Author: Beth Duncan

2 Corinthians 4:12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 

Precious Savior, You go before us today. You know all that we will encounter. You can use all things for our good and Your glory if we will allow. Thank You for Your presence and Your willingness to use all things to draw us closer to You.

2 Corinthians 4:13a It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” 

Lord, Everything starts with our faith in You. Help us to root ourselves firmly in You–Your word, Your will, Your love and mercy. You tell us that with faith the size of a mustard seed we can move mountains in Your name. Help us to believe and to live that faith.

2 Corinthians 4:13b …Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 

Holy Father, Thank You for the Risen Lord, for a faith that is not severed by death, for the power of prayer and the power of belief. Thank You that You are with us always. Be with us today, Lord, no matter what we face. Amen.

2 Corinthians 4:14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.  

Have a blessed day.

2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 

Today’s scripture reminds me that life is not always easy. There are seasons where we are hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. But I have heard it said and I believe that, “The worst thing is never the last thing.” Death doesn’t win. Hate doesn’t win. Despair doesn’t win.

2 Corinthians 4:9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 

God wins. Christ wins. Love wins. We see it on the cross, in the empty tomb, in the risen Savior. So whatever you are going through right now, hold on–to God, to Jesus, to love, mercy, and grace, to hope. The worst thing is never the last thing. Jesus promised, and He always keeps His promises.

2 Corinthians 4:10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 

Precious Savior, I know that there are a lot of hurting hearts in this world. There are a lot of folks struggling, feeling hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down. Help them to hold on to You, to hope, to love and grace and mercy. Please, Jesus. Amen.

2 Corinthians 4:11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 

Have a blessed day.

2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.    

“Let light shine out of darkness,” verse 6 tells us this morning. That’s a tall order sometimes. But have you ever noticed just how much light a tiny little light can shed? The barest illumination can shine as a beacon in total darkness. So our light can shine His glory. The darker it is, the easier it will be to see, but even in the light, it’s there.

2 Corinthians 4:5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

And while we have the power to shine His light, we must remember that “we have this treasure in jars of clay.” The light is His, not ours. We just shine it back to Him. It is His “all-surpassing power” that is shining through. We are simply earthen vessels, doing our best to shine for Him, in Him, and with Him.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your light, which shines in us. Thank You for the power to shine that light wherever we are. Thank You that in the darkness, our little light shines even brighter. Help us to face this day with you, to shine for You, to give each other hope in You. Always. Amen.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Have a blessed day.

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.   

Especially this time of year, I have a difficult time with not losing heart. Spring is tough for me for a number of reasons: The school year is drawing to a close. We’re all exhausted, but we’re not quite finished with it. The slog from winter to spring can be hard. It’s not really warm, but it’s not cold either. There’s lots of rain and mud. Allergies are in full swing and immune systems are weak. For so very many reasons, Spring can be tough.

2 Corinthians 4:2a Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God….

However, I do still have a ministry, and it is through God’s mercy that I do, so I have an obligation not to lose heart. My ministry is a pretty small one, but that’s ok. A friend of mine recently called me “an awesome supporter of people.” I can’t think of a better description of what I try to do with my little ministry–support people, encourage people, uplift people–because I know life can be hard and losing hope can be so easy. You have a ministry, too, whether you realize it or not.

2 Corinthians 4:2b …On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the ministry that You have given each one of us. Thank You for the ways–little and big–that You call us to minister in Your name and to each other. Help us not to lose heart as we praise Your name. Help us to cling to Your mercy. Always. Amen.

2 Corinthians 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

Have a blessed day.