Tag Archives: Corinthians

Serve others (1 Corinthians 4:1-5), November 9, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Set – Job 38; 1 Corinthians 4

Go! – Job 38; 1 Corinthians 4-6

1 Corinthians 4:1-5
1 Rather than power brokers, think of us as servants of the Anointed One, the Liberating King, caretakers of the mysteries of God. 2 Because we are in this particular role, it is especially important that we are people of fidelity and integrity. 3 It makes little difference to me how you or any human court passes judgment on me. I even resist the temptation to compare myself to the ever-changing human standard. 4 Although I am not aware of any flaw that might exclude me from this divine service, that’s not the reason I stand acquitted—the only supreme judge, our Lord, will examine me in the proper time. 5 So resist the temptation to act as judges before all the evidence is in. When the Lord comes, He will draw our buried motives, thoughts, and deeds (even things we don’t know or admit to ourselves) out of the dark shadows of our hearts into His light. When this happens, the voice of God will speak to each of us the only praise that will ever matter.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I asked you yesterday why you go to church. Today I want to ask you another question. Why do you do good things for other people? Look deep inside you and answer the question honestly. Do you do it because it makes you feel good? It should make you feel good. That’s a great motive for doing good for others. One of the best ways to get out of the mully-grubs is to do something nice for someone else expecting nothing in return. I made you that way. I made you to enjoy doing good for others, so you will experience that warm feeling that puts a smile on your face when you perform acts of kindness for others.

Maybe you do good expecting something in return. It’s not the good feeling you expect, though. You’re looking for something in return. You want to barter good for good. Maybe you’re hoping the good you receive is more than the good you get. You’re looking for a profit in good deeds. That’s not the way to go about life. But some people go about doing good for just that reason. I’ll bake you a cake if you’ll invite me to dinner. I’ll mow your yard if you’ll paint my house. Get the idea? That’s how too many of you go about your business of doing good works. There’s this hidden barter system you’re looking for. That’s not in My plan of doing good for others. Just do good because it’s the right thing to do without expecting anything in return.

Maybe you figured out that you might not get anything back for doing good but you do it because you heard Me tell you to do it. Well, you’re getting closer to the right reason for doing good for others, but you’ll resent them or Me if that’s the reason you’re doing good for others. You’ll see your acts of kindness as tasks to perform instead of acts of love and servanthood to your fellow man. Eventually you’ll just stop doing things for others because you’ll burn out. There will be no joy in your efforts and you’ll stop either because of your anger toward those receiving your service or your anger at Me.

My hope for you, however, is that you’ll learn the secret Paul talks about. He discovered the joy of serving Me. The things you do for others is not really about doing things for them after all. It’s about doing them for Me. You do things to them on My behalf. You’re serving Me when you serve them. So serve Me. Don’t expect anything from those on earth you serve because it’s not them you’re serving. It’s Me you’re serving so they don’t owe you anything. You’re not doing anything for them in the first place, you’re doing it for Me. That’s the attitude I want you to have.

Then you can think about the rewards you might get in return if you want to. You shouldn’t. I’ve already given you life and when you serve Me diligently you gain life eternally and life abundantly. What more do you want? But if you want to think beyond that, how about that next breath? Or your next heartbeat? What about the food you eat and the water you drink? Maybe you want to think about your brothers and sisters in Me that come along beside you in your times of need. Think about the blessings that come your way day after day. Do you need more reward for serving Me? What about the sins for which I went the cross for you? Is that enough? Hmmm…

Remember, your service to others is really service to Me. How much do you want to do for Me? What if I want you to pass it along to others? Well, I really don’t need your help, but they do. How about a little service, please? I’ll enjoy watching it.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Why do you go to church? (1 Corinthians 3:10-23), November 8, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Set – Job 33; 1 Corinthians 3

