Questions for Reflection for Study of 2 Corinthians 5-8

Each new day is a gift of renewal with amazing power because Christ has paid for all sins. In one cataclysmic moment, all wrong-doing is wiped clean and we have access through prayer to the ONE who has all the answers to our questions.

Over the last few weeks, we have received answers to many questions as we study God’s word. Even if having a tough day, we can go to the Lord in prayer for comfort. We can start fresh with a new perspective because the love of Jesus restores so we can go from a place of brokenness to a place in life with laughter, joy, and peace.

Today, we can learn from the past and cast our worries about the future aside. We can find joy in the present and look forward to a bright future forever free of what holds us back. As we relate to others, we can be optimistic because by the grace of God we possess the Spirit in our heart which is only a deposit securing what is to come.

Saving grace is not something earned but something accepted. Our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never let us down. The lessons learned in God’s word and the experiences of life can be documented. Much like a lake that collects rain water, we can collect a reservoir of thoughts and ideas from our life over time to be used in the decisions we make.

Over the last few weeks, learned is that each changed heart was a letter of recommendation from Christ to qualify Paul as a minister of God’s word. In the same way, the knowledge of God can multiply because of our character. The way we treat others, what we say to others, and how we encourage and affirm others.

So many obstacles may be put in our way along the journey. Impossible deadlines at work, trying to grasp a hard subject in school, bad relationships, uncontrollable anger, or poor health are just a few examples. The Good News is that we have the power that works within. With this power, we can passionately believe in what we are doing and feel confident that nothing can hold us up in our work. We can be optimistic because one day at a time, the impossible will become possible!

The gospel sheds light on the glory of Christ who is the image of God. The light shines out of darkness into our hearts and overflows into the world around us. Like Paul, we may go through discouragement and hardship but because of Jesus in our heart, we have an all-surpassing power to handle the difficulties faced and finish strong.

The reading plan below will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with God amazing!

Questions for Reflection

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2 Corinthians 5:11-19
How does the fact of being known by God substantiate Paul’s boldness? What is the new creation? What are three attitudes or types of activities that reflect what you know of the new creation?

2 Corinthians 5:20 through 6:10
What are Paul’s actions which commend him being an ambassador of God? What are the qualities Paul exhibited during his trials? What trials have you experienced? To what extent have you endured?

2 Corinthians 6:11 through 7:4
What is Paul’s desire for the Corinthian Christians? What does he expect of them? Why is it difficult to please God while united improperly to an unbeliever?

2 Corinthians 7:5-16
What should be your attitude in suffering and grief to experience profitable character building? How has God comforted you through another person? How can you comfort others in your relationships at work, school, or home?

2 Corinthians 8:1-15
What is the motivation for giving? What principles do you use as a guide for godly giving? What principles could improve your approach to giving?

2 Corinthians 8:16-24
What is Paul’s concern in administering such a large fund? What are the qualifications of the three delegates Paul sends to the Corinthians for the task of collection of funds? What standards of honesty do you have for those handling other people’s money?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God. 

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print. 
“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web.  <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.
“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.
Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.
“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.
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Break Through the Barriers

The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1 

Within the post “Spiritual Treasures are Forever”, written about was that Paul was of good courage and we can be of good courage today by having the attitude that difficulties faced on earth are only short-term. This day with God, accumulate the permanent treasures that are from the Spirit because they will be with you forever.

Many times when faced with challenges in life, we put up barriers. An example was the mile race in track. No one had broken the 4 minute barrier until Roger Bannister. He ran the first sub-4-minute mile in the 1952 Olympics. Today, all Olympic athletes run sub-4-minutes miles.

Barriers in life can be broken but it takes courage to overcome our doubts. Like in the song Whom Shall I Fear by Chris Tomlin, God will hear your prayers. There is no one or thing to fear. God has an army of angels always by your side. There is victory in Jesus for He has gone before you to make sure things fall into place. Hold on to the promise for He is always faithful. 


Index of devotionals

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Spiritual Treasures are Forever

The truth about life that has totally grasped Paul as we read in 2 Corinthians 4:16 through 5:10 is that the outer nature is temporary but the inner nature is eternal. Life on earth is only for a short time but our Spiritual life with Christ is eternal. This molds our attitudes and actions because difficulties faced on earth are only short term.

Outwardly, we waste away but inwardly we are renewed day by day. The outer nature is weak during hard times and there is the feeling of being down but the mood for the inner nature is cheerful because there is power to take on the challenges life brings.

Paul was of good courage and we can be of good courage today by having the attitude that difficulties are only temporary. This day with God, accumulate the permanent treasures that are from the Spirit because they will be with you forever.

You may outwardly be wasting away but God the Spirit is at work on the inside, transforming you into the likeness of Jesus Christ. It may take some time but do not lose heart.

Photo Credit – Mark-Weinberger-Power-Of-Purpose

Lord this day, You are at work transforming us into the likeness of Jesus Christ so we can stand out in a positive way in a world that is very troubling at times. Help us to always take in what is right for our spiritual growth and rejecting what is wrong. Spiritual treasures are forever. Use our trials for Your glory, give us the courage to conquer our fears, help us to walk by faith, and report on the Good News. In Jesus name, amen.

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Love and the Outcome

This poem was inspired from 2 Corinthians 2 when Paul was Spirit led and used the occasion to teach the Corinthian church leaders about church discipline and forgiveness.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Take care of disputes
In neighborly love
And forgive each other
As done from above.

Confront wrongdoings
By being thoughtful
And in unity
Spread the Gospel.

For excellence,
Be ready to pray
And always obey
By following His way.

Emphasize salvation
As not something earned
But something accepted
So good is returned.

As wisdom is gained,
Things will fall into place
With a Spirit led life
And everlasting grace.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 03-21-2019

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Light Shines Out of Darkness

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. – 2 Corinthians 4:6 

As shared in the post “All-Surpassing Power”, Paul went through discouragement in setting up new churches and we all face times along the journey when we feel let down but in the end, we must maintain hope for the light shines out of darkness.

Our faith gives courage to face any doubts, and the love of Christ brings victory over our enemies who only offer hate. Like in the song Through All of It by Colton Dixon, there will be struggles and tough days but in the end there is victory because we have the power to finish strong.  


Index of devotionals

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