“For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality – at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; as it is written, “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack” (2 Corinthians 8:13-15)

In Christ, all are equal.  The world thinks in terms of what people have, or the abilities they have.  The Lord created you for His purpose.  He knows what He is creating in you.  Walk then in the assurance that in Him is life and liberty.  Shed the worldly thinking that you may be built up according to His goodness and mercy.  In Him is all that is needed.  He desires His love to shine through you.

Lord, I try to figure these things out.  Like a small child who does not have the ability to think these things all the way through, help me see that ultimately it is about trusting You.  You alone are the way, truth and life.  You alone know what is needed, for You see the end from the beginning.  Move my heart to a faith that trusts in You above all things.  Lead me in the way of salvation.

Lord Jesus, You are the Savior.  I need to be saved.  Save me from the hindrance of thoughts that get in the way of truth.  There are many things I do not know.  I subjectively ponder, but truth is what You have done, are doing, and will do.  Lead me to trust in the salvation You are unfolding in and through my life.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that You have already given me all I need.  Amen.

“For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12).

The Lord does not ask you to do what you cannot do, He asks you to use what you have and who you are.  He is growing into you the likeness of Christ.  What does He need?  Everything is already His.  Focus upon what Christ has come to do.  Then, with understanding, see the Holy Spirit working in your life through all you are.  He will make of you a child of the Heavenly Father.

Lord, I go back and forth between grand ideas and the scope of all that is happening in the world and forget about the simple truth that You have come to save me; not only save me, but conform me to the image of Christ.  Take all that I am and do with me as You know needs to be done.  Plow through those hindrances I build that I may indeed walk in the way of salvation.

Jesus, You taught us to take nothing with us.  You said that we were simply to go.  Teach me that this is one of the principles of living life in You.  You know what I need and You know what You are creating in me.  Lead me, O Lord, to become whom You have always known I would be.  By Your grace, help me to simply abide in You as You abide in me that I may live this new life You have given.  Amen.

“I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.  But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability” (2 Corinthians 8:10-11).

We all have our opinions, do with them what you will.  When one, such as Paul gives His opinion, it is based upon experience and wisdom.  It is no law, but it is better advice than most will give.  What is that opinion?  Do the best you are able with what the Lord has given you and walk with Him always.  I agree with Paul’s opinion.  It is to your advantage to take that wisdom.

Lord, there are those around me who give their opinion.  Not all opinions are the same.  Give me the ability to discern, in the freedom I have, those who speak wisdom and those who speak the darkness of this age.  Keep my eyes clear that I may not be led into temptation, lest I depart from the path You have laid before me.  Guide me in Your goodness that I may walk humbly with You.

Lord Jesus, You are the way, truth, and life.  It is not opinion to say that in You alone is all hope.  Yet, while walking amidst the darkness of this age, there are many who speak of how to walk.  Let me look to You and hear those around me who love You as they speak that I may more clearly walk the path of faith You have given me.  Guide me in Your goodness that I may always cling to You.  Amen.

“I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:8-9).

If we are to be like Christ, what then?  He who made all things and for whom all things were made became poor for our sake.  He gave Himself to us that we might give ourselves to Him.  This then is at the heart of it all.  Will you give yourself to Him?  Will you give up all things that with Him you might be rich in grace, mercy, compassion, and love?  Will you join with Him?

Lord, I struggle in this world because I want what I want.  I struggle in this world because I believe I do not have.  Yet here You are right before me.  You offer me Your love.  Let me see that all the other things I am chasing are nothing, for You are everything.  In You is light and life.  In You is liberty.  In You is hope.  Help me see the truth of You that I may live my life in You.

Lord Jesus, You who are everything gave it all up that I who am nothing might join You and be all whom You are making me to be.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always abide humbly in You as You abide in me.  Guide me in the goodness of Your grace and mercy that I may walk the path You set before me and learn to love You above all things.  Amen.

“So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well.   But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also” (2 Corinthians 8:6-7).

We were made to work.  We have been called in the goodness of God to live a life that is active.  Do we not lament if we are unable to do anything?  Do we not look for things to do?  Even the lazy work at avoiding work.  Live into the life for which You were created and work as the Lord gives you work to do.  Learning obedience is a call of the Lord.  And obedience to everything He commands is what He requires.

Lord, this is a crazy world and I think of all kinds of reasons why I do not want to do this or that.  Help me instead simply do what You give me to do.  Teach me how to live the new life for which I have been created.  Guide me in Your goodness to be the kind of person You know I will be eternally.  Let me not shirk the challenges You place before me, nor wander in meaningless activities.

Lord Jesus, with great purpose You walk the earth and accomplished what was needed for our salvation.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of truth that I may grow each day a little more firm in this truth You have revealed.  Let me not be hindered by this world’s temptations, but live into the life for which I have been created.  Guide me, O Lord, and I will follow You all the days of my life.  Amen.