Go! – Job 34-37; 1 Corithians 1-3

1 Corinthians 3:10-23
10 Like a skilled architect and master builder, I laid a foundation based upon God’s grace given to me. Now others will come along to build on the foundation. Each serves in a different way and is to build upon it with great care. 11 There is, in fact, only one foundation, and no one can lay any foundation other than Jesus the Anointed. 12 As others build on the foundation (whether with gold, silver, gemstones, wood, hay, or straw), 13 the quality of each person’s work will be revealed in time as it is tested by fire. 14 If a man’s work stands the test of fire, he will be rewarded. 15 If a man’s work is consumed by the fire, his reward will be lost but he will be spared, rescued from the fire. 16 Don’t you understand that together you form a temple to the living God and His Spirit lives among you? 17 If someone comes along to corrupt, vandalize, and destroy the temple of God, you can be sure that God will see to it that he meets destruction because the temple of God is sacred. You, together, are His temple.
18 Don’t let anyone deceive himself. If any one of you thinks he is wise in matters pertaining to this world, he is going to be really disappointed. In fact, one must be deemed a fool by worldly standards in order to become truly wise 19 because the wisdom of this rebellious and broken world looks like foolishness when put next to God. So it stands in Scripture, “He catches the wise in their deceitful plotting.” 20 And the Scriptures add, “The Lord knows the highest thoughts of the wise, and they are worthless.” 21 So there is no reason for anyone to boast in human leaders. You already have it all. 22 So whether it is Paul, Apollos, Cephas, the world, life or death, the present or the future—it all belongs to you. 23 You belong to the Anointed One, and the Anointed One belongs to God.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Why do you go to church? Is it to hear the message of the preacher? Is it to hear the music present by the choir or choral group? Is it to study under a particular teacher? Just why do you attend where you attend? It really is an important question to ask yourself every once in a while. If you only go because of the pastor or the music or the studies presented or some particular program, you’re there for the wrong reason. You’re even there for the wrong reason if it’s because you think they have the doctrine that fits the way you believe.

So why do you go to church? The only acceptable answer is to worship Me. Any other answer makes the church a social club. You might as well go to the Elks Lodge or the local Lions’ Club. Find yourself another place that does good things for people and go there. If your goal when you come through the door of the sanctuary of your church isn’t to meet with Me in worship, then you’ve missed the reason for coming together as brothers and sisters.

All the physical ministries of the church can be carried out by other organizations in your community and probably are. The Food Bank collects and distributes more food to the hungry than you’ll ever feed in a lifetime at your church. The Red Cross provides shelter for the homeless in disasters worldwide and does it better than a church could ever think about doing it. Doctors without Borders provides health and healing for the sick and injured in ways your local church could not begin to approach. And the list goes on.

Sure, you do some things in your community, but so do other organizations and they probably do it better, so why do you come to church? Search your heart. Do you come expecting to see Me every Sunday? Do you even come every Sunday? Do you prepare yourself to visit with Me when you arrive? Have you prayed and met with Me through the week so that when you join your brothers and sisters you’re ready to celebrate My coming together with you in worship?

Some of those Paul wrote to in Corinth forgot why they came together. They began to follow people instead of Me. They came together to do good things instead of coming together to meet with Me. They thought they could reach Me by ministering to others. They got it backwards, though. Reach out to Me first and I will help you reach out to others. Your ministries will never succeed until you worship Me first. Until you follow the path I lay before you, your efforts will be in vain. Your wisdom is meaningless compared to Mine.

So ask yourself again today, why do you come to church? Do you know the answer? There will be a test. I want you to pass. Make sure you have the right answer when I return.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

God’s grace is enough (2 Corinthians 12:1-10), Apr 12, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Set – 1 Samuel 13; 2 Corinthians 12
Go! – 1 Samuel 13; 1 Chronicles 2-3; 2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12:1-10
1Boasting like this is necessary, but it’s unbecoming and probably unavailing. Since you won’t hear me any other way, let me tell you about visions and revelations I received of the Lord.

2 Fourteen years ago, there was this man I knew—a believer in the Anointed who was caught up to the third heaven. (Whether this was an in- or out-of-body experience I don’t know; only God knows.) 3-4 This man was caught up into paradise (let me say it again, whether this was an in- or out-of-body experience I don’t know; only God knows), and he heard inexpressible words—words a mortal man is forbidden to utter. 5 I could brag about such a man; but as for me, I have nothing to brag about outside my own shortcomings. 6 So if I want to boast, I won’t do so as a fool because I will be speaking the truth. But I will stop there, since I don’t want to be credited with anything except exactly what people see and hear from me. 7 To keep me grounded and stop me from becoming too high and mighty due to the extraordinary character of these revelations, I was given a thorn in the flesh—a nagging nuisance of Satan, a messenger to plague me! 8 I begged the Lord three times to liberate me from its anguish; 9 and finally He said to me, “My grace is enough to cover and sustain you. My power is made perfect in weakness.” So ask me about my thorn, inquire about my weaknesses, and I will gladly go on and on—I would rather stake my claim in these and have the power of the Anointed One at home within me. 10 I am at peace and even take pleasure in any weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and afflictions for the sake of the Anointed because when I am at my weakest, He makes me strong.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Never ask to be like someone else unless you ask to be like Christ. You never know the shoes someone else must wear or the burdens they must bear despite the face you might see from day to day in public. Paul is a good example.

