Daily Grace
We Are Redeemed by Jesus
“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 1:7-8a). Redemption was a concept established in the Old Testament. When someone lost his inheritance a relative with...
Healthy Living
“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11). In the midst of these admonitions Paul reminded us to “strive for full...
Restoration
“We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored” (2 Corinthians 13:9). Paul embodied unselfishness. To Paul, the goal was always the strength and spiritual health of others. We live in a broken world and among...
Motivation for Ministry
“So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?” (2 Corinthians 12:15). There are many times when people don’t notice or reward the good we do for them. That was the case for Paul. If we are...
God’s Grace is Enough
“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,...
Boasting
“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Corinthians 11:30). It is a human tendency for us to boast in our strengths. Pride leads us to focus on the things at which we excel. It’s natural for us to promote our abilities. It’s easy to...
The Real Jesus
“For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough” (2 Corinthians 11:4). Charlie...
We Are Called to Build Others Up
“So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it” (2 Corinthians 10:8). If you’ve been in church very long you have probably met those who think Christianity gives us...
God Comforts the Downcast
“But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:6). What an amazing description of God! He comforts the downcast. Paul explained that he had good reasons for being downcast. “Harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside,...