And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. v18

Paul wants us to avoid falling prey to "the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (v12).  He encourages us to put on the "full armor of God", including God's Word and the Holy Spirit.  We must also be on alert and "keep praying for all of the Lord's people".  

Peter also warns us about evil influences and like Paul urges us to "stand firm":

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and protects me - You are my shelter, refuge, and rock.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love and protection.   I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.

Ephesians 5

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. v28

I am challenged to treasure my wife Lisa as Paul encourages us to in this letter to the church in Ephesus. I am too often selfish or lazy.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me with a wife and family that loves me and supports me and brings me many other blessings - too numerous to even mention!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I sin...and am often lazy or selfish to love others as Jesus loves me.  Forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Ephesians 5

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. v15-17

Paul continues to provide the Ephesians practical advice on Christian living, including: encouragement to avoid sexual impurity, greed, etc.  Before he pivots to the topic of Christian households (v21-33, 6:1-14), he speaks to all believers, urging them to "make the most of every opportunity", and to understand the Lord's will.  

We all seek to understand the Lord's will and Paul writes about this as well in Romans 12 where he writes:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2.

See also other posts related to God's will for our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has helped me surrender more of my life to You so that I become less and God becomes greater in my life.  I am deeply grateful for how You have grown in my heart and life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. v31-32

Paul wants the Ephesians to be a light to others encouraging them to work (so "they have something to share with those in need" v28) and to speak in encouraging ways (to "benefit those who listen" v29).  Underlying Paul's words is a hope that believers love and glorify God and love others ("created to be like God" v24, avoid grieving the Holy Spirit v30, and to forgive as Christ God forgave us v32).

As Paul continues in Ephesians to give us practical advice and instruction on Christian living - it starts with loving God and then loving others - the most important commandment and the 2nd most important commandment.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me in ways that I cannot even fathom - I just know that You love me and You will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 4

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. v16

As Paul pivots from discussing our identity in Christ, he encourages us to be both united and mature in our faith.  In chapter 4, he starts by encouraging us to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (v4).  He then writes how Christ gave us "the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people" for us to have unity and to become mature (v11-13).  The call for maturity is then echoed again in v14 (that we no longer be infants in our faith), v15 (we grow and mature), and v16 (how growth and maturity supports a healthy vibrant church). 

We find this call for growth and maturity elsewhere in scripture.

I am reminded of John Piper's statement that we should not "ever think that growing through the word of God is optional or marginal in the Christian life. Spiritual growth is absolutely necessary for every believer."

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God - You have fed me every day of my life and helped me grow in my faith - I am deeply grateful for the work You have done in my heart and life.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my faith towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. v16-19

Until we meet Jesus face-to-face in Heaven, we won't know the fullness of God, but Paul desires for us to experience the love of God that he experienced.  John Piper describes this love here.  Paul wants us to know that God's love for us is so wide, long, high and deep that it surpasses knowledge! It is so great that our human minds cannot comprehend its dimensions.  We must ponder on this and allow this to deposit in our hearts so that we can access this love as part of a deepening relationship with Christ that serves to transform our hearts and lives.  It is love that is undeniable. It must drive us to Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God whose love for me is beyond my comprehension - I know You love me.  It is clear.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love - I know this as well.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ[.]

Ephesians 3

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ[.] v8

In the latter part of Ephesians 2 Paul writes to the Ephesians how the Jews and Gentiles are reconciled through Christ and Paul continues on this theme in chapter 3.   Just as Peter brought the Good News of Jesus to the Jews, Paul does so to the Gentiles.  Striking in Paul's letter here in chapter 3 is his humility.  Paul is a church leader and he is well versed in scripture yet he remains strikingly humble.  Yet we also see a boldness and confidence - in Christ.

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. v12

Paul is persecuted, beaten, and imprisoned for his missionary work, yet he continues to proceed with delivering the Good News because he knows Truth and that nothing can stop God's plan, which includes using Paul to deliver the Good News.