I hear many of My disciple say, “If only I could be like Paul, then I could overcome the obstacles in my path and become what God wants.” It’s not true. If you can’t become what I want of you as you are, you could never carry Paul’s burdens and become what I want of you. I allowed Paul to get a glimpse of heaven for a reason. I knew what lay ahead of him. I knew the road he would take to spread My word to distant lands and become the spokesman for developing the theology on which My church stands.

But with that vision of heaven came unbelievable burdens that few can carry. He endured more hardship than the twelve disciples. Yes, some were martyred for their faith in cruel ways. So was he. He was also beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and carried what he called a thorn in the flesh for many years. I’ll let you ask him about it when you see him in heaven some day.

It’s true of everyone you see. The perfect life is never so perfect as it might seem. There are always things not told. Burdens My followers carry silently upheld by the knowledge I am with them through their deepest problems. The pain is real. The suffering is often intense. The longing for relief is there, too. But, like Paul, they know that My grace is enough. They will make it through and can count their burdens as part of their weakness and recognize that I am there. They can boast that I am the reason for their strength and success in their weakness.

So, never wish you could be like someone else. My grace is sufficient for you, just as it is sufficient for them. But I can guarantee that you do not want to trade lives with anyone. It won’t be what you think…ever. Just know that I’m enough…always.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Confrontation isn’t easy, but sometimes necessary (2 Corinthians 10), Apr 10, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Corinthians 10
Set – 1 Samuel 8; 2 Corinthians 10
Go! – 1 Samuel 8-10; 2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 10
1 I, Paul, appeal to you in the same gentle and loving spirit of the Anointed—yes, I who am humble when I’m face-to-face with you but audacious to you in these letters when I’m away (I know what they say). 2 If it were up to me, I’d rather not have to be so bold when I’m with you, especially with the kind of forceful confidence I can work up when I confront those who have accused us of walking in a worldly way. 3 For though we walk in the world, we do not fight according to this world’s rules of warfare. 4 The weapons of the war we’re fighting are not of this world but are powered by God and effective at tearing down the strongholds erected against His truth. 5 We are demolishing arguments and ideas, every high-and-mighty philosophy that pits itself against the knowledge of the one true God. We are taking prisoners of every thought, every emotion, and subduing them into obedience to the Anointed One. 6 As soon as you choose obedience, we stand ready to punish every act of disobedience.

7 Look at what is going on right in front of you. If anyone is convinced that he belongs to the Anointed, then he should think again; even if he belongs to Him, so do we. 8 I’m not embarrassed, even if it seems to others I have gone overboard in speaking about the power the Lord has given us to edify and encourage you and not to destroy anyone who strays. 9 I don’t want it to seem as if I’m simply trying to scare you with my letters; they are not hollow. 10 For some people are saying, “Paul’s letters sound authoritative and strong, but in person he just doesn’t measure up—even his speeches don’t deliver.” 11 They need to understand this: whatever we say through our letters when we are away, that is exactly what we will do when we are looking you in the eye.

12 For we would never dare to compare ourselves with people who have based their worth on self-commendation. They check themselves against and compare themselves with one another. It just shows that they don’t have any sense! 13 So we will carefully limit our boasting to the extent only of what God has done in and through us, a reach that extends as far as you. 14 For it wasn’t as if we were overreaching into someone else’s territory by reaching out to you. Weren’t we the first ones to bring you the good news of the Anointed One? 15 We carefully put limits on our boasting and avoid taking credit for what others do. But we do hope to see your faith grow so that we can watch our mission really expand all the way to the limits God has set for us. 16 The plan includes taking the good news to people and lands beyond you. We’ve no interest in or intention of staking claim to other people’s accomplishments in their arenas. As the Scripture says, 17 ”The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.” 18 Now let’s be clear: it’s not the one who commends himself who is approved; it’s the one whom the Lord commends.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I know it’s difficult to confront people for doing wrong, especially within the church. People remember the things for which I have forgiven them and ask themselves, “How can I say something when I know how I’ve behaved in the past?” But like Paul, I expect My community to of believers to help each other keep My church moving upward not wayward. I want you to address the evil among you. I want you to help each other correct the behavior the world accepts as okay and point out the standards I want for My people.

