“But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree – in order not to say too much – to all of you. Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow” (2 Corinthians 2:5-7).

We are to be guarded in how we treat others. Yes, there is a time to hold one off and at a distance, but not too far. Remember that in Christ the purpose of every pronouncement of judgement is for the sake of restoring such a one to living in the faith. Sometimes we can carry it too far and “write” somebody off, but that judgement belongs to Christ alone and not to us.

Lord, teach me to not be as those who shun and damn others because they do not conform to my ideal. Lead me in grace to be temperate in all things that I may indeed participate when necessary in the discipline of others, but never to the point of withholding grace. Help me to treat others as You treat me. Guide me to know where those lines are and the place where I need to be gracious.

Lord Jesus, while yet I was a sinner, sinning away, You loved me enough to go to the cross for me. Yet, You did not come to do away with the law, but to fulfil it. In this tough place to reside between grace and the law, teach me how to live, loving others as You have loved me. Guide me to be like You more and more each day. You alone are able to lead me, so lead away my Savior! Amen.

“This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you” (2 Corinthians 2:3-4).

Some things have not changed in this world. There are those who will not receive the Good News of Christ, nor have their lives transformed by the Holy Spirit. But do not use this reality to hinder your own growth in the light and life of Christ. Be one who through Christ overcomes the world. Be both one in whom Christ dwells and one who dwells deeply in the love and life of Christ, which He gave for us.

Lord, I often look for excuses. Help me to live intentionally that I may look to You and learn to obey all that You have commanded. Guide me, Lord, that I may walk in Your light and not be led astray by those around me who are ignoring Your great gift. Through all circumstances, help me to see that You are present and always working through Your faithful people to accomplish Your will.

Lord Jesus, You have made it possible for me to walk in the Father’s will. By Your grace, guide me to be one who is a person of action. Lead me in faith that by Your grace I would not sit by idly doing nothing, but be fully active in the unfolding of Your eternal Kingdom. Encourage me that I might be an encouragement to others. Lead me that I might lead others. Use me for Your sake and the Gospel’s sake. Amen.

“But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again. For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful?” (2 Corinthians 2:1-2)

Some have said that this letter was written because Paul was too harsh in his first letter. Whatever the reason, the Lord uses all that we do for His purpose. Learn through what the Lord has to say through Paul and always be willing to submit to the will of God when things are not as you would have them be. The Lord always has the greater purpose in the unfolding of His will in our lives.

Lord, this is a great mystery and I often want to figure everything out first before moving forward. Grant that I would instead give thanks that Your perfect will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. Lead me to live by faith and not by sight that I would trust You in and through all things knowing that in You alone is all hope. You already know all that is going to happen, so lead me to trust You.

Lord Jesus, You came amidst all of the difficulties of this life to make the way for all who would follow You. In my daily life, help me to see You and follow You always. Help me to not be hindered by this world’s circumstances, but to see that in You alone is all hope. Guide me today and every day and remind me to pray without ceasing. You give great hope. Help me to live in that hope! Amen.

“But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm” (2 Corinthians 1:23-24).

When we have heard the Gospel and it is received in our heart, we then are to step out in faith and live into the promises that we have received. This is not just news to be retained in our minds, but a life to be lived with the whole of who we are. Do not just sit back and relish the Good News of salvation in Christ, but act out the salvation You have been given through faith, that He who began a good work in you may carry it on to completion.

Lord, You have given me abilities in the Spirit to live this life of faith. Help me to take what You have given and continue on the journey of faith. Lead me in the way You know I need to go and then motivate me to move along on it. Through You alone is all hope given. Through You alone is there salvation. Guide me. O Lord. in the way of everlasting life that I would walk humbly with You.

Lord Jesus, You send those who have received and then carry that Good News to others. Teach me to be one of those who shares with others what You have given me. Lead me in this outward way of living that I would not hold fast to what You have given, but like You, pour myself out for You and the sake of others. Guide me, Lord, that I may become more like You. Amen.

“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

You have been baptized in the Holy and Triune name of God, marked with the cross and sealed by the Holy Spirit forever. The Lord has stirred your heart and encouraged you to walk in His ways. Do you journey with the Lord, or spend time trying to figure out what the Lord is up to? Come into what He has already established and be free from the worldliness that tempts you.

Lord, help me to see the simplicity of these things. Guide me in the salvation You have prepared that I would walk with You now and all the days of my life. You are the One who has anointed me. You are the One who has prepared the way. You are the One who must lead, for only You know all that is needed to bring me into the fulness of salvation.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way. Guide me in Your goodness that I would learn to listen, walk with You, and obey all that You have commanded. In Your grace, open before me this day those things You would have me do. Guide me that in thought, word, and speech, I would reflect the reality that You are in me and I am in You. Be thou my Lord and Master this and every day. Amen.

