Day 205/260: Read 2 Corinthians 13

Does it amaze you how God can use you in His service, in spite of yourself? We all have weaknesses, but God can still use every single person in Christ.

Even in the case of Christ, who was not weak Himself, but He subjected Himself to the cruelty of the cross, allowing the weakness of the fleshly body to die. A horrific way to suffer, yet God was able to use that suffering to redeem His creation to Himself. Through death, He made us alive.

Sometimes we have difficulty allowing God to work through us though, don’t we? Negativity creeps in. Doubt. Uncertainty. We know how powerful He is, but we also recognize our own weakness. We hesitate because of it. We question His power by our action (or inaction), even while we proclaim it by our mouths.

It is time to stop doubting and start doing. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you are disqualified.” God can accomplish His will, and He can use you in His service.

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Pray

Pray for opportunities to proclaim the power of God through your life, despite your weaknesses and doubts.

Day 204/260: Read 2 Corinthians 12

Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” has baffled commentators for centuries. Some believe this “thorn” had reference to some physical malady such; guesses include headaches, epilepsy, or trouble with his eyesight. Others believe the “thorn” was some sort of temptation that the apostle faced. A third view is that the “thorn” came from the outside—opposition to Paul’s ministry by Judaizing teachers and other enemies of the cross.

The correct view we cannot know for certain in this life. One thing we do know is this: whatever Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was, the grace of Christ was strong enough to get the apostle through it. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

There are times that we struggle in this life, but Christ is strong enough to get us through it. No matter how weak we may become—physically or spiritually—we can rely on the grace of Christ to comfort us.

Let us not complain about the troubles we face, but look to Jesus and His strength for help. Let us take on the same attitude that Paul expressed when he wrote, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the ______________. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are ______________.

Pray

Pray for the strength of Christ to get you through the day despite your weaknesses.

Day 203/260: Read 2 Corinthians 11

It is disheartening how much corruption exists among those who claim to be righteous, and how many souls they are leading toward eternal destruction. The corruption of which I write is not immorality, although that certainly exists. Rather, the corruption that I have in mind is that which deals with “the simplicity that is in Christ.”

The most important question anyone could ever ask is this: “What must I do to be saved?” If you were to ask ten ministers that question, how many answers do you think you would get? If those ministers were abiding in the doctrine of Christ, you would only receive one answer and that answer would be based on the Bible.

Sadly, that’s not what happens. Many in the religious world will tell you that you need to say a prayer asking for forgiveness. They will say you need to believe in Jesus, and that’s all that’s really necessary. Friends, those are corruptions of God’s grace. Neither of those answers is in the Bible.

What does the Lord Himself say? Not one word about “praying through” or a “sinner’s prayer.” He does not tell you to rely on “faith alone.” Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

Don’t be deceived by those who “transform themselves into ministers of righteousness.” Believe the Word, and submit to God’s commands in faith. That is the only way you can be saved.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

2 Corinthians 13:5. ______________ yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. ______________ yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Pray

Pray for those who have not obeyed the gospel, for those who have been deceived by false denominational doctrines. Pray for opportunities to share with them the truth of the gospel.

Day 202/260: Read 2 Corinthians 10

In medieval times, the Catholic Church waged a war against Muslims in an effort to recover the Holy Lands. Eight major expeditions occurred between 1096 and 1291. Many lost their lives in these savage, bloody wars.

The children of God are at war against the forces of evil, but Paul reminds the brethren in Corinth that “we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

We are to “wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1 18); the Christian “must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). Yet we do not use the traditional weapons of war such as swords and shields, or in modern-day parlance guns and bullet-proof vests. Rather, our weapons are of a spiritual nature, designed to protect ourselves and make our enemies reconsider their rebellious position against the Lord.

Consider the metaphorical weapons Paul describes in Ephesians 6. Most are defensive, designed to protect ourselves; only one is offensive, and it is the Word of God. When we face our spiritual foes, we must be armed with the Scriptures for God’s Word is the final say and the ultimate authority.

Are you ready to go to war?

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Pray

Pray for strength in the spiritual war in which you are engaged.

Day 201/260: Read 2 Corinthians 9

Attitude—how many times will we come back to that idea when we study the New Testament? After spending some time with the concept of a “willing mind” in chapter 8, Paul shifts to the disposition of the one involved in the act of giving in chapter 9.

When you give, don’t do it because it is commanded. Do it, but do it because you want to, and do it because it brings you joy to help another person. Make it purposeful and heartfelt, “not grudgingly or of necessity.”

We read in the book of Proverbs about some of the things that God hates: “A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Paul takes the opposite approach and tells us what the Lord loves: “a cheerful giver.” And when we have the proper attitude in our giving, the apostle says that “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”

God will bless those who give liberally and cheerfully. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Pray

Pray for the proper attitude in obeying God’s commands.

Day 200/260: Read 2 Corinthians 8

How important is your attitude? If you do a favor for someone, but you complain the entire time, how do you think that person feels about your effort? Your attitude can invalidate any good deed you may do.

The Corinthian church told Paul that they wanted an opportunity to help their brothers in need, and the apostle now tells them it is time to “complete the doing of it.” Certainly, they were not expected to give more than they had. Yet, they were encouraged to do all they could in fulfilling their desire.

“For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.” That “willing mind” is so important when helping someone. Had they begrudgingly fulfilled their promise, would it be as appreciated? If their attitude was such that gave the impression of saying, “I said I would do it, so here you go,” with a huff, what would the recipient think? How would it make them feel?

Friends, we need to be joyful when we help those in need, whether we are giving of our time, money, or talents. Smile and say a kind word, without complaining about any difficulty you may have experienced. It will be remembered more fondly by both the recipient and by you.

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

2 Corinthians 9:7. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Pray

Pray for an occasion to show joy while helping a brother or sister in need.

Day 199/260: Read 2 Corinthians 7

When you get caught doing something wrong, are you sorry you did it, or sorry you got caught? Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about “godly sorrow” that “produces repentance leading to salvation.” The church was confronted with sin, and because of their godly sorrow, they changed their ways.

When one is just sorry he got caught, though, he doesn’t change. He just finds ways to hide his sin. Or his heart hardens so that it doesn’t even bother him to do it in the open.

Yet godly sorrow, the kind that leads to repentance and then to salvation, has an impact on a person that goes far beyond getting caught. Godly sorrow causes one to be more diligent in his faithfulness, examining himself to be sure he is walking according to the will of God. Godly sorrow causes indignation—getting mad at sin in one’s own life and at the encouragement and tolerance of sin in society. Godly sorrow produces fear, knowing that one who remains in sin is separated from God. What a terrifying thought! Godly sorrow produces desire and zeal to vindicate oneself, to get back into right standing with the Almighty.

Confronting sin should never be done in order to embarrass one who has fallen into temptation; the aim should be the restoration of that person’s relationship with God.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

2 Corinthians 9:7. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Pray

Pray for forgiveness for your own shortcomings, and for wisdom in helping others to get on the right track.