“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen” (Galatians 1:3-5).

The will of the Father is that you would believe in Jesus whom He sent.  We sometimes forget that it is not by our own power or might that we do these things, but through the power of the One who created all things.  Come then and be guided in the goodness of the Lord.  Come then and live into the life He gives.  Come then and be faithful in an age that is evil.  Come into the will of the Father.

Lord, I have begun to understand what is needed.  You know all that is needed.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life that I would not be hindered in this age of evil, but grow into the likeness of Christ and become what You are making of me.  You know the path before me that I must walk by faith.  Guide me in the faith You have given me that I would walk firmly and boldly.

Lord Jesus, You have come to rescue us from this present age.  You know the pitfalls and traps that are set along the way.  You overcame them for us who could never overcome them.  Take my hand and lead the way.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see and know that in following You I am being led out of the wickedness that is the snare of this age.  May I learn from You how to be faithful.  Amen.

“Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),  and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:1-2)

As John said in the beginning of the Gospel he was given to write, “Not through the will of any man.”  God does what God does and He calls whom He calls.  The Lord is the One who created us and we did not create Him.  Receive the Lord and live.  Be guided by His Spirit and know the direction He will lead.  Listen to His Word and those whom He sends and understand.

Lord, You have a purpose for everything.  You have come to lead the way into the life for which we were created.  Guide me, O Lord, in this way of life that I may be conformed to Jesus as You have said will happen.  In all things, Lord, help me to listen to Your voice through whomever You send to speak it.  Guide me into the way of life that is right and good in Your eyes.

Lord Jesus, You were sent and You have sent us.  You came to do what we cannot do, but have called us to do Your will.  Help me to focus not on what I do, but upon You.  Help me to see that You are the One who will conform me to Your image.  Let nothing hinder me in this journey You have set before me that I may reflect Your light into the world.  Amen.

“All the saints greet you.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:13-14).

What is it we should want for others?  Is it not that they too are blessed in the truth of the Triune God?  Let us learn how to dwell together in peace and love one another as the Lord loves us.  Let us be people who, in deeds, act as those who are preparing for eternity with the One who made us.  Let us soften our hearts that they may belong to the Lord and in all we do, give Him thanks and praise.

Lord, I need to learn these things.  I need to be led in how to live life and even though I see that these things are right and good, I still need Your help to make them a part of who I am.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may live into the life to which You have called me.  May I learn from You how to bless others as You have blessed me.  Lead me where I need to go.

Lord Jesus, You breathe upon Your disciples and they receive Your Spirit.  You have breathed upon me and I have received Your Spirit.  Lead me that I may bless others as You have blessed me.  Guide me to press through all the circumstances in which I find myself that I may become what You intend and be whom You are making me to be.  Let Your grace go with me always.  Amen.

“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.  Greet one another with a holy kiss” (2 Corinthians 13:11-12).

What is the Lord doing?  Do you look to the Lord and seek after Him in all things, or just in those things You want.  Let the Lord be Lord of your life that He may be the One who fills you with all good things.  In Him is life and it is His peace which surpasses all understanding.  Rest in the truth You have been given and be content in the Lord, the One who redeems you from the pit.

Lord, I do struggle and seek to have things the way I see them.  Give me eyes to see that I may learn from You and become complete even as You are complete.  Through all things that come in this life, let me not be carried away with this world, but instead be wrapped in the love You have for all people.

Lord Jesus, You have come that those who walk with You may become complete even as You and the Father are complete.  Lead me in this life and remove the hindrances that get in the way of my humble walk with You every moment of every day. Guide me, O Lord, and help me to listen.  Teach me, O Lord, and help me to learn.  Amen. 

“For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.  For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down” (2 Corinthians 13:9-10).

Pray that you may be made complete.  This is the goal, that we would be like Christ, that is, complete in Him.  Come then and continue the journey into becoming like Christ and let nothing hinder you on this journey.  Let those whom the Lord sends build you up that you may be strong in faith and join in the mutual good works the Lord intends for all who believe.  Do these things willingly.

Lord, a new heart is required to be a person of faith.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of life that I would walk willingly and humbly under Your guidance.  Let me not become puffed up or vain, but grant a listening ear and a humble disposition that I may simply walk forward on the narrow path You have set before me.  Let me be built up according to Your will and become complete as You intend.

Lord Jesus, You have come to us as One who is complete to lead those who follow into the completeness You are.  Guide me this day, and whether learning, teaching, or both, guide me in the way You would have me go knowing that in You is all hope and an eternal future.  May I be complete even as You are complete that in all things I may know and share in Your goodness.  Amen.

“Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.  For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth” (2 Corinthians 13:7-8).