God takes the ordinary and the humble and He makes greatness.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has grow my confidence - in You...thank You Jesus!  I am grateful for this and also for helping me become less reliant on myself and the world.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I often let things get in the way of my relationship with You Jesus...please forgive me!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2

Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. v3-5

Romans 3:23 and other scripture indicate how "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".  Romans 6:23 tells us that the "wages of sin are death".  As such, Paul reminds us that we are deserving of wrath - .  Jesus is that Savior - core to our identity in Christ.

Paul also shares with us how both Jews and Gentiles - all humanity - are now "brought near by the blood of Christ".

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. v13-16

As well we see the "setting aside...the law with its commands and regulations".

John Piper provides this overview of how Jesus came to fulfill the law.  Piper writes:

"When Jesus Christ came into the world, he was the fulfillment of the entire Old Testament. The Old Testament had looked forward and pointed to the coming Messiah who would bring his kingdom — his new kingly rule. And when he did, they knew things would change. There was a new covenant promise where God’s law would be written on the heart. The old covenant would pass away."

And now we have an identity in Christ based on the new covenant through Jesus Christ.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has died for me and brought me near to You by grace - thank You Jesus!  I am very clear that I am undeserving.  I sin...daily and need a Savior.  Please forgive me and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Ephesians 1

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. v18-21

Building on my post yesterday, this morning Paul reminds us of our identity in Christ, including:
- our hope 
- our inheritance as children of God
- the power in and for our lives and for the the lives of others through us

See also previous posts via tags: .

One of the implications I see is that God desires us to seek big things in our lives (and in our families) so that others can see the power of God in and through us so that others are drawn to Him.  We have an identity, we are Christ's ambassadors, and as His ambassadors we are to represent Him and His kingdom appropriately.  Implications for fathers are great here.  Check out this great podcast on this topic of "Casting a Vision for Your Family".  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done great things in me, for me, and through me - I am SO blessed by Your Spirit in my heart and life - thank You Jesus!  I am of course undeserving as my sin is great...and daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.

Ephesians 1

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. v7-8

Both OverviewBible.com and MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) indicate Ephesians as a letter written to remind the young church of Ephesus of their identity in Christ and to prescribe how to manifest this identity in their lives - practical advice.  We all need to be reminded of how lavishly God has blessed us - and undeservedly so. 

We are holy and blameless in His sight (v4).
We are adopted by Him and been freely given grace (v5-6).
We have redemption and forgiveness of sins in His blood (v7).
He shares wisdom with us (v8-9).

Of course there are so many more ways God blesses us but Paul's words are more than sufficient to give us the humility we need to appreciate who God is and what He has done for us.  It should encourage us to continue to come back to Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has lavishly bestowed an unimaginable amount of blessings on me - thank You Jesus - I am overwhelmed by Your love.  Even more so because I know I am undeserving.  I sin daily - not being who You desire for me, I fall down in my sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. v9-10

As Paul winds down his letter to the church in Galatia he includes encouragement to endure in our journey to love others, particularly other believers. As part of our love of others, Paul wants us to to hold others accountable (v1 - gently), and to carry each others' burdens (v2).  We must also continue to do good - and not become weary.  This is the essence of faith - to believe in something we know is less visible to "earthly" eyes.  We may grow weary or impatient not "seeing" a desired impact but then again this is the point - is that we have faith and focus on eternal rewards vs earthly rewards.

Hebrews 11 is a great reminder of faith with the author reminding of us those in the the Old Testament that lived by faith, including Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, etc.  

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible....All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.  Hebrews 11:1-3, 13-16

See also


My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and life by giving me the Holy Spirit, Your Word, freedom from the sting of sin and death, and so much more - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin daily - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Galatians 5

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. v13

Paul warns the Galatians to avoid using freedom in Christ as justification to continue in sin.  Yes, we are no longer slave to sin and we do have freedom from the sting of sin and death, but we should use this not as freedom to sin but to serve.

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

 

We are warned once again by Paul in v26 to not be conceited as such arrogance leads to sin in spite of our freedom (sin of commission).

 

Sandwiched between of course in 5:22-23 are Paul's fruits of the Spirit verses: "[b]ut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law". 

