“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.

“For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced” (2 Corinthians 12:20-21).

Who are you now and what were you before the Lord awakened you to His presence?  Do you live life with expectations and demands, or do you know that the Lord is Lord of all.  There is that in-between place where the battle of faith takes place.  Will you ultimately surrender to the Lord, or will you continue to insist that it be your will that is done.  God grant that you come into His will.

Lord, a life of faith in this age is not easy.  I want what I want and I want it as I want it.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may surrender to the truth that You are Lord of all.  Remove from me those sinful things that get in the way that I may now and always live according to what is right and pleasing in Your sight.  Save me, Lord, from myself and free me to be what You are making of me.

Lord Jesus, You have accomplished what needs to be done that we might be free to follow You.  Help me to not turn back, but see instead that in and through You is all hope and a future.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always walk in Your footsteps and live into the life to which You call me.  Through all things, help me keep my eyes upon You.  Amen.

“All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved” (2 Corinthians 12:19).

It is not for you, but the Lord.  This is a consistent theme in Scripture.  Our motivation should be the Lord and not others.  Yes, we love others and serve them, but it is the Lord first whom we serve.  The priority makes a difference for we can easily fall into the thinking that our aim is to please others rather than simply to love, trust, and fear the Lord above all things.

Lord, help me to learn to have the right priorities in al things.  I am easily swayed by circumstances and what others think.  Help me to look to You in all things and for all things.  You are the One through whom all things have their being and You know our hearts better than we ourselves.  Be the One who guides me in all things that I would not get caught up in this world’s insanity.

Lord Jesus, You came that we might be freed from the trends of this world.  In You we find our hope.  Lead me, Lord, in the hope You give that I would do all for, through, and with You.  Let me not so much worry about the why, but upon doing that which is pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Guide me to learn to live out life in such a way that Your goodness is evident always in me.  Amen

“Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?  I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?” (2 Corinthians 12:17-18)

Look at the fruits.  Did not our Lord tell us to do this?  We often get caught in the trivial things and do not pay attention to the whole thing.  What does the story tell you?  If you do this, it becomes fairly clear and quite quickly.  Paul isn’t asking or taking, he is giving.  Jesus isn’t just demanding; He is empowering. The Gospel doesn’t ask us just to resist, but to die to sin.  Look and see.

Lord, I am caught by fancy words and feelings of the moment.  Guide me, Lord, that I may be led by truth and not feelings.  Help me to see through the lies of this age in order to accept, receive, and live truth.  Let me not just count the cost, but be willing to pay whatever the cost is to live truthfully in this age.  Through all things, keep me close to You, and the way You have established for true life.

Lord Jesus, through You alone is all hope.  None of us can do these things on our own.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may walk humbly with You all the days of my life.  Keep me from being deceived.  Help me to be bold by simply being whom You have created me to be.  Let me not capitulate to those who are wrapped up in the lies of this age, but instead live in truth and love.  Amen.  

“I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?  But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit” (2 Corinthians 12:15-16).

This has really not changed.  Either Paul is lying, or else he is speaking truth.  Either Jesus died for our sins, or else it is all made up.  It is not a matter of your deciding what is true, for truth is truth whether or not you believe it.  Instead, it is about seeking truth while it may be found.  Why would someone put up with so much grief if they were simply trying to sell something?

Lord, open my mind to understand truth when I see it. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may learn to know it when I see it.  Let me not be taken in by all of the garbage that is out there.  Lead me into truth that I may stand firm in what You have already revealed and walk in the way of eternal life.  Let me not be a burden, but carry the burden You give me to carry that I may grow in Your likeness.

Lord Jesus, You have come to grant life and to lead the way of how to live life.  This world is filled will all kinds of options which are no true options at all.  Keep me from the broad ways that lead to destruction that I may be guided by Your narrow way which is true.  Help me hold fast to all that is true and right and live according to these principles which You have given me.  Amen.

“For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!  Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children” (2 Corinthians 12:13-14).

Here we see the thing often overlooked.  Just as Paul was coming not to be a burden, nor ask for their help, so also, God does not come to see what He can gain from us, but what He can give us.  Look to the Lord and see that He has come into our midst to offer the abundance of His love and mercy.  Be captivated by the offer before you and do not be as the world, which is always discounting love and truth.

Lord, open my eyes to see the truth and not walk away from the grace You offer.  Lead me in Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope and glory.  Guide me in Your goodness to walk in the love You give and grow in the likeness of Christ who has come to lead the way.  Help me overcome the obstacles of this world that I may abide fully in You in hope and love.

Lord Jesus, lead the way into the life to which You call me.  Help me to see through the problems I have here and now in order to live into the life which is everlasting.  In all things Lord, help me to keep my eyes upon You as You lead me.  You have come seeking what has always been Yours.  Let me see this and gladly abide in You my Lord, Master, Savior, and King.  Amen.