194th Week, II Corinthians Chapters 10-13 ( Click on the Title for video Introduction)

Click on Title for Video Intro 

Monday, II Corinthians Chapter 10

2 Corinthians 10

Verse 11

Jeanie Boldt

(Written around Christmas)

Verse 11:  “Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.”

THOUGHT 

I couldn't help but think how much easier it is to write about goodness and faith and hope and love than it is to actually live it out in actions. I couldn't help but think about the Christmas letter we wrote and all the ones we received. It is so easy to write and just speak of the good and positive things. We leave all the miscommunication, misfortunes, and disasters out so that we do not have to share where we fall down and disappoint God, our Father. We also find it easy to say, "I will call you soon." - "We will be sure and stop and see you next time we are in the city." - "You are in our prayers." 

Now we think of the second part of the verse. "We will be in our actions when we are present." We must write of the Lord's mighty weapons of prayer, faith, hope, and love from God's Word, but WE MUST ALSO LIVE THEM OUT BY ACTIONS. We must put our actions where our mouth and writing are. We must stand firm for the Lord and share His wonderful gifts. We must prepare the way by writing as I am doing now and by Christ-like actions as I will live out tomorrow. 

PRAYER 

Father God, I AM PROUD TO KNOW YOUR SON, AND I LOVE HAVING HIM IN MY HEART. I pray that we as Salt Shakers will act as Your support by living what we write to each other. I pray that we will support those in need by acts of caring. I pray that we will pray for those in need and not just write it. I pray we will read Your Word with a prayerful heart and attitude so that we can share the stories with others. I pray that our faith in You will continue to grow and give others hope through our faith. You have heard our prayer requests.  Thank You for listening. In Christ Jesus' Name. AMEN 

Tuesday, II Corinthians Chapter 11

2 Corinthians 11

Verse 31

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 31:  “The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.” 

THOUGHT 

I love Paul.  He reviews many of his strengths as he writes in the last of the chapter. I feel that Paul is comparing himself to a father with obligations to his spiritual children. At first he feels he must protect the church from false teachers just as we feel as parents for our children. Next, he speaks of provision for himself and showed how he sacrificed for those he loved. How many times do we as parents go without so that our children may have something special? Lastly, he speaks of his suffering just as we would lay our lives down for our children. 

The God of us all does all of this on a daily, never-ending timeline. Thank You, Father. The verse I chose caught my eye because the Lord knows our innermost thoughts, every time we lie, think bad thoughts, or wish ill of someone. We can hide nothing from him. Are there times in our lives when we feel ashamed and seek forgiveness? Are there times when we think we can deceive others with a little lie or negative action? It doesn't matter what we do. We are not hiding anything. The Lord knows all our thoughts and words and deeds. May we show our appreciation of Him being our Father by honoring Him and witnessing for Him. 

PRAYER 

Father, we love You and respect You and are ever so elated that You are our Father. Help us to be children that You would be proud of and smile at and say, "Good job, my beloved faithful child." Help us in this demanding world to keep our focus on You and find strength in that faith and love. Guide us in the right decisions and may all our words be words of truth. Help us prepare the way this week for your birthday. AMEN 

Wednesday, II Corinthians Chapter 12

2 Corinthians 12

Verse 8

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 8:  “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’" 

THOUGHT

Humility means to be marked by meekness or modesty. It means to show submissive respect. It means to make lower in condition or station. Have you been truly humbled? Has the Lord completely made you bow before Him and ask Him to carry you? Have you had to submit to the Lord Himself? Paul showed us here in this chapter that the Lord gave him a burden. The exact burden is not really known but is suspected to be a health issue. Paul prayed three times for God to deliver him, but the Lord did not answer that prayer as Paul wanted. However, God did meet the need and gave His servant the grace he required. 

Paul did not simply make the best of it - he made the most of it!! Grace can do that for you. I truly know this!! I was a Paul many years ago. I was a very judgmental Christian. I thought I had it all right and wondered why others had such a hard time getting their life right. Well, one day the Lord hit me with a situation that was a heavy burden. I had to become totally submissive for I had to ask Him to carry me. I was unable to put one foot in front of the other. I suddenly realized how judgmental I had been. How could I have judged others when my own life was such a mess? The Lord humbled me. I learned what humility was. How did I respond? By the Lord's answer, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I was given the gift of grace through our Savior Jesus. I pray that my being will never return to the Jeanie that was more selfish. May we learn humility and realize that His Grace and Mercy will see us through to carry the burden. 

PRAYER 

Father, God, help us to submit to You each and every day. May we lay our burdens at Your feet and at the foot of the cross each morning. Keep us humble. May we never think of anyone as being less than us. You lived to love each of us equally. May we in turn do that to all those we meet. Thank You for Your gift of grace and mercy. May we realize that those things are the strength that will see us through and guide us through the rough times. Help us to rely on You rather than on our own energy. Help us to realize that by admitting our weakness, we are affirming Your strength. We love You, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. AMEN 

Thursday, II Corinthians Chapter 13

2 Corinthians 13

Verse 11

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 11:  “Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal; be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” 

THOUGHT 

Paul in this chapter is urging us to give ourselves spiritual checkups. We should look for a growing awareness of Christ's presence and power in our lives. We need to be taking active steps to grow closer to God. Maturing in our faith must be a daily responsibility in a Christian's life. 

As we reflect, we can remember joys, sorrows, health issues, work stress, births, travel and relationships.  As we listen, we will hear the Lord encourage us to be of one mind and live in peace and harmony one with another.  "And the God of love and peace will be with you." 

PRAYER 

Father, You have walked with each of us through times of burdens of the heart and times of a joy-filled heart. Thank You for being with us. Help us mature more each day so that You would tell each of us, "Good Job, my Faithful Friend." Help us to live in peace and harmony with our neighbors, fellow workers, family and friends. And thank You for giving us HOPE to anticipate marvelous moments in the coming year.  Love and peace to all.  AMEN 

Friday, Differences between I & II Corinthians

Taken from Life Application Bible

The two letters to the Corinthian church that are found in the Bible are very different, with different tones and focuses.  See below how they differ.  

I Corinthians

Practical

1. Focuses on the character of the Corinthian Church.

2. Deals with questions on marriage, freedom, spiritual gifts, and order in the church.

3. Paul instructs in matters concerning the church's well-being.

4. Contains advice to help the church combat the pagan influences in the wicked city of Corinth.  

II Corinthians

Personal

1. Focuses on Paul as he bares his soul and tells of his love for the Corinthian church.

2. Deals with the problem of false teachers, whereby Paul defends his authority and the truth of his  message.

3. Paul gives his testimony because he knows that acceptance of his advice is vital to the church's well-being. 

4. Contains testimony to help the church combat the havoc caused by false teachers.