“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.

“For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter” (2 Corinthians 7:11).

Is it not true that many times you grow more when you go through tough times than when things are fine?  The Lord has promised that there is a purpose for everything.  Come then and rejoice that the Lord has given you a good gift in leading you into salvation.  Not that it is easy, but the Lord will strengthen you through whatever may come.  Live in His purpose and rejoice in His good gifts.

Thank God that He will not settle until He makes you to be like Christ.  Whatever it takes, the Lord will do.  This is good and fitting.  He is the One who made us, yet we often fight against Him, wanting what we want.  Trust in the Lord always and know that His goodness is forever.  He will make of you what He has always intended.  When you and I accept this, then it become easier; for His burden is light.

Lord Jesus, You demonstrated how hard it is to live in this age.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may see the truth that You are always with me.  Lead me in truth that I may trust Your leading no matter what may come.  You are the author and finisher of my faith and You know what I need.  Show me this day, whether an easy or hard day, that I may walk with You always, knowing You are with me.  Amen

“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Do you see that the Lord is conforming you to the image of Christ?  He loves you enough to stop at nothing to produce in you one who loves Him wholly and fully.  We may not see yet the outcome, but He does.  Life is in His hands and no matter what comes, the author of your life and faith is leading you in love that You may trust Him above all things, circumstances, and times.

Lord, it is often difficult living this life of faith when things do not go as I imagine they should.  Lead me, O Lord, that through all times of sorrow I may see that You also weep at the sin in this world.  Help me to look above and not be held back by the untruth of this age.  Guide me into repentance of those things which I think should be mine, but are really Yours.

Lord Jesus, You underwent a baptism of repentance for us all, repenting perfectly where we cannot.  You led the godly life for us who are unable that we might have the opportunity to become as You are, a child of God.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of salvation that I may walk humbly with You through every sorrow in the struggles of my heart that Your heart may take its place.  Amen.

“For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it – for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while – I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us” (2 Corinthians 7:8-9).

Sorrow sometimes seems like something evil in our time.  Is not sorrow lament?  Is not much of lament what we want rather than accepting what is?  Does not the Lord, who knows all things, have you in His plan?  Do you see how we struggle not so much with what we feel, but with our feelings driving us because of pride?  We are to trust the Lord above all things and know His plan is perfect.

Lord, I do sorrow and that is not sin.  I feel what I feel.  I do sorrow over the state of rebellion in this age and so do You.  Guide me to have godly sorrow that I would not be driven by my feelings, but by the truth You have revealed, that all things are now and always in Your hands.  Lead me, Lord, to lament as You teach me, and to trust as You have caused my heart to do.

Lord Jesus, You looked out and wept.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would not sorrow as those who have no hope, but would deal with every situation as You lead.  Guide me to grow through every sorrow that I would be strengthened to live this life You have given me according to the Father’s will.  Help me see that there is divine purpose in everything that happens in this life.  Amen.

“And not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more’ 92 Corinthians 7:7).

The Lord knows what is going on in our hearts.  He knows the difficulties, struggles, doubts and fears.  Those things which get in the way are often the very things He uses to grow in us what is needed.  Come then and trust the One who created you.  He knows all that you need and will not stop until you are conformed to the image of Christ and become as a child of the Most High.

Lord, help me to see the big picture that I would not just focus upon each step, but know that You are leading me with purpose.  Through all that comes, guide me to focus upon all of Your promises, knowing that You are the only One who will cause things to come about as You declare.  In You alone is all hope, so help my heart to know this simple truth as I struggle through each day.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to be tempted.  You know the pitfalls this age brings upon us.  You have experienced these things and know what we need.  Lead me this day in the truth of Your presence and purpose that I may be guided by You through all that will come.  Turn my heart toward You that I may willingly participate in this salvation You bring through grace.  Amen.

“For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.  But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:5-6)

In whom do you trust?  Who will be the One to lead you where you need to go?  The Lord God, Creator of all things knows what you need before you ask.  He has made His plan and it is sure.  This world will come against God’s faithful.  But do not fear, for if the Lord is with you, nothing in all of creation will ever be able to separate you from the love God has given you in Christ.

Lord, this world does have its ups and downs.  Teach me to live through what this world brings that I may now and always walk humbly with you.  Guide me into this new life You give by grace that I would walk through every travail, tribulation, and fear knowing that You are with me.  Let me comfort others with the comfort You have given me that we may grow in the likeness of Christ.

Lord Jesus, You are the comfort of the weary.  You are the hope of the frightened.  You are the One who knows all that is needed and have provided before we ask.  Lead me this day in the way of salvation that I would see how You have rescued me from the pitfalls over which I passed by Your grace.  In all things, help me to keep my eyes upon You, for I need You to lead me.  Amen.

“I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.  Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction” 2 Corinthians 7:3-4).

One of the things that seems to have diminished in current generations is a truthful exhortation one to the other.  We are to speak to each other in truth and love.  Not condemnation, but exhortation; that is, encouraging each other whether what we perceive is positive or negative in the word of the Lord.  Do not be afraid to speak the truth, for if you can help, it is not condemnation.

Lord, teach me to speak truthfully in love.  Help me to not see another as an adversary, but as a brother or sister.  Help me to receive correction when needed and to be willing to give correction according to Your word as well.  No matter the affliction, whether upon me, them, or us, let me be one to see the loving way to live through all circumstances in fellowship.  You have called us to be one as You are One.

Lord Jesus, You perfectly loved and rebuked.  You lead and we are to follow.  Help me to learn the lessons that I may live more fully in this faith You have given me.  Guide me according to Your principles to see as much of the whole as I can.  Guide me to live Your precepts, carrying through with what You would have me do and become whom You are making me to be.  Amen.