Day 254: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9

For centuries, Christians have debated about what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was. A sickness? A certain sin he struggled with? A disability? We really have no way of knowing, except that it was a 14-year struggle, 14 years to be reminded of his weakness and his need for God's power to be perfected.

It is mind-blowing for most of us to consider this possibility. It is the idea that God would allow us to experience extreme pain to keep us from thinking that we are somehow elevated and not in need of God's strength.

This may make us think of Job. He endured an endless amount of pain from the hand of Satan -- simply because God was confident in his character.

Job's words speak volumes to us today when we think of Paul as well:

"But he knows the way I take; when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold." - Job 23:10

Are you in a difficult season of life right now? Are you confused as to why God has allowed you to experience it? Be rest assured that God is up to something big, and He wants to mold you to become even more like His Son, Jesus. The Devil won’t get the last word.

“Father God, keep re-working my belief in what true strength looks like. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Day 253: 1 Corinthians 11:16-33

“And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” - 2 Corinthians 11:28 ESV

As you read through our passage for today, you may have noticed the heavy sarcasm that Paul uses at the beginning. The "so am I" statements are then followed by a laundry list of difficulties he faced. Paul uses the word "danger" nine times in all of his letters and eight of them appear here in 11:26.

Talk about being vulnerable. Paul is laying his heart on the line to convince these Christians in Corinth that he is the real deal.

Craig Groeschel is quoted as saying, "People would rather follow a leader who is always real than one who is always right."

Haven't you found this to be true in your life? Someone who seemingly has it all together is nearly impossible to identify with. This is because we all struggle.

Paul admits to feeling daily "pressure" and that it was causing "anxiety" when it came to caring for these churches. The Greek word he used for pressure is epistasis, which can also be translated as “burden.” Burdens threaten to attack us all with anxiety. This is a sign of being a human who cares for others.

These feelings do not disqualify us; they actually can help us become better leaders.

Day 252: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” - 2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV

Knofel Staton makes an interesting point when writes the following about this verse: “The word serpent in Genesis 3 is a Hebrew word that can also mean brightness. Satan masquerades himself as an angel of light as far back as the Garden of Eden.”

This is a frightening thought that may make us wonder if we can trust anyone who claims to be a Christian leader.

The key it seems is found in a word Jesus and Paul used quite often as they taught: gregoreo. It can be translated as awake or watchful or to be alert.

We cannot become lazy and just accept whatever someone tells us is true. We need to fact check everything against Scripture and pay attention to motives.  Our enemy, Satan (Devil), will not be backing down till Jesus throws him into the lake of fire (see Revelation 20:10). He will also present well -- not with cape and horns.

May we ask God for discernment to know when Satan is trying to play us for a fool. May we also not be taken in by any teaching or lifestyle just because it looks good.

Jesus, deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Day 251: 2 Corinthians 10:1-17

“Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for us.” - 2 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

Commenting on this verse, William Baker writes, “In contrast to his opponents, he will seek a standard of assessment that is true and measurable. This measurement comes from God himself, not some mere human contrivance.”

Self-promotion is something that our culture puts a high value on. Even in the first century, some were seeking fame and authority by way of Christianity.

Yet our goal should not be to promote ourselves; it is to glorify Christ’s greatness.

God is the one who sets the standard, and we are the ones to boast in Him gratefully.

The word for measurement (boundaries) in this verse is kanon, which would later be used in deciding which books would be included in the New Testament.

Jesus, we commit ourselves to boast only of what You have done. We are instruments in Your hands. Use us as You see fit and as what will bring You the maximum glory. You bring the flash; we will bring the obedience.

Day 250: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

There is nothing quite so tangible in this world that says so much about us than what we do with money. Jesus said it this way in Matthew 6:21: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our hearts will always follow the investments of our treasures.

Paul is here laying out the “why” and the “how” behind this gift. The Christians in Corinth needed to know why they were giving and how they should give it.

1) God is the supplier. He’s the one who provides all that we have. We don’t deserve financial supply, and we aren’t the owners, even after it’s in our possession. As the Psalmist sings, “The earth is the Lord’s and all it contains.”

2) We are to give intentionally. Sitting down to plan our giving is the most responsible way to give, and it shows God we are serious about honoring him. He doesn’t need our gifts. Our generosity glorifies God, benefits others, and protects our hearts from selfishness and materialism.

Giving in the name of Jesus is never a waste. It is an eternal investment that will forever be bouncing back with compound interest.

