So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. v18

As a follow up to my post yesterday, today my scripture is how Paul encourages us to focus not on the day-to-day struggles and concerns we may have but on where our citizenship ultimately lies - in Heaven. 

See also posts on

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. v8-9

Paul describes how we have this light (v4, 6) and how we have this treasure in jars of clay (v7).  Of course referring to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, Paul wants us to understand how we have an earthly live and body that while it will be subject to difficulties we should not lose hope because ultimately we will gain victory over the sting of sin and death. Hallelujah!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who gives me victory over the sting of sin and death!  Thank You Jesus - You are the greatest gift of all time.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  I am meek and I should be more bold with my faith.  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. 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. v17-18

Two great promises here, one that we have freedom in Christ, and the other that we (with unveiled faces) are being transformed into His image.  This latter point is decently described in a short video lesson by John Piper and this sanctification is further defined here as "progressively becoming like Jesus."  We all want to become more like Jesus - there are areas where we are all weak and sinful that need to be stronger and purified.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has given me great freedom and strengthened me to battle sin - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving of how You bless me.  I continue in my sin and I am weak.  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.

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

2 Corinthians 3

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. v4-5

Arrogance is dangerous and it often leads people to deny God or knowingly commit sin with the belief that no consequence will be too great - dangerous indeed! Fear of God should drive us into His arms and towards obedience.  On the other hand, humility is rightly knowing that we all need a Savior and it is He who works in us in all things. Yes, we should have confidence - but it should rest in God alone.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me life and all things - abundantly - thank You Jesus.  Is am not deserving of the many blessings You pour out for me.  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. 

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.

2 Corinthians 1

 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. v20

I have previously posted on God's faithfulness with regards to His promises and here in Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth we have yet another example of scripture demonstrating such faithfulness.  I also like Luke 1:37:

 For no word from God will ever fail.

John Piper has a great short post on God's faithfulness as well.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are faithful indeed - every promise You make - You keep and You have never let me down and always provided for me and been there for me - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful.  Yet I also know that I am undeserving of such faithfulness - 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.

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. v7

Paul writes a second letter to the church in Corinth, and this time he is more encouraging.  He starts by describing to us how our sufferings and resulting comfort from God serves to provide comfort to others as we learn to gain comfort from God and minister to others who share the same challenges.   We've all had challenges and it is comforting that we can be a comfort to others particularly when we question why we are experiencing our challenges.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has comforted me in my challenges and used my challenges to serve others - I am grateful for all that You are and do for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I worry, and I am selfish among my many 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.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. v56-57

John Piper writes that Christ's resurrection is foundational for our faith.  Using Romans 10:9, he writes: ..."believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead is much more than accepting a fact. It means being confident that God is for you, that he has closed ranks with you, that he is transforming your life, and that he will save you for eternal joy.  Believing in the resurrection means trusting in all the promises of life and hope and righteousness for which it stands.  It means being so confident of God’s power and love that no fear of worldly loss or greed for worldly gain will lure us to disobey his will".

With Christ and His forgiveness, the Holy Spirit and eternal life, we have freedom and victory over the sting of sin and death

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a an awesome God who loves me and who has given me freedom and victory over the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am blessed beyond what words can describe.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings. I worry, and fail to be as encouraging as You desire 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.