193rd Week, II Corinthians Chapters 5-9 (Click on the title for a Video Intro)

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Click on the Title for a Video Introduction


Monday, II Corinthians Chapter 5
2 Corinthians 5 
Verse 14-15
Heather Williams

Verses 14-15:  "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 

THOUGHT
I love the thought of Christ's love compelling us. I would like to say that I am constantly compelled by Christ's love, but unfortunately that's not the case. Christ's love should be controlling our lives. Christ died for all of us. As a result, we should not be living for ourselves but for Christ. We should be sharing the love of Christ with everyone we meet through our actions, our words, and our lives. As is described in verse 20, we are to be ambassadors for Christ. That's the least we should be doing for all He has done for us, and it should be compelled by His love. 

PRAYER 
Dear Jesus, thank You so much for dying for each one of us. We are forever grateful for Your Love. Lord, I pray that Your Love would compel us to love others as You love us. AMEN


 Tuesday, II Corinthians Chapter 6
2 Corinthians 6 
Verse 3
Heather Williams

Verse 3:  "We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited." 

THOUGHT 
In everything we do we should be careful not to cause a stumbling block for anyone. As ambassadors for Christ, it is imperative that we have credibility in our ministry. That credibility is compromised when our actions go against the message we are sharing. I've been thinking about this and challenged by this a lot lately as I've moved to a new job, new city, and new friends who don't know me. Back in Minnesota my friends and co-workers knew me and my values/morals; however, now I'm starting from scratch again. Therefore, I need to make sure that my light is shining for Christ, and that my actions reflect Christ. I would never want to be an excuse for someone to reject Christ. 

PRAYER
Lord, I am so thankful that I know You and that You are an important part of my life — in fact the whole purpose of my life. Lord, I pray that each of us can be a witness to the world. Thank You for the people that You put in our lives and the opportunities to show Your Love. Help us to be strong even when faced with bad days or frustrations. Let us be reminded of all the eyes on our actions. AMEN 


Wednesday, II Corinthians Chapter 7
2 Corinthians 7 
Verses 10-11
Heather Williams

Verses 10-11:  "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you, what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter."

THOUGHT
When reading these verses I couldn't help but think of confession and absolution. We all are sinful, and we know that the wages of sin are death. We need to recognize our sin, repent, and ask forgiveness. However, in our repentance, we need to mean it and actually make changes in our life. Repentance will lead to salvation — no regrets. The Worldly sorrow refers to only repenting out of sorrow for the effects of our sins or being caught. We need to go beyond that and rid ourselves and our lives of our sin. This is not an easy concept. It is easy to understand, but not too easy to apply to our lives. It's hard to be confronted about sin and even more difficult to rid our lives of it. We must not get caught in our own pride and let it stop our repentance. 

PRAYER
Lord and Savior, we confess that we are sinful. We recognize that we want to change our lives, to rid ourselves of this sin and become a new creation. Lord, we humbly approach You and ask for Your forgiveness. Only through You can we be made anew. AMEN 


Thursday, II Corinthians Chapter 8
2 Corinthians 8 
Verse 7
Heather Williams

Verse7:  "But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

THOUGHT
So, one of the accountants gets to share the devotion on giving. How appropriate. Isn't this the topic that ministers always dread speaking on?  Actually it shouldn't be that difficult. The verse sums it up the best. 

The Corinthians’ believers were excelling in so many areas, but Paul also encouraged them to excel in giving. If you love someone, you want to give them your time and gifts. For example, let me use my relationship with my nieces as an example. I love them more than anything! As a result, when I have the chance to be with them, I play with them and spend as much time as I can with them. In addition, I do maybe get a bit carried away with gifts — such as all the Christmas presents I got for them this year. I can't even tell you how much I spent on them. I just wanted to give them all the things I got them. See how easy it is to be giving when you love someone. As a result, we all love Christ. Therefore, it should be easy to give to Him. Why is it so difficult at times? 

PRAYER
Father God, we love You so much. You are the Lord of our lives. I pray that we would desire to spend as much time with you as we can. I also pray that our love for You would flow easily into our giving. Thank You for blessing each of us with the gifts, talents, and abilities You have given each of us. I pray that we would use these gifts, talents and abilities to serve You and bless You to show our love for You. AMEN 


Friday, II Corinthians Chapter 9
2 Corinthians 9 
Verse 7
Heather Williams

Verse 7:  "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 

THOUGHT
We all have heard this verse a thousand times, but sometimes I know I forget. It's not about how much we give or what we give (time, money, resources). What matters is our attitude. How many times have you heard it's all about attitude? I know at work, that is my main principle. I always say that I would rather have a staff who knew little but had an amazing attitude over a staff who knew a lot and  had a crappy attitude. Attitude can't be taught. The same goes for our attitude towards our giving. God is most concerned with HOW we give from our resources, not WHAT we give. 

PRAYER
Father God, we thank You for the many resources You have blessed us with. I pray that we will have cheerful, loving, willing attitudes to give to these resources for You. Help each of us to be a cheerful giver. Lord, help us look inwards to our heart when we are giving and sacrificing for You. Provide us each with opportunities to give. AMEN 
















Comments

  1. Cathi WoellsJuly 3, 2024 at 4:22 PM

    Chapter 6
    The same could be true, Heather, in reverse. One could be living the less-than-honorable life and God could move them to a new job and a new state thereby giving them a fresh start to living a Christ-like life. Like you, no one knows the person before but they will get to meet a new, reborn individual, one who shines Christ's light. You made a very good point.

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