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has saved me from the sting of sin and death; You sustain me, encourage me, protect me, heal me, etc. and so much more - thank You Jesus for the many blessings You pour out for me.  I am not deserving - I am often full of conceit - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.

Galatians 5

A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. v9

Paul continues to warn the Galatians of false teaching and idols.  Just as Jesus uses parables, Paul uses the leavening power of yeast as an analogy to warn us of the negative influence of allowing even the slightest of false teaching and idols into our lives. The MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) indicates scripture's use of this analogy elsewhere including Matthew 16:6, 12,  Mark 8:15, and 1 Corinthians 5:6.

While we are "in" this world we must remind ourselves that we are not to be "of" this world and not to "conform" to the patterns of this world (see also Romans 12:2). We must remain connected with those who strengthen our ties to Christ as the One and Only True God and Gospel.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I am so grateful for the protection You provide through Your Word, the Holy Spirit, the church, and my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Thank You Jesus for helping me build a strong foundation - On You!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving of the many blessings You pour out for me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all.

Galatians 1

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. v6-7

There is but one true God - Jesus Christ - one gospel, and a new covenant that forms and is the basis of our relationship with God.  Yet as Paul was growing the church he encountered those who sought to force new believers to follow all the ways of the Mosaic law as the path to Christ.  Yet Paul seeks to forcefully remind the new believers in Galatia that it is justification by faith (not works) that provides our path to Jesus and salvation.  See also resources from overviewbible.com and MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) that provide a primer on the purpose of this letter by Paul to the new church in Galatia.

This is also a good reminder for believers to study the Bible and seek both a head and a heart of understanding and there are times when we need to challenge each other to ensure a more full understanding of God's message.  I am grateful for those who help deepen my understanding of God's word.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and has grown in my heart and life and provided Your word as a means to do this, and as well provided others in my life to help deepen my understanding of God's word.  Thank You Jesus - I am grateful for such blessings.  Yet I am not deserving.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.

2 Corinthians 12

After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. v14-15

As Paul wraps his second letter to the church in Corinth, he prepares them for his third visit to them and he tells them that he looks forward to this visit.  He speaks to them in a fatherly tone as he established the church there and seeks to nurture and care for the church just as a father cares for his children.  Paul's words provide a great example for how we are to parent - see also John Piper on this subject.  

I often feel as if I did not have the role models to parent as God intends for us and I am thankful for the various resources to help on this subject, including a life changing 3-year study "Men's Fraternity".  Yet I am reminded by this post that - most importantly - it is is not books or podcasts, etc. (these DO help) that we need to be effective parents, it is Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and life to not only make me more like You, but also a better father, husband and man. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for the countless blessings You pour out on me.  My sins are great and they are daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

2 Corinthians 11

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. v30

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 (and he continues in chapter 12), Paul writes of his sufferings on behalf of his ministry for Christ.  He does so because according to John Piper, "suffering is essential" for believers as this is the only "path to glorification [of God]" and if you are to minister to others. 

Paul crystallizes the essential nature of suffering:

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Our weakness bring us to God, on whom we depend for all things, and it is through our dependence on God where we draw strength - strength that is divine.

See also this post "Five Truths About Christian Suffering".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is with me - every day and every moment - thank You Jesus for being with me during both the good times and especially during those times when I am weak.  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin weighs heavily and it is great - please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 11

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. v14-15

On the heels of Paul's reminder that we are fighting with God on our side and that the weapons we fight are not just different than those of the world but the same power that raised Jesus from the grave, we must remember WHO we are fighting and there IS a battle.  There is sin, temptation, idols, and false teachers - we must remember.

Paul reminds us how Satan works - he "masquerades as a servant of righteousness" and Piper writes that " [i]n his sovereignty, God considered it wise, as part of his curse on the world after the fall of Adam and Eve, to give Satan a huge power in this world."

For more, John Piper penned this article that provides background on the "Fall of Satan and the Victory of Christ".

