“For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:5).

Is not Christ sufficient? Sometimes we may be tempted to think in terms of Jesus and then add an “and” to it. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Trust in what God is doing and in His provision. The grace of Christ is sufficient. He who died for our sins said, “It is finished.” You cannot add to what Christ has accomplished, so trust fully in Him and be thankful for all He provides.

Lord, where I am guilty of adding to what You have done, correct me that I may live in the sufficiency of all that You have provided. Guide me in Your goodness to see through the nonsense of this world that I may be thankful and lean not on my own understanding, but upon You who already has put into place all that is necessary for each of us to become what You are creating.

Thank You Lord Jesus for all that You have done. Thank You for what you are doing. Thank You for all that You will do. You know what we need even before we ask. You who has placed all things in their course, grant that by faith I would accept Your provision as the final answer to all of my questions. Guide me to live by faith, being thankful for all that You are doing. Amen.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

In what comfort do you live your daily life? Do you trust in the One who has given the promise of His only begotten Son? Do you trust that His promises are true and that the revelation of the Gospel is the truth revealed for all ages? Come into the comfort of God and live into the promises He gives that you may find contentment in the holy and true comfort that He alone can give.

Lord, Help my unbelief. I am tossed about by the tempests of this age and listen to all kinds of things. Guide me in my thinking and doing that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy. Help me to comfort others with the comfort I have received from Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior. You are the blessed One and You have blessed all who believe with a holy and true comfort for all ages.

Lord Jesus, You are the rest for the weary. You are the hope for the hopeless. You are the One who makes possible our adoption into the eternal family through grace. Guide me in all of Your ways that I would now and forever abide in the truth of the Gospel which You have made possible. May I be encouraged and comforted and then give that comfort away to others. Amen.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:1-2).

Paul worked alongside the one whom he mentored, Timothy. Together, they ministered to the churches as they traveled. We are called in fellowship to work with one another to share the Good News of Christ and to build up His church. Come then and join in the work the Lord has given you, knowing that through all you do in the fellowship of Christ love will be strengthened in you. Join in the work of the church.

Lord, I often make things more complicated than they really are. Help me, I pray, to see through those things which occupy my time apart from those things which build up faith and build up Your church. Guide me to have balance in my life that I would walk humbly with You and be committed to the greater portion. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go that I may follow where You lead.

Lord Jesus, You have sent Your Spirit to lead and guide each step of the way. Help me, O Lord, to walk humbly with You and to follow where You would have me go. Whether it is to teach others, or to be taught by others, help me to give and to receive with grace. In and through all things, may You be glorified through me that others would know that it is You who is the center of creation. Amen.

“The greeting is in my own hand – Paul. If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen” (1 Corinthians 16:21-24).

The really are only two kinds of people in the end; those who will love the Lord and those who will not. Out of this comes all other action. Either one is drawn outward and toward the Lord, or else inward and toward themselves. The grace of the Lord extends to those who receive it and live in it. For the others, it bounces off of them. Abide with those who will encourage you in the right direction.

Lord, help me to see that this is not about cursing people, for I do not know who truly is abiding in You. Do help me protect myself against those who would tempt me to wander off and go astray. You know the truth of all people and You have already provided all that is necessary. Lead me in the truth that I may follow where You lead. Guide me according to Your goodness that I may humbly abide with You always.

Lord Jesus, You know those who are Yours. Many throughout the ages have been mean and unloving. You have commanded us to love. Yet, there are also those who will lead others astray. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would humbly walk with You knowing that in You alone is all hope and the eternal future You have made possible through Your death and resurrection. Amen.

“The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss” (1Corinthians 16:19-20).

We are not just a local fellowship, but are joined in the communion of the saints. Those from all times and places who are in the grace of Christ are His bride. It is He who is knitting together His church from every tribe, tongue and nation. Live in the truth that You are a part of what He has brought together through the grace He makes possible. Live into the life of faith to which You have been called.

Lord, help me overcome the pride that is in my heart that I may be whom You are making me to be. Give me eyes to see that You have those who are in You all over the world. I may not understand fully, but they are those whom You have saved. Let me rejoice in the communion of saints to which You have united me that I may abide humbly in You and You in me always.

Lord Jesus, the church is Yours and You are its head. Let me never forget this. You are bringing together all whom You know that are a part of the bride. Help me to learn to receive with joy the truth of the greater whole which You are building. Help me to be hospitable with all who come in Your name knowing that You have purpose with every encounter each of us experiences. Amen.