“For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,  begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God” (2 Corinthians 8:3-4).

We sometimes need examples of things that ought to be done.  The Lord has always provided those who willingly serve without complaint.  Look at the good examples and follow those who are doing what the Lord asks.  Then become one who is an example to others.  In one sense, this is not necessary for everyone.  On the other hand, this is what we call maturity.  Grow into the maturity of the Lord.

Lord, I am often lazy and simply want things to be the way I want them.  Help me when I am this way to see that I live for an audience of One and that is You.  Guide me to do what You give me to do knowing that in You is all hope and the only good future.  Lead me in Your goodness to learn from You and mature in this faith that You have given me.  Your way is the only sure thing in this, and every, age.

Lord Jesus, You encountered many who wanted what they wanted, but You came for those who would follow You.  Where I resist, or become as a complaining child, mature me that I would live into the life to which You have called me.  Guide me in Your goodness that I would now and always live as You know life needs to be lived.  Teach me to be an example to others in faith. hope and love.  Amen.

“Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality” (2 Corinthians 8:1-2).

When we focus upon ourselves we lose sight of the truth that it is not about us.  Yes, the Lord loves us, but we are a part of the whole body of Christ.  Take joy that around the corner and around the globe are brothers and sisters doing the work of Him who makes all life possible.  Rejoice and be glad, for in spite of devilishness in this world, the Lord shall prevail against all darkness.

Lord, help me to keep perspective and not lose hope.  Guide me in the way of truth with open eyes that I may see those places where You are working.  Help me to see that although circumstances may not be what I like, joy is always mine.  You have given me assurance that I am Yours and nothing in this world shall ever be able to separate me from You.

Lord Jesus, You know all of the difficulties this world can bring.  You know what it is to be afflicted, yet You pressed on for our sake.  Teach me how to count it all joy when I am struggling and when I lose sight of the prize.  I know You will never let me go.  Help me to cling to You and the hope You give knowing that You will lead me according to Your purposes through all things.  Amen.

“His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.  I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you” (2 Corinthians 7:15-16).

Do you know the working of the LORD in your life?  Can you look back and see where He is making you into the image of Christ?  Do you spend time learning and understanding His Word?  These are legitimate questions, for they speak of what the Lord does in those who fear Him.  He will conform you to the image of Christ.  Cooperate and be conformed to the One who saves you.

Lord, I often think of faith as a bunch of do’s and don’t’s.  Help me see that what You have given me is a new life.  A new life that is evermore becoming like Christ.  Lead me along this upward call that I would day by day be conformed to Christ’s image and day by day become what You have always intended.  You know what I need, for You must save, so help me not hinder myself in this journey.

Lord Jesus, You are my Savior and the model to which I will be conformed.  Lord, let nothing get in the way of You doing all that needs to be done, least of all, me.  Guide me today according to Your goodness that I would be a little more conformed to what You are creating in me.  Help me have the right attitude and priorities and be guided by Your Spirit that I would learn how to be faithful.  Amen.

“And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.  For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth” (2 Corinthians 7:13b-14).

The Lord provides those who will continue the ministry of His presence to lead and guide.  Many in our day believe they can do it alone.  Does not our faith teach us that it begins with the need for a Savior?  We need God’s help and we need each other.  Do not be led astray by pride, but come into the Lord’s presence and go where He sends you.  We all have needs and only the Lord can and will provide for them what is necessary.

Lord, teach me that I am dependant upon You and all that You provide.  Show me that I need others and that they need me.  You have created us for a community that loves one another.  Lead me in the upward calling that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy and not by the ever-changing winds of this world.  You have given the words of eternal life.  Help me to live into Thy will.

Lord Jesus, You have commanded us to obey all that You have commanded.  Guide me, O Lord, to learn this obedience.  Help me to see where I am not doing as You direct that I may truly be guided by You.  Through all things, lead me into the way of life that You know I need to live.  Help me through all of the obstacles that will come my way that I may learn faithfulness from You.  Amen.

“So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God.  For this reason we have been comforted” (2 Corinthians 7:12-13).

Sometimes we allow our lives to be directed by what happens to others.  Ultimately, the One offended is the Lord Himself, for when we sin against our neighbor, we sin against Him.  A point that may be helpful for us to begin is the point of realizing when we are influenced by what we think a principle, that it is not necessarily our reality.  Live in the moment the Lord gives you.

Lord, I do care about what happens to those around me.  You have commanded that I love my neighbor, but I can do nothing about another’s circumstance.  Help me to live in my own circumstances and deal with what is mine to deal with.  Lead me in the way of life that I may live into this life You have given me.  Teach me what godly living really means and then help me to practice this new life.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save all those who come to You.  You know what I need and where I fall short.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would learn from You not only how to live, but the right attitudes to have while living.  Keep my eyes upon You that I may be guided by You and not my feelings, attitudes, or what I perceive to be goodness.  You are the author and finisher of my faith.  Amen.