Day 249: 1 Corinthians 8:16-24

“For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.” - 2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Anytime money is involved, there will be an opportunity for sketchy dealings. Paul has organized a significant fundraising effort to help the poor in Jerusalem, and now it’s time to make the delivery. How do the Christians in Corinth know that he can be trusted?

Paul says, “We,” to show that he’s not alone in this endeavor. This is by far and away the most crucial step in accountability. Left by ourselves, our resolve to make the right decisions breaks down. When we include others in the process, we remove ourselves from the chance of madness by isolation.

Paul also uses the Greek word “pronoeo,” which can be translated, as the NIV does, “taking pains” or “perceive before.” Being above reproach is going to take proper planning and will not happen accidentally. We have to assume we are capable of any evil and then take appropriate action to avoid it.

Lastly, Paul knew he needed to have integrity because all eyes were on him. God was watching. All the churches across the Mediterranean were as well.

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” - 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV

Day 248: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

“For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia” - 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 NLT

There are all kinds of words in these two verses that generally aren't paired when we hear people speaking.

• Affliction >> Joy

• Poverty >> Generosity

These churches in Macedonia had been given (by God) a greater perspective on what it means to live the best life possible. Affliction and joy, for most people, don't belong together. We weather the distress to someday get to the joy. When we lack funds, we usually aren't angling as to how we can bless others financially.

Yet this is what happens when Jesus steps into our hearts. He reorders everything. The last are first; the first are last. We start counting it joy when we face trials of many kinds.

We start, for the first time, to live in complete freedom.

We cross from bios (mere earthly living) to zoe (eternal living).

Paul is so bold as to even mention generosity as an “act of grace.” Giving is an act of grace for the giver and the receiver. In all of this, we see generosity closing the gap on desparity, even in the midst of poverty.

The challenge for us today is to consider how we might be more generous than we currently are. Does your giving to the church or other Christian non-profits stretch you or do you barely feel it? May we step into this “act of grace” today!

Day 247: 2 Corinthians 7:8-16

“As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” - 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

R.C. Lenski, writing on this verse, said, "A surgeon may cause severe pain; he rejoices when he sees the cure that this pain has produced. It is not the pain as such but the pain as being productive of the cure that rejoices him."

Many of our prayers for others and for ourselves seem to default in a certain way. We are praying for a way around pain. "God, please keep them safe." Now, there is nothing wrong with this kind of prayer, but it is not usually the most useful kind of prayer.

Most times what we need is not to sidestep the pain, the sorrow, but to walk right through it. Pain is productive if we will allow it to do what it does best. It shakes us out of our complacency, especially when it comes to unrecognized sin.

Most of us fall into one of two camps on this. We either could care less if we offend someone, or we care too much if we offend someone. Both of these extremes are to toxic. I pray that compassion and care accompany our attempts at correction. We won’t always get it right, but we can get better with each passing year.

And when the time comes for us to personally experience sorrow that leads to repentance, may God lead us further into salvation without regret.

Day 246: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 7:1-7

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” - 2 Corinthians 6:14

You will not find another verse that is used more to advocate for Christians not marrying non-Christians than this one. Though there are plenty of verses to advocate for that, this probably isn't one of them (context-wise).

Ben Witherington, about this verse, writes, "Paul apparently believes that the Corinthians are in danger of becoming spiritually linked with the demonic forces resident in the (pagan) temple."

Christianity wasn't something that could be a good compliment for another religion. The paganism in Corinth and the way of following Jesus were mutually exclusive according to Paul. Worshiping idols by enjoying sex with a temple prostitute isn’t the best possible life.

How often do we intermingle our Christian faith with lies that the world pumps our direction? 

Do not be surprised if you find truths in the Bible that contradict what you hear in the mainstream.  Light and darkness have nothing in common.

Step into the light of Jesus. Stay there. It isn’t the popular way, but it is the one that leads to eternal life.

Day 245: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

“We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How is it that you try to prove yourself on a daily basis? Unfortunately, many in our world today are using posts on social media to prove their point.

What would happen if we instead chose these six two prove ourselves instead of going the route of humanity’s default?

Can you imagine, at the end of your life, being known for your…

• Purity >> Sincerity

• Understanding >> Seeking to know

• Patience >> State of emotional calm

• Kindness >> Goodness

• Being known as Spirit-led

• Sincere >> Unhypocritical love

Who doesn’t desire more people in their life who are like this? As we become more like Jesus, our integrity takes on new heights. We represent the sweetness of Christ, no matter where we find ourselves.

Ready to prove yourself in the best way possible? Take to prayer and Scripture before taking to a rant.