It’s hard to confront those who are wrong. It doesn’t feel good to tell others about behavior that contradicts My word when everyone else stands by and condones or at least ignores the behavior. It isn’t easy to be a lone voice decrying the wrongs within the boundaries of My community, but it is necessary to maintain the purity of My sanctuary.

What is most difficult about the confrontation I expect, though, is I expect it to be with the same love I expressed from the cross. Love that reaches through the behavior to the heart of the individual. Love that seeks redemption and restoration rather than revenge or punishment. Genuine love that looks beyond the behavior to see My image deep within the individual and longs to restore that image within the one being confronted.

Paul understood the confrontation I expected. It was always something that must happen to keep My name pure and spotless among the believers within My community, but it was also a difficult task because it meant being personally vulnerable and loving others with a deep, godly love that reaches to the very depths of your own soul. You may help turn them from road to an eternity apart from Me. So, what happens if you don’t confront them and turn them away from that road? Don’t you think it’s worth it?

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Pay it forward when you can (2 Corinthians 9), Apr 9, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Corinthians 9
Set – Psalms 72; 2 Corinthians 9
Go! – 1 Samuel 6-7; Psalms 72; 2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9
1 There’s nothing further I could add about your efforts for God’s people in Judea. 2 I know you are ready. I bragged on you throughout Macedonia, telling them how the people in Achaia have been prepared since last year; and your passion has been contagious. 3 Still I thought it would be best to send these brothers and sisters ahead to help you finish the final details so all my bragging wouldn’t be for nothing. 4 If some of the Macedonians decide to travel with me, all of us would be more than embarrassed if we arrived and you weren’t ready to give after the way we’ve been going on about you. 5 So to help you get your previously promised gift ready, it made sense to me to ask the brothers and sisters to go on ahead so you will have all the time you need to put it together as planned and so it doesn’t look thrown together or coerced.

6 But I will say this to encourage your generosity: the one who plants little harvests little, and the one who plants plenty harvests plenty. 7 Giving grows out of the heart—otherwise, you’ve reluctantly grumbled “yes” because you felt you had to or because you couldn’t say “no,” but this isn’t the way God wants it. For we know that “God loves a cheerful giver.” 8 God is ready to overwhelm you with more blessings than you could ever imagine so that you’ll always be taken care of in every way and you’ll have more than enough to share. 9 Remember what is written about the One who trusts in the Lord:

He scattered abroad; He gave freely to the poor;
His righteousness endures throughout the ages.
10 The same One who has put seed into the hands of the sower and brought bread to fill our stomachs will provide and multiply the resources you invest and produce an abundant harvest from your righteous actions. 11 You will be made rich in everything so that your generosity will spill over in every direction. Through us your generosity is at work inspiring praise and thanksgiving to God. 12 For this mission will do more than bring food and water to fellow believers in need—it will overflow in a cascade of praises and thanksgivings for our God. 13 When this mission reaches Jerusalem and meets with the approval of God’s people there, they will give glory to God because your confession of the gospel of the Anointed One led to obedient action and your generous sharing with them and with all exhibited your sincere concern. 14 Because of the extraordinary grace of God at work in you, they will pray for you and long for you. 15 Praise God for this incredible, unbelievable, indescribable gift!

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

The people in Jerusalem didn’t know about Paul’s mission to bring funds and needed supplies back to them. Paul sent emissaries ahead of him on his journey to tell of the offering he would take back to those struggling against the powers of Rome and the leaders of Judaism trying to destroy the fledgling congregation in the city. They needed help and needed it badly.

Paul intended to enlist the help of those who had extra and could still gain funds and needed supplies to help the Christians in Jerusalem survive. Persecution from Rome had not yet spread across the entire empire, but was very heated in this constantly rebellious area called Israel. The people refused to bow to Caesar. They refused to recognize the gods of the Roman people. They failed to make necessary sacrifices to the pagan gods of the nations that defeated and occupied their tiny nation. The Jews were a stubborn people who believed only I could help them.

Now the rebellion spread further with the preaching about Jesus rising from the dead. The Jews had someone to blame the rebellion on and didn’t hesitate to name the band of Christians as the culprits leading the revolt against Rome. They knew it to be false, but it was a way to get rid of this band of believers… Or so they thought.