“I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men” (1 Corinthians 16:17-18).

Be encouraged. The Lord sends those who will uplift and strengthen His people of faith. Receive those whom the Lord sends and be hospitable. We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who will speak of the mighty acts of the Lord. Walk with the strength of the One who provides for our needs before we ask. Let your spirit be constantly refreshed in the Lord.

Lord, open my eyes to see and my ears to hear as You send those who will uplift me in faith and guide me according to Your purposes. May I always have a receptive and discerning heart that as You minister to Your people, I would be amongst those who receive what You give. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I might now and always abide faithfully in all of Your provision.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us to pray without ceasing. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would receive as You send others to minister to our every need. Help me to rightly hear and to live out those things You have given me. Through all things, strengthen me in the gift of salvation You have made possible that I may now and always abide humbly in Your presence. Amen.

“Let all that you do be done in love. Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors” (1 Corinthians 16:14-16).

Honor those who serve faithfully for the Lord. Do not be contentious, nor be as those who whisper in the darkness. Be led in truth by those who willingly and freely serve that you may be led in the way of eternal life. Know that in the Lord, there is goodness and mercy and that He sends those who serve as He serves. Be subject to those who faithfully discharge their call in the Lord.

Lord, there are many who are contentious and seek to undermine the authority that You have established. Help me to not be one of those who is always complaining, but one who is faithful in all things and through all things. Guide me according to Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope and that You send those whom You have appointed to lead Your faithful people.

Lord Jesus, You were constantly confronted by those who tested Your authority. You sent Your disciples out with instructions that they were to minister to as many as would receive them. Help me to understand that if I go in the name of Your ministry, there will be those who do not receive me but that I am to minister to those who will. Lead me, Lord, that I may give and receive according to the Father’s will. Amen.

“But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity. Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:12-13).

Difficult times come to us all. The Lord sends those who will help, but we ought not fall back and do nothing. At all times, we need to stand strong and withstand the constant threats of the wicked one who comes against us. The Lord has purpose in all of these things and will guide and strengthen us if we persevere. Come then into the Lord’s provision and trust the One who provides for all of our needs.

Lord, several times You tell us to be on the alert and yet our nature here is such that we often fall back in good times and then wonder where You are in bad times. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that at all times I would trust You above the circumstances in this age. Lead me, Lord, that I may be guided by Your goodness and see that You are always with me and that Your will is what shall prevail.

Lord Jesus, You have walked this earth and know the difficulty of the day to day onset of things that get in the way. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would now and always humbly abide with You as You abide with me. Guide me according to the Father’s will to see through the difficulties of the day knowing that You are with me now and always. Amen.

“Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am. So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren” (1 Corinthians 16:10-11).

Working amongst the Lord’s people is not always easy. People are wary and mistrustful. Yet the Lord always provides according to the goodness of His mercy. Treat others as you would want to be treated. Test, but do no harm. Some things do not change and there are those who make it difficult to do the Lord’s work. Live then in harmony with others and do not be contentious.

Lord, where I am wary, guide me that I may be helpful. Where I do not trust, but should, lead me to trust. Help me to live into the life of loving my neighbor. Help me to learn how to do for others as I would want them to do by me. Guide me in the upward call of this fellowship into which You have brought me that I may grow in the likeness of Christ, living a life of faith.

Lord Jesus, in You is all hope in the future. Guide me that I would receive those who come into our midst in Your name. Grant that I be both discerning and also hospitable that I would be led as You intend in the upward way of salvation. Through all things, be the One who guides and leads. Amen.

“For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits. But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:7-8).

For what do you live? Is it to live each day as it comes, or is there a purpose. We are called into the presence of Almighty God and in salvation to live into the life to which He calls us. Do not be satisfied with what is temporary, but live into that which is forever. Yes, there are adversaries, but greater is He who is in you than any who are in this world. Stay in the presence of the Lord now and forever.

Lord, I do struggle each day in the ebbs and flows of this age. I seek for that which I do not need and ignore that which is important. Move my heart to the place where I live for that which never fails. Lead me in the upward path that I may now and always abide in the truth of Your presence and purpose. Guide me, Lord, along the path of salvation that I may walk with You now and forever.

Lord Jesus, You have sent Your Spirit to guide each of us in the way You have established. Help me, I pray, to see that in You alone is all hope. Guide me today to live with purpose and not to focus upon those things which do not matter. In the truth of all You have revealed, lift up my spirit to walk humbly and joyfully in those ways which are eternally pleasing and uplifting. Amen.