Satan may be real but we have God on our side:

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:9-15

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who - while You have allowed Satan to have some power - has dominion and authority over all and who defeats Satan and sin for all believers - thank You Jesus for giving me freedom over sin, eternal life - and abundant life!  I am grateful!  Yet I am undeserving I know.  My sin is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. v4-5

Drawing contrast to unbelievers who wage war with earthly weapons that cannot match God's might, Paul emphasizes how the Holy Spirit, prayer, and scripture provide divine power to "demolish strongholds".  All of us fight strongholds of sin in our lives and we have the same power that raised Jesus from the grave.  It is for us to be transformed by the renewing of the mind to "take captive every thought" for Christ.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who provides us with power to demolish strongholds of sin - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I am selfish and I struggle with sin daily - please forgive me Jesus for falling short and help me turn from and overcome sin - help me turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.

2 Corinthians 9

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. v11

Paul continues (see also post from 2 days ago) to encourage us to be generous, with the frequently cited verse 7 which focuses on our desire to be a "cheerful giver".  He also reminds us that as a result of our cheerful giving "in all things at all times" God will bless us abundantly and provide for our needs so that we will "abound in every good work" (v9). 

Bottom line: we are blessed abundantly so that we can bless others abundantly and God is glorified.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves us and who blesses us abundantly - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings - my sin is great and often overwhelming.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

2 Corinthians 8

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” v13-15

Paul's message on giving and generosity (which continues into chapter 9), starts with an acknowledgement of the Macedonian church of their rich generosity that "welled up" from their "extreme poverty" (v2).  Paul seeks for the church in Corinth (and all of us) to give generously as a cheerful giver.  In v15, he references Exodus 16, where in the desert, Moses instructs the Israelites to gather only enough manna to last a day, to depend on the Lord for their sustenance, and to ensure others' basis needs are met. 

We must also recognize that all that we everything we have in our possession comes from the Lord, it belongs to Him, and that we are to be good stewards of what He provides for us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who provides for ALL of my needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the many blessings You pour out for me.  I neglect my relationship with You and I have many other sins - daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

2 Corinthians 7

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. v10

Paul writes the church in Corinth expressing some level of regret over a previous letter - a "severe" letter where Paul points out their sin - addressed to them (see also 2 Corinthians Background and Setting - MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase)). While he might have had some level of regret, he is more concerned over the Corinthians spiritual state and he was glad to hear of their repentance (v9).

Paul then makes a distinction between Godly and worldly sorry - writing that "earnestness, eagerness to clear yourselves, indignation, alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done"(v11).  It is an utter distaste of sin - as God hates sin so should we and this should drive us to pursue holiness.

John Piper helps us further understand this distinction.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who seeks to mold me to be more like You - thank You Jesus for Your patience and compassion for me...and Your concern for me.  I am not deserving of such love.  I am selfish and often neglectful of my relationship with You Lord.  Please forgive me!  Help me turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.

2 Corinthians 6

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. v14

In writing the church in Corinth (v1-10, 14-18) and to Corinthians in general (v11-13), Paul seeks to encourage believers and non-believers regarding his earnest desire to save everyone.  He pleads with Corinthians to be honest in their assessment of both him and their own sin. He then speaks directly with believers in Corinth and warns them not to be "joined, linked or united" with unbelievers (v14).

We can associate with unbelievers (as friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.) - for how else can we reach them - yet we cannot be "yoked" with them in the sense that we build up a relationship with them to the point where we allow them to negatively impact our attitudes and behaviors regarding God and our relationship with Him.

See other posts on influence of others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have provided many Godly influences in my life and blessed me with others that build me up and bring me closer to God.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I am selfish and I have other sins...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. v20-21

Paul continues to encourage us to focus on the eternal and on rewards in Heaven for those who believe (v1-10), and then he describes how Jesus provides the ministry of reconciliation (v11-20).  We then get to v20-21 where Paul crystallizes for us how we exist solely for God that we can bring glory to Him and in so doing, bring others to Him.

I am SO grateful that God provided His one and only Son so that I be united with God, have forgiveness of sin and eternity in Heaven!  Thank You Jesus!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gave me His Son so that I could be reconciled to God, have forgiveness of sin, the Holy Spirit, and eternity in Heaven.  Thakn You Jesus!  What amazing gifts!  I am clearly not deserving - I am selfish and I have many other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.