Paul persecuted these same men and women earlier. He was part of that pack of leaders standing around Stephen approving of his stoning. His transformation at My hand on the road to Damascus was genuine, though. He saw the errors of his past. He wanted to make restitution for the wrongs he committed and so used his influence to raise funds on his mission trips to help those persecuted in Jerusalem.

Do you have wrongs you can make right? Do you need to make restitution for things in your past? Can you reach out with your influence to come to the aid of others and pay forward for the grace I’ve extended to you? That’s what Paul did with his collections for the Christians in Jerusalem. Many have followed his example through the centuries. How about you?

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

God notices your generosity (2 Corinthians 8:1-15), Apr 8, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Set – 1 Samuel 3; 2 Corinthians 8
Go! – 1 Samuel 3-5; Psalms 77; 2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:1-15
1 Now, brothers and sisters, let me tell you about the amazing gift of God’s grace that’s happening throughout the churches in Macedonia. 2 Even in the face of severe anguish and hard times, their elation and poverty have overflowed into a wealth of generosity. 3 I watched as they willingly gave what they could afford and then went beyond to give even more. 4 They came to us on their own, begging to take part in this work of grace to support the poor saints in Judea. 5 We were so overwhelmed—none of us expected their reaction—that they truly turned their lives over to the Lord and then gave themselves to support us in our work as we answer the call of God. 6 That’s why we asked Titus to finish what he started among you regarding this gracious work of charity. 7 Just as you are rich in everything—in faith and speech, in knowledge and all sincerity, and in the love we have shown among you[a]—now I ask you to invest richly in this gracious work too. 8 I am not going to command you, but I am going to offer you the chance to prove your love genuine in the same way others have done. 9 You know the grace that has come to us through our Lord Jesus the Anointed. He set aside His infinite riches and was born into the lowest circumstance so that you may gain great riches through His humble poverty. 10-11 Listen, it’s been a year since we called your attention to this opportunity to demonstrate God’s grace, so here’s my advice: pull together your resources and finish what you started.

Remember how excited you were at first; it’s time to complete this task in the same spirit. 12 Now if there is a willingness to help, give within your means. That’s perfectly acceptable. No one expects you to go without or borrow to give. 13-14 The objective is not to go under so others will have some relief; the objective is to use this opportunity today to supply their needs out of your abundance. One day it may be the other way around, and they will need to supply your needs from what they have. That’s equality. 15 As it is written, “The one who gathered plenty didn’t have more than he needed; the one who gathered little didn’t have less.”

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Let’s talk about giving. Paul encourages the Corinthians to give an offering to the Christians in other parts of the world in need. He assumes the Corinthians will give their tithes to the place where they worship and that congregation will take care of each other within their means. The church in Jerusalem, the incubator of the church, found itself in deep trouble, however.

By this time, Rome’s leaders had begun applying intense pressure on all the religions that did not adhere to the beliefs of Rome. The rebellious Jews, Christians, and mystics that sprang up around their empire created immense pressure on the throne and Caesar’s procurators, governors, and military leaders did everything they could to stop the growing uprising around the empire.

Christians in Israel’s capital city found themselves blamed for everything going wrong in the country regardless of the source of the problem. I let those things happen to allow the dispersion of Christians throughout the world, but it was no less painful for those who suffered through the pain inflicted upon them by the citizenry and soldiers in Jerusalem.

Consequently, the Christians in Jerusalem needed help from their brothers and sisters elsewhere. They could get no jobs in Jerusalem. They lost all their funds, their homes and property. They gave up everything to follow Me. They did it gladly, but like all people, they wanted to survive and living in Jerusalem made survival difficult. But even escaping the city required resources they didn’t have. The offerings of their brothers and sisters in Christ were important to them.