“For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:19-20).

As many as believe, to them He gives the right to become children of God. In Christ is the yes we all need. Do not look at the circumstances of life, but at the One who knows all circumstances and is pulling them together according to His purpose. Be led by the One who is Lord and Savior of all. Listen and the Lord will speak. Then hear and act on the Good News.

Lord, I am often circumspect, or else conditional in my actions. Help me to live into the life to which You call me through the Gospel that I would hear the “yes” that is spoken through You. Guide me to come to You with open arms and heart, and live into the life of faith to which You have called me. In You is all hope and a future. Be the One who is before me and all around me now and forever.

Lord Jesus, You have come to say “yes” through grace. Lead me in faith to trust You in all the ways You will lead me. Teach my feet to follow where You lead. Guide me into the Father’s will to be about the Father’s business with all I say and do. In You is all hope and eternity. May I learn to listen when You speak, obey when You command, and above all else, trust in Your leading. Amen.

“Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time? But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no” (2 Corinthians 1:17-18).

We make plans according to the flesh. The Lord has His will which shall come to pass. In your thinking, recognize that the will of the Lord is always first. The unbelievers complain when things do not go their way. The faithful know that in the twists and turns of life, the Lord is working all things together according to His purpose. Trust in the Lord above all things.

Lord, let my yes be yes and my no be no. When my final answer is not Your final answer, help me to see that You are Lord above all things. Let me never put words in your mouth, but listen and speak what You tell me. Through all things, keep my eyes clear, my heart pure and Your will supreme. You are faithful above all things and in You alone is all hope and a future.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You have come and that in You there is hope and life. Guide me into the new life You give that I would be a person of prayer. Teach me to see more clearly, love more dearly, and wait upon You for guidance in all things. You, Lord, are the One who is saving those who trust in You. Lead me, Lord, and I will follow. Teach me and I will learn to obey. Amen.

“In this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing; that is, to pass your way into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be helped on my journey to Judea” (2 Corinthians 1:15-16).

We are all blessed in so many ways. There are those who desire to give blessings. Are you receptive to giving and receiving blessings? We often become wrapped up in our own ideas and are unwilling to, so to speak, go outside of the box. Be receptive to what the Lord has in mind and be willing to give and to receive. The Lord has plans for all of us and He knows the blessings He intends.

Lord, teach me to have a more gracious heart about all of the things that surround me. Lead me to live into the life to which You have called me that I may, now and always, both give and receive. It is You who knows all that I need, so be my guide who directs the path before me. Help me to not forsake what You would give that I may now and always be blessed by You.

Lord Jesus, You are the ultimate blessing for us all. Help me when I am resistant to receive You as the One who must lead me where I need to go. Guide me in Your goodness to live into this life of faith to which You have called me. May I always be receptive of Your goodness and mercy and share as I have had shared with me. Teach me to bless and to receive blessings. Amen.

“For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you. For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end; just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:12-14).

Jesus alone saves. In that salvation, He will work on your heart, and out of that will come a changed attitude. Rather than always seeking for the self, the one in Christ looks outward and cares for others. This brings the confidence of a good conscience. It is not doing these things for gain, but it is because you have already gained that you can do these things. Trust in what the Lord has done and do good.

Lord, I have my part, but it is You who has done all that is needed. In the mystery of faith, I need Your help to live into this faith. I know there are some who want to figure all of this out. Help me simply to do what You would have me do and not worry about the details of what You are doing. Guide me to trust You above all things and learn to hear and obey all that You command.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way. Some think that this was something done long ago, but You are doing it in me here and now. Guide me, Lord, that I may live into this life of faith that You offer. You are the way, the truth and the life. Teach me to look to You today and every day that I may grow a little more in living this life of faith that You have given me. In You is all hope and an eternal future. Amen.

“Who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many” (2 Corinthians 1:10-11).

In all the difficulties of this life, know that the Lord is your deliverer. Ultimately, we know that even when we die, yet shall we live, for the Lord has come to us that we may know that through His death and resurrection, we have the assurance of new life. Do not live in the hopelessness of the aliens from the Lord, but in the hope that is yours forever through Christ who strengthens you.

Lord, this life does have its twists and turns and there are many times when I am filled with fear and doubt. Help me to overcome all of these things and know that You have prevailed, and will deliver me from all evil. Teach me what it means to abide in You as You abide in me. Guide me in the goodness of Your mercy to live boldly in the confidence which is mine through this faith You have given.

Lord Jesus, You did not exempt Yourself from the pains of this world. You died on the cross. You know how much this world can hammer against you. Guide me, Lord, in the way You have established so that no matter what may come, I look to You as my hope. Teach me to pray for others as others pray for me. Guide me into the fulness of a life lived by faith and in hope. Amen.