finances, and our character in this psalm.  May we stand firm against injustice, persevere even when confronted with uncertain times, and be open to receive the intended blessings from the Lord.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Malachi 3:7b, 10b (NIV 1984)
Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

“Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Malachi 3:6-18 is the full passage of Scripture that the “Reflecting God” devotional focuses upon today.    In the NIV [1984] version of the Bible, the passage is preceded by the heading, “Robbing God.”  I do not know about you, but I do not want to be accused of, or found guilty of, robbing God.  Other portions of Scripture speak to the consequences of robbing God.  I would rather turn to Him, lay down my time, talent, treasure, and ties… for His use, and trust in His promise to bless me in some way for my faithfulness.  May we honestly look at what we offer the Lord and faithfully give as He would direct us to do.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Today’s verse is 2 Corinthians 9:11.  However, the surrounding text is such an encouragement, I realized there was nothing else that needed to be said.  The full passage for today is 2 Corinthians 9:8-15.  May you each be richly blessed by it.

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. ⁹ As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³ Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!  (NIV 1984)

(inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV 1984)
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.

God has gifted each of us in many different ways.  For a moment, think about one of your special gifts.  Now, think about how someone else might be blessed by you sharing this special gift with them.  What a blessing it can be to give!  God has also provided for us in material ways.  May we find ways to share, from our abundance, with others who are in need.  In addition, as believers, we have received the gospel message and sufficient grace to believe.  May we freely give what we have freely received.  May we make this day a special day by sharing a bit of God’s love with family, friends, and those around us.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)