So, Paul raised offerings for them wherever he went on his mission journeys. His approach is one you should remember. I don’t ask you to take out loans to fund My work. I don’t ask you to become a pauper. I ask you to give from your abundance. What does that mean? Give up some of the things that are just wants, not needs. Give up your toys, your extras, the things you can do without for the good of the kingdom, for the aid of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

One day you may need help, but when you give generously to others, it multiplies and returns to you as a harvest. You will find rewards in many ways when you give from your heart to the benefit of My children. Show them My love through your generosity. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Let your feelings show (2 Corinthians 6:1-13), Apr 6, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Set – Ruth 3-4; 2 Corinthians 6
Go! – Ruth 3-4; Psalms 64-65; 2 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 6:1-13
1 As for those of us working as His emissaries, we beg you not to take the grace of God lightly. 2 For God says through Isaiah,

When the time was right, I listened to you;
and that day you were delivered, I was your help.
Look, now the time is right! See, your day of deliverance is here! 3 We are careful in what we teach so that our words won’t be a stumbling block and so that no one will discredit our ministry. 4 But as God’s servants, we commend ourselves in every situation. So that with great endurance we persevere even in anguish and hardship. We have been cornered by the enemy 5 suffering beatings, imprisonments, uproars, toil, sleeplessness, and starvation. 6 And by the Holy Spirit with purity, understanding, patience, kindness, and sincerest love we have proved ourselves. 7 Now with the voice of truth and power of God—armed on the right and armed on the left with righteousness from God—we continue. 8 Whether respected or loathed, praised or criticized as frauds, yet true, 9 as unknown to this world, and yet well known to God, we serve Him. We are treated as dying and yet we live, as punished and yet we are not executed. 10 Though we are sorrowful, we continually rejoice. As the poorest of the poor, we bring richness to all, and though we have nothing, we possess all things.

11 Corinthians, we have been completely open to you. We’ve exposed the truth, holding nothing back while our hearts open wide to take you in. 12 We have revealed our affection toward you—though it’s obvious you have a hard time showing your affection toward us. 13 If I could offer some fatherly advice: open yourselves up as children; share your hearts with us as we have done for you.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

In his letters to the Corinthians, Paul does something few will do today in their spiritual journey. He opens himself up to the people in the small congregation and bares his heart to them. In society today, too many hold back their heart and fail to allow themselves to reveal their spirit to those around them. They fear becoming vulnerable because someone might take advantage of the information they share.

Paul on the other hand, tells all. Needless to say, he doesn’t give intimate details of intimate relationships, but as to his spiritual journey, his life is an open book for others to examine. His sins are laid out for all to see so that they might also see the forgiveness he received from My hand. His past is apparent so others might know the dramatic change that came into his life because of My spirit living in him.

The façade many in the church put up today to give the impression that all is well too often causes those facing struggles in life to think something is wrong with their walk with Me. They feel defeated because they look at someone else with a mask on their face and assume they must not have the faith or courage they need. They allow themselves to fall and fail because they get their eyes on people with facades instead of seeing the real hurt that would be there if those around them let their real feelings show.

As Christians, you need to become vulnerable to assist those around you. You need to let others see the struggles you have and the way I am helping you through those trials. Especially when younger Christians see the way in which you handle struggles by leaning on Me, it will encourage them to know they are not unique in their struggles in life. They will know they are on still on the path of righteousness as they work through their burdens in life.

Paul says to open yourself up as children. Take some time and watch young children at play and with their parents. They are never afraid to let their feelings show. You see excitement on their faces. When they fall down, they are not afraid to cry. When they find something new, you see the joy explode in their smiles. Their feelings are evident in their expressions and their actions.

Watch the little children and learn to express yourself with the same freedom they enjoy. Become vulnerable as children to reach out to others and share My love, My freedom, My story to others. Your life will become a mirror of My love to those around you as you do.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Listen to the truth (2 Corinthians 4), Apr 4, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Corinthians 4
Set – Judges 21; 2 Corinthians 4
Go! – Judges 19-21; 2 Corinthians 4

2 Corinthians 4
1 Since we are joined together in this ministry as a result of the mercy shown to all of us by God, we do not become discouraged. 2 Instead, we have renounced all the things that hide in shame; we refuse to live deceptively or use trickery; we do not pollute God’s Word with any other agenda. Instead, we aim to tell the truth plainly, appealing to the conscience of every person under God’s watchful eye. 3 Now if our gospel remains veiled, it is only veiled from those who are lost and dying, 4 because the evil god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers. As a result the light of the good news, the radiant glory of the Anointed—who is the very image of God—cannot shine down on them. 5 We do not preach about ourselves. The subject of all our sermons is Jesus, the Anointed One. He is Lord and Master of all. For Jesus’ sake we are here to serve you. 6 The God who spoke light into existence, saying, “Let light shine from the darkness,” is the very One who sets our hearts ablaze to shed light on the knowledge of God’s glory revealed in the face of Jesus, the Anointed One.

