A Work in Progress….

2 Corinthians 3:3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

My seniors just finished reading Orwell’s Animal Farm. Today’s scripture brings to mind Boxer’s oft misguided motto, “I will work harder.” I’m definitely not where I want to be on my Christian walk, though I’m not where I was. And I keep trying, keep striving to draw closer to God, but all of that centers on *my* strength, not God’s. I’m not where I want to be, so I will work harder.

2 Corinthians 3:4-5 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.

And here’s the thing I struggle with: I am who I am in Christ, not because of *me* but because of *Him.* I am deeply, fiercely loved, I am a treasure, I am worthy and forgiven and redeemed, simply because I am His. How is that possible? Where is my hard work and effort in that? No where. My worth in Christ doesn’t depend on me at all. Why is that so hard for me to grasp?

2 Corinthians 3:10-11 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

Lord, Forgive me that I have such a hard time understanding that You love me simply because I am Yours, not because of anything I have done or could ever do. Help me sit with this truth, breathe in this truth, fully believe the depth of this truth. And help me, because of the audacious hope found in this truth, to be very bold in You, through You, and for You. Amen.

2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

Have a blessed day.

2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

The smell of coffee, to me, is rich and inviting. The smell of burnt coffee is often used to replicate the smell of skunk. The smell of freshly popped popcorn is tantalizing and mouthwatering. The smell of burnt popcorn is offensive and permeates a room, soaking into fabrics, lingering.

2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Aromas are powerful, polarizing, and lasting. They waft and abide, becoming a part of the atmosphere. Negative smells have the power to gag and sicken those whose senses are assaulted. Positive smells have the power to soothe, calm, and comfort.

2 Corinthians 2:16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?

Lord, The metaphor of our faith, words, and actions being an aroma of You is rich and dynamic. My thoughts, actions, and words are powerful indicators of my faith. Let their scent be uplifting and encouraging to all who encounter it. Amen.

2 Corinthians 2:17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

Have a blessed day.

2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort….

The phrase “blessed to be a blessing” comes to mind because this verse is essentially saying that we are comforted so that we can comfort others (in other words, we are comforted to be a comfort). That’s the heart of Paul’s message in verses 3-4.

2 Corinthians 1:4 …who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Verses 9-10 deal with the fact that God brings us to the end of ourselves so that we will realize we can’t do this life without Him. We can’t. And the fact that God is always there when we get to the end of ourselves and our strength gives us hope that He will continue to deliver us. He will not leave us nor forsake us.

2 Corinthians 1:9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Lord, Thank You for loving me enough to bring me to the end of myself, to show me that I cannot do this life without You. Thank You for always being there, for the hope that can only be found in You. Draw me closer. Amen.

2 Corinthians 1:10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us….

Have a blessed day. I love you.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

I’ve been reminded recently that 1 Corinthians is a letter to the church in Corinth, and by reading it, we are in essence reading Paul’s mail. With that thought, I can definitely see this content as parting reminders from Paul to the church at Corinth.

1 Corinthians 16:14 Do everything in love.

What I find more surprising is just how applicable Paul’s advice to the Corinthians is for us today. Stand firm in the faith, be courageous and strong, do everything, everything in love? These are good reminders for all of us as we travel through this life.

1 Corinthians 16:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

Lord, Thank You for these words of Paul and for the understanding that even though we are so different from this ancient Corinthian people, there is much that hasn’t changed. Help us to stand firm in the faith, be courageous and strong, and do everything—yes, everything—in love. Be with us every step of the way, Lord. Help us to shine Your light. Amen.

1 Corinthians 16:24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Have a blessed day.

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

I would encourage you to pause here and go read this chapter for yourself. Paul lays out several logical, convincing arguments in this chapter. I can add nothing there, so I want to talk about the overall tone of hope in this chapter, and not just any hope, but hope in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Because of God’s grace, we are who we are. Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, we have hope for eternity, including victory over the grave. As long as we are working for the Lord, we do not labor in vain. Thank You, Jesus!

1 Corinthians 15:56-57 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.

Lord, Through You, in You, because of You, I have so many blessings in this life—grace, hope, love, purpose. Thank You. Help me, daily, to put those gifts to work, glorifying You and comforting Your people. Amen.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Have a blessed day.

1 Corinthians 14:3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

Today’s scripture seems to speak of the difference between personal devotional time and corporate worship. In our personal devotional time, it is right and good that our focus is on strengthening our personal connection with God; however, when the church body worships together, the focus should be, according to this chapter, on the edification of others.

1 Corinthians 14:4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

This distinction gives me pause as I’ve always viewed the goal of both personal and corporate worship to be the strengthening of *my* faith. Spurgeon, as quoted in commentary, calls this attitude “spiritual self indulgence,” “a monstrous evil.” Spurgeon’s take, to me, seems a step too far, but the thought that Sunday worship should accomplish more than just individual edification makes sense.

1 Corinthians 14:12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

Lord, Thank You for this scripture and for the ideas that today’s reading and studying have introduced. Help me, through this time, to draw closer to You and stronger in my faith. Help me, always, to glorify You and comfort Your people. Amen.

1 Corinthians 14:17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

Have a blessed day.

1 Corinthians 12:1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.

These verses present some specific gifts of the Spirit, but I think there are many more: compassion, encouragement, wisdom, love. It’s really neat to look around at the people in my life and to think of the specific ways God has gifted them.

1 Corinthians 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

My sisters both have the gift of love and hospitality. My husband has the gift of assistance—anyone, anywhere, any way he can. I am an encourager. One of my children has the gift of empathy and the other has the gift of focus and follow-through. All these gifts can and should be used for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 12:5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

Lord, Thank You for the wonderful people You have placed in my life and the gifts You have given us. Help us, always, to use those gifts to comfort Your people and to bring You glory. Amen.

1 Corinthians 12:6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Have a blessed day. I love you.

1 Corinthians 11:11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.

While the biblical commentary I read every day does a good job of providing me with historical context, I often disagree with the finer points of theology as presented by said commentary. I think, as a Christian, that it is important to constantly examine God’s word, cultural commentary, and my own personal beliefs to try to discern God’s truth.

1 Corinthians 11:12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

Goodness knows that you can find commentary to support just about any view imaginable, so it’s important, to me at least, to continually examine His word and seek His truth, not man’s truth. I’m absolutely certain I don’t always get it right, but I think that pursuit of Him is crucial.

1 Corinthians 11:27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

Lord, Thank You for Your word, which is active and alive. Thank You for the abundance of commentary to help me navigate Your word. Thank You for a desire to read and think and discover as I draw closer to You. Be my center. Guide me always. Amen.

1 Corinthians 11:28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.

Have a blessed day.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

As a runner and one who occasionally indulges in races, I take exception to Paul’s argument here. While it is true that only one person can cross the finish line first, that’s never my goal. I know I’m not that fast. My goal is always to try to PR, set a personal record, do my personal best. For me, it can’t be about beating out the competition.

1 Corinthians 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.

And so it is with my relationship with Christ and His people. My goal is always a PR, a personal best, to try to show by my words and actions the gracious presence of my amazing Savior in my life, to try to infuse my life, real life with His compassion and hope.

1 Corinthians 9:25b …They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Lord, For some, the competitor analogy is fitting, but You didn’t create me as a competitor. You created me as an encourager, cheering people on, always trying to be better than I was yesterday. Thank You for the gift of encouragement. Help me use it to shine Your light. Amen.

1 Corinthians 9:26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

Have a blessed day.