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.