“For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”  Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present” (2 Corinthians 10:10-11).

How we sinners love to weigh others in our own eyes.  He or she is this or that because of whatever.  We do not know the heart of another, but when we experience them, we do know something.  Listen and learn.  Be willing to receive when the Lord speaks.  Whether you like another or not, they are an image bearer and are loved by the Lord as you are.  Come through this age of sin and learn that the Lord will not leave you as you are.

Lord, I am so influenced by all of the attitudes that fly around me.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would be guided by You and not by the whims of this world.  Help me now and always to see that in You is all hope.  Help me to not judge others, but to instead see that in and through You we are all saved.  Guide me to do my part as You call and direct me.

Lord Jesus, it is said in the Word that You were not anything special to look at.  But Your Words have been impossible to refute.  Yet You too were constantly being discredited by those who did not want to hear Your Word of truth.  Lead me, O Lord, in the truth that I may humbly walk with You now and forever.  Help me receive, by whomever and whenever, Your Word.  Amen.

“For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters” (2 Corinthians 10:8-9).

The law does confront and destroys the illusion that without Christ we can do things the right way.  Yes, we all need to be confronted, but not to be destroyed, but in order that we may be lifted up.  Look closely at this simple difference and do not fall into the camp that is terrified by the law, but be overwhelmed by the love, grace, and mercy of our Lord and Savior.

Lord, the church has been fighting all along about how much law and how much grace is necessary.  Help me to live with You as You direct me in everything day by day.  Guide me in Your goodness that I would now and always look to You, the author of my faith, to lead me in the direction I need to go.  In Your goodness, lift me up and direct the footsteps of my path.

Lord Jesus, You are the only One the law could not convict.  You did for us what we cannot do for ourselves.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would now and forever be guided by Your goodness to seek each day to so follow You that I become a little more like You.  Keep me from fear of men and lead me by Your goodness, grace and mercy.  Help me now and always to learn from You what it means to be faithful.  Amen.

“You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we” (2 Corinthians 10:7).

The outward appearance of things is often deceiving.  We all can put on airs and present something less than what is really true.  Look inward and dare to allow the Spirit to go deep and see who you really are.  Only in the truth of the Lord, where all is known, do we begin to see how much we really need to be saved.  From the inside out, the Lord will reveal the truth and save you.

Lord, may I never stop what You are doing in me by grace.  Help me to not  pretend  nor think that I am good enough.  In fact, may I not worry about how far, how long, or what it takes for me to become like You.  Help me to humbly walk with You as You lead me no matter what.  Guide me Lord in the way of salvation You know I need to walk that I may simply and humbly follow You all the days of my life.  Lead me Lord in the way of salvation.

Come, Holy Spirit, and go deep into my heart that, step by step, all that needs to be done is done in and through You.  You know me better than I know myself.  In the truth of the salvation You have given me, guide me in Your goodness to see through the false hopes of this world to know that all hope and promise is in and through You.  Guide me this day as I journey with You leading.  Amen.

“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete” (2 Corinthians 10:5-6).

The call of being a disciple is an all or nothing proposition.  Jesus has come to save the whole of you.  In this age of the partial, we often think in terms of a little bit and no more.  The Lord will remake us into children of the Heavenly Father.  Come then and walk fully in His countenance and see that in Him is all life and liberty.  Bring your obedience into His hands and be guided by Him.

Lord, You have granted grace upon grace that I may now and forever walk according to Your goodness.  Lead me ever deeper into this truth You have revealed that I may learn and grow according to Your goodness.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of truth You have set before me that I may now and always look to You as the source of my salvation and being.  Let Your knowledge become mine.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we may live in truth and joy with You.  Lead me this day through all pretense that I would not lean on my understanding, but be guided by You, the source of all being.  Guide me in the upward path of salvation that I would wrestle with every evil that dwells within me, knowing that only in You is there hope, life, and a future.  Be with me always Lord!  Amen.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

The actions of people, including ourselves, is driven by many things.  Amongst these are the spiritual elements that buffet us around every day.  Do not be driven by the winds of this world, but by the goodness and grace of our Savior.  Be aware that you are influenced by many things and realize the same is true for others.  Be on your guard to live into the life You have been given by grace.

Lord, I often think these things just a matter of circumstance or upbringing.  Help me see the truth that I may understand more fully myself and those around me.  I do not have the ability to see all things, but help me to see what is evident that I may know Your voice above all the voices in this world.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of truth that I may walk humbly with You.

Lord Jesus, You came to save us and each day I need to be saved from all of the voices, spirits, and wickedness that is all around me.  Keep me on my guard and show me those places where I need to be armed against the wicked one.  Through all things teach me to have mercy on those unaware that I might at all times be guided by You and not live my life swayed by the foul winds of this age.  Amen.

“Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ – I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!  I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh” (2 Corinthians 10:1-2).

As our life in Christ continues, we ought not need to be bold one with the other, but accept God’s love and give His love.  The world is contentious, but we ought not be contentious.  Instead, be humble and willing to give and receive as the Lord gives and receives.  We are whom we are in the Lord and He will make of each one of us what He will make of us.  Live wholly in the Lord.

Lord, I live in a world that is very competitive.  Help me to live truthfully in Your sight and in the sight of my neighbor.  Guide me in the goodness You have revealed that I may learn to be meek, knowing that in this world there are times to be bold.  Through all things, guide me along the path of righteousness that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy through all travails.

Lord Jesus, without You none of these thoughts, let alone actions, would be possible.  By Your grace, guide me this day in the way You would have me walk and, where I might be bold where I should be meek, lead me to have the right attitude.  Through all that this life will toss my way, help me to keep my eyes upon You that I may grow in the goodness and mercy You have given me.  Amen.

“While they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”  (2 Corinthians 9:14-15)

Do you not know that there are others who are lifting you up in prayer?  There are those who seek the Lord’s blessing on your behalf and when You grow in the admonition of the Lord, they grow.  The Lord knits these things together that we might help each other on this path to which we have been called.  Rejoice that you are a part of something greater.  Be glad that the Lord has shown these things to you.

Lord, my faith wavers, but You are steadfast.  I sometimes doubt, but You are there.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always be led by You and grow through those things You give me to do.  Help me now and always to see that in You is all hope and that Your blessings pour out on us each day.  Guide me in Your goodness, Lord, in order that I may see my faith strengthened.

Come, Holy Spirit, and continue to guide me in the way to live life.  Help me now and always to see that through You I may take comfort in doing what You give me to do.  Lead me, O Lord, and I will follow.  Direct me and I will do Your will.  Lift me up and I will be strengthened.  Through You I can do those things You give me to do.  With You in me, I can do them in a way that pleases the Father.  Amen. 

“For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.  Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all” (2 Cotinthians 9:12-13)

There is one fellowship with Christ, the communion of saints.  The Lord is teaching us to work together for good through love.  This is a great mystery, but it is the reality we profess each time the creed is spoken.  Come then into the fellowship and work alongside others in the vinyard, doing what the Lord gives you to do.  Through Him, we are all made part of the work He is accomplishing.

Lord, help me learn how to do my part knowing that in You I will become what You are making me to be.  Guide me in Your goodness to not be so concerned with what is accomplished, but to rejoice that I am a part of Your work.  Guide me to live out the Gospel You have spoken knowing that Your Word never comes back void.  Lead me in the way of righteousness.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always be guided by the truth You have revealed once for all.  In You is all hope and glory.  Apart from You, all is vanity.  Teach me these simple things that I would rejoice in all the good gifts You give and live into the life to which You have called me.  Amen.

“Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).

Do not worry about what you do not have, but take what you do have and walk with the Lord.  He who knows your every need has provided all that is necessary.  Come then, and walk with Him as He leads, and be one who produces thanksgiving in all you do.  Know that through Christ, the Father will bring all things together and fulfill His will on earth as it is done in heaven.

Lord, grant me a willing heart to not stop at those things which I do not understand, but to continue on in the truth You have revealed once for all.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may walk with You into eternity. Guide me by Your goodness to see the good as I walk and to live the good as You lead.  Through all things, may I be one who spreads thanksgiving all around me.

Lord Jesus, You spread Your goodness to all whom You met.  Through You, we have all been blessed with blessing upon blessing.  Guide me, O Lord, this day in Your goodness that I may humbly walk with You in and through me as I encounter others.  Lead me, O Lord, and give me a willing heart to follow.  May I be in the Father’s will, sowing His goodness to all whom I meet this day. Amen.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever”  (2 Corinthians 9:8-9)

The Lord provides for all equally.  What we do with it is something else.  The Lord causes the rain to fall upon the just and the unjust.  You have been given the Good News of salvation which comes through Christ.  His righteousness is offered to you.  Come then and live a life that rejoices in the goodness of His grace and mercy.  Know that all who are in the Lord are provided for.

Lord, I hear the untruths that do not come from you.  I do not need to look far in order to see the hindrance of sin between Your provision and the unfulfilled needs of my neighbor.  Help me to see things clearly that I would never join with those who accuse You.  Instead, grant me a heart that rejoices in truth and loves all whom You love.  Your righteousness alone endures forever.

Lord Jesus, You came as One who lived without and gave away all that You could to those around You.  Finally, You gave to us all the righteousness we could never have apart from You.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may live into the life You offer.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may walk in Your footsteps and grow into Your likeness.  Strengthen me through all things to become more like You.  Amen.