Category: 2 Corinthians

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.

2 Corinthians 12:7b …Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 

Two lines from yesterday’s reflection bother me. One is in verse 7, “I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” The other was my own, “I’m pretty sure that’s why God places thorns in my life.” I don’t like the idea that God causes my pain, that He inflicts me with trials.

2 Corinthians 12:8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

I am a sinner saved by Grace. Jesus paid the price for my sins. He is with me always. Even when I can’t stand under the weight, He is the reason I can still breathe, because He is with me even in the chaos. I think what’s important is not the trials or where they come from but my Savior and His steadfast presence and love always.

2 Corinthians 12:9a But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” …

Lord, Thank You for the ability to struggle with Your word, to reconcile my struggles with Your fierce, unending love. Thank You that  I don’t have to have all the answers nor understand perfectly in order to use Your word as a light for my path. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient for me and that Your power is perfected in my weakness. Thank You. Amen.

2 Corinthians 12:9b …Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Have a blessed day.

2 Corinthians 12:7b …Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  

I do not like to suffer. I’m not a fan of being inconvenienced. I’m pretty sure my strong Type A personality–a plan and back up plan for every possibility–developed from my desire to not be put out if at all possible. I’m pretty sure that’s why God places thorns in my life.

2 Corinthians 12:8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 

I am wildly independent. I like to be self-sufficient. It’s ok if you need me, but I should not need you. (It feels shocking to say, but think about it. We all love to help others, but we don’t want to be the ones being helped.) God created me and knew that if I had no thorns, I’d come to rely solely on myself instead of centering myself on Him each day.

2 Corinthians 12:9a But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” … 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the way that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank You for understanding my fiercely independent streak. Thank You for hardwiring me to know that I need you, desperately, in my life. I don’t like weakness, but I am so thankful that I know that I can’t take on the world without You. Your grace is sufficient for me. Your power is perfected in my weakness. Thank You. Amen.

2 Corinthians 12:9b …Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Have a blessed day.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you…?

Christ Jesus is in us. Let that sink in for a minute. Christ Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, is IN us. He is infused throughout our beings. He is the breath in our lungs and the blood in our veins. To know that Christ is in me makes me feel incredibly powerful. I’m not helpless. Christ is in me.

2 Corinthians 13:11a Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace….

But, as we know from the super heroes, with power comes great responsibility. I can’t lock Christ away in a dark corner of my heart until it’s convenient and useful for me to let Him out. If Christ is in me—and He is!—then I need to be sure that He is infused in every thought, word, and action, in every breath and every deed.

2 Corinthians 13:11b …And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Lord, Thank You that You are not a dusty, powerless deity on a shelf, that You are the lord of my life, that You are in me. Help me to infuse You into all that I am so that my life can be an homage to You and Your love. Amen.

2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Have a blessed day.