“To the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?  For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 2:16-17).

This world is dying all day long.  The people of this world are steeped in sin and promoting death.  We are called to be children of light who live in the light and offer the only acceptable alternative to the culture of death.  Come into the light and live by the light of Christ that you may have the Christ-life in you.  In Him alone is there hope for this death-bound world.

Lord, help me to see where this world tugs at me to join in its culture of death.  Guide me according to Your will to live into the life You offer in Christ.  In You alone is all hope and the eternal future You promise through grace and mercy.  Lead me ever deeper into the light that I may reflect You as an ambassador of light and peace in a dark and hostile world.

Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world which shines in the darkness.  Many do not see Your light; but help all those who have seen the light to shine brightly and begin with me.  In Your purpose and will, lift me out of the darkness this world tries to cover me with, that I may be a light shining on a hill; a beacon for those who will see the light.  Guide me to do all that is needed that I may be in the Father’s will.  Amen.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)

Who is the leaven for good in this world?  The Lord has those who are faithful to Him who share the grace and mercy He first gives us.  Be an agent for good in the world by seeking to do the Lord’s will at all times and in all places.  He will work in you and through you by His amazing grace and fulfill His will amongst the people around you.  In Christ, we are able to do more than we might imagine.

Lord, help me to not focus on what I am doing, or where it will lead, but upon what is pleasing to You.  You are Lord and all things will work together for good according to Your grace and mercy.  Teach me to be one who knows what is right and then send me into the world to do what is right.  In all things, help me trust in You and know that it is You working amongst Your faithful.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us to be people of prayer.  You have taught us how to reach out and be the hands and feet of the Good News You have brought into the world.  Help me to not focus upon what I think about things, but to be one who does what is right in the Father’s eyes.  Guide me to trust in Your leading, listen to Your Spirit and be a person of action in this world.  Amen.

“Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia” (2 Corinthians 2:12-13).

We each have a journey to travel.  No two people will take the same path and yet, we all take the same path in Christ.  Know that the author and finisher of our faith will guide us in the way we need to go and each will be part of accomplishing the Father’s will.  Marvel that the Lord ties all of these things together according to His purpose that all who love Him would be brought together.

Lord, help me to understand that You are the One who is leading Your faithful people in the way they should go.  Guide me to humbly accept Your direction knowing that You are working at all times in and through Your faithful people.  May I not so much seek to understand all things as to be obedient in all that You give me to do.  May I have a heart that says, “Yes” to you always.

Lord Jesus, You have given Your Spirit to guide us from the inside out.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may abide in the Father’s will.  Wherever You bring me, help me see the work You do that I may rejoice in all of Your good gifts.  Through all things, may I be one who looks to You and lives faithfully in the promises You give by grace.  Amen.

“But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

Do not be ignorant of the devil’s schemes. He would see you be filled with hatred and remorse. The Lord has come that you may learn love and liberty. The journey of salvation is one that brings us from where we were to where we will be. Only in the salvation of the Lord is one truly set free. Come then into the salvation prepared for you in the Lord and walk humbly with Him.

Lord, there is nothing new under the sun and nothing that You have not seen before. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may learn how to humbly walk with You. Guide me Lord into this way of living that I would realize that all sin is ultimately against You. If I forgive, what is that but imitating You, but if You forgive, it is true grace. I am nothing but an echo, but You are the One in whom all things have their being.

Lord Jesus, You have taught and Your Word has been heard. Now bring those words into my heart that they may take root there and create in me a clean and new heart. Teach me to listen to all of Your counsel and walk humbly in all of Your ways. Guide my salvation as You alone can that I would not fall prey to the devil’s schemes. Lead me now and always in the narrow way, Lord. Amen.

“Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things” (2 Corinthians 2:8-9).

Lord, You have commanded that we love our neighbors as we love our selves. We need to be led to know what this means. I know that when I am most disappointed in myself, it is often there that I love myself enough to be corrected, reproved, and restored. We all need to learn to love in this way, which is not easy, in order to be those who encourage one another in this life of faith.

Lord, teach me to love as You love. Guide me that I would not go too far one way or the other. Help me to see where that line is that I may be a part of Your will and not one who needs to be corrected. In all things, let me be constantly reminded that You alone are the One who saves and that through You alone is there hope in this faith that You have given. May I always look to You.

Lord Jesus, You know what I need today. You know the challenges I will face and the difficulties that will present themselves. Lead me, O Lord, along the narrow way that I would walk humbly with You, listen to You, and obey all that You command. Guide me now and always that I would learn how to love as You love, treating others as I would want to be treated if I were in a similar circumstance. Amen.

“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.