7 But this beautiful treasure is contained in us—cracked pots made of earth and clay—so that the transcendent character of this power will be clearly seen as coming from God and not from us. 8 We are cracked and chipped from our afflictions on all sides, but we are not crushed by them. We are bewildered at times, but we do not give in to despair. 9 We are persecuted, but we have not been abandoned. We have been knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our bodies the reality of the brutal death and suffering of Jesus. As a result, His resurrection life rises and reveals its wondrous power in our bodies as well. 11 For while we live, we are constantly handed over to death on account of Jesus so that His life may be revealed even in our mortal bodies of flesh. 12 So death is constantly at work in us, but life is working in you.

13 We share the same spirit of faith as the one who wrote the psalm, “I believed; therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and that belief leads us to acknowledge 14 that the same God who resurrected the Lord Jesus will raise us with Jesus and will usher us all together into His presence. 15 All of this is happening for your good. As grace is spread to the multitudes, there is a growing sound of thanks being uttered by those relishing in the glory of God.

16 So we have no reason to despair. Despite the fact that our outer humanity is falling apart and decaying, our inner humanity is breathing in new life every day. 17 You see, the short-lived pains of this life are creating for us an eternal glory that does not compare to anything we know here. 18 So we do not set our sights on the things we can see with our eyes. All of that is fleeting; it will eventually fade away. Instead, we focus on the things we cannot see, which live on and on.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I appreciate the words Paul penned in this section of his letter to the church at Corinth. It applied to them, but applies so much more to many of the pulpits today. I hear far too many sermons about today’s politics, crime rates, or even television programs. What I want to hear are sermons about the truth, My word.

Preaching about anything else allows twists and turns of opinion, deceit, and deception that My enemies use to blind people’s eyes to the truth and keep them from Me. My desire is that all would come to a saving knowledge of Me. But as long as the truth remains hidden from them, people will not hear the truth of My salvation. They will hear only the drivel the world spouts from the multitude of voices it shouts at you from everywhere.

What Paul tells his readers is what I want from every church. “Renounce all the things that hide in shame; refuse to live deceptively or use trickery; do not pollute My Word with any other agenda. Instead, aim to tell the truth plainly, appealing to the conscience of every person under My watchful eye.”

I’m tired of shades of truth. I’m tired of things that almost sound like My word. I’m tired of your agenda instead of Mine in worship. I’m tired of the thousands around the world that wear My name playing church without knowing My truth or understanding what it cost Me or what it costs you to follow Me. Engage the word and hear the truth. If you sit under a preacher who bends the truth to suit the politics of the day or the trend of the times, find a new preacher. My word doesn’t change. I’m the same past, present, and future. So is My word.

Hear the truth. Know the truth. Live the truth. My truth.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

What will your new body be? (2 Corinthians 3:7-18), Apr 3, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Set – Psalms 89; 2 Corinthians 3
Go! – Judges 17-18; Psalms 89; 2 Corinthians 3

2 Corinthians 3:7-18
7 Now consider this: if the ministry of death, which was chiseled in stone, came with so much glory that the Israelites could not bear to look at Moses’ face even as that glory was fading, 8 imagine the kind of greater glory that will accompany the ministry of the Spirit. 9 If glory ushered in the ministry that offers condemnation, how much more glory will attend the ministry that promises to restore and set the world right? 10 In fact, what seemed to have great glory will appear entirely inglorious in the light of the greater glory of the new covenant. 11 If something that fades away possesses glory, how much more intense is the glory of what remains?

12 In light of this hope that we have, we act with great confidence and speak with great courage. 13 We do not act like Moses who covered his face with a veil so the children of Israel would not stare as the glory of God faded from his face. 14 Their minds became as hard as stones; for up to this day when they read the old covenant, the same veil continues to hide that glory; this veil is lifted only through the Anointed One. 15 Even today a veil covers their hearts when the words of Moses are read; 16 but in the moment when one turns toward the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 By “the Lord” what I mean is the Spirit, and in any heart where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is liberty. 18 Now all of us, with our faces unveiled, reflect the glory of the Lord as if we are mirrors; and so we are being transformed, metamorphosed, into His same image from one radiance of glory to another, just as the Spirit of the Lord accomplishes it.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Most of you probably haven’t seen a caterpillar turn into a butterfly since you saw a film in grade school. Few have watched the miracle of the metamorphosis in person today. And fewer still could contemplate that I could turn that caterpillar into something as beautiful as the winged creature that breaks out of that cocoon at just the right time to float on the breeze in all its beauty.

