2 Corinthians – Page 11

“Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

September 11, 2012

We are always tempted to lean on our own strength, thinking, bank account… But stripped of these, we learn to depend on Christ. Some of us are slow learners and need continual reminders. God is teaching us to rely on Him. Are you learning where to lean?

“For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)

September 7, 2012

Practice the art of flow: One hand open to God to receive blessing and the other hand open to others to give. If we close either hand, we dam-up the flow of blessing. God wants you to be a channel of His blessing.

“Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7)

September 5, 2012

Paul told the church at Corinth that they excelled in every area of ministry except in giving. He encouraged them to excellence there too. Giving is a habit that needs to be practiced. Like any other ministry, we grow in it as we do it. It is a sorely needed art in this culture of consumerism. It acts as a antidote to greed. Do you excel in the act of giving? Are you a great-giver?

“Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart” (2 Corinthians 5:12)

September 1, 2012

My prayer as WCC’s pastor is not that our members would brag about our preaching, our band, or our building, but that they would boast of how the Lord is moving in our midst and changing hearts. We want to make Jesus famous, not ourselves.

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

August 30, 2012

This “light” is the glory of the abiding Christ in us. As we walk by faith through this world our bodies become increasingly fragile, yet the glory revealed in us increases. We learn to preach Christ, and not ourselves. We learn to lean on Christ, not our own strength.

“Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

August 28, 2012

This is a profound question: Do we “spread the the knowledge of Christ everywhere?” And the second: Are we like a “sweet perfume” as we do so? Do all of our relationships know of Christ because of us? Do we present Him in attractive ways? Does the fragrance of God’s love permeate where we pass? Are you yet so captivated by Christ that you live to tell everyone of Him in the most beautiful ways possible?

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:4)

August 26, 2012

God gives us an excess of comfort in the places where we have suffered. Once we are comforted, we are able to comfort others who have suffered in the same way. Have you been healed of a deadly disease? Delivered from an addiction? Found peace after losing a loved one? Your greatest hurt may now be your greatest gift to others. Let God’s comfort overflow to those who hurt where you once did.

“We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

August 30, 2011

Often the more broken we are, the more His Spirit leaks out to others. In our strength we get the credit, but in our weakness, God does. Stop trying to be in control of everything. Admit your weakness and experience God’s power.

The Habit of Gracious Giving

March 15, 2009 | 2 Corinthians 8-9 | giving, spiritual disciplines