The direction of the heart will determine the footsteps you take.  This is not to say you won’t sin.  In one sense, that does not matter.  If your heart is under the management of Christ then He will lead you to live life in a different way than you would have if you had remained under your own management.  Come then and live into the life to which you have been called and dwell richly in the Lord.

Lord, You have given me a new heart that knows You must lead the way.  Amidst the trials and tribulations of this life, guide me, Lord, that I may dwell with You as You dwell with me.  Help me to understanding more fully the truth You have revealed, and live not seeking after this world’s way of doing things, but in accordance with Your Word and the Father’s will.

Lord Jesus, You know all that I need.  You have promised to dwell with me and invite me to dwell with You.  You also know where I am hindered and do not heed all that You have commanded.  Guide me, Lord, that I may grow in obedience and actually live out a disciplined life as You teach me how to live.  Abide with me, Lord, that from You I may learn how to live life. Amen.

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you – unless indeed you fail the test?  But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6).

Such a simple statement that speaks to the reality of how so many do not take seriously what the Lord is doing.  This is not about a tacit, “Well, I suppose so.”  The Lord of creation has come and dwells within.  Is He the Lord of your life?  Does He move and shape you every day?  Is He the One who is leading, or are you still thinking that you are the One who is in charge?

Lord, this is serious business and I often act as though I am in charge of all things.  Lead me, O Lord, away from such thoughts and actions that I would live into the life You have given me by grace through faith.  Guide me in Your goodness to take and pass the test of trusting You above all things.  Lead me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go and then help me to walk following You.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we might have life and have it abundantly.  You are in me and You have given me Your promises.  Help me to not kick You out, or ignore You.  Lead me to begin, end, and all the time in between, live according to Your Word.  Dwell richly in me Lord and cause my heart to long for You all the days of this life as You prepare me for the life to come.  Amen.

“For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you” (2 Corinthians 13:4).

Humanity is weak.  We may think we’re strong and many act as if they were, but we were created to be dependent.  We are dependent upon the power of God and His provision.  Live then in the power of God directed to you through the One who was resurrected from the dead.  Be guided by the truth of the eternal life He gives for the sake of all.  In Him is light, life, and true peace.

Lord, help me to see beyond the troubles of this world.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You is all hope.  Lead me into the future You have in mind knowing that in You alone do we have our being. Guide me, Lord, that I may trust in Your power alone and be led by You alone for Your purpose alone.  Help me through all of the weakness I have to become strong in You.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we may have new life.  You were resurrected that we may have the resurrection.  You are the model to which we may be conformed.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of life that I may now and always live according to Your purposes.  Help me through those obstacles that get in the way that in my weakness, Your strength may always prevail in resurrecting me to new life.  Amen.

“I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, since you are seeking for proof of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you” (2 Corinthians 13:2-3)

There are games that people play.  The devil has those who will harm the fellowship.  It is not that we are to police and seek to eradicate, but to know that repentance is needed in order to keep the wicked one at bay.  Yes, those who practice wickedness must be confronted lest they rule and thereby overwhelm the cause of Christ in that place.  This is eternal business which is why we are to take it most seriously.

Lord, I often treat church things as a part of my voluntary life and those things for which I want to volunteer as my purpose for life.  Help me to realize that to follow You is to not take my hand from the plow, but instead to realize that with all earnestness I should seek after You all the days of my life knowing that by grace and through faith I am being prepared to be with You forever.

Lord Jesus, You did not die on the cross just to polish us up a bit and send us on our way.  In this world of sin, You leave us here for awhile that we might undergo all that is needed in order for You to perfect in us that which You are perfecting.  Help me submit to You, Lord and Savior, that I would know that all that happens in this life is with purpose that has eternal consequences.  Amen.

“This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (2 Corinthians 13:1)

If only the world would practice these simple things. A truthful witness that is corroborated would establish things that happened.  Alas, we would rather be tantalized and go off believing fantasy.  How sad that the world shows its rebellion by adopting what is wrong and then pretending it is right.  For this reason God has come into our world that those who would be rescued might be.

Lord, help me first to see things as they are.  Then, help me to not get caught up in the nonsense of this world and do things the way the world does them.  Guide me, O Lord, in the right way of thinking and acting.  Let me hear and discern whether a testimony is reasonable or just another one of the devil’s fables to stir up the crowds.  Lead me, Lord, to be one who walks in the way of truth.

Come Holy Spirit and bring discernment to my heart.  You know the things that are going on in my heart and You know all that is needed in me for me to be able to see things as they are and do things as the ought to be done.  Keep me on the narrow way that I would learn to act like Jesus.  Grant me a new heart that longs after purity, honesty, and true justice.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of salvation.  Amen.