Paul tries to describe the change My children experience as they transform into what I want you to become. You will become as different as the caterpillar is from the butterfly. The world will not recognize the old you, but will see the beauty of My spirit in you instead. They will see the changed created by the metamorphosis you undertake if you let Me transform your heart and mind into the person I made you to be.

Then when I come again and take you to be with Me forever, you will transform physically into your spiritual bodies, more radiant and glorious that your human language can describe. There are no words in any human tongue that can begin to explain the heavenly bodies you will inherit when you come to live with Me. People have tried, but it’s impossible for you to do so.

But really, what does it matter. Just know that you will live with Me. I have more in store for you. You will enjoy your new life, your new home, your new body. You won’t care what it looks like. You’ll just enjoy being with Me and your fellow believers in heaven. You’ll enjoy having all your questions answered. You’ll enjoy the fellowship of those that though the centuries put their trust in Me.

And that will be enough. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Be generous in your praise and everything else (1 Corinthians 16:5-18), Mar 31, 2015

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Today’s Podcast


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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Corinthians 16:5-18
Set – Psalms 49; 1 Corinthians 16
Go! – Judges 9-10; Psalms 49; 1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16:5-18
5 Get ready. I will come your way after traveling through Macedonia. For I’m just passing through Macedonia 6 and will probably stay with you through the winter so that you may provide for my next journey (wherever that may be). 7 I want to reconnect with you, not just pass through; if the Lord is willing, I hope to stay awhile. 8 But until Pentecost, I plan to stay in Ephesus 9 because, not only has God opened a significant door here for me to serve, but also there is a lot of opposition against me.

10 If Timothy comes, see that he is comfortable and untroubled; his work is the Lord’s, as is mine. 11 No one should treat him badly. Send him on to meet me in peace because the brothers and sisters here and I are looking for him. 12 You shouldn’t expect to see our brother Apollos, although I tried to persuade him to come to you with the rest of the brothers and sisters, because now is not the best time for him to come. When it’s his time, he will come.

13 Listen, stay alert, stand tall in the faith, be courageous, and be strong. 14 Let love prevail in your life, words, and actions.

15 Finally, brothers and sisters, I call on you to follow your leaders. People like those in the house of Stephanas—you know they were among the first believers in Achaia, and they have devoted their lives to serving God’s people— 16 I urge you to submit to the authority of such leaders, to every coworker, and to those who offer their backs and shoulders for the work. 17 I celebrate the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, as they have supplied me with what you could not. 18 They have been a breath of fresh air for me as I know they are for you, so respect and honor those like them.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Paul does something at the end of this letter as he does in most of his letters that too many people forget to do today. Pay attention to his words. In the very last words he gives gratitude for his co-workers in the faith. Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus are pointed out as men to follow, respect, and honor. He gives glowing remarks to these men who labor with him in building My church in trying times.

In an age in which everyone seems to look out for number one, grabbing all the attention and glory for themselves, it’s important see how My servants do things. They point not to themselves, but to others. They give credit for their success first to Me and then to those around them. They brag on the success and talents of others and put them in the limelight instead of themselves.

Generosity goes a long way in this world and the next. It goes against everything the world teaches, but it is a principle in My book that works every time. A seed that’s planted in the ground and forgotten brings a harvest. Love given away brings love in return. Kindness extended to others reaps kindness multiplied. When good things are hoarded for oneself, you’ll find they decay and disappear in the closets of your life. When they are given for others to share and benefit from them, they return multiplied, just like the seeds planted for harvests.

The world will try to convince you otherwise, but My plan always works. The world’s plan doesn’t. Remember, I created the world and all the rules and principles that make it work. You can try to manipulate those rules all you want, but ultimately, they are still My rules and they will work the way I intend them to work. Just as the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening, My principles are just as steadfast and true. You can’t get past them.

So try doing what Paul does. Give away the credit to others. Share the glory with those around you. Let generosity rule your life and hold on tightly to only the relationships in your life. Let everything else just rest loosely on your outstretched palms and let Me use whatever you have for the good of others. You’ll be surprised at what happens in your life. You’ll be awed by the increase in your joy, your contentment, your comfort, your peace of mind. You will be overwhelmed by the real meaning that comes to your life when you let go of it and live for Me.

Let generosity be the new watchword for your life this